January 07, 2022
By Shooting Times Staff
It looks like a lot of new competition shotguns are being served up, but there are plenty of new hunting shotguns, too.
Benelli ETHOS SuperSport The semiautomatic ETHOS SuperSport is set up for clays shooters, and it features a new lightweight, weather-resistant, carbon-fiber finish. It’s offered in 12, 20, and 28 gauges and comes with the ComfortTech 3 recoil-reducing system, a ported Crio barrel, a fiber-optic front sight and a mid-rib bead, and extended Crio chokes. The gun also features the Shell View system, a beveled loading port, drop and cast shims, and a nickel-plated receiver. Barrel lengths are 28 and 30 inches. Length of pull is 14.38 inches. Weight varies from 5.4 to 7 pounds.
MSRP: $2,299
benelliusa.com
Advertisement
Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon IIIThe new Silver Pigeon III over-under shotgun is a fancier version of Beretta’s 686 Silver Pigeon I. Offered in 12, 20, and 28 gauges and .410 Bore, the Silver Pigeon III has a satin-gloss, grade 2.5 walnut buttstock and restyled forearm and an all-new engraving pattern executed by a 5-axis laser that truly looks like deep-relief hand-engraving. The gun comes with cold-hammer-forged Steelium Optima HP barrels (lengths include 26, 28, and 30 inches depending on the gauge) and Beretta’s Optima HP choke system.
MSRP: $2,699
berettausa.com
Advertisement
Browning Maxus II All-Purpose Hunter Browning says its new Maxus II All-Purpose Hunter is ready for everything from upland birds to turkeys to waterfowl. This 12-gauge semiautomatic features the Power Drive Gas system, a new SoftFlex cheekpad, and a new Inflex recoil pad. Shims are included to adjust drop and cast, and the stock can be trimmed for a shorter length of pull or lengthened via included shims. The buttstock and forearm have rubber overmolding, and the forearm cap is a new screw-on style. Barrel length is 26 inches. The sights are a fiber-optic front and ivory mid-bead. Finish is Mossy Oak Break-Up Country. Improved Cylinder, Modified, Full, and Extra-Full choke tubes are included and so is an ABS hard case.
MSRP: $1,979.99
browning.com
CZ-USA Bobwhite G2 Intermediate In response to the great success of last year’s Redhead G2 Intermediate over-under shotgun, this year CZ-USA has announced the Bobwhite G2 Intermediate side-by-side. The new midsize Bobwhite G2 Intermediate is offered in 20 gauge with 26-inch barrels and a 14-inch length of pull. The checkered buttstock and forearm are Turkish walnut, the barrels are gloss black, and the receiver is finished in black chrome. Cylinder, Improved Cylinder, Modified, Improved Modified, and Full choke tubes are included. Overall length is 42 inches. Weight is 6 pounds. There is also a Southpaw version that is “cast on” for a better fit for left-handed shooters.
MSRP: $675
cz-usa.com
Franchi Instinct SLX 28 Gauge Last year Franchi brought out the 28-gauge Instinct SL, and new for 2021, the company is offering the heirloom-quality Instinct SLX in 28 gauge. The artistically engraved aluminum-alloy receiver is scaled to correct 28-gauge size and features gold inlays. The locking lever is tastefully cut out, and the handsome AA-grade walnut Prince of Wales stock and Schnabel forearm are beautifully checkered. Other features include 28-inch gloss-blue barrels, a red fiber-optic front sight, screw-in choke tubes, and all-steel ejectors. Weight is 5.2 pounds. Length of pull is 14.25 inches. The gun comes in a custom-fitted case.
MSRP: $2,099
franchiusa.com
Mossberg Gold Reserve Over-Under Shotguns Mossberg’s new Gold Reserve over-unders are offered in 12 and 20 gauges and .410 Bore. The standard Gold Reserve has a Grade-A black walnut stock with satin finish and cut-checkering on the grip and forearm, polished blue barrels with vent ribs, and a satin-finished receiver. Other standard features include shell extractors, a front bead sight, and five extended choke tubes (Skeet, Improved Cylinder, Modified, Improved Modified, and Full). Barrel lengths are 30 inches (12 gauge) and 28 inches (20 gauge and .410 Bore).
The Gold Reserve Black Label version is available in 12 gauge only and features a polished blue receiver and 30-inch barrels. The Gold Reserve Super Sport version (shown) is also 12 gauge only; has a fiber-optic front sight; and its buttstock is adjustable for length of pull, cast, and comb height.
MSRP: $983 (Gold Reserve); $983 (Gold Reserve Black Label); $1,221 (Gold Reserve Super Sport)
mossberg.com
Rock Island Armory VRPA40 The Rock Island Armory VRPA40 is not designed for competition or hunting, although I’m sure it could work for some of that. Its main purpose is for defense. It is a pump-action 12-gauge shotgun with a 20-inch barrel and a detachable five-round magazine. The finish is Marine Black anodized. The sights are a fiber-optic front and an adjustable ghost-ring rear with protective shields, and the slotted top rail allows easy installation of a red-dot optic. The gun comes with Cylinder, Modified, and Full screw-in choke tubes. Overall length is 41 inches. Length of pull is 14.25 inches. Weight is 7.5 pounds.
MSRP: $399
rockislandarmory.com
Rossi Turkey Shotgun Rossi’s newest Turkey Shotgun comes with a 26-inch barrel, a bead sight, and an OD Green synthetic Tuffy stock that has an exaggerated thumbhole and built-in shell carrier for extra .410 shotshells. It also has a rubber recoil pad, a sling swivel, and a removable piece so that the stock can be shortened to fit youth-size hunters and those of smaller stature. The forearm is sculpted and textured, and it also has a sling swivel. The polymer receiver has a steel frame structure, and the barrel has a Picatinny top rail for installing optics. The gun comes with Extra-Full and Modified choke tubes. Weight is 3.7 pounds.
MSRP: $220.97
rossiusa.com
Savage Renegauge Competition Savage’s popular Renegauge semiautomatic shotgun is now offered in a Competition configuration. The new 12-gauge model features the D.R.I.V. gas system, a one-piece chrome-plated action bar assembly, an extended magazine tube (nine-round capacity), a matte black adjustable buttstock (length of pull, comb height, drop, and cast), a fluted 24-inch barrel with a Melonite finish, a carbon-steel vent rib with a red HiViz TriComp front sight, oversize controls, a competition-ready loading port, and an extended Skeet2 Light Modified choke tube. The receiver, extended magazine tube, and extended choke tube are finished in red Cerakote.
MSRP: $1,959
savagearms.com
Stevens 320 Turkey Thumbhole As its moniker indicates, the new pump-action Stevens 320 Turkey Thumbhole shotgun comes with a thumbhole synthetic stock that has an ambidextrous cheek riser. The stock and forearm are finished in OD Green, and the chrome-alloy 22-inch barrel and receiver are finished in matte black. The gun comes with an extended Extra-Full WinChoke screw-in choke tube, a vent rib, a black rubber recoil pad, adjustable fiber-optic turkey sights, and sling-swivel studs. The action uses dual slide bars and a rotary bolt. Offered in 12 and 20 gauges, magazine capacity is five rounds. Weight is 7.6 pounds.
MSRP: $323
savagearms.com
Stoeger M3500 Snow Goose Shotgun The new M3500 12-gauge semiautomatic Snow Goose Shotgun from Stoeger boasts a whopping 10-round magazine capacity. It also features an oversize bolt handle and bolt release button, a beveled loading port, rugged weather-resistant construction, and a Distressed White Cerakote finish. The gun comes with a full-length vent rib with red-bar front sight, five extended choke tubes (Improved Cylinder, Modified, Extra-Full Turkey, Close Range, and Mid-Range), a paracord sling, and a shim kit for adjusting drop and cast. Barrel length is 28 inches. Overall length is 50 inches. Length of pull is 14.38 inches. Weight is 8.2 pounds.
MSRP: $899
stoegerindustries.com
Winchester SX4 Hybrid Hunter Woodland The semiautomatic SX4 uses the proven Active Valve Gas System for optimal reliability, and the new-for-2021 12-gauge Hybrid Hunter Woodland version features a Flat Dark Earth Cerakote finish on the aluminum-alloy receiver and steel barrel for rugged durability. The composite stock is finished in classic Woodland camo, and the length of pull is 14.25 inches. The gun comes with an Inflex recoil pad, a TRUGLO fiber-optic front sight, and three Invector-Plus choke tubes (Improved Cylinder, Modified, and Full). The barrel is 28 inches long. The 3.5-inch chamber and bore are chrome-plated, and the carrier and the oversize bolt release button wear nickel Teflon coating. Weight is 7 pounds.
MSRP: $1,079.99
winchesterguns.com
