New Shotguns for 2011

April 18, 2011

Check out these 10 New Shotguns for 2011.

By Shooting Times Staff Report

Benelli
The Super Vinci is just what it sounds like: a big brother to the Vinci that made such a splash. Most notably, it takes 3½-in. shells, but it also functions well with 2¾-in. hulls. It's initially available in black, Realtree MAX-4, and Realtree APG with either a 26- or 28-in. barrel, and five Crio Chokes are included. The stock is Benelli's recoil-softening ComforTech Plus. Weight: 7 lbs. Price: $1,649 to $1,759 depending on version.

www.benelli.com

Beretta
The most exciting new shotgun offerings from Beretta are the A400 Xplor Light and the A400 Xcel semiautos. Both 12-gauge models feature the Blink operating system, the recoil-reducing Kick-Off system, the lightweight Micro-Core recoil pad, and cold-hammer forged barrels with Optima Bore HP technology. They are chambered for 2¾- and 3-in. shells. The Xplor Light weighs 6.28 lbs. The A400 Xcel also features the Balance Cap system of interchangeable weights and is finished in a distinctive royal blue anodized finish. Price: Not available at press time.

www.berettausa.com

Browning
For those who rely on a .410-Bore revolver for home defense, Browning has produced your handgun's new best friend. The BPS High Capacity is a pump-action .410 that packs five rounds in the magazine, has a 20-in. Cylinder-Bore barrel, and is available in either matte blued/walnut ($659, 6 lbs., 10 oz.) or matte stainless/composite ($689, 7 lbs., 8 oz.). Overall length: 40¾ in.

Completely at the other end of the spectrum, there's a new A-Bolt rifled 12-gauge shotgun for deer hunters in states that have shotgun-only regulations. It's available with a walnut, black composite, or camo composite stock, and the barrel is 22 in. Weight: 7 lbs. (composite) or 7 lbs., 2 oz. (wood). At a price ranging from $1,100 (black composite) to $1,200 (wood), it's a connoisseur's slug gun.

There are also several new iterations of Browning's legendary field and competitions guns that are well worth checking out.

www.browning.com

CZ-USA
With a high-gloss finish and sleek, modern lines, the new 12-gauge Model 912 semiauto shotgun is both good looking and a good value ($509). A long recoil spring design simplifies maintenance and gives forgiveness, allowing shooters to load light 2¾-in. hulls or heavy 3-in. stuff. The shotgun comes with five interchangeable choke tubes. Barrel length: 28 in., chrome lined. Overall length: 49 in. Weight: 7 lbs., 5 oz.

www.cz-usa.com

Mossberg
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Model 500, and there are several new turkey versions of the classic pump gun. The new Turkey THUG guns include Model 500, Model 535 ATS, and Model 835 Ulti-Mag pumpers. Select models of turkey THUGs feature TruGlo red-dot sights, full-length pistol grip or standard stocks, and black or Mossy Oak Break-Up Infinity camo finish. All THUG guns come with LPA adjustable triggers and adjustable fiber-optic sights. Price: Not available at press time.

www.mossberg.com

Remington
New in the VersaMax line are two 26-in., 12-gauge models: one with a black synthetic stock ($1,399), the other with a Realtree camo stock ($1,599). The black model comes with five flush Pro Bore chokes (F, M, IM, LM, and IC), and the camo gun comes with four Pro Bore Extended choke tubes (Flooded Timber, Over Decoys, Pass Shooting, and Turkey/Predator).

www.remington.com

Rossi
The original Circuit Judge revolving-cylinder shotgun in .410 went over really big with shooters last year, and new for this year is a 28-gauge version. The new shotgun comes with an 18.5-in. barrel, brass bead front sight, Monte Carlo-style stock, cushioned recoil pad, scope mount base, hammer extension, and the Taurus Security System. Price: Not available at press time.

There's also a new and very unique revolving-cylinder Circuit Judge Lever Action in .410/.45. It features an 18.5-in. barrel, Monte Carlo-style stock, and adjustable sights. Price: Not available at press time.

Rossi's western-style Rio Grande lever-action carbine line is also growing, with the addition of a new .410 shotgun version. Barrel length is 20 in., and weight is 5.8 lbs. Price: Not available at press time.

www.rossiusa.com

Weatherby
Three new scatterguns have joined Weatherby's Threat Response line of home-defense guns. The semiauto SA-459 TR, the pump-action PA-08 TR, and the pump-action PA-459 Digital TR are chambered for either 12- or 20-gauge shells, feature 18.5-in. barrels, and come with matte black metalwork. PA-459 and SA-459 models come with Picatinny rails and ghost-ring sights. Price: $368 (PA-08 TR), $499 (PA-459 Digital TR), $659 (SA-459 TR).

www.weatherby.com

Winchester
With a dozen new SX versions, Winchester's shotgun line has something for everyone. The new models include 10 new SX3 semiautos (field guns, deer-specific models, waterfowl versions, and turkey gun

s) and two new SXP pump guns. Coolest among the new offerings are the SXP Waterfowl and the SX3 Compact Field.

The 12-gauge SXP Waterfowl is finished in Mossy Oak Duck Blind camo; handles 2¾-in. and 3-in. steel, tungsten, bismuth, and lead shells; and features a back-bored, chrome-lined barrel (26 or 28 in.). It weighs 6 lbs., 14 oz. and measures 48.5 in. overall with 28-in. barrel. Price: $530.

The new SX3 Compact Field semiautomatic shotgun is designed with small-stature and youth shooters in mind. It measures 45.75 in. overall (26-in. barrel; 28-in. barrel also available) and weighs 6 lbs., 6 oz. (20 gauge, 26-in. barrel). Length of pull is 13.25 in. (13 in. without spacer). It is chambered for 12 or 20 gauge (3-in. shells) and is finished in gray Perma-coat UT. Price: $1,220.

www.winchesterguns.com