Benelli's 2024 lineup of 828 O/U shotguns. (Photo by Lynn Burkhead)
January 27, 2024
By Alan Clemons
It’s been a minute, it seems, since this many shotguns were introduced at SHOT Show at the same time. Manufacturers debut their top products at the massive show, which is held in Las Vegas and is the eighth-largest trade show in the country. This year, shotguns took center stage with hunters and clay-target enthusiasts having a wide array to choose from.
From specific models for turkeys and snow geese to updates on old favorites, here are some of the best new shotguns for 2024.
Benelli Montefeltro Ultra Light Benelli’s Montefeltro Ultra Light has a host of features, from reduced weight and shorter length for faster swings on birds in the field. The 12-gauge sports a 26-inch barrel and the 20-gauge a 24-inch, both with a reduced-length magazine tube and featherweight carbon-fiber stepped rib. They tip the scales at 6.3 and 5.3 pounds, respectively. The magazine tube can be modified with an optional extension should you want more than 4+1. The Montefeltro Ultra Light features Benelli’s Inertia Driven system to deliver clean operation and reliable cycling from the lightest to the heaviest field loads. The shotguns have AA-grade walnut, Crio-treated gloss blued barrel, Benelli’s WeatherCoat finish on the stock and receiver, and more.
Mossberg Silver Reserve Waterfowl Mossberg International is adding a Silver Reserve Eventide Waterfowl 12 gauge, 3.5-inch over-and-under to its line of break-action shotguns. Eventide O/U shotguns feature shell extractors, chrome-lined barrels and bores, and dual locking lugs; housed in weather-resistant synthetic stocks and forends. The 28-inch vent rib barrels are topped with a front fiber optic sight and come with a Field Set of chokes.
Advertisement
Mossberg Silver Reserve Turkey !
Mossberg International is importing three Silver Reserve Eventide Turkey over-and-under shotguns in 12 gauge (3.5-inch), 20 gauge and 28 gauge with 3-inch chambers, offering hunters more options in the field. All have compact 20-inch barrels and full camo-coverage with Mossy Oak Greenleaf. The Silver Reserve Turkey O/U shotguns have durable, camo synthetic stocks and forends; 14-inch length-of-pull; complementing camo metal finish; 20-inch vent rib barrel topped with a front fiber optic sight; and dual-locking lugs. The 12-gauge can accommodate 3.5-inch shells; the 20-gauge and 28-gauge feature 3-inch chambers, 20-inch barrels with extended choke tubes; front fiber optic sight; and full camo package.
Stoeger M3500 Stoeger’s new M3500 Predator/Turkey is designed for rugged use chasing wily predators and turkeys that love to battle. The M3500 begins with a 24-inch ported barrel chambered for 3.5-inch 12-gauge. Fitted with a stepped, vented rib and high-visibility red-bar front sight. For those who prefer an optic, the receiver comes drilled and tapped for mounting. Supporting the barreled receiver is Stoeger’s SteadyGrip stock system with a vertical pistol grip for optimal hand positioning. The M3500 Predator/Turkey is dressed in Mossy Oak Overwatch camo and comes with integrated sling swivel studs and paracord sling. Two included MOJO specialty chokes deliver tight patterns and consistent point-of-impact performance. Info: StoegerIndustries.com
Advertisement
Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 The legendary Super Black Eagle from Benelli grows this year with the third generation, the SBE 3 Compact. It has the same mechanical features and design of the SBE 3, but is shorter and lighter. This provides improved handling, better fit, and a more comfortable shooting experience for those with a shorter length of pull. The SBE 3 Compact has a 26-inch barrel, overall length of 46-1/4 inches thanks to a reduced buttstock, and lighter weight. The 12-gauge model weighs 6.7 pounds, while the 20-gauge is 5.7 and 28-gauge is 5.4. The SBE 3 Compact is chambered for 2 ¾- and 3-inch shotshells. All models come with a black synthetic stock, Benelli’s Inertia Driven system, extended (IC, M) and flush (C, IM, F) Crio chokes, Crio-treated barrels, Comfort Tech 3 recoil pads, Combtech pads, drop and cast shim kit, and a custom-fitted hard case.
Mossberg 940 Pro Launched in 2021, the 940 Pro Waterfowl and the 940 Pro Snow Goose 12-gauge autoloaders from Mossberg have proven themselves in the field. This year, the pair come with an optic-ready receiver to accept micro-dot opics (RMSc-pattern). The 940 Pro Waterfowl Optic-Ready features a 28-inch AccuChoke-compatible vent rib barrel equipped with a HIVIZ CompSight front fiber-optic sight. An extended X-Factor Modified choke tube and flush Full and Improved Cylinder chokes are included. Metal surfaces (receiver and barrel) wear a weather-resistant Cerakote finish in Patriot Brown, which naturally blends with the Mossy Oak Vintage Shadow Grass camouflaged stock and forend. The updated 940 Snow Goose Optic Ready has an extended mag to handle 13 shells, among other features, along with TrueTimber Viper Snow camo on stock and forend. Battleship Gray Cerakote finish is featured on the receiver and barrel.
Further expanding its family of 940 Pro 12-gauge autoloading shotguns, Mossberg adds the convenience of a combo, their 18.5-inch 940 Pro Turkey Optic Ready platform with a factory-mounted Holosun HS407K micro dot sight. The sight is mounted directly into the patent-pending optic cut on the receiver, has a 6 MOA Dot reticle, 12 brightness levels, unlimited eye relief, Shake Awake feature, and up to 50,000 hours battery life. The 940 Pro’s gas system cycles factory-manufactured 2.75- or 3-inch ammunition, 1 1/8 ounce or greater. Performance-driven features include oversized, beveled loading port; slim-profile forend and adjustable, self-draining stock, oversized charging handle, and paddle-style bolt release for ease of operation.
CZ 1012 G2 CZ-USA has upgraded its 1012 inertia-operated shotgun, with the 1012 G2 designed for wingshooting in sunny skies or foul weather and other harsh conditions. CZ updated the gas-less system to run a wider variety of shells, from soft recoiling target loads to hard-hitting 3-inch magnum shells for geese. The 12-gauge CZ 1012 G2 is available in eight models including walnut with a choice of metal finishes, the All-Terrain in black synthetic with three camo finishes.
Savage Arms 555 Savage Arms is shipping its 555 Sporting, now available in 20 gauge and .410 bore, and the 555 Sporting Compact, available in 12 gauge, 20 gauge and .410 bore. The 555 Sporting and 555 Sporting Compact have a lightweight aluminum alloy receiver scaled to gauge. They also incorporate a steel insert that reinforces the breech, which minimizes weight and maximizes strength. They come with Turkish walnut, a raised vent rib, chrome-lined barrels, tang mounted safety and more.
Benelli 828U Benelli adds to its popular line of hunting shotguns with the 828U Steel Field, an over-under with steel receiver sporting a brushed gray finish and patented locking system. The receiver leverages the slightly enhanced weight and strength of steel to help mitigate recoil when shooting heavy loads. It also moves weight bias rearward for a subtle balance shift that delivers smoother swings on fast-moving targets. The 828U Steel Field is suitable for the clays range as well as upland fields. It has a barrel-contained ejector system and top lever trigger reset. Benelli’s Perfect Fit technology allows up to 40 points of drop and cast adjustability for an optimal fit. The 828U Steel Field is offered in 12- and 20-gauge with 2 ¾- and 3-inch chambers, with different barrel lengths from 26-30 inches.
