If you’re interested in the history of guns, you’ve probably heard the name John Browning. This American gunsmith is credited with inventing over 100 different weapons and holding 128 firearm patents. His weapons included the Winchester Model 1885 and Winchester Model 1886, the Colt Model 1911, and the Browning Automatic-5. Also known as the Auto-5, this gun is considered the first semi-automatic shotgun ever patented. The Auto-5 was produced for over 100 years before ending in 1998. Since that point, we’ve continued to see advances in semi-automatic shotguns. Today’s weapons are fast to shoot, lightweight, and relatively easy to handle, making semi-automatic shotguns a great choice for hunting or for home defense — which is why so many are sold each year. (Not just interested in shotguns? Here are the 10 handguns Americans are loading up on.)
Using a report from Gun Genius, which analyzed sales data from GunBroker.com, 24/7 Wall St. identified the ten most popular semi-automatic shotguns in America. Shotguns are ranked on sales volume in the 2023 calendar year, though exact sales figures were not provided. Supplemental data on domestic manufacturing locations and production volume in 2021 are from the ATF. It is important to note that this list was compiled using online gun sales only. Unlike most items purchased online, firearms are generally not shipped directly to your door. Typically, the process requires buyers to have their gun shipped to a Federally Licensed Firearm Dealer, which will conduct a background check before transferring the gun to the customer.
Why Is This Important?
Most companies making America’s most popular semi-automatic shotguns have large U.S.-based manufacturing locations and produce tens of thousands of shotguns domestically every year. However, imported shotguns have been taking a growing share of the market recently, and many formerly iconic American brands are now manufactured overseas. Winchester, for example, was acquired by the Belgian arms maker Herstal in the late 1980s. Now, Winchester’s Super X4 shotgun, which ranks at number eight on this list, is manufactured in Portugal. Learning more about who makes these popular shotguns gives you an idea of which companies are heavily contributing to economic activity.
You’ll never guess America’s ten most popular semi-automatic shotguns:
10. Remington V3
- Approx. base retail price: $950
- Available chamberings include: 12 ga
- Parent company: RemArms
- Remington U.S. shotgun production in 2021: 45,277 (6.7% of all U.S. shotgun production)
- U.S. manufacturing location(s) in 2021: Ilion, NY
9. Benelli M2
- Approx. base retail price: $1,140
- Available chamberings include: 12 ga, 20 ga
- Parent company: Beretta Holding
- Beretta U.S. shotgun production in 2021: 24,210 (3.6% of all U.S. shotgun production)
- U.S. manufacturing location(s) in 2021: Gallatin, TN
8. Winchester Super X4
- Approx. base retail price: $750
- Available chamberings include: 12 ga, 20 ga
- Parent company: Herstal Group
- Winchester U.S. shotgun production in 2021: 00 (0.0% of all U.S. shotgun production)
- U.S. manufacturing location(s) in 2021: None
7. Browning A5
- Approx. base retail price: $1,500
- Available chamberings include: 12 ga, 16 ga
- Parent company: Herstal Group
- Browning U.S. shotgun production in 2021: 02 (0.0% of all U.S. shotgun production)
- U.S. manufacturing location(s) in 2021: Morgan, UT (Browning)
6. Beretta A400
- Approx. base retail price: $1,410
- Available chamberings include: 12 ga, 20 ga, 28 ga
- Parent company: Beretta Holding
- Beretta U.S. shotgun production in 2021: 24,210 (3.6% of all U.S. shotgun production)
- U.S. manufacturing location(s) in 2021: Gallatin, TN
5. Beretta 1301
- Approx. base retail price: $1,380
- Available chamberings include: 12 ga
- Parent company: Beretta Holding
- Beretta U.S. shotgun production in 2021: 24,210 (3.6% of all U.S. shotgun production)
- U.S. manufacturing location(s) in 2021: Gallatin, TN
4. Benelli Super Black Eagle
- Approx. base retail price: $1,640
- Available chamberings include: 12 ga, 20 ga, 28 ga
- Parent company: Beretta Holding
- Beretta U.S. shotgun production in 2021: 24,210 (3.6% of all U.S. shotgun production)
- U.S. manufacturing location(s) in 2021: Gallatin, TN
3. Mossberg 940
- Approx. base retail price: $790
- Available chamberings include: 12 ga
- Parent company: O. F. Mossberg & Sons, Maverick Arms
- Mossberg and Maverick U.S. shotgun production in 2021: 293,089 (43.4% of all U.S. shotgun production)
- U.S. manufacturing location(s) in 2021: North Haven, CT and Eagle Pass, TX
2. Benelli M4
- Approx. base retail price: $1,930
- Available chamberings include: 12 ga
- Parent company: Beretta Holding
- Beretta U.S. shotgun production in 2021: 24,210 (3.6% of all U.S. shotgun production)
- U.S. manufacturing location(s) in 2021: Gallatin, TN
1. Beretta A300
- Approx. base retail price: $900
- Available chamberings include: 12 ga, 20 ga
- Parent company: Beretta Holding
- Beretta U.S. shotgun production in 2021: 24,210 (3.6% of all U.S. shotgun production)
- U.S. manufacturing location(s) in 2021: Gallatin, TN
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