Shotguns for Every Purpose, Pocketbook Debut at SHOT

by Dick Eades

The assignment: a few words about shotguns you saw at the Las Vegas SHOT Show, Feb. 2-5.

That's a bit like telling the town drunk to visit the local distillery, giving him a big cup but telling him "don't have but one drink." There were dozens of shotgun suppliers there! Naturally, I was most attracted to the really pricey stuff. You know the old thing about a champagne taste and beer pocketbook. Seriously, there were shotguns there for every taste and financial condition. There's no way to mention them all, but here is a bit of information about those I thought most noteworthy.

Beretta USA (17601 Beretta Drive, Dept. GWK, Accokeek, MD 20607; phone: 301-283-2191; on-line: www.beretta-usa.com) showed their extensive line of autoloaders and over/under (O/U) shotguns. One newly introduced gun is the A391 Xtrema 3-1/2-inch special-purpose model. This gun, chambered for the mighty 3-1/2-inch magnum, is designed for the heaviest loads of steel shot needed for long range waterfowling.

It incorporates a Gel-Tek recoil pad, an overbored barrel, lengthened forcing cone, a bolt travel recoil absorber and a spring-mass recoil reducer. All of these combine to reduce felt recoil by up to 20%. The gun uses a unique gas operating system with a two-lug rotating bolt. This should be a durable and pleasant shooting gun for the long-range shotgunner.

Beretta also announced a Quail Unlimited Edition of the popular Model 686 in 20 and 28 gauges. This gun features gilt flushing quail on the sides of the receiver and the Quail Unlimited logo on the underside. Only 750 of these guns will be offered. A number of other variations of the 686 and 687 were also shown.

Remington Arms (870 Remington Drive, Dept. GWK, Madison, NC 27025; phone: 800-243-9700; on-line: www.remington.com) showed a "new/old" gun. A remake of the famous Model 32 O/U, designated the Model 332. This gun is not really a re-make of the old 32, but shares the looks and general "feel" of the older gun. New metallurgy and a redesigned lock system set it apart from the older gun. It is available in 12-gauge only with barrel lengths of 26, 28 and 30 inches, with the interchangeable Rem™ Choke system.

The 332 sports a straight comb stock with 20 line-per-inch checkering, the original Pointer and Setter engraving and glass bead-blasted metal, finished in a black oxide which closely approximates the original rust blue used on the 32.

Remington has also assumed production of Hevi-Shot shotgun shells. Hevi-Shot is a proprietary alloy of tungsten, nickel and iron that is actually heavier than lead. It is approved as non-toxic and may be used in lieu of steel shot. Best guess is it will also appeal to turkey hunters because of its tight patterning density and down-range energy. They are also offering a special choke tube for use with the new shot that provides "super-full" choking with a 12-gauge choke diameter of only 0.675 or .060 choke construction. This should result in 90%+ pattern performance.

European American Armory (EAA, PO Box 1299, Dept. GWK, Sharpes, FL 32959; phone: 321-639-4842; on-line: www.eaacorp.com) showed an extensive line of shotguns, single barrel, slide actions, autoloaders, side-by-side (S/S) doubles and O/Us manufactured to their specifications in Russia. For beginning shooters, they offer a single shot, internal hammer gun for a list price of only $95.

This gun is available in all American gauges except the 10-gauge: 12, 16, 20, 28, and .410. For a touch more money, the gun can be equipped with a genuine walnut stock and forearm and a polished nickel receiver, a recoil pad, screw-in chokes and a vent rib. In this persuasion the price is $169.

EAA also exhibited a number of slide actions and autoloaders at very reasonable prices. Most interesting is a S/S double gun with exposed hammers that should be perfect for the Cowboy Action Shooting (CAS) crowd. This gun has a unique firing pin block that prevents firing unless the trigger is pulled. Otherwise, it looks exactly like the older, side-hammer coach guns so popular for CAS. There are actually three different versions, varying in price from $299 to $939, depending on the desired features. Some even come with detachable, screw-in choke tubes and, as an accessory, a conversion kit to make a .45-70 rifle of your S/S shotgun.

The EAA shotgun line goes on to include some pretty sharp looking O/U shotguns priced from $499 to $939. For only $539, you can buy an O/U with a single, selective trigger, selective auto ejectors, a vent rib, checkered walnut stock, engraved receiver, porting, double sight beads and screw-in chokes. The beginning sporting clays shooter should find this very appealing.

Interstate Arms Corporation offers the Norinco (Sports USA, PO Box 5575, Diamond Bar, CA 91765; phone: 818-885-6910) shotgun line from China. They showed a line of decent looking slide action guns for both hunting and defensive use. Some had synthetic stocks and others hardwood. The most interesting two guns they showed were for the Cowboy Action Shooters.

First, a traditional, exposed hammer coach gun with 20-inch barrels and an American walnut stock. Strangely enough, these barrels are choked Modified and Improved Cylinder. Most guns of this style are offered only in Cylinder bore. The gun incorporates a "double safety" system that requires the trigger to be pulled before the gun can fire. The price of $289.95 should attract attention.

Better yet, the Cowboy Shooter who has always wanted a Winchester M97 but couldn't find a decent one at a reasonable price need look no more. How about a brand new one with everything but the Winchester logo for only $389.95? If you can live with a hardwood stock stained walnut, reduce the price to only $359.95. The barrel is Cylinder bored and from across the room, you'd swear it was a Winchester.

Benelli USA (17603 Indian Head Hwy., Dept. GWK, Accokeek, MD 20607-2501; phone: 301-283-6981; on-line: www.ben-elliusa.com) displayed their well-known line of autoloaders as well as their newer line of slide-action shotguns. Several of their guns are now available in either Advantage® Timber High Definition™ or Realtree® X-tra Brown™ camouflage. They are also promoting sales of their mercury recoil reduction system which is offered as an accessory for synthetic stocked models of the Nova, Super Black Eagle and M1 Field guns.

Another twist from Benelli is the now available left-handed versions of the M1 Field, the Super Black Eagle and the Montefeltro. These left-handed guns are just a slight bit more expensive ($15-$35) higher than the right-handed models. Benelli has taken another step in upgrading deluxe accoutrements for their autoloaders. Expensive O/Us are expected to be shown with elaborate engraving, fancy walnut stock wood and adjustable stocks but autoloaders? Never!

Now, Benelli offers their top-of-the-line Executive Series. The Executives are offered with premium walnut stocks, a shim kit to personalize the drop of the stock, five choke tubes-from Cylinder to Full-and some of the most beautiful hand-engraving you have ever seen. There are three grades of engraving, numbered simply Grades I, II or III. They vary from game scenes to extensive scroll engraving and game scenes, to gold-filled touches in the engraving. Priced from $5,200 to $6,800, these guns wouldn't look out of place beside fine Purdey, Holland & Holland or Churchill guns.

Sturm, Ruger (200 Ruger Road, Prescott, AZ 86301; phone: 520-541-8820; on-line: www.rugerfirearms.com) showed their new Gold Label Side-by-Side 12-gauge. This new double uses a stainless steel receiver mated to your choice of straight or pistol grip stock with 22 line-per-inch cut checkering. A selective single trigger and automatic selective ejectors, as well as a full compliment of interchangeable choke tubes rounds out this game gun package at a price of $1,950. Coupled with a light weight of only 6-1/3 pounds in 12-gauge, this should be an upland hunter's dream.

Ruger's now well-established line of O/U shotguns has been expanded to include walnut or synthetic stocks, stainless steel barrels, a specialized trap model single barrel with adjustable comb and butt plate as well as several degrees of ornamentation. The ornamentation is artistic scroll-and-bird engraving with a touch of gold fill.

Ruger makes three distinct sizes of receiver for the O/U shotguns and now offers a .410 tube set that fits into their sleek 28-gauge O/U barrels. Prices for these guns vary from $1,489 to $1,889, depending on the individual choice of embellishment and exact styling. The trap gun mentioned is the sole exception to the pricing structure and it lists for $2,850 complete.

Mossberg (7 Grasso Ave., Dept. GWK, North Haven, CT 06473; phone: 203-230-5300) continues with their famous M500 slide action in umpty-jillion different versions. Ranging from the 13-inch pull Bantam in 12-gauge, 20-gauge or .410 bore, to the M590, 9-shot Special Purpose Shotgun with ghost ring sights, to a Marine Line-Launcher gun with a bright orange synthetic stock and forearm, they all share the well-known M500 action. Most of the current 500s include factory porting for reduced muzzle flip and lowered felt recoil. Turkey models come with fiber optic sights, adjustable for both windage and elevation. Interchangeable Accu-Choke™ tubes are offered in 12- and 20-gauge guns.

Mossberg has also added a slide-action Model 835 Ulti-Mag® chambered for the 3°-inch 12-gauge shell. This gun includes overbored barrel, increased to .775 from the normal .731, assisting in recoil attenuation. This big gun is available in several camouflage patterns, a flat black with synthetic stock or traditional blued metal and hardwood stock. It is also offered with interchangeable chokes or in a fully rifled version. As I recall, Mossberg actually was the first manufacturer to offer a 3°-inch magnum.

Kimber® (1 Lawton Street, Dept. GWK, Yonkers, NY, 10705; phone: 888-243-4522; on-line: www.kimber-america.com) is offering a line of O/U shotguns in addition to their well-known handguns and rifles. The shotguns are made for them in Brescia, Italy. Known as the Augusta line, these guns are available in Skeet, Trap, Sporting Clays (S/C) and Field models. All are offered in 12-gauge only and are back bored to .736-inch with elongated forcing cones and single, selective triggers and selective ejectors. They are equipped with Hi-Viz sights on a wide, ventilated rib and fitted with Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pads.

The S/C model has a Schnabel forearm while the others have a conventional beavertail. The beavertail forearms are deeply grooved for a finger grip and the displayed models all showed above average wood quality. The actions are Boss-type and barrels are joined with ventilated center rib for more effective cooling. The Trap and Skeet models have blued receivers and the S/C and Field models have bright metal receivers. Guns are offered with complete choke tube sets. Prices are roughly $5,000.

PMC/Eldorado Cartridge/B.C. Outdoors (PO Box 62508, Dept. GWK, Boulder City, NV 89006; phone: 702-294-0025; on-line: pmcammo.com) has grown from a small company importing full metal jacket ammo to a widespread ammo/gun company that now offers a line of Italian shotguns. The Verona™ guns shown by PMC are good looking O/Us with varying degrees of ornamentation and features.

Two "combo" guns offered are: a 20-gauge with an extra set of 28-gauge barrels, and a 28-gauge with a spare set of .410 barrels. Weighing in at only 6 pounds for the 20/28 and only 5-7/8 pounds for the 28/.410, they come with a full set of choke tubes, nicely engraved receiver/sideplates and touches of gold in the game bird scenes. A 6mm rib rides atop the barrels of this diminutive gun, which is also available with a color case hardened receiver with gold inlaid bird scenes.

Another "combo" gun is offered as an O/U trap gun with an extra single, trap barrel. The trap guns come with extended forcing cones, porting and a trigger adjustable for length of pull. Hopefully, we will be doing a full-blown test report on one of these fine looking shotguns in the next few months.

SigArms (18 Industrial Drive, Dept. GWK, Exeter, NH 03833; phone: 603-772-2302; on-line: www.sigarms.com), you know, the pistol people. . . . They also import a slick looking series of O/U shotguns designated Aurora. These guns are available in 12-, 20- and 28-gauge, and .410 bore in barrel lengths from 26 to 32 inches. Priced from $1,865 to $2,795, they are available with almost any option you can imagine. All are furnished with trigger locks and some include fitted cases. In all gauges, including the tiny .410 bore, the guns are fitted with a full set (five) of choke tubes.

The SIG guns have extended forcing cones. Lots of guns are so equipped but these have, according to SIG specifications, a forcing cone "5 full inches long." Stocks are hand-rubbed European walnut with 20-line-per-inch checkering. Receivers are tastefully engraved and some include gold game bird scenes. The game guns should be fast pointing. Their advertised weight is 7-1/2 pounds for the 12-gauge, 6.3 pounds for the 20-gauge, and 5.95 pounds for the 28-gauge and .410 bore.

Traditions™ (PO Box 776, Dept. GWK, Old Saybrook, CT 06475; phone: 800-388-4656; on-line: www.traditions-firearms.com) continues to expand their shotgun line. We reported on their Field II last year. Possibly, the greatest thing about these nice Italian-built shotguns is the fact that Traditions has managed to hold their prices very close to those originally announced in the year 2000. The Field II currently lists for $789. That's a lot of gun for the price. This particular shotgun includes screw-in choke tubes, a single selective trigger, selective ejectors and some good quality engraving. Their higher grade models are also priced right and include some gold work in the engraving and very highly figured wood.

One of their more expensive guns is the Classic Series, Sporting Clays II. This shotgun features excellent wood, four extended screw-in chokes, your choice of 28- or 30-inch barrels, a coin-finished, engraved receiver, single selective mechanical trigger, porting and ventilated top and center ribs. This model is offered in either 12- or 20-gauge. The price is $1,189.

Traditions also has a line of S/S double guns, made by Fausti as are their O/Us. These double guns are furnished with screw-in choke tubes or fixed chokes, double or single triggers, engraved receivers and straight or pistol grip stocks. Priced from $789 to $2,099 depending on the "add ons," these should prove popular with S/S fanciers.

Finally, Traditions now has a line of autoloading shotguns with a number of options. These options include Youth Models with screw-in chokes, synthetic or walnut stocks, "combo" guns with a conventional barrel and a fully rifled barrel. All Traditions autoloaders accommodate either 2-1/4 or 3-inch shells without adjustment. Prices range from $459 to $629.

Tristar Sporting Arms Ltd. (1814-16 Linn Street, Dept. GWK, North Kansas City, MO 64116; phone: 816-421-1400; on-line: www.tristarsport-ingarms.com) showed a large line of shotguns imported from Italy, Spain and Australia. From their catalog, it seems you can purchase a shotgun from them in just about any price class you desire. From the very plain O/Us priced at about $500 to the ultra-fancy ones at $1,775, these shotguns offer almost any option you can think about.

From high grade walnut stocks to camouflaged synthetics, from fixed chokes to five interchangeable choke tubes, from 26- to 30-inch barrels, these guns have something for everyone. Add to this a line of Spanish and Italian S/S shotguns priced from $745 to $1,602, and Italian-made autoloaders from $381 to $499. If this company doesn't have a shotgun to suit you, maybe you really don't want a shotgun.

A final product shown by Tristar is an Australian-made copy of the Winchester M1887 lever-action shotgun. Cowboy Action Shooters should love this one. It has a 22-inch barrel with an American walnut stock, Improved Cylinder choke and nicely blued finish. This gun retails at $1,195.

On the pricey side, Perazzi USA (855 North Todd Ave., Dept. GWK, Azusa, CA 91741; phone: 626-334-1234; e-mail: perazziusa@aol.com) showed their line of fabulous O/Us. All of these guns wear magnificent walnut, elaborate engraving and just about any conceivable option is available. The least expensive gun I could locate in their catalog lists for $9,280. This is a rather plain O/U called the MX8 or MX12, the difference being whether or not it has a removable trigger group.

At the other extreme, a set of four guns, in 12-, 20- and 28-gauge and .410 bore can be had for only $362,560. Of course, these guns are stocked in premium walnut, covered with extremely fine engraving and inlaid generously with gold. Admittedly, not too many of us will ever own such guns, but it is worth dreaming about, isn't it?

Aside from shotguns, there were a number of shotgun-related products shown. Some new reloading equipment was displayed as well as the usual accessory lines. I was impressed by a display by an outfit called Shell Caddy™ Reloader Innovations Inc. (PO Box 4351, Dept. GWK, Blue Jay, CA 92317; phone: 909-946-5959; e-mail: dmarquisII@home.com). This California-based company offers a gadget called the Shell Caddy System which consists of a heavy-duty PVC water-resistant bag with an attached zippered net for empties, a belt pouch, 10 two-piece plastic shell boxes and a metal loading stand.

These shell boxes are intended as permanent replacements for the usual, factory-provided cardboard cartons you get with new shotshells. The loading stand works with the plastic boxes for packing your reloads as they come off your press. The whole works lists for $74.95 although all components are also available separately. The basic bag holds 10 boxes of ammo, plus space for shooting glasses, ear plugs for a cell phone and quite a bit of other "stuff" a shooter may require.

I could have easily spent another four days cruising the aisles of the SHOT Show but the exhibitors insisted on tearing down their displays. I can't wait to get my hands on a few of these new guns/accessories for field tests in the next few months. I'm sure there were a lot of interesting guns I missed seeing. There were also a lot that I saw but didn't mention here. The editor said I couldn't use any more space. You know how difficult to work with editors can be.
Return to Archive Index