Best New Shotguns of 2026 for Hunting, Clays & Defense
Looking for the new shotguns 2026? Here is every one we track with price, specs links and release date. American shooters have more choice than ever, and 2026 proves it. We track 11 shotguns from 7 brands, from the day they were announced to the day they actually ship. 4 are shipping now.
Every product below links to its source and shows its current status and manufacturer MSRP. Status checks are dated on each product page, so you know how fresh the info is before you head to the counter.
Stevens 320 20-Gauge
ACE Paloma
ACE Upland Ultralight
Red Label III
M2-G1 Tactical
590 Bliksem
Super Black Eagle 3 A.I. 28 Gauge
Ethos A.I. (2026 Cordoba / Upland 28 ga)
Affinity 3 (2026 update)
Maverick SA
A300 Ultima Patrol 20 Gauge
The 2026 shotgun landscape
Bird hunters won 2026. Benelli brought the Super Black Eagle 3 to 28 gauge for the first time, Beretta built a new 20-gauge receiver for the A300 Ultima Patrol, and Savage's budget Stevens 320 pump arrived in 20 gauge. Defensive shooters got Benelli's new M2-G1 Tactical and Mossberg's 590 Bliksem, and value buyers got Mossberg's Maverick SA gas semi-auto.
Picks by use case
Our picks are based on published specs, MSRP and verified status, not range testing.
Best budget shotgun: Stevens 320 20-Gauge
At $289 and shipping, the Stevens 320 in 20 gauge comes in Security (18.5-inch barrel, ghost ring sights) and Field (vent rib) models. It's an easy recommendation for a first shotgun or a truck gun.
Best value semi-auto: Mossberg Maverick SA
A gas-operated 12 gauge with a 28-inch vent-rib barrel and spacers for a 12.5 to 14.25-inch length of pull, at $623 (announced).
Best upland gun: Benelli SBE3 A.I. 28 Gauge or Retay ACE Upland Ultralight
The SBE3 in 28 gauge ($2,849, announced) is a first for the line. If you want to cut carry weight on a budget, the Retay ACE Upland Ultralight ($1,199) is shipping. For a premium inertia gun, see the Benelli Ethos A.I. (from $3,299).
Best dove gun: Retay ACE Paloma
Built for high-volume dove shoots, $1,099 and shipping.
Best home-defense shotgun: Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol 20 Gauge or Benelli M2-G1 Tactical
The A300 Patrol 20 gauge weighs about 6 pounds empty with a reduced length of pull ($1,299, announced), which is ideal for smaller-framed shooters. The M2-G1 Tactical has an 18.5-inch barrel, ghost ring sights and Benelli's new rear-piston system ($1,829, announced).
Best collector piece: Mossberg 590 Bliksem
A special-edition 590 with a 14.375-inch barrel and Rhodesian Brushstroke camo, $728 MSRP, announced March 4, 2026.
Pump vs. semi-auto
Pumps like the Stevens 320 are affordable, simple and run nearly any load you feed them, which makes them ideal first shotguns and truck guns. Semi-autos come in two main types. Inertia-driven guns (the Benelli SBE3 and Ethos, and the Franchi Affinity 3) are clean-running with fewer parts, and gas guns (the Beretta A300 and Mossberg Maverick SA) soak up more recoil. For waterfowl and high-volume dove shoots, a reliable semi-auto saves your shoulder. For a defensive gun, practice with whichever action you'll actually run under stress.
Picking a gauge in 2026
This year's lineup gives 20 and 28 gauge shooters unusual choice. A 20 gauge handles home defense, upland and most dove hunting with less recoil and weight than a 12. A 28 gauge is a pleasure to carry for quail, grouse and woodcock at reasonable ranges, but shells cost more and are harder to find. Stick with a 12 for waterfowl with steel shot, turkey and the widest ammo selection.
Buying tips
Pick your gauge for the birds you hunt and how far you'll walk. Fit matters more than features, so use the stock spacers. Pattern your gun with the loads and chokes you'll actually hunt with. For waterfowl, check your plug and non-toxic shot rules before opening day.
What to watch next
Several of 2026's most interesting shotguns are still listed as announced in our data, including the Benelli SBE3 A.I. in 28 gauge, the Benelli M2-G1 Tactical, the Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol 20 Gauge and the Mossberg Maverick SA. Shotgun releases often reach dealers ahead of fall bird seasons, so check each product page for the latest status before you plan a hunt around one. We'll move them to Shipping when we confirm stock. See every new scattergun on our new shotguns hub.
Release dates and shipping status
Here is where every one of the 11 new shotguns stands as of our latest checks. Shipping now (4): Savage Arms Stevens 320 20-Gauge ($289), Retay ACE Paloma ($1,099), Retay ACE Upland Ultralight ($1,199), Ruger Red Label III ($3,299). Announced, ship date not yet confirmed (7): Benelli M2-G1 Tactical ($1,829), announced Aug 18, 2026, Mossberg 590 Bliksem ($728), announced Mar 4, 2026, Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 A.I. 28 Gauge ($2,849), announced Jan 22, 2026, Benelli Ethos A.I. (2026 Cordoba / Upland 28 ga) ($3,299), announced Jan 20, 2026, Franchi Affinity 3 (2026 update), announced Jan 20, 2026, Mossberg Maverick SA ($623), announced Jan 19, 2026, Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol 20 Gauge ($1,299), announced Jan 18, 2026. The most recent announcement in this group is the Benelli M2-G1 Tactical ($1,829), announced Aug 18, 2026. Each product page shows the exact date we last checked and the source behind its status, so you can judge freshness before you shop.
How we chose
Every product in this guide comes from our release database, which tracks new products from first announcement to shipping. To make the list, a product had to be announced for the 2026 model year (or announced in late 2025 for 2026 availability) and have a cited maker or trade-press source. We then grouped products by the job they're built for, using the maker's published specs, and weighed manufacturer MSRP and verified shipping status. If two products did the same job, we favored the one you can actually buy today.
We haven't range-tested these products, and we don't claim to have. Our picks are editorial judgments based on published data, and we say when something is only announced. Prices are manufacturer MSRPs from cited sources, and street prices are often lower once a product has been shipping for a while. Status comes from our latest dated check, shown on each product page. Read more about how we track releases and our editorial standards.
Spec comparison
Key specs as published by each maker (from our product detail data). A dash means the maker hasn't published that spec or we haven't recorded it yet.
| Product | MSRP | Gauge | Stock | Barrel | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savage Arms Stevens 320 20-Gauge | $289 | 20 | — | — | pump |
| Retay ACE Paloma | $1,099 | — | — | — | — |
| Retay ACE Upland Ultralight | $1,199 | — | — | — | — |
| Ruger Red Label III | $3,299 | 20 ga, 2-3/4 and 3 in | walnut, oil finish | — | — |
| Benelli M2-G1 Tactical | $1,829 | 12 (2-3/4 and 3 in) | 13 in LOP fixed or 5-position collapsible | 18.5 in | — |
| Mossberg 590 Bliksem | $728 | 12 | — | 14.375 in heavy-wall, cylinder bore | — |
| Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 A.I. 28 Gauge | $2,849 | 28 (2-3/4 and 3 in) | — | 28 in A.I. | — |
| Benelli Ethos A.I. (2026 Cordoba / Upland 28 ga) | $3,299 | — | — | — | — |
| Franchi Affinity 3 (2026 update) | Not yet announced | — | — | — | Inertia Driven |
| Mossberg Maverick SA | $623 | 12 (2.75/3 in) | walnut or synthetic | 28 in vent rib, fiber optic | gas-vented |
| Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol 20 Gauge | $1,299 | 20 | reduced LOP, QD sockets both sides | — | — |
New Shotguns 2026 at a glance
| Product | Status | MSRP | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Savage Arms Stevens 320 20-Gauge | Shipping | $289 | Jan 20, 2026 |
| Retay ACE Paloma | Shipping | $1,099 | Jan 20, 2026 |
| Retay ACE Upland Ultralight | Shipping | $1,199 | Jan 20, 2026 |
| Ruger Red Label III | Shipping | $3,299 | Dec 24, 2025 |
| Benelli M2-G1 Tactical | Announced | $1,829 | Aug 18, 2026 |
| Mossberg 590 Bliksem | Announced | $728 | Mar 4, 2026 |
| Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 A.I. 28 Gauge | Announced | $2,849 | Jan 22, 2026 |
| Benelli Ethos A.I. (2026 Cordoba / Upland 28 ga) | Announced | $3,299 | Jan 20, 2026 |
| Franchi Affinity 3 (2026 update) | Announced | Not yet announced | Jan 20, 2026 |
| Mossberg Maverick SA | Announced | $623 | Jan 19, 2026 |
| Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol 20 Gauge | Announced | $1,299 | Jan 18, 2026 |
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best new 20 gauge shotgun of 2026?
- It depends on use: the Stevens 320 20-gauge for value, the Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol 20 Gauge for defense, and the Retay ACE line for upland and dove.
- How many shotguns released in 2026 does GunReleases track?
- We currently track 11 shotguns from 7 brands: Benelli, Beretta, Franchi, Mossberg, Retay, Ruger, Savage Arms.
- Which new shotguns are shipping now?
- Savage Arms Stevens 320 20-Gauge, Retay ACE Paloma, Retay ACE Upland Ultralight, Ruger Red Label III Status is based on our last dated check on each product page.
- What is the lowest MSRP among new shotguns?
- Savage Arms Stevens 320 20-Gauge at $289 MSRP. The highest listed is Benelli Ethos A.I. (2026 Cordoba / Upland 28 ga) at $3,299. Street prices are often lower.
- What do Announced, Listed and Shipping mean?
- Announced means the maker has published it. Listed, no stock means a maker or retailer has a product page but no inventory. Shipping means units are confirmed available to buy.
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