semi automatic shotgun Archives

The Semi-Automatic Shotgun

Consider…there are:

…and of course, some that have more traditional lines and a few that are a combo of multiple styles.

⊕ Many — though by no means all — semi-auto shotguns are a magazine-fed shotgun (q.v.).

You can find The Mag Life articles about these “shotties” and “scatterguns” in the lineup of articles listed below.

“Semi-automatic shotgun…did you notice that this one, even with the long magazine tube, eventually went empty? So, we still gotta practice loadin’ ’em…I don’t need a thousand-dollar shotgun — I need to know how to run the shotgun I got.” Clint Smith, Thunder Ranch

What is a semi-auto shotgun?

“Semiautos: Semiautomatic shotguns fire with each pull of the trigger, and the operating system uses the energy from the shot to cycle the gun. There are two popular semiauto operating systems—gas and inertia. Gas systems, like the ones found on Remington, Winchester, Weatherby’s SA-08, Mossberg’s 930, FN and other semiauto shotguns, utilize escaping gas to work the action. These gases travel through small vent holes in the bottom of the barrel with each shot, which forces a piston (or pistons) rearward, and this rearward motion cycles the action and chambers a new shell.

The other popular system is an inertia system, which is found in defensive shotguns from Benelli and Stoeger among others. The inertia system is quite simple; the fired shell’s rearward motion provides the energy to unlock the chamber and slide the bolt rearward, and a return spring then shoves the bolt back forward, picking up the next shell on the way.” NRA Family

12

Nov

Blackwater Sentry 12 Magazine Fed Shotgun

Reviews
By Travis Pike
12632
0

The Blackhawk Sentry 12 has arrived and it's a pump action, fast firing, smooth working, 12 gauge, magazine fed shotgun. ...

Read More Comments
8 Likes
28

Aug

SGM Tactical Saber Boss – 500 Rounds Later

Reviews
By James Grant
2545
0

The 12 gauge shotgun is an adaptable, multi-role weapon. Upgrades like the SGM Tactical shotgun muzzle break can substantially improve ...

Read More Comments
0 Likes
15

Jun

The Top 5 Magazine Fed Shotguns

Insights
By Travis Pike
159227
29

Mag fed shotguns have been around for decades, but they were hard to find. Not anymore. Now you can upgrade ...

Read More Comments
26 Likes
31

Oct

AA12: the Saga of Atchisson’s Auto Assault 12

Insights
By Mike Searson
21356
5

The AA12 auto assault shotgun was designed by former Marine Corps machine-gunner Maxwell G. Atchisson — it initially used a ...

Read More Comments
27 Likes
31

Aug

Sledgehammer woes: AA12 ATF Confiscation

News
By David Reeder
25873
12

The ATF is reportedly confiscating AA12 "sledgehammer" shotguns (the semi-auto version) and possibly some fully-auto weapons as well. They've provided ...

Read More Comments
55 Likes
11

Jun

The VRBP 100 – The Bullpup, Mag Fed, Monster (Review)

Releases
By Travis Pike
20618
2

Rock Island has a new bullpup shotgun, and we've had it on the range. Meet the VRBP 100.

Read More Comments
16 Likes
18

May

The VR 80 – RIA’s New Stinger AR Shotgun (Review)

Reviews
By Travis Pike
32375
2

The true AR pattern shotgun is still elusive, but Rock Island Armory makes a solid 12 gauge stand-in. Check out ...

Read More Comments
3 Likes
17

Feb

The Citadel RSS1 – A Shoulder Pounding Good Time

Reviews
By Travis Pike
18048
1

Everybody needs at least one AK pattern shotgun. And now there's a new option from Citadel. It will eat anything ...

Read More Comments
5 Likes
18

Aug

SGM Tactical VEPR 12 Gauge 25-Round Clear Drum Magazine Review

Insights
By James Grant
11882
4

Bigger's always better right? If you own a VEPR, you need one of these.

Read More Comments
2 Likes
3

Aug

The Rock Island Armory VR60 – Affordable Firepower

Reviews
By Travis Pike
48722
22

Looking for a fully functional semi-auto shotgun? Check out The Rock Island Armory VR60. This box-fed beast is a bargain, ...

Read More Comments
9 Likes