A shotgun is still one of the most sensible things you can keep by the bed, and here in Texas it’s practically tradition. I’m Lance Rankin, owner and gunsmith at Western Sport in Roanoke, north of Fort Worth, and I’ve sold, repaired, and patterned more defensive shotguns than I can count. These are the ones I actually recommend, with the trade-offs spelled out.
Pump or semi-auto?
Quick framing before the list. Pumps are cheaper, simpler, and eat anything, but you have to run the action under stress. Semi-autos shoot faster with softer recoil, cost more, and the cheap ones can be ammo-picky. There’s no wrong answer, just an honest budget question. Whichever you pick, load it with quality 00 buckshot and pattern it at household distances so you know where those pellets go.
1. Mossberg 590A1
The pump I’d grab if I could only keep one. The 590A1 is the military-spec version of Mossberg’s classic: heavier barrel, metal trigger guard and safety, parkerized finish. It’s heavier than a standard 500, and that’s the point; the extra weight soaks up recoil and the gun shrugs off abuse. Aftermarket support is enormous. It costs more than a basic pump, and it’s worth it.
2. Beretta 1301 Tactical
The fast one. Beretta’s gas system cycles noticeably quicker than most semi-autos, recoil is soft, and it digests a wide range of loads without complaint. It’s the darling of the tactical shotgun crowd for good reason. The catch is price; you’re well north of the pumps here. If the budget allows, it’s the semi-auto I’d take into a hallway.
3. Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical
The value semi-auto. Mossberg reworked the gas system on the 940 line and it shows; it cycles smoothly across ammo types. You get a 12-gauge with 7+1 capacity, an 18.5-inch barrel, M-LOK slots for a light, and a receiver cut for a red dot that co-witnesses with the irons. It’s most of the 1301’s performance for meaningfully less money.
4. Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol
Beretta’s answer for folks who want the 1301 experience without the 1301 price. You get 7+1 capacity, a 19.1-inch barrel, oversized controls, grippy texturing, and that soft Beretta gas-gun recoil. The loading gate takes a little getting used to if you’re new to shotguns, but a range trip or two sorts that out. A lot of gun for the money.
5. Benelli M4
The premium option. The Marines adopted it, the ARGO gas system runs everything, and the build quality is what you’d expect from a gun at this price. Capacity is 5+1 and it weighs 7.8 pounds, so on paper it gives up ground to cheaper guns. What you’re buying is a shotgun that will still be running when your grandkids inherit it. If money were no object, plenty of serious shooters stop looking right here.
6. Mossberg Maverick 88
The budget king. It’s a simplified Mossberg 500 built to a price, often under $250, and it shares barrels and most accessories with the 500. The safety sits in front of the trigger guard instead of on top, recoil is what recoil is, and there are no frills anywhere. None of that matters at 2 a.m. It works, and for a first shotgun or a truck gun, it’s hard to argue with.
7. Remington 870 Tactical
The old standby. The 870 has been guarding American homes for generations, and the tactical versions with 18.5-inch barrels are handy indoors with aftermarket support to match the Mossbergs. Quality wobbled during Remington’s bankruptcy years, so if you’re buying used, look it over or have a gunsmith do it. A good 870 is still a great shotgun.
Bottom line
Buy the Maverick 88 if money’s tight, the 590A1 if you want a pump for life, the 940 Pro or A300 Patrol for the best semi-auto value, and the 1301 or M4 if the budget’s open. Then spend whatever’s left on buckshot and practice, because the shotgun you’ve patterned and run hard beats the fancier one sitting in the box.
Not sure a shotgun is even the right tool for your house? I’ve written up the best home defense handguns and a full home defense AR-15 setup for comparison, plus a bigger-picture piece on surviving a home invasion. We stock most of these shotguns, and new buyers can start with my guide on how to buy a gun in Texas. Questions? Call 817-393-4000 or email [email protected].
Lance Rankin is the owner and Chief Gunsmith of Western Sport, a family-run Type 07 FFL and Class 3/SOT dealer in Roanoke, Texas, serving shooters since 2007. Born and raised in Texas with over 50 years of experience handling firearms, Lance purchased Western Sport in 2017 and turned his lifelong passion into his profession. He specializes in AR-15 and AR-10 platform rifles, manufactures Western Sport’s own AR-15 line under the Rankin Industries brand, and runs the shop’s in-house Cerakote coating operation. When he’s not behind the counter or the workbench, you’ll find him on his ranch deep into the night, hunting coyotes with an AR-15 and thermal optics. Lance holds an MBA and personally shoots and tests the products Western Sport sells.
