If an Intruder Enters Your Home, Which of These Military Shotguns Do You Choose?

24/7 Wall St. Insights

• We used data from a catalog of shotguns from Military Factory, an online database of arms, vehicles, and aircraft used by militaries worldwide.
• Hunters have used shotguns for centuries, but it wasn’t until World War I that the military introduced them in combat.
• Also, Discover “The Next NVIDIA”

Hunters have used shotguns for centuries. It was not until World War I that the military decided to introduce them into combat. While their range is limited, their effectiveness in trench warfare as they spread shots and hit moving targets at short distances was crucial. Many of today’s top shotguns are made in America by gunsmiths like Winchester, Remington, and Mossberg.

Shotguns are specialized weapons that are mainly used at short range. Instead of a single bullet, these firearms typically fire a burst of small pellets called “shot.” When the gun is fired, the pellets spread wide, increasing the chance of hitting a target at a close distance without the need for precise accuracy. The U.S. military utilizes shotguns for combat in close quarters since you don’t need to have perfect aim. In addition, some shotguns fire “slugs” — single, heavy metal projectiles. When fired, slugs can fly further and with more power than pellets. This extra power can be used to breach obstacles like hinges and doors, allowing soldiers to enter into secured locations quickly.

To identify every major American-made military shotgun since WWI, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed a catalog of shotguns from Military Factory, an online database of arms, vehicles, and aircraft used by militaries worldwide. We ordered the shotguns chronologically and included supplemental information regarding the type of gun and the year it entered service, as well as the manufacturer, caliber, and feed.

Why We’re Writing About American-Made Military Shotguns

For over a century, military shotguns have been a key tool for American soldiers, helping them to breach doors, clear trenches, and maintain an upper hand in close-quarters combat. Examining the shotguns used by the U.S. military can provide insights into the complex relationships between government spending, major defense contractors, and global conflict. The evolution of American-made shotguns, how they are adapted for specific roles, and which companies manufacture them also sheds light on technological advancements, budgeting priorities, and the constantly changing landscape of warfare.

Here is a look at every major American-made combat shotgun since World War I.

Browning Auto-5

• Type: Self-loading semi-automatic shotgun
• Year entered service: 1902
• Manufacturer: Browning Arms / Remington Arms / Savage Arms
• Caliber: 12-, 16-, or 20-gauge
• Feed: 3- or 5-round tubular magazine

HK CAWS

• Type: Select-fire automatic combat shotgun
• Year entered service: 1983
• Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
• Caliber: 12-gauge
• Feed: 10-round detachable box magazine

Jackhammer

• Type: Automatic shotgun
• Year entered service: 1987
• Manufacturer: Pancor Corporation
• Caliber: 12-gauge
• Feed: 10-round cassette

KSG

• Type: Pump-action bullpup shotgun
• Year entered service: 2011
• Manufacturer: Kel-Tec CNC Industries
• Caliber: 12-gauge
• Feed: Twin 6-shot internal tubular magazines

M10 (Model 10)

• Type: Pump-action slide shotgun
• Year entered service: 1908
• Manufacturer: Remington Arms
• Caliber: 12-gauge
• Feed: 5-round tubular magazine

M11 (Model 11)

• Type: Semi-automatic self-loading shotgun
• Year entered service: 1905
• Manufacturer: Browning Arms / Remington Arms
• Caliber: 12-, 16-, or 20-gauge
• Feed: 5-round tubular magazine

M520 (Model 520)

• Type: Pump-action slide shotgun
• Year entered service: 1910
• Manufacturer: J. Stevens Arms Company
• Caliber: 12-, 16-, or 20-gauge
• Feed: 5-round tubular magazine

M6

• Type: Aircrew survival rifle
• Year entered service: 1952
• Manufacturer: Ithaca Gun Company
• Caliber: .22 Hornet / .410
• Feed: 9 x .22 Hornet / 4 x .410 shells

M620 (Model 620)

• Type: Pump-action slide shotgun
• Year entered service: 1927
• Manufacturer: J. Stevens Arms Company
• Caliber: 12-, 16-, or 20-gauge
• Feed: 5-round tubular magazine

M720

• Type: Semi-automatic shotgun
• Year entered service: 1935
• Manufacturer: Savage Arms
• Caliber: 12-gauge
• Feed: 5-round tubular magazine

M90 Shockwave

• Type: Magazine-fed pump-action shotgun
• Year entered service: 2018
• Manufacturer: Mossberg
• Caliber: 12-gauge
• Feed: 5-, 10-, 15-, or 20-round detachable box magazine

Model 1100

• Type: Semi-automatic auto-loading shotgun
• Year entered service: 1963
• Manufacturer: Remington Arms
• Caliber: 12-, 16-, or 20-gauge
• Feed: 4- or 10-round internal tubular magazine

Model 1216

• Type: Semi-automatic shotgun
• Year entered service: 2016
• Manufacturer: SRM Arms
• Caliber: 12-gauge
• Feed: 8-,12-, 16-round tubular magazine

Model 37

• Type: Combat shotgun
• Year entered service: 1937
• Manufacturer: Ithaca Gun Company
• Caliber: 12-, 16-, 20-, or 28-gauge
• Feed: 4-, 5-, or 8-round tubular magazine

Model 37 Stakeout

• Type: Pump-action military shotgun
• Year entered service: 1946
• Manufacturer: Ithaca Gun Company
• Caliber: 12- or 20-gauge
• Feed: 4-round tubular magazine

Model 590

• Type: Pump-action shotgun
• Year entered service: 1975
• Manufacturer: Mossberg
• Caliber: 12-gauge
• Feed: 6-, 8-, or 9-round tubular magazine

Model 870

• Type: Pump-action shotgun
• Year entered service: 1950
• Manufacturer: Remington Arms
• Caliber: 12-, 16-, 20- or 28-gauge; .410 bore
• Feed: 4- or 7-round tubular magazine

Origin-12

• Type: Semi-automatic tactical shotgun
• Year entered service: 2014
• Manufacturer: Fostech Arms
• Caliber: 12-gauge
• Feed: 5-, 8-, or 10-round detachable box magazine; 20- or 30-round drum

Sledgehammer (AA-12)

• Type: Assault combat shotgun
• Year entered service: 2005
• Manufacturer: Military Police Systems
• Caliber: 12-gauge
• Feed: 8-round detachable box; 20- or 32-round drum

V3 Tactical

• Type: Pump-action shotgun
• Year entered service: 2020
• Manufacturer: Remington Arms
• Caliber: 12-gauge
• Feed: 6-round tubular magazine

Winchester Model 1200

• Type: Pump-action slide shotgun
• Year entered service: 1968
• Manufacturer: Winchester Repeating Arms
• Caliber: 12-, 16-, or 20-gauge
• Feed: 4-, 5-, 6-, or 7-shot capacity

Winchester Model 1300

• Type: Combat slide-action shotgun
• Year entered service: 1978
• Manufacturer: Winchester Repeating Arms
• Caliber: 12- or 20-gauge
• Feed: 4-, 5-, 7- or 8-shot tubular magazine

Winchester Model 1897

• Type: Pump-action slide shotgun
• Year entered service: 1897
• Manufacturer: Winchester Repeating Arms
• Caliber: 12-gauge
• Feed: 5-round tubular magazine

Winchester Model 1912 (Model 12)

• Type: Pump-action slide shotgun
• Year entered service: 1912
• Manufacturer: Winchester Repeating Arms
• Caliber: 12-, 16-, 20-, or 28-gauge
• Feed: 6-round tubular magazine

Wingmaster (Model 870)

• Type: Pump-action slide shotgun
• Year entered service: 1951
• Manufacturer: Remington Arms
• Caliber: 12-, 16-, 20- or 28-gauge; .410 bore
• Feed: 5-round tubular magazine