Top 5 12-gauge Shotguns Under $600

It’s been far too long since I’ve written anything about firearms. 

So, let’s rectify that with an article for the top 5 12-gauge shotguns you can get with your stimulus check!

That’s right, I think it’s really screwed up that the government keeps locking everyone down. I also think that if you’re going to be going out in public you should be wearing a mask and social distancing because COVID-19 can actually be a really terrible virus. 

My parents both just came down with it, and it’s freaking sucky and terrifying. 

That being said, I still don’t think the government should be controlling people’s habits of going out and making a living with their businesses. 

I don’t think the government is going to be coming for all the citizens that don’t wear masks or support everything thing they do. But it’s always smart to be prepared for the big one. 

I am one of those that is extremely blessed to not have lost my job from the pandemic. In fact, 2020 was a pretty good year overall for me. I mean, I kept my job, improved myself, got healthier and fitter, and figured out my career goal of becoming a pilot. 

That means I’m going to be starting out 2021 with flight school. 

But it also means I’m going to be spending that $600 stimulus check on a new shotgun…or a down payment on a house. It depends on how responsible I”m feeling.

I did the research and found my personal top 5 12-gauge shotguns. I might be having to get a house then use whatever else I have for a new home defense shotgun, but that’s to plan with the help of my wife later. 

Without further adieu, here are the top 5 12-gauge shotguns…in no particular order.

Mossberg 500

Mossberg 500 Persuader Shotgun 20 Ga 18.5 Barrel Synthetic Black PG

Whether you want to get a firearm for home defense or for hunting, you absolutely can’t go wrong with the Mossberg 500. 

It comes in a few different flavors, and the latest installment in the line of shotguns is called FLEX. This comes from the crazy idea Mossberg had to make a lot of parts pretty easy to change. 

Mossberg created the Mossberg TLS (Tool-less Locking System) that makes things like the grip, stock, forends, and recoil pads basically interchangeable. 

That’s just amazing. It means you can take it out duck hunting in the morning then clean it and switch the stock and grip to make it a tactical pistol grip for home defense at night. 

Honestly, I couldn’t recommend a cooler idea for a shotgun.

Purchase here. $377.99

Remington 870

Remington 870 Tac-14 Pump - Mountain Man Outdoors

Just like the Mossberg 500 has a cult following, the Remington 870 has some serious fanboys. 

The model I love the most is the Remington 870 TAC-14. It’s the tactical model that is absolutely perfect for home defense. 

It comes with a factory-installed Shockwave Technologies Raptor bird’s head grip. Couple that with the shortened barrel and you have a devastating home defense firearm. 

Not only does this thing look badass, but it also performs badass. 

The Remington 870 has a silky smooth pump and is surprisingly accurate for such a compact shotgun. 

Though I wouldn’t recommend it for any kind of hunting, it is easily maneuverable and is incredibly accurate up to roughly 30-yards.

I did the unthinkable and tried it out with skeet shooting. It worked remarkably well for that. It doesn’t perform quite as well as a full size, but the size makes it easy to fire, pump, and lock on to a second target quicker. 

Of course, to remedy the issues of the TAC-14 you could always get a different model with a full stock.

Your choice ultimately.

Purchase here. $599.99

Weatherby PA-08 

Weatherby PA-08 Upland 12 Gauge Pump 28" PA08U1228PGM

Let’s say someone breaks into your house at night. Which firearm are you going to grab? 

Most likely the handgun you have under your pillow at night. 

The Weatherby PA-08 reinforces that idea because it is specifically designed for sport shooting. 

That means this beast is designed to teach you how to shoot clay pigeons and shoot them well. It’s a very entry-level shotgun for sport shooting, coming in at under $400. That doesn’t mean it’s lacking in performance. 

To start things off, because of its purpose as a sport shooter, it makes sense to make it pretty heavy and reliable. Instead, it comes in weighing about 6 pounds. 

It was extremely reliable for me, and the lightweight meant that it had a strong kick, but was easy to realign back on target. 

Plus, the walnut was absolutely beautiful to look at. This shotgun is one that you can introduce to a younger child and would serve them well into adulthood. 

The only real reason to replace it would be because of a raise and work and you simply want to.

Purchase here. $299.97

Benelli SuperNova

Benelli SuperNova 12GA 28" Black Synthetic Shotgun 20100 for Sale! - SCOPELIST.com

Typically when you hear the name Benelli, you accept that it’s going to cost an arm and a leg. Somehow, Benelli was able to pack their typical quality into a $500 beast of a shotgun. 

There are two color options: Tactical black and camo (which will run you an extra $100).

I’m not a fan of camo, so I prefer saving the Benjamin and going with the black model. 

The Benelli SuperNova is an absolute beast. I have read numerous accounts of people that put it through the wringer and it just keeps on trucking.

Nonetheless, I always recommend taking extremely good care of your firearms. The better care you take of it, the longer it’ll last, and the better performance you’ll get.

The Benelli SuperNova isn’t the most accurate shotgun I’ve ever shot. But what it lacks in performance, it more than makes up for in durability. Benelli designed this bad boy to be weatherproof. It can function just as well if your ¾ submerged under muddy swamp water, or if you’re trucking through a desert in Arizona. It will last. 

Basically, if you want something that will go bang when your booger hook tugs that trigger, the Benelli SuperNova is as good as it gets in this price range. 

Purchase here. $499.99

CZ USA 612 

CZ 612 Field | CZ-USA

The best way to describe the CZ USA 612 is a clone of the Remington 870, but for CZ fanboys.

Don’t worry, just about everyone has a specific brand they just trust, and CZ is no different.

The CZ USA 612 is a wonderful shotgun that utilizes CZ’s known quality of amazing fit and finished firearms. 

The CZ USA 612 can come in a few different models. There is the Magnum that is perfect for duck hunting. The Field model is a great economically conscious offering. Home Defense Combo that is designed for…well…home defense. Lastly, there is the M-612 HC-P, which is basically a home defense pump shotgun, but the HC stands for “horde control” and the P is for “pump.” So, that kind of explains everything you need to know about it.

Purchase here. $379.99

Regardless of the shotgun you choose (or feel free to wait a bit because I’ll do a few more of these for various types of firearms to give you options on spending that stimulus check), it’s very nice of the government to give us our money back. Maybe the people will spend it a bit more wisely than the government. 

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