Waterfowl hunters are serious about their guns. They tend to fall mostly into two camps: Those who hunt with a 30-year-old pump with all the bluing worn off, and those who choose a top-of-the-line semi-auto with the latest camo pattern and all the bells and whistles. Certainly, there are some hunters in between who will come into your shop looking for a Benelli Super Black Eagle III on a Remington 870 Express budget. Fortunately, this year’s crop of waterfowl-specific shotguns has something for everyone.
1. Benelli SBEIII with BE.S.T. Coating
The Benelli Super Black Eagle’s reputation precedes it, and improvements to the line culminated in the Super Black Eagle III a couple of years ago. The SBEIII features Benelli’s inertia action, a ComfortTech stock to tame recoil, an oversized bolt release, adjustable fit, and more waterfowler-friendly options. In 2020, Benelli added a proprietary BE.S.T. (Benelli Surface Treatment) coating designed to eliminate the problem of corrosion.
Benelli is so confident in this coating (the company spent 10 years developing it) that it’s offering a 25-year warranty on all BE.S.T.-treated parts on the SBEIII.
The SBEIII with BE.S.T. comes in 12-gauge with 26- or 28-inch barrels and a 3.5-inch chamber. MSRP is $1,999.
2. CZ 1012 Synthetic Bottomlands
The CZ 1012 has been around for a while, but for 2020 it picked up a snazzy new (old) camo pattern: Mossy Oak’s classic Bottomlands.
The 1012 uses an inertia system the company says will reliably cycle a variety of loads — the same action CZ used to set a clay target world record in 2019. The 1012 Bottomlands has a 3-inch chamber and a 28-inch barrel, all at an attractive MSRP of $749.
3. Savage Renegauge Waterfowl
Savage joined the serious waterfowling world in 2020 with the introduction of the company’s first-ever semi-auto shotgun.
A single-piece, lightweight bolt carrier; self-regulating gas system that cycles all loads; melonite finish for corrosion resistance; oversized controls; chrome-plated reciprocating components; impressive adjustability options and, naturally, a camo finish makes this gun one to check out.
It’s available in 12-gauge with 26- or 28-inch barrels, with a 3-inch chamber and an MSRP of $1,549.
4. Stoeger M3500 Waterfowl Special
A 12-gauge, 28-inch-barrel, 3.5-inch-chambered inertia gun in Realtree Max5 with FDE cerakote — what more does a waterfowler need?
The M3500 Waterfowl Special from Stoeger also has an oversized bolt handle and release for better handling by gloved hands, as well as a fiber-optic front bead. At an MSRP of $849, this one should be popular with those champagne-taste-on-a-beer-budget customers.
5. Mossberg Maverick Two-Tone
For the hunter on a budget, Mossberg’s Maverick entry-level pump-action gun features dual extractors, twin action bars, positive steel-to-steel lockup, crossbolt safety, an anti-jam elevator and more. It also accepts Mossberg 500 accessories and parts if you have a need to mix and match guns for various uses.
Two-toned models in bluing and Mossy Oak Treestand were introduced for 2020, in a variety of configurations, with fixed chokes. They come in 12- or 20-gauge, and a youth model is also available. MSRP for the 12-gauge is a bargain at $259.
6. Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus
This gun isn’t new, but for 2020, a left-handed version is available. A top-of-the-line gun with multiple camo finish options, the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus features an enlarged loading port, reversible safety, soft-shooting gas action, soft-comb stock, Kick-Off Mega recoil reduction system, extended charging handle, five included choke tubes, and more.
It’s chambered for 3.5-inch shells and comes with 26-, 28- or 30-inch barrels. Price varies based on the configuration (of which there are plenty), but MSRP starts at $1,750 and goes up from there.
7. Remington V3 Waterfowl Pro
This gas-operated 3-inch gun features Remington’s VersaPort system to cycle any load.
It’s adjustable for drop and cast and features an oversized bolt handle, bolt release and safety; a redesigned loading port for faster, easier loading; three extended choke tubes and a fiber-optic front sight. It comes in three different combinations of camo pattern and Cerakote, all with 28-inch barrels, in 12-gauge only. MSRP is $1,230.
8. Browning BPS Field Composite
The Browning Pump Shotgun practically owns the higher-priced-pumps category, and in 2020, the company added a Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades model to the line.
This gun features bottom ejection, rugged steel components, serrated slide release, tang safety, Inflex recoil pad, redesigned composite stock, oversized trigger guard, and more. The new Shadow Grass Blades version comes in 12- or 20-gauge with 26- or 28-inch barrels. The 12-gauge has a 3.5-inch chamber to handle the largest loads. MSRP is $779.
9. SAR USA SA-X 700
SAR USA is marketing a gas-operated semi-auto called the SA-X 700, designed in the Turkish tradition. It comes in 12- and 20-gauge with 26- or 28-inch barrels, with a synthetic stock and a durable black finish.
It’s chambered for 3-inch shells and comes with five choke tubes. Other highlights include an aluminum alloy laser-marked receiver, high-ventilated aiming rib barrel and a front fiber-optic bead sight. Designed to take a pounding in any weather condition, and with an MSRP of just $666.66, the SA-X 700 should be easy to carry and easy on the wallet.
10. Impala Plus
Distributed exclusively by Zanders, the Impala Plus is the latest Turkish-made shotgun to make a splash in the U.S.
With features like a TruGlo fiber-optic sight, five stock adjustment shims, removeable comb riser, turn-and-remove bolt handle, triangular bolt release, high-pressure-treated barrel, a six-lug locking bolt, and a two-year warranty (warranty work done in the U.S.), it’s not difficult to imagine American hunters embracing this 3-inch 12-gauge as a solid option for waterfowling, especially for the price. A variety of configurations are available in walnut, carbon fiber, assorted colors and five different camo patterns, with barrel lengths from 24 to 30 inches. MSRPs vary based on configuration between $450 and $700.
11. Winchester SX4 Waterfowl Hunter
Winchester’s had a lot of success with the SX lines, and the SX4 has been no exception.
The Waterfowl Hunter model features back-bored technology for optimum shot patterns, a self-adjusting active valve gas system, drop-out trigger group for easy cleaning, hard chrome-plated chamber and bore, ergonomic stock with textured gripping surfaces, Inflex recoil pad, larger bolt handle and bolt release button, ambidextrous crossbolt safety and more. It comes in 12- or 20-gauge, with a 3- or 3.5-inch chamber for the 12-gauge, and barrel length options of 26 or 28 inches. Three choke tubes are included, and the gun is decked out in Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades camo. MSRP for the 12-gauge starts at $939.
12. Weatherby Element Waterfowler Max-5
Weatherby rifles speak for themselves — but do your customers know that Weatherby has turned its gun-making expertise toward shotguns in the past several years? Designed as a lower-priced alternative to the company’s higher-end 18i, the Element pairs Weatherby’s signature fit and finish with a clean-shooting inertia action in 12- and 20-gauge.
It’s adjustable for drop and cast and features a vented top rib, fiber-optic front bead, chrome-lined bore, dual-purpose bolt release, four choke tubes (three with the 20-gauge), and Griptonite stock with pistol grip and forend inserts. It’s offered with a 26- or 28-inch barrel at an MSRP of $699.
