SHOT Show 2026 didn’t feel like a hunting show. Tactical and home-defense shotguns dominated the floor, with rails, optics, and black polymer everywhere you turned. The shift was obvious and intentional. Even hitting the range felt foreign. There was almost no one there, and not a single shotgun to be found.
The firearms industry is responding to a tense political moment, and product development reflects that reality. Defensive platforms are selling, and manufacturers are chasing demand. That totally makes sense from a business perspective, but it isn’t why we attend SHOT Show.
We’re hunters, first. We spend our seasons in blinds, marshes, and upland cover, not clearing rooms. Because of that, we put blinders on to most of the tactical noise and focused on the hunting shotguns that still matter in the field. With the pickings being slim, some of the inclusions on this list aren’t even new.
To be fair, we certainly checked out a few wild home defense guns, but they’ll make our personal lists, not the list here. So in the end, here are the hunting shotguns we got giddy about at SHOT Show 2026.
Mossberg Silver Reserve 16 Gauge
A gal just loves to love a 16. The Mossberg Silver Reserve in 16 gauge stood out because it didn’t try to reinvent anything. It’s a traditional over-under built for wingshooting, with 28-inch barrels and a simple two-shot capacity that keeps the focus on clean shooting and good decisions. In a sea of tactical excess, that restraint mattered.
Mossberg builds the Silver Reserve with chrome-lined barrels and chambers, dual locking lugs, and a tang-mounted safety that also functions as the barrel selector. It ships with a full set of interchangeable chokes, which makes it versatile across upland species and seasons. Stock options include walnut for hunters who appreciate tradition and synthetic for those who hunt regardless of the weather.
The 16 gauge continues to occupy a practical middle ground between the 12 and the 20, which I love.
Mossberg 940 Pro Waterfowl Realtree Legacy
The Mossberg 940 Pro Waterfowl remains one of the most practical waterfowl shotguns on the market, and the Realtree Legacy version keeps things grounded by looking like a true “average Joe” shotgun. This is a 12-gauge, gas-operated semi-auto with a 28-inch barrel and a four-plus-one capacity that’s clearly designed for long days in wet blinds.
The receiver comes optic-ready from the factory, with mounting cuts and plates that support most common micro-dot footprints. Oversized controls and a generously sized loading port make handling easier when gloves are mandatory. The adjustable stock allows changes to length of pull and drop without guesswork or extra parts.
This shotgun wasn’t trying to impress anyone on the show floor. It’s built to keep running when weather, mud, and cold would rather shut things down.
Franchi Affinity 3 Lineup
The Franchi Affinity 3 lineup didn’t generate much noise at SHOT Show, which was part of its appeal. These inertia-driven semi-autos are available in both 12 and 20 gauge, with configurations ranging from classic walnut-stocked field guns to camo waterfowl options.
Barrel lengths vary by model, running from the mid-20s up to 30 inches. The compact size caught my eye and might end up being one I add to my collection (little gal problems).
The inertia system keeps these shotguns lighter and cleaner than many gas-operated competitors. The balance feels especially good in upland settings where fast mounting matters. They handle modern hunting loads without complaint and don’t demand constant cleaning to stay reliable.
For hunters who want a straightforward semi-auto that does its job without drama or excess maintenance, the Affinity 3 lineup continues to make a compelling case.
Beretta AX800 Suprema
The Beretta AX800 Suprema drew serious attention at SHOT Show 2026 for good reason. I had to wait in somewhat of a line to even get my hands on one. This 12-gauge semi-auto is built around Beretta’s B-LINK Pro gas system, which is designed to cycle quickly while staying cleaner over high-volume shooting days.
Steelium Pro barrels contribute to consistent patterns and velocity, while the Kick-Off Pro stock system should noticeably reduce felt recoil with heavier loads. The polymer receiver keeps the weight reasonable and should hold up to harsh weather without concern. An integrated optic mounting system allows red-dot use without awkward aftermarket solutions.
Everything about this shotgun suggests it was designed by people who hunt waterfowl in real conditions. It feels modern without feeling forced, which I think is harder to pull off than most manufacturers realize.
Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 AI
Not that AI. This one actually belongs in the blind.
The Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 A.I. is not artificial intelligence. The A.I. here stands for Advanced Impact, which is about tighter patterns and better downrange performance, not thinking for itself.
Built on Benelli’s proven inertia-driven system, this 12-gauge is chambered for 3½-inch shells and designed to run clean in bad conditions. The Advanced Impact barrel and choke system focuses on pattern density and energy retention, especially with modern steel loads. The Comfort Tech and Combtech stock features help manage recoil, and oversized controls make cold-weather handling easier.
It’s a familiar platform with a meaningful upgrade. Benelli didn’t reinvent the Super Black Eagle. They just made it hit harder where it matters.
In the End …
SHOT Show 2026 made it clear that much of the shotgun market is chasing defensive trends. That reality isn’t likely to change soon. Still, for hunters willing to look past the sea of black plastic, there were legitimate field guns worth paying attention to.
… And if you’re in the market for a home defense gun, find me at my local watering hole. I have thoughts.
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