One of the cool things about going to SHOT Show is seeing all of the new guns that come out. Some of them really get a lot of attention. One area we’ve been paying extra attention to is the shotgun scene. There are some sweet new shotguns from Beretta, Browning, Benelli and Weatherby coming out for 2026 that have us pretty excited. When you also see the cool new shotgun suppressors from BANISH, YHM, and more, hitting the market, too - that adds to the excitement.
Browning A5 20-gauge
Now we just love the cover image that we used for this story from Ryan Grant because it just looks amazing, doesn’t it? That’s Browning’s Silver Reserve 20-gauge. New for 2026 is Browning’s sweet A5 inertia shotgun in 20-gauge and we couldn’t be more excited about it. Who doesn’t love the idea of a humpback Browning shotgun?
A BANISH 20 shotgun suppressor in the field on an upland hunt.
The Browning A5 20 gauge is one of those shotguns that just feels right the moment you pick it up. It carries the iconic humpback profile that made the A5 famous, but the modern version brings updated performance without losing its soul. Thanks to Browning’s inertia-driven action, it runs clean, cycles smoothly, and shrugs off bad weather, dirt, and long days in the field. No gas system, no nonsense—just reliable function shot after shot.
The 20 gauge really shines here. It’s lighter and quicker than a 12, with recoil that’s easy on the shoulder while still delivering plenty of punch for upland birds, waterfowl, or clays. Balance is excellent, pointing is natural, and the fit and finish—especially on the walnut-stocked models—are exactly what you’d expect from Browning. If you want a shotgun that blends classic looks with modern reliability, the A5 20 gauge is tough to beat.
Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol 20 Gauge
The Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol 20 gauge is a shotgun that feels purpose-built the second you shoulder it. It’s based on Beretta’s rock-solid A300 action, so reliability is a given. The Patrol trim adds a modern, no-nonsense edge. The gas-operated system runs soft and smooth, soaking up recoil. The follow-up shots are fast—exactly what you want in a lightweight 20 gauge.
What really stands out is how well it balances. It’s quick without being whippy, easy to control, and comfortable for long sessions whether you’re running drills, or breaking clays. The textured furniture offers a confident grip in bad weather. Beretta’s shim system makes dialing in fit simple instead of frustrating. It’s not flashy for the sake of being flashy—it’s practical, tough, and well thought out. If you want a modern 20 gauge that works hard, the A300 Ultima Patrol absolutely earns its keep. This is a sweet tactical shotgun with low recoil.
Beretta AX 800 Suprema
I have a soft spot for Beretta shotguns. I have hunted with an A400 Extrema for many years now and still find it to be the one I reach for when it comes time to hunt. That may change now as soon as I find a way to pay for it. The Beretta AX800 Suprema is the kind of waterfowl shotgun that doesn’t hide anything about what it’s built to do - dominate the blind under the worst conditions you can throw at it. Beretta didn’t just tweak an old design here, they engineered a new platform from the ground up with serious performance upgrades. At the heart of it is the B-LINK Pro gas system, which cycles faster and runs cleaner than anything they’ve put in a hunting gun before, handling everything from light loads to heavy 3.5-inch magnums with confidence.
It also marries that muscle with next-level recoil control. TheKick-Off Pro system practically knocks the kick out of hard-hitting shells, so you stay comfortable when the birds are hot. The barrels borrow tech from Beretta’s championship clay guns, and the polymer receiver with integrated optic mount makes it rugged, weatherproof, and ready for optics right out of the box. Fit and adjustability aren’t an afterthought either. Beretta gives you the tools to make this gun feel like it’s custom-built for your shoulder and hands. Considering the price tag ($2,599+) who wants to contribute to my Go Gun Me account? I’m accepting donations.
Benelli Ethos Cordoba A.I. BE.S.T. 20 Gauge
I’ll never forget coaching trap league. A 15-year old girl shows up with a brand-new Benelli Cordoba that she was given to use. I have never been jealous of a young kid until that point. The Benelli Ethos Cordoba A.I. BE.S.T. 20 gauge is the kind of shotgun that turns “solid choice” into “piece you want to shoot.” Built on Benelli’s inertia-driven platform. It’s feather-light in hand and dead-reliable in the field - tailored for fast birds and long days chasing them. The BE.S.T. (Benelli Surface Treatment) isn’t just paint. It’s a high-tech coating that adds serious rust and corrosion resistance to the barrel and other critical metal parts. This means these 20 gauges can shrug off mud, dew, and wet wings with confidence.
Ported barrels and the ComforTech recoil-reducing system keep follow-ups quick and comfortable. This means you stay on target when the birds flush. The wide vented rib with fiber-optic front sight draws your eye naturally. Handy features like the Shell View windows help you keep track of what you’ve got left. For upland birds or waterfowl in a lighter package, this Ethos is a classy, hard-working scattergun that feels like it belongs in your hands.
Weatherby Element II Upland Compact 20 gauge
My first experience with a Weatherby Element shotgun was doing a review on one in 28-gauge. I have never had a review shotgun that I didn’t want to send back because I couldn’t buy it more than that one. Someone else already had dibs on it so I let it go. The Weatherby Element II Upland 20 Gauge semi‑auto is a shotgun that doesn’t try to be flashy - it just gets the job done without fuss. Built on Weatherby’s revamped Element II platform, this 20-gauge semi-auto is light on weight (around 6 lbs. 7 oz) and surprisingly refined for its price bracket. It uses a solid inertia-type action that’s simple, reliable, and easy to maintain - exactly what you want when you’re chasing birds at first light.
Out of the box, the Element II Upland comes ready to hunt with threaded barrels, useful Crio Plus choke tubes, and oversized controls that make life easier in cold or wet weather. Weatherby also smartened up the ergonomics and made the loading port and controls more user-friendly compared to earlier versions. It may not carry a high-end brand badge, but it feels balanced, points naturally, and won’t scare the hell out of your shoulder after a long day in the field. For the money, it’s a hard-working gun that punches well above its weight class. And I do need a new 20 gauge... I might have to grab one of these, too.
Shotgun Suppressors
Since we all know that a shotgun is rather loud, adding a shotgun suppressor is a great idea. The latest suppressor models have interchangeable choke tubes, allowing you to have the same functionality and adaptability you’d get from an un-suppressed scattergun. And some models are designed to not interfere with your line of sight, either, such as the models from the folks over at BANISH.
Ready to own a shotgun silencer? The simplest way to do it is to go to Silencer Central, find the one you want, fill out a few online forms, and buy it. The team of customer service experts takes care of submitting everything and helps you through the rest of the process. Your fingerprint card as well as a free t-shirt will ship to your home. You can track your progress through the online Customer Portal, too. It is that simple!
While many suppressors can be used on several different caliber firearms, we have some specific models that can make your shooting more enjoyable. Pick the caliber that you have in mind. If you don’t see your caliber, pick one close to it to see our recommendations.
