What are the Only 10 Semi-Automatic Shotguns Worth Buying?

America has a strong and long-lasting gun culture, but it seems our society is growing less tolerant of guns — and more concerned about how and where these guns are able to be used. In Colorado, discussions around gun use and gun control are recently focused on semi-automatic weapons. Colorado Sentate Bill 25-003 would limit the purchase and manufacturing of semi-automatic rifles or semi-automatic shotguns “with a detachable magazine or gas-operated semiautomatic handgun with a detachable magazine.” While SB 25-003 would make it more difficult to purchase semi-automatic weapons, people would be exempt from the bill if they had completed an extended and basic firearms safety course or a hunter safety course within five years before the purchase. The bill had its second reading on March 20, though it’s unclear what the results were. Critics of the bill say that gun owners would have to jump through hoops and have added financial limitations on them, while proponents of the bill say that it would make Colorado and its citizens safer. (Does your state get an A+ or an F when it comes to gun laws?)

Despite this bill, many people enjoy semi-automatic shotguns, especially in certain hunting scenarios. According to the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action, semi-automatic guns account for 20-25% of the privately-owned firearms in the U.S. — and that number is only rising over time. Global market projections are up for 2025, likely driven by attempts at modernization on behalf of law enforcement agencies, alongside a higher demand for hunting firearms. The shotgun and rifles market is estimated to reach USD 6.21 billion by the end of 2025, seeing a compound annual growth rate of 4.36 billion over the next 5 years.

But which semi-automatic shotguns are the most popular? To answer that question, 24/7 Wall St. sourced data from Gun Genius’ list of best-selling shotguns. This “top-selling” list, which comes from sales data from GunBroker.com, shows the most popular shotguns (including semi-automatic, pump action, and over under) of 2024. We identified the semi-automatic shotguns that Americans love most. However, exact sales numbers are not available. We listed these in ranked order from last to first, alongside additional data on base price, chamberings, and parent companies that we took directly from each brand’s website.

This post was updated on May 28, 2025 to include market growth projections.

Why Use Semi-Automatic Shotguns?

When you’re choosing to invest in a gun, you want to make sure you pick one that aligns with your lifestyle. There are many reasons to choose a gun, from hunting and sport shooting to self-defense, so you need to pick carefully. Semi-automatic shotguns are a great choice for:

• Hunters — especially waterfowl hunters
• Sport and clay shooters
• Competition shooters
• Military and law enforcement
• Individuals with physical limitations

Semi-automatic shotguns can be used for home defense if needed, but there are most likely better options available for you.

The Pros & Cons of Semi-Automatic Shotguns

Like any gun, there are pros and cons that you might deal with when using the gun. Pros of using a semi-automatic shotgun may include:

• Easier to get back on target
• Reloading is quick
• Rapid firing that is helpful when shooting at multiple targets
• Less recoil

Alternately, cons of semi-automatic shotguns include:

• Typically more expensive to buy
• Require more maintenance than other guns
• Not always reliable and may malfunction

Why Is This Important Now?

Just like in Colorado, other states are beginning to explore potential limitations on semi-automatic weapon sales. In March 2025, the Gun Owners Caucus put out a call-to-action for supporters to oppose Senate File 1596/House File 2449 in Minnesota. These bills, introduced by Senator Jen McEwen (DFL – SD8 – Duluth) and Rep. Leigh Finke (DFL – HF 66A), would ban the sale or transfer of semi-automatic military-style assault weapons. This includes semi-automatic shotguns with a pistol grip. The Gun Owners Caucus believes that this bill would be devastating for Minnesota’s lawful gun owners.

While neither of these bills is moving, as opposed to Colorado’s bills, it does suggest that more legislation around semi-automatic shotguns may ramp up throughout 2025. That means if you’re looking to buy a semi-automatic shotgun, it might be time to look at one of the ones that made our list.

Can you guess America’s ten most popular semi-automatic shotguns?: