What Are the Most Popular Shotguns in the U.S. Right Now?

Short-barreled rifles and shotguns, commonly known as “sawed-off shotguns”, have been banned in many countries. In the U.S., owning one is heavily regulated and banned in certain states. These short shotguns, also called scatter guns, were famously used by gangsters and criminals in the 1930s. One reason criminals used these weapons was that they were shorter than a traditional shotgun and easier to conceal inside a coat. However, the shorter shotguns are much less accurate, yet more powerful. The result of firing one is a hail of bullets scattered around, hitting anything near the original target. These deadly and inaccurate weapons are easy to conceal and launch a scatter of deadly bullets. Recently, Kansas Senator Roger Marshall has proposed making sawed-off shotguns easier to obtain by proposing to amend current federal laws to remove short-barrel firearms from the National Firearms Act (NFA) classification.

Unlike short-barreled shotguns, a traditional shotgun is known for its reliability, versatility, and accuracy. Gun buyers choose shotguns for a variety of reasons, including home defense, hunting, and sport shooting. Hunters rely on shotguns for targeting waterfowl, turkey, and other small game. The shotgun manufacturers we list below have been around for decades, or even hundreds of years, making reliable and popular weapons. (Also take a look at America’s best-selling rifles.)

24/7 Wall St. took a look at shotgun trends in America by identifying the 10 best-selling shotguns in the U.S. We reviewed a report from Gun Genius. The online gun guide analyzed sales data from the online firearm marketplace GunBroker.com. Shotguns are ranked on sales volume in the 2024 calendar year, though exact sales figures were not provided. We included data on estimated base prices for each make and model, which we obtained from online retailers, including GunBroker. Our list was compiled using online gun sales only. However, unlike most items purchased online, firearms are not typically shipped to a buyer’s home. In most states, the process requires buyers to have their gun shipped to a Federally Licensed Firearm Dealer, which runs a background check before transferring the gun to the customer.

(This article was updated on April 14, 2025, to reflect proposed regulation that would make obtaining short-barreled shotguns easier in America.)

Why Are We Writing About Shotguns Now?

Unrecognizable hunter man loading shotgun with ammunition to hunt.

Sawed-off shotguns are not reliable and run the risk of hitting unintended targets. Because the barrel is shortened, the shotgun loses its precision. But traditional shotguns are popular for hunting, sport shooting, and as home defense weapons. They are the only firearms suited to recreational trap and skeet shooting. While shotguns are manufactured by hundreds of companies and come in a wide range of actions, gauges, and sizes, certain models have emerged as clear favorites among American gun owners.

These are the best-selling shotguns in the United States: