Automatic Shotguns

The AA‑12 (Auto Assault‑12) is a fully‑automatic, gas‑operated shotgun designed for close‑quarters firepower with minimal recoil. Conceived by Maxwell Atchison in the early 1970s and later refined by Military Police Systems, the weapon targets military special forces, law‑enforcement tactical units, and select civilian markets where semi‑automatic shotguns dominate. Its hallmark is a proprietary recoil‑mitigation system that allows controllable burst fire of 300‑400 rpm, enabling rapid engagement of multiple targets. The AA‑12 fires standard 12‑gauge shells, including low‑recoil and non‑lethal rounds, from a 20‑round drum or 8‑round box magazine. The design eschews traditional pump‑action simplicity for a closed‑bolt, rotating‑bolt mechanism that reduces fouling and improves reliability under adverse conditions. The shotgun’s reputation centers on its ability to deliver sustained shotgun fire with accuracy comparable to assault rifles, a rarity that has earned it a cult following among tactical shooters and collectors alike.

The Armsel Striker is a South African revolving shotgun that uses a spring-driven twelve-round cylinder. It was designed by Hilton Walker and features a distinctive bullpup configuration with the cylinder behind the trigger. The weapon was one of the first modern revolving shotguns to enter commercial production.

The Atchisson Assault Shotgun, also known as the Auto Arms 12, was the original design by Maxwell Atchisson from 1972 that later evolved into the AA-12. It was a select-fire combat shotgun using a delayed-blowback operating system with detachable box magazines. The design pioneered many features that later appeared in the refined AA-12 redesign.

The Benelli SuperNova is a modern semi‑automatic shotgun that embodies Benelli’s inertia‑driven operating principle, delivering reliable cycling with minimal recoil. Designed primarily for civilian sport shooting, home defense, and law‑enforcement tactical use, the SuperNova series emphasizes modularity, ease of maintenance, and rapid reloading. Its hallmark features include a dual‑stack magazine tube (offering 5+1 to 8+1 shells depending on barrel length), a lightweight yet robust alloy receiver, and an ergonomic stock with interchangeable cheek pieces. The shotgun’s signature “SuperNova” gas‑free inertia system provides consistent performance across a wide range of loads, from light target loads to heavy magnum shells, earning it a reputation for exceptional reliability in adverse conditions. Unique to the line are the interchangeable barrel system and the “Tactical” variants equipped with Picatinny rails, ghost‑ring sights, and extended magazine tubes, making the platform adaptable for both competition and tactical scenarios. Within the firearms community, the SuperNova is praised for its smooth action, low perceived recoil, and the balance between traditional shotgun handling and modern tactical versatility.

The Daewoo USAS-12 is a South Korean selective-fire combat shotgun manufactured by Daewoo Precision Industries. It is capable of accepting both detachable box magazines and drum magazines for sustained fire capability. The weapon's design was influenced by the American AA-12 and it saw service with several military forces worldwide.

The Fostech Origin 12 is a modern semi-automatic and select-fire shotgun manufactured by Fostech, Inc. in the United States. It uses an innovative gas-delayed blowback action and feeds from specialized box magazines. The Origin 12 was designed for civilian sport shooters, law enforcement, and military applications.

An Italian selective-fire combat shotgun with a detachable box magazine. It is the successor to the SPAS-12 with a more modern design.

A Heckler & Koch prototype automatic shotgun developed for the U.S. Army Close Assault Weapon System program. It featured a unique bullpup layout.

The Neostead 2000 is a South African pump-action shotgun with a unique dual-tube magazine and bullpup configuration. It features two independent magazine tubes each holding six rounds, selectable via a manual switch. The design allows the operator to quickly switch between different ammunition types.

An experimental fully automatic shotgun with a unique revolver-style magazine. The Jackhammer was designed for military use.

The SRM Arms Model 1216 is a semi-automatic shotgun with a unique detachable four-rotating-tube magazine system. Each of the four tubes holds four 12-gauge shells for a total capacity of sixteen rounds. The design allows rapid magazine changes by rotating the next tube into alignment.

The Saiga-12K is a selective-fire variant of the Saiga-12 semi-automatic shotgun line, developed by Izhmash in Russia for military and law enforcement use. It is based on the Kalashnikov action and feeds from detachable box magazines in capacities from 5 to 12 rounds. The K variant features a side-folding stock for compact carry and select-fire capability.

A selective-fire, magazine-fed automatic shotgun manufactured by Daewoo Precision Industries. It can use both box and drum magazines.