“The Golden Bullseye Awards are our way of honoring those companies that introduced products of remarkable utility, innovation and simple excellence to shooters and hunters during the past year,“ said Mike Sanford, deputy executive director of NRA Media.
The Golden Bullseye Awards, established 23 years ago by American Rifleman editors, honor exceptional new firearm and shooting products for their innovation, performance and value. Each year, the selection process is competitive, with many strong contenders, but the editorial team ultimately agrees on a slate of standout winners.
Awards are given in the following categories: Accessory Of The Year, Ammunition Product Of The Year, Pioneer Of The Year, Optic Of The Year, Tactical Product Of The Year, Rifle Of The Year, Handgun Of The Year and Shotgun Of The Year. The latter of which came down to a clear choice.
2025 Shotgun Of The Year: SDS Arms MAC 1014
The M4/M1014 shotgun platform is well-regarded the world over for reliability thanks to its dual-piston operating system that interacts directly with the bolt, thereby speeding operation and eliminating the need for action bars or other linkages. The platform’s design also allows it to run cleaner than most gas guns. But for all its qualities, the original M4 isn’t inexpensive.
So, when a clone emerged that was built in such a way so as to be compatible with the original’s aftermarket offerings—yet with an almost unbelievably low MSRP starting at just $399—it caught our attention.
In “Solid Values” (January 2025, p. 36), Field Editor Aaron Carter gave two of SDS Arms’ shotguns, sold under the Military Armament Corp. sub-brand, a thorough shakedown, coming away from the experience particularly impressed by the MAC 1014.
Despite the manufacturer’s suggested break-in period, which the author opted to forgo in favor of real-world circumstances, his comments from range testing were interesting, to say the least, noting: “Through the 100-round, load-and-dump fest, the sample MAC 1014 exhibited no malfunctions, and that continued afterward, when it was fed a steady diet of randomness, ranging from 3″, 2-oz. turkey loads to 23” shells with slugs or brimming with birdshot and buckshot at a variety of velocities. There were no issues whatsoever-again, a testament to the Benelli M4/M1014 design and MAC’s fidelity in duplicating it.
The pistol-grip-equipped scattergun ran flawlessly for him and was both controllable and comfortable to shoot. “I now understand the reasons for the M4/M1014’s popularity,” Carter concluded. For bringing that winning combination of features and functionality to American shooters at a remarkably attractive price, the SDS Arms MAC 1014 was a clear choice for our selection as Shotgun Of The Year.
For more information, visit milarmamentcorp.com.
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