The 6 Best Semi-Auto Shotguns in 2025

Shotguns are an inherently versatile firearm. From duck blinds to deer stands, upland brush to long turkey sits, the shotgun is right at home in a multitude of hunting pursuits. However, with its smooth shooting and ability to fire quick follow-up shots, the semi-automatic shotgun reigns supreme.

John Moses Browning was the godfather of semi-auto shotguns with the introduction of the long-recoil Auto-5 in the early 1900s. Long recoil actions allow the barrel to move with the bolt for the entire length of the shotshell. The bolt locks to the back of the receiver; the barrel returns forward, ejecting the spent hull, and the carrier picks up a fresh round from the magazine tube. Browning’s repeater enjoyed an almost century-long run before it was discontinued in 1999.

Today’s semi-auto shotguns are mostly inertia-driven or gas-operated. Sorting through all these shotguns—both old and new—can be a bit daunting. So, what makes the best semi-auto shotgun? From years of experience, I know the best semi-autos mount to your shoulder naturally, swing to the target with ease, and cycle shotshells reliably no matter the weather conditions. They must also be incredibly durable, withstanding countless seasons of abuse in the duck blind and uplands. We ask a lot of our auto-loaders, and that superior functionality often comes at a cost.

Inertia guns rely on the recoil of the shotshell to drive the bolt reward and eject the hull. Gas guns use a small amount of gas (produced by the shotshell’s accelerant), to drive the bolt back and eject the shell. Inertia guns often run cleaner than gas-operated platforms because the contents of the shotshell are all being sent out the muzzle of the gun. Gas causes a carbon buildup on the interior components of the gun and requires more cleaning. However, the inertia platform requires the shooter to properly mount the gun to the shoulder (providing a backstop) in order to function. Gas guns will run regardless of the shoulder mount.