Waterfowlers are a interesting subset of hunters. While you’ll have some generalists who hunt deer and turkeys primarily but will hit the marsh a few times a year for ducks or geese, you’ll also find your shop visited by a lot of specialists — die-hard waterfowlers who live and breath this stuff. The two groups often have different needs when it comes to their shotguns.
Because the generalists also chase turkeys in the spring and maybe small game and upland birds in the fall, they’re often looking for a versatile, do-it-all shotgun, maybe even with with interchangeable barrels for deer hunting with slugs. They might not be interested in spending a lot and will probably turn their nose up at a $2,000 waterfowl-specific gun.
On the other hand, your hard-core enthusiasts have already dumped a small fortune into decoys, waders, blinds, leases, trailers, and their dogs — not to mention the amount they’ll spend on ammo over the course of a season — and they demand the best of the best when it comes to guns. They have specific requirements, maybe even a favorite camo pattern, and the most dedicated among them might even want a species-specific gun like the dedicated snow goose gun from Beretta, highlighted in this article.
No matter what your customers’ needs, there’s a shotgun out there to fit their specific use and their budget. These 12 models are worth a spot on your shelves.
This Renegauge has been a hit for Savage going on several years now, and the Waterfowl version comes with all the standard features, including the company’s D.R.I.V. (dual regulating inline valve) gas system that vents excess gas for consistent ejection, less felt recoil and fast cycling. Savage says it will cycle even the mildest loads, and length of pull, comb height and drop at heel can all be adjusted for a custom fit to the shooter. It’s got a 3-inch chamber and comes with either 26- or 28-inch barrels, with oversized controls, three included choke tubes and a Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades camo finish. MSRP: $1,349.
The semi-auto Browning A5 is a classic, featuring that distinctive humpback receiver profile, and waterfowlers will especially appreciate the custom touches on the Wicked Wing version: Burnt bronze Cerakote finish on the receiver, composite stock with shim adjustment for fit, fully chromed bore for corrosion resistance, and the fast-cycling, soft-shooting Kinematic Drive system (recoil operated). The gun is loaded with features and comes with a 100,000-round/5-year guarantee. It’s got lengthened forcing cones, back boring, 26- or 28-inch barrels, a 3 ½-inch chamber, the Speed Load Plus system and a variety of camo finishes to choose from. You can even get it in a 16-gauge, and this year Browning introduced a 20-gauge version that only comes in the standard walnut and blue finish. MSRP on the Wicked Wing A5: $2,279.99.
Weatherby’s inertia-operated semi-automatic Element is designed to run smoothly with minimal maintenance. It’s got a chrome-lined bore, interchangeable chokes, a checkered and vented top rib with a fiber optic front bead, and spacers and shims to adjust the fit for cast and drop. The bolt release is dual-purpose: It moves the bolt forward and into battery, of course, but it also allows a shooter to remove live shells from the magazine tube without cycling them through the chamber. The Waterfowler version of the Element comes in 12- or 20-gauge (all 3-inch chambers) with a 26- or 28-inch barrel, and it’s fully camo-ed out in the buyer’s choice of three camo patterns. MSRP: $799.
This no-frills gun, imported by Legacy Sports International, is a gas-operated workhorse of a semi-auto, with raised vent ribs, a fiber optic front sight, five included choke tubes, a tough black synthetic stock and forend, a ventilated buttpad and 28-inch chrome-lined barrels. It comes in 12-gauge and 20-gauge, with a youth-model 20-gauge and .410 also available. Buyers can get it in the standard black synthetic stock and blued barrel or a camo-stocked version with bronze Cerakote on the barrel and receiver, and they won’t be able to resist the price. MRSP: Starts at $279.
This might be one of the most expensive guns on our list, but it’s among the most in-demand by serious waterfowlers: The Benelli SBE3. It’s designed for superior ergonomics, flawless functionality and modern waterfowling reliability. Driven by Benelli’s legendary inertia system, the SBE3 comes in 12-gauge only and has a 3½-inch chamber, 28- or 26-inch barrels, a Comfort Tech 3 stock, three camo options plus black synthetic and satin walnut, a Crio-treated barrel, shim kit, Benelli’s Easy Loading system and Easy Locking bolt system, and Crio chokes (three flush-fit and two extended). Left-handed versions are also available. MSRP: Starts at $2,199.
Stoeger M3500 Waterfowl Special
Customers looking for an inertia-driven gun with waterfowl-specific features at a lower price than a Benelli would do well to look at Stoeger’s M3500. The Waterfowl Special version of this gun boasts oversized controls, weather-resistent construction and five included choke tubes. It has a 3 ½-inch chamber, but Stoeger says it cycles shorter shells equally well without adjustment. It comes with a fiber-optic front sight, a paracord sling, a recoil reducer, a shim kit, specially designed port for easy loading, a RealTree Max-7/FDE Cerakote finish and optional upgraded stocks. MSRP: $899.
Imported by EAA, this 12-gauge semi-auto falls into the do-it-all category, with a versatile 28-inch barrel, an inertia-driven action, a fiber optic front sight and your choice of black or camo finish. EAA says it ran a 5,000-round test without any cleaning or malfunctions, as well as a 10,000-round test without any parts replacement. It’s simple, clean, efficient and versatile, with a Picatinny rail in case your customer wants a shotgun that’ll do double duty as a hunting gun and a home defense firearm. MSRP: $449.
Customers who aren’t familiar with Retay USA might be pleasantly surprised by the Masai Mara, particularly the RealTree Max-7 version ideal for waterfowling. It’s an inertia-driven semi-auto that comes in 12- or 20-gauge with 28- or 26-inch barrels, and the 12-gauge has a 3 ½-inch chamber. Features include a chrome-lined barrel, optimized lengthened forcing cone, adjustable fit plate and shim system, push-button removeable trigger system, Inertia Plus rotating bolt, TruGlo fiber optic front sight, a recoil pad and five included choke tubes. MSRP: $1,399.
Beretta A300 Ultima Snow Goose Arctic Fox
Snow goose hunting is a niche within a niche, and this gun is built expressly for them. It uses Beretta’s AGS gas system to reliably cycle 2 ¾- and 3-inch shells, and has a 28-inch barrel with a stepped rib — and it’s suppressor-ready. Magazine capacity is an impressive 10+1 (2 ¾-inch shells) for those unlimited conservation-season hunts, and it’s optics-ready if your customer wants to add a red-dot optic. It’s got a thinner forend for better control, and an integrated M-LOK system on the forend and extended magazine clamp allows hunters to easily mount a camera. Of course, the whole thing is decked out in Arctic Fox camouflage, or get it in plain black synthetic if you prefer. MSRP: Starts at $1,459.
Remington 870 SPS Super Magnum Turkey/Waterfowl
Of course, not every hunter wants a semi-auto, and pump guns don’t get any more iconic than Big Green’s 870. The SPS Super Magnum Turkey/Waterfowl version is a versatile gun for hunters who chase turkeys when waterfowl season is over. It’s a 12-gauge with a 3 ½-inch chamber and a 26-inch barrel, drilled and tapped for optics for turkey season (HiViz fiber optic sights are optional). Covered in Kryptek Obskura Transitional camo and brown Cerakote, it’ll blend in in the marsh and the woods. MSRP:
Another popular pump, the Winchester SXP is made to take the punishment the waterfowling world is known for, with a chrome-plated bore and chamber and a matte black chrome bolt. Winchester says, “It will always cycle smooth and go ‘bang’ when you’re counting on it most,” and what else do you need? You can get the 12-gauge with a 3 ½-inch or 3-inch chamber, and a 3-inch 20-gauge is also available. All come with a lightning-fast, inertia-assisted pump action, four lug rotary bolt for secure lockup, aluminum alloy receiver, drop-out trigger group, durable e-coating on the magazine tube, TruGlow fiber optic sight, an Inflex Technology recoil pad and three choke tubes. Six camo finishes are available depending on the configuration. MSRP: $429.99.
Mossberg Silver Reserve Eventide Waterfowl
And now for something different: Over-and-unders are having a bit of a resurgence lately, driven by their classic feel but also by the versatility afforded by two different choke tubes. Mossberg is jumping on the o/u trend with the Silver Reserve Eventide Waterfowl, featuring extractors, a corrosion-resistant chrome-lined chamber and barrels, tang-mounted safety, dual locking lugs, and a five-tube choke set. It comes in a 12-gauge only right now (although other versions of the Eventide are available in 20-gauge), with a 3 ½-inch chamber, with a camo and brown Cerakote finish and a fiber optic front bead. This is a real conversation starter on your shelves, and it might just be ideal for that customer who is looking for something a little outside the norm. MSRP: $956.
