Shotgun Showcase
Innovation lives: 8 shotguns for the uplands
If you follow the latest news in shotguns, you have probably noticed the industry’s shift toward tactical builds and operational gear. In addition, the hunting side of the market has felt stagnant and underwhelming, dominated by budget imports or trivial updates to established platforms.
Luckily, 2026 has exceeded my shotgun expectations, and marks a genuine rebound in field gun innovation.
Sponsored By
Reviews by Rachel Hoveland
Read the full set of reviews on our blog post:
Shotgun Showcase 2026 — Innovation Lives: 8 Shotguns for the Uplands
Benelli Ethos Upland A.I.
20-gauge || Weight: 5-14
Benelli’s Ethos line already has a solid reputation as an upland, inertia semiautomatic with low profile, slim forearm and easy-to-carry weight.
GForce Refuge Retro
20-gauge || Weight: 6-6
Designed to be practical and dependable, the GForce Refuge is a gas-operated semiautomatic in the entry-level price range. It is a blend of vintage aesthetics and modern engineering, built with durability in mind, sporting a matching bronze Cerakote finish on both the receiver and barrel to complement the retro camo.
Beretta AX800 Suprema
12-gauge || Weight: 7-13 (same as the A400)
Love it or hate it, the gas-operated Beretta AX800 Suprema has a distinct, tactical appearance. The controls are dramatically oversized. The entire firearm is a texturized, matte black. And, well, you can see through the stock.
Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon III
.410 || Weight: 6-2
The newest iteration of the classic Silver Pigeon line, the Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon III is an attractive over-under. Built on the well-known 680-series receiver platform, the 687 Silver Pigeon III has a sleek and low profile, and is built on a true sub-gauge frame.
AKKAR High Noon Elite
28-gauge || Weight: 6-5
The AKKAR High Noon Elite is a modern update to the classic side-by-side shotgun. Forgoing a swamp rib, the High Noon Elite instead features a raised, single vent rib positioned between the two barrels.
Retay ACE-R Upland Ultra-Light
20-gauge || Weight: 5-9
The RETAY brand was conceptualized to refine and perfect the design of inertia-operated shotguns, incorporating a flagship bolt system which keeps the bolt head from jarring out of the battery, eliminating a common type of misfire.
CZ-USA 1012 G2 Walnut
12-gauge || Weight: 6-8
The 1012 line was CZ’s first inertia-operated semiautomatic, and CZ has improved upon the platform with the release of the 1012 G2. This updated generation of a well-proven line now has a reversible cross-bolt safety, improved inertia system tuned to handle a wider variety of shells, and allows for magazine tube extension.
Legacy Pointer ST912
12-gauge || Weight: 8-0
Legacy’s Pointer line has gained a reputation as some of the most affordable over-under shotguns on the market. The ST912 provides elevated sporting features, and packages them at an affordable price.
Your cart is empty
