Top 5 Shotguns Under $500

Intro and Budget Criteria

The host introduces a rundown of five budget shotguns, all priced at or under about $500, which is framed as a reasonable budget in 2025. Shotguns are described as long-established, versatile platforms available in many configurations and price points. This list focuses on options that stay under the $500 mark while still offering dependable performance. The video will cover a mix of lever-action, pump-action, and semi-automatic models, with attention to how they handle different shotgun loads and how they have held up in use and testing.

Panzer Arms EG220 Lever-Action Shotgun

In the number five spot is the Panzer Arms EG220, a lever-action shotgun chambered in a traditional shotgun shell rather than another caliber. A colleague highlights its features, including a dovetail on top for mounting optics, a Picatinny rail section on the side, and M-LOK slots on the bottom for accessories. The lever action provides a distinct mechanical feel and sound that the crew clearly enjoys. The EG220 can run a variety of shotgun shells and is priced under roughly $350, placing it firmly in the budget range while still offering modern mounting options and a unique operating system compared to typical pump guns.

KelTec KS7 Bullpup Pump Shotgun

Number four is the KelTec KS7, a compact bullpup pump-action shotgun. The host briefly shows a dual-tube KelTec variant for comparison, explaining that the dual-tube model allows mixing loads such as birdshot, slugs, or buckshot in separate tubes, but it falls outside the budget focus. The KS7 uses a single tube to keep cost down while retaining the same basic pump-action operation and ability to run various shells. It has a distinctive, recognizable profile and has appeared in video games. The host notes that some law enforcement and security agencies have issued this platform. Typical pricing is described as ranging from the upper $300s to around $450, and it is characterized as reliable and affordable for a bullpup shotgun.

Taktik TX1 Remington 870-Pattern Pump

In the third position is a budget-friendly Remington 870-pattern shotgun, represented here by the Taktik TX1. The host explains that genuine Remington 870 shotguns often exceed $500, though some configurations with different stocks can occasionally be found for less. Drawing on duty experience with a Remington 870, the host describes that platform as durable, smooth, and long-lasting. The TX1 uses a similar 870-style action but is priced around $120, making it a very low-cost option. It does not feel exactly like a true Remington 870, which is expected at that price point, but range use has shown it to function reliably. Feedback from owners has been positive, and side-by-side comparison with a well-used Remington 870 shows the original still running smoothly while the TX1 offers a budget way into that general pattern.

Benelli M4-Style Budget Semi-Autos

The number two slot goes to budget semi-automatic shotguns patterned after the Benelli M4. The example on the table is the Hermox X Defense, with other similar options mentioned such as the Panzer M4 and various Turkish-made versions often nicknamed “Turk Nelly.” These shotguns are typically priced under $500, with the Hermox example in the upper $300 range and Panzer-branded models in the low to mid-$400s. The host reports extensive use of a Panzer M4 over about three years with no issues. One of these M4-style guns was taken to James Reeves at TFBTV for a high-round-count burn-down test, where it completed the test with only minor caveats noted. The host feels that, for typical users, these semi-autos offer very good reliability and a handling experience that many consider comparable to the actual Benelli M4, which is shown for comparison and noted to be significantly more expensive.

Maverick 88 and Closing Thoughts

The top spot is given to the Maverick 88, produced under the Mossberg umbrella and based on the Mossberg 500 footprint. It is a pump-action shotgun known for simplicity and durability. The host points out the different location of the action release compared to a Remington 870, noting personal familiarity with the Remington layout. The Maverick 88 is described as very smooth in operation, with many examples subjected to high-round-count tests by various channels and continuing to function well. Pricing is typically around $219, often in the low $200s, making it a widely available budget option. The host notes that Mossberg 500 and Maverick 88 shotguns have seen use with police agencies, reinforcing their reputation for reliability. The video closes by emphasizing that shotguns remain relevant for self-defense, recreational shooting, competition, and hunting, and that these budget models allow entry into the platform without overspending.