By “best,” I'm referring to shotguns that are attainable in price without delving into exhibition wood that, by nature, is for looking at more than using, elaborate or custom engraving and the like. I'm also referring to shotguns that, with reasonable care, will last long beyond my lifetime.

I'm also referring to shotguns that are good to go out of the box, sans expensive modifications, shotguns that load and unload easily, have easy to use safeties, and shoot to point of aim. These are the Hondas and Toyotas of shotguns, more so than Jaguars or Land Rovers. They are not necessarily the best for everyone, but are clearly worthy of your consideration with a very low opportunity for buyer's remorse.

Fabarm L4S v. pheasant.

As far as repeating shotguns in 12 gauge, the Fabarm L4S easily makes the list as far as a gas operated semi-auto. On the inertia semi-auto side, the Sauer SL5, Weatherby Sorix, Weatherby 18i, and Browning A5 all make the list. The Fabarm and Browning A5 have five year written warranties; the Sauer and Weatherby models have ten year written warranties. All are Italian made, with the exception of the A5 which has Portugal as its country of origin.

Weatherby 18i 20 gauge v. dove.

The Sauer, Weatherby, and Browning inertia guns all offer 3-1/2 inch chambers in 12 gauge in addition to their 3 inch guns if that is what you are looking for. Weatherby has 20 gauges available. The Browning alone has a 16 gauge available, with a 20 gauge A5 that was promised by March 2024 but remains vaporware. The gas-operated Fabarm has several dedicated soft-shooting clay target models available as you might expect from the Caesar Guerini / Fabarm heritage.

Weatherby Sorix Storm 12 Gauge.

For left-handers, Fabarm has true left-handed L4S models available. The Weatherby Sorix has a clever “Shift System” where you can quickly change the charging handle and safety. All of these models are shim adjustable for cast and drop. The Fabarm L4S Allsport clays guns come with two ribs (50/50 and 65/35) and an adjustable comb to boot.

Savage 220 20 gauge turkey model.

In 20 gauge, for a slug gun or a smooth bore turkey gun, you can not do much better than the Savage Arms Model 220 bolt action: made in the USA, of course. The quiet three position safety and the Accu-Trigger makes the 220 outstandingly good when you are using your shotgun like a rifle, as does the Savage Accu-Fit System.

Browning Citori 725 Feather 20 gauge.

As far as O/U shotguns, to me it is a very easy choice: Browning Citori 725 or Fabarm. What makes it easy is avoiding the Kiss of Death of double guns: stack-barrels that have miserably poor barrel regulation. There are few things worse than discovering that your new O/U throws patterns 8 inches or so away from each other contingent on the barrel used, only to be told that it is “within our specifications.” You now own a confidence-crushing goat stop.

Fabarm Elos 2 Elite 20 gauge.

Fabarm has a 2 inch or so standard, Browning has a 4 inch standard at 30 or 35 meters. If barrel regulation isn't important, then that calls into question all the talk about having a 60/40 point of impact, which is only about 3 inches at 40 yards. If 6 inches difference with an O/U is perfectly fine, then how can the difference between a 70/30 and a 50/50 pattern possibly be important? Having a shotgun that shoots where you look is critical. A shotgun that only does that half the time is worthless.

Above: The lightest upland gun I use: a Fabarm Elos D2 alloy 20 gauge 28 inch barrel set, with an SC100 pad added: 5 lbs. 15 oz.

The Browning Citori 725 line is made in Japan by Browning's long-time partner, Miroku, and Fabarm is 100% Made in Italy. Browning O/U's generally have straight stocks, while Fabarm offers left and right hand stocks. Fabarm has a five year written warranty. Browning does not have a written warranty of their Miroku-made firearms, but has a decent track record of correcting any problems.

None of the firearms mentioned here are nose-bleed priced. After dropping over $170,000 in the last few years on vehicles, I'm more inclined to say that all of the shotguns mentioned here are quite strong values in 2024. They are all well worth buying, owning, and enjoying.