by Dave Workman | Senior Editor
From bird hunting to home defense and tactical applications, there are some hot new shotguns on the way for 2015, including some for which the details are being closely guarded.
Browning will offer a pair of new 12-gauge Model 725 Citori over-and-under Sporting models, with 30- or 32-inch barrel options. They feature engraving and high-grade walnut stocks and forearms. The Sporting Grade V has a silver nitride finish on the receiver and a Grade IV/V walnut stock with an oil finish. The Grade VII has a blued receiver with gold accents and deep-relief engraving. It has a stock of Grade VI/VIII walnut.
Add to that the new Browning Pro Sporting and Pro Trap models with Pro Fit adjustable comb stocks and Pro Balance System that allows shooters to adjust the guns to their preference. Additional features include Browning’s superb Fire Lite Mechanical Trigger System, the new Invector DS choke tube system, and full-width hinge pins and tapered locking bolts.
The Pro Sporting model is available in 12- and 20-gauge while the Pro Trap model comes in 12-gauge only.
Another new choice is the Model 725 Feather in 20-gauge with a lightweight alloy receiver, and high relief engraving. It features a Grade II/III walnut stock with close radius pistol grip and barrel lengths of 26 or 28 inches.
The Stevens Model 320 pump shotgun from Savage is adding four 20-gauge models. They include a Youth Field Grade model, a Field Grade with a 26-inch vent rib barrel, and two Security models, both with pistol grip stocks and 18½-inch barrels, including ghost ring sight.
CZ-USA has several new shotguns including four over-and-under double guns, a pair of side-by-sides, a trio of pump-guns and a semi-auto. Among the pump-action models is the Model 612 Magnum Turkey model with a 12-gauge, 3½-inch chamber and 26-inch barrel. The nearly identical Model 612 Waterfowl model has a 28-inch barrel, five extended chokes and a Realtree MAX-4 finish.
CZ’s Model 712 G2 synthetic semi-auto has a 28-inch barrel and a black synthetic stock, while the Model 812 Waterfowl self-loader has a Realtree MAX-4 finish.
There’s also a Model 612 Trap gun in 12-gauge with a 32-inch barrel, raised rib and Monte Carlo stock.
For upland purists, the Sharp Tail in 12-, 20- and 28-gauge and .410 bore with 28-inch barrels and the Sharp-Tail Target with 30-inch barrels, extended steel choke tubes and is offered only in 12-gauge.
Winchester has a couple of new 20-gauge versions of its SXP pump shotgun, featuring an alloy receiver. In addition, there’s a new Ultimate Defender model, and an Ultimate Marine Defender with a matte hard chrome finish on the barrel, magazine tube, slide arms and other components. Turkey hunters ought to warm up to the SXP Turkey Hunter model in both 12- and 20-gauge. The 12-gauge version is chambered for 3½-inch shells and the 20-gauge has a 3-inch chamber.
Winchester will add the new Mossy Oak Break-Up Country camo finish to a couple of models.
From Century International one will see two new Catamount semi-auto shotguns, the 922r-compliant Fury and Fury II. Built on the Saiga pattern and chambered for 12-gauge shells, both have 10-round magazines. They feature MIL-STD 1913 rails on the hinged dust cover and on the bottom of the gas block. Both guns feature an AK-style receiver and operating system.
The Catamount Fury model has a black synthetic sporter style stock while the Catamount Fury II wears a thumbhole Dragunov-style stock.
American Tactical Imports will offer the Omni Hybrid MAXX in .410 bore. This AR-style shotgun is chambered for 2½-inch shotshells. It has an 18.5-inch barrel, six-position stock and comes with either a 5- or 15-round magazine.
