Evolution of Tactical Shotguns for Military and Law Enforcement

The Tactical Shotgun in Modern Operations

The tactical shotgun has evolved from a simple close-quarters tool into a versatile, mission-critical asset for both military and law enforcement agencies. Once considered primarily a close-quarters shotgun for breaching doors and engaging threats at short range, today’s platforms are engineered to meet the demands of urban warfare, specialized policing, maritime security and emerging threats such as small unmanned aerial systems.

As a single-source provider, Beretta Defense Technologies (BDT) delivers an integrated system of firearms, optics, ammunition, and accessories through its Alliance of manufacturing entities — Beretta, Benelli, Sako, Steiner, RWS, Swiss P, MFS, Norma, and Centanex. This integrated ecosystem enables customers to field turnkey solutions that combine weapons, mission-tuned ammunition and electro-optical systems for consistent, predictable performance across roles.

Addressing user intent — when and why a tactical shotgun is the right tool

In which military and law enforcement scenarios is a tactical shotgun most effective?
A tactical shotgun shines wherever short engagement distances, controllable terminal effects and ammunition flexibility are required. Primary scenarios include:

• Close-quarters battle (CQB) and room clearing: buckshot and short-barrel configurations deliver decisive stopping power and rapid target incapacitation inside buildings or confined spaces.
• Breaching operations: purpose-built breaching rounds (frangible or specialized slugs) allow teams to defeat locks and hinges quickly and safely without using explosives.
• Less-lethal operations and crowd control: pump-action platforms that reliably cycle bean-bag rounds, rubber projectiles and similar less-lethal loads are essential for escalation-of-force protocols.
• Vehicle interdiction and perimeter control: short-range stopping power and spread characteristics make shotguns effective for vehicle stops and choke-point control.
• Hostage rescue and specialized entry: slugs offer precision when over-penetration must be managed; buckshot provides a spread option when absolute precision is less critical.
• Emerging role – anti-drone hard kill solution: modified platforms, tailored ammunition and integrated sighting systems are increasingly evaluated as a cost-effective hard-kill option against small, low-altitude drones. High-velocity slugs and purpose-built loadings (and dedicated mission packages such as concepts similar to the Benelli M4 A.I. Drone Guardian) are being trialed to engage loitering UAS at standoff ranges compatible with shotgun employment.

What are the key features and specifications to look for in a tactical shotgun?
When selecting a military shotgun or law enforcement shotgun, prioritize modularity, reliability and mission alignment:

• Action type & reliability: Semi-automatic shotguns deliver faster follow-up shots and are preferred in high-tempo engagements; pump-action shotguns offer superior tolerance for a wide variety of shotgun ammunition, including many less-lethal loads.
• Ergonomics & handling: Short barrels (typically 14–18″), pistol grips, adjustable stocks and optimized balance improve maneuverability in CQB and vehicle environments.
• Sighting & sensor compatibility: platforms should accept red dot reflex sights, ghost ring backups, Steiner eOptics integration and interfaces for night vision or thermal devices — especially important if the shotgun is expected to support anti-drone tasks.
• Durability: marine-grade coatings, corrosion-resistant materials and sealed components ensure reliable operation in maritime or austere environments.
• Ammunition flexibility: the ability to cycle buckshot, slugs, breaching rounds and less-lethal loads without compromising function is critical to multi-role use.
• Capacity & reloading options: from extended magazine tubes to detachable box magazines and speed-reload accessories; choose the feed system that best matches sustained-fire requirements.
• Accessory integration: Picatinny/M-LOK rails, side saddles, weapon lights, lasers and sling systems convert the shotgun into a mission-specific tool outfitted with tactical shotgun accessories.

How does Beretta Defense Technologies innovate in this category?
BDT’s value proposition is systems integration: Beretta, Benelli and Stoeger provide platforms; RWS, Swiss P, MFS and Norma support ammunition; Steiner and Steiner eOptics supplies advanced optics and eOptics. Key innovations include:

• Platform modularity that lets units reconfigure a single baseline shotgun for breaching, CQB, less-lethal policing or anti-drone employment.
• Preconfigured mission kits bundling firearms, optics, spare parts and training materials to reduce logistical complexity.
• Optics and fire-control integration (e.g., Steiner eOptics) that shorten acquisition time and increase first-round effectiveness in degraded visual environments.
• Ballistic ecosystems coordinated across manufacturer lines to ensure predictable terminal effects from buckshot to slugs and specialized hard-kill rounds.

Key Features of a Tactical Shotgun – What to inspect, test and specify

Design & Ergonomics

• Barrel length & choke: shorter barrels (14–18″) increase maneuverability; interchangeable chokes control shot spread to tune the platform to the mission profile.
• Furniture & fit: adjustable stocks, cheek risers, recoil pads and ambidextrous controls improve operator comfort and help maintain sight picture under stress.
• Grip & balance: pistol grips and well-distributed mass reduce muzzle rise and improve handling during dynamic entries.

Action types — pump vs semi-automatic

• Pump-action: mechanically simple and highly tolerant of mixed ammunition types, making pump systems like the Benelli M3 and Supernova ideal when less-lethal options are regularly employed.
• Semi-automatic: faster follow-up and reduced muzzle climb when gas or inertia systems are tuned — favored by military assault teams (e.g., Benelli M4) for rapid target engagement. Note: some semi-automatic designs require specific tuning or modifications to reliably cycle certain less-lethal loads.

Durability

• Seek marine coatings, sealed gas systems and corrosion-resistant fasteners. Shotguns destined for maritime, desert or cold-weather deployment need materials and finishes that survive sand, salt and temperature extremes.

Capacity & reloading

• Magazine tube vs detachable box: tube magazines are simple and compact; detachable box magazines enable faster reloads and higher capacity where logistics and doctrine allow. Side-saddles, speed loaders and extended tubes are common options.

Sighting systems

• Iron & ghost-ring sights: rugged backup for night or hard-use conditions.
• Red dots & reflex optics: reduce target-acquisition time in CQB and pair well with buckshot and slugs.
• Steiner eOptics & night-vision compatibility: essential for degraded visual environments and when engaging dynamic aerial threats (anti-drone use). Integration with weapon lights and laser aiming devices is critical for positive target ID and lawful engagement decisions.

Ammunition & terminal effects

• Buckshot: effective at short range for personnel neutralization.
• Slugs: provide precision and extended range — useful when the shotgun performs squad support or anti-materiel tasks.
• Breaching rounds: frangible or specialty rounds designed to defeat mechanical locks while minimizing collateral hazard.
• Less-lethal: bean bags, rubber projectiles and other escalation-of-force options require platform compatibility and rigorous training.

In essence, the most effective tactical shotguns combine robust engineering with ergonomic precision and mission-specific adaptability. By balancing reliability, handling, and integration with modern optics and ammunition, these platforms deliver consistent performance in every operational scenario — from close-quarters breaching to advanced counter-drone missions.

Operational Roles and Scenarios

The versatility of the military shotgun makes it indispensable in a range of scenarios.

Military applications
Tactical shotguns remain a go-to tool for defined short-range tasks within military operations. Key uses include:

• Breaching operations: shotguns loaded with purpose-built breaching rounds (frangible or entry loads) allow teams to defeat locks, hinges and certain door constructions quickly and with reduced collateral risk compared with explosives or mechanical tools. Ballistic breaching techniques are taught and codified for special units because they are fast, repeatable and can be executed with minimal additional equipment.
• Close-quarters battle (CQB): in confined spaces—buildings, ships, vehicles—the shotgun’s wide terminal effect (with buckshot) and short-barrel maneuverability make it particularly effective for immediate stopping power and rapid target engagement. Modern tactical configurations emphasize short barrels, pistol grips and sighting compatibility to shorten acquisition times in high-stress CQB environments.
• Non-lethal / less-lethal deployment: Where escalation-of-force protocols demand it, military units increasingly rely on multi-role shotgun platforms able to cycle less-lethal munitions (bean-bag rounds, rubber projectiles) for crowd control, detainee compliance or escalation management. Pump-action designs are often preferred where mix-and-match ammunition compatibility is required.
• Anti-drone hard-kill solution (emerging use): Recent product developments and trials have adapted tactical shotguns to counter small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS). Examples include the Benelli M4 A.I. “Drone Guardian” concept and related tungsten-shot / anti-drone loads designed to extend effective engagement ranges and increase hit probability against small, fast, low-altitude drones. Industry reporting frames these kinetic shotgun solutions as a “last-ditch” layer within a broader, layered counter-UAS approach (alongside EW, jamming, directed energy and dedicated C-UAS systems). For further information, take a look at the article “Anti-drone weapons and equipment for military use and small unmanned aircraft systems (SUAS)”.

Law enforcement applications
Law enforcement use cases emphasize flexibility, lawful use of force, and minimizing collateral harm:

• Tactical entry & hostage rescue: shotguns provide breaching capability and close-in stopping power; swapping between slugs for precision (when over-penetration is controlled) and buckshot or less-lethal loads depending on mission ROE is a common practice.
• Riot control and public order: agencies use pump-action shotguns to deploy less-lethal ammunition (bean bags, rubber rounds) as part of escalation-of-force procedures for crowd management and to reduce fatalities during large events or civil unrest.
• Vehicle interdiction & perimeter control: the short-range stopping power and spread pattern of shotguns make them effective for vehicle stops, checkpoints and cordon operations where rapid incapacitation at close distances is required.

Special ammunition — what’s used and why

• Breaching rounds (entry / frangible): designed to destroy locks/hinges or defeat door hardware without creating large, dangerous fragments. Specialized commercial and governmental breaching loads (e.g., RWS Magnum Entry series) are developed in collaboration with tactical units to meet reliability and safety requirements.
• Buckshot: the primary general-purpose anti-personnel load for short ranges — chosen for its balance of spread and terminal effect in CQB.
• Slugs: when precision, range or reduced shot spread are required (e.g., to limit collateral effects or engage small aerial targets at extended shotgun ranges), slugs provide a single-projectile solution. Some anti-drone concepts pair slug-like tungsten loads or dense pellets with specialized barrels.
• Less-lethal rounds (bean bags, rubber projectiles): Employed to enable non-deadly force options under strict rules of engagement; platform compatibility and training are essential to safe employment.
• Specialized anti-drone loads (e.g., AD-LER): Ammunition manufacturers have introduced dedicated anti-drone shotgun loads (Norma’s AD-LER among them) designed for increased effectiveness against small UAS at extended shotgun engagement distances. These rounds are part of a trend to field mission-specific projectiles that match evolving threat profiles.

For further information, please consult the following article “New Military Cartridge types and latest innovations” in the news section of the BDT website.

BDT Tactical Shotgun Solutions

BDT offers a full spectrum of tactical shotgun platforms across its companies:

• Beretta: featuring models like the 1301 Tactical and A300 Ultima Patrol, designed for law enforcement and defense units requiring speed, accuracy, and reliability.
• Benelli: known for the M3 and Supernova pump-action shotguns – ideal for mixed lethal and less-lethal use – and the combat-proven M4, a semi-automatic system adopted by multiple military forces.
• Stoeger: the M3000 Freedom Series Tactical Shotgun, a robust and accessible solution for specialized missions.
• Steiner: providing mission-enhancing optics and electro-optics, including red dots, lasers, and night-vision compatible systems tailored for tactical shotguns.
• RWS: The 12/70 Magnum ENTRY II is a particular shell used by special police units and military users to forcibly open doors. The shell is capable of safely penetrating a St37 sheet with a material thickness of 1.5 mm at a distance of 10 metres.
• NORMA: AD-LER is the ultimate solution for drone defense, where precision and range are essential. With its powerful tungsten payload, it ensures high impact force against drones and other small aerial targets.
• SWISS P and MFS offer various shotgun shell solutions depending on the operational requirement.

This synergy ensures that military and police forces benefit from an integrated ecosystem of weapons, optics, and accessories optimized for modern missions. To learn more about this topic, see the article “Integrated weapon and military equipment systems”.

Accessories and Customization

The effectiveness of a law enforcement or combat shotgun often depends on the quality and configuration of its accessories.

• Tactical lights and laser aiming devices enhance target identification and threat discrimination in low-light or high-stress environments, enabling faster and safer engagement.
• Optics and red dots from Steiner eOptics provide rapid target acquisition, improved precision and reliable performance under recoil, making them ideal for both CQB and extended-range slug engagements.
• Sling systems and side saddles improve weapon retention and ammunition management, allowing operators to reload efficiently and maintain readiness during movement or tactical transitions.
• Custom stocks and grips help tailor ergonomics to the operator’s body size, armor configuration and mission type, ensuring comfort, control and consistent shot placement.

Together, BDT companies offer a complete ecosystem of accessories designed for seamless integration across their platforms. This allows each shotgun to be configured for specific operational environments, mission profiles and rules of engagement — from tactical entry to maritime security or anti-drone operations.

Training and Maintenance Considerations

Effective employment of tactical shotguns requires specialized training. Operators must master not only CQB engagements but also new applications such as drone defense, where engaging fast-moving aerial targets demands unique acquisition techniques. Regular maintenance, facilitated by robust BDT designs, ensures long-term reliability even under extreme conditions.

Training for tactical shotgun employment — building skills for high-stress environments and anti-drone tasks

Effective employment of the tactical shotgun depends as much on training as on hardware. A dedicated, realistic training program ensures operators can deliver the right effect — lethal or less-lethal — under stress, while minimizing collateral damage and respecting rules of engagement. Training should be a layered curriculum combining classroom theory, dry-fire, live-fire, simulation and scenario-based practice, with measurable learning outcomes and robust after-action review.

Learning objectives (what operators must be able to do):

• Demonstrate safe handling, immediate action and malfunction clearance under stress.
• Transition reliably between ammunition types (buckshot, slugs, breaching, less-lethal) and verify function.
• Conduct deliberate and dynamic shotgun engagements in confined spaces (CQB), including weapon-mounted light/laser use and muzzle discipline.
• Perform ballistic breaching techniques safely and predictably.
• Maintain weapon zero and optics alignment, and perform routine maintenance/field stripping.
• Execute escalation-of-force protocols using less-lethal options with legal and medical awareness.
• Detect, track and engage small UAS targets (anti-drone drills) using appropriate lead, range estimation and ammunition selection.
• Conduct effective communication and team movement while carrying and employing shotguns in mixed-weapon squads.

Mission fit, ergonomics and adaptability — what to evaluate when choosing a tactical shotgun

Selecting the right tactical shotgun starts with a clear match between mission requirements and the operational environment. A platform optimised for urban CQB (where compactness, rapid target acquisition and controllability are paramount) will look very different from a shotgun intended for coastal patrols or cold-weather guard duty (which demand marine finishes, sealed internals and corrosion resistance). Weight and balance directly affect operator endurance and speed of aim: an overly heavy or poorly balanced shotgun slows movement and increases fatigue during extended patrols, while an ultra-light build may reduce controllability when firing multiple rounds.
Ammunition compatibility is a hard requirement for multi-role units — the chosen shotgun must reliably cycle the full spectrum of loads it will be asked to fire (buckshot, slugs, breaching rounds, and any authorised less-lethal projectiles), or the procurement package should include purpose-built variants and mission kits (for example, a breaching-config and an anti-drone kit). Ease of maintenance and logistical commonality are equally important: field-strip simplicity, corrosion-resistant finishes, shared spare parts across unit inventories, clear armorer documentation and accessible training reduce downtime and total cost of ownership.
Finally, true value comes from adaptability: a modular stock, standardized rail interfaces (Picatinny/M-LOK), options for different feeding systems (magazine tube vs. detachable box), and preconfigured mission kits let a single baseline platform cover multiple roles with minimal retraining. When these factors are evaluated together — mission fit, environment, ergonomics, ammo flexibility, maintainability and modularity — decision-makers can select a shotgun that is both effective in the field and efficient to sustain.

Quick evaluation checklist

• Mission profile: primary role(s) required (CQB, breaching, riot control, anti-UAS, maritime patrol).
• Environment: corrosive exposure, sand/dust, humidity, temperature extremes — need for marine coating or sealed systems?
• Weight & balance: test for fatigue in patrol drills and speed of target acquisition in entry drills.
• Ammunition compatibility: confirm reliable cycling for buckshot, slugs, breaching and authorised less-lethal rounds.
• Maintenance & logistics: field-strip complexity, armorer training, spare parts commonality, and documented preventive schedules.
• Modularity & accessories: stock adjustability, rail standards, sling and saddle options, and availability of mission kits (breaching, anti-drone, less-lethal).

The Tactical Shotgun as a Force Multiplier

From its origins as a CQB weapon, the tactical shotgun has become a multipurpose platform, effective in breaching, riot control, specialized police missions, and even as a hard kill solution against drones.
Through the combined expertise of our companies, Beretta Defense Technologies provides armed forces and law enforcement agencies with an integrated, mission-ready ecosystem. These shotguns deliver unmatched versatility, reliability, and adaptability in the most demanding environments.

Discover the full range of tactical firearms, shotguns, optics, and accessories at Beretta Defense Technologies.