Some shotguns hold up to mud, cold, and high round counts without missing a beat. Others give up before you finish the first box of shells. A good shotgun should run under pressure—whether you’re on the range, in the field, or trusting it for defense. Unfortunately, a few models out there fall apart the second conditions aren’t perfect. Loose tolerances, cheap internals, and inconsistent cycling all add up to guns you can’t count on.
If you’re looking to avoid frustration, here are the shotguns that have consistently failed to keep up.
Mossberg Maverick 88 (Security Model)
The Maverick 88 looks like a budget version of the 500—and technically it is—but the quality control on some models is all over the place. You’ll hear of some running fine, but others struggle with feeding, extraction, or stuck safeties right out of the box.
The pump action can feel gritty, and the action bars occasionally bind up during fast cycling. It’s not completely unusable, but if you’re depending on it for real-world reliability, you’re taking a chance.
TriStar Raptor
The TriStar Raptor is an entry-level semi-auto that tries to deliver on price, but reliability takes a serious hit. It doesn’t like light loads, and when it starts fouling, even heavier shells can give you failures to eject or feed.
The gas system isn’t built to take much abuse. If you go a few hundred rounds without cleaning, things can get ugly quick. Rain, cold, or a dirty chamber are usually all it takes to knock it out of action.
ATA Arms Etro
The ATA Etro looks decent on paper but stumbles when you start pushing it. The cycling is inconsistent, especially with low-brass loads. Even after a thorough cleaning, failures to feed and eject are common.
The action feels loose, and the build quality doesn’t inspire confidence. For light hunting use on perfect days, it might get through a box. But it won’t hold up to rough handling or hard use.
Citadel Boss-25
The Boss-25 grabs attention with its AR-style looks, but functionally, it’s been a headache for a lot of shooters. It’s highly ammo sensitive—light loads won’t cycle, and even with magnums, reliability is hit-or-miss.
The proprietary magazines add to the frustration, with feeding issues showing up regularly. Even after breaking in, you’ll likely spend more time clearing jams than shooting. In wet or cold conditions, it only gets worse.
KelTec KSG
The KSG has a cool concept with its dual tube system, but the execution can be rough. Short-stroking is common, and even when fully cycled, feeding issues are reported often—especially with certain shell lengths.
It’s also prone to binding up if you’re not running it aggressively. The design takes more effort than most pump guns, and when things get wet or gritty, it can seize up fast. It’s unique, but not something I’d call dependable.
Hatfield SAS
Sold at big box stores and often advertised as a bargain semi-auto, the Hatfield SAS regularly struggles to cycle consistently. Light target loads won’t run it, and even heavier loads will start jamming after minimal fouling.
The gas system seems poorly tuned, and fitment between parts feels loose and uneven. If reliability matters at all, this shotgun quickly proves it’s not built for more than casual plinking—at best.
Charles Daly Honcho
The Honcho has a cool factor as a shorty pump or semi-auto, but reliability is far from consistent. The semi-auto versions in particular tend to choke on lighter shells and don’t recover well once they start getting dirty.
It’s a range novelty more than a workhorse. The fit and finish reflect the low price point, and in real-world tests—especially under pressure—it often fails to feed or eject cleanly.
Stevens 320
The Stevens 320 is marketed as a budget pump for home defense or field use, but the action often feels rough and unreliable. Shells can hang up during feeding, and the pump can bind if you’re not cycling it perfectly.
The rotating bolt and design mimic higher-end models, but execution falls short. When exposed to wet or dusty conditions, it tends to fail more often than it should. It might be fine on the range, but it’s not something I’d trust when it counts.
Escort PS Turkey
Escort shotguns vary by model, but the PS Turkey in particular has trouble with consistent cycling. It struggles with lighter loads and clogs quickly in muddy or dusty environments.
It’s built with cost in mind, and the internals reflect that. The cycling gets sluggish fast, and ejection problems are common. You might get a good one, but it’s more of a gamble than a sure bet.
SDS Lynx 12
The Lynx 12 is based on the Saiga platform, but the execution from SDS isn’t on the same level. Fit and finish are rough, and cycling is often unreliable, especially with anything other than high-brass shells.
The mags can be finicky, and you’ll often see stovepipes or failure-to-feed issues—especially in colder temps or if the gun isn’t meticulously cleaned. It looks tough but doesn’t hold up under real use.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
