When things go bump in the night, the last thing you want is fumbling around for a safety you can’t even feel. Some shotguns make it too hard to quickly disengage the safety, especially when you’re in low light or under stress. Whether it’s poor placement, tiny buttons, or stiff actions, a bad safety design can cost you precious time. If you’re thinking about a home defense or field shotgun, here are ten models known for safety setups that cause more frustration than confidence.
Mossberg Maverick 88
The Maverick 88 uses a cross-bolt safety behind the trigger guard. For folks used to Mossberg’s tang safeties, this setup can feel awkward. It’s not easy to access quickly, especially when you’re half-asleep or wearing gloves. In stressful situations, it slows you down more than it should.
Stoeger P3000
The P3000’s safety button is stiff and positioned in a way that feels clunky. It’s small, recessed, and doesn’t offer much tactile feedback in the dark. Many shooters report fumbling around trying to locate it, which can be a real problem during quick-response scenarios or early morning hunts.
Remington 870 Express
While many love the 870, the small cross-bolt safety is easy to miss when moving fast. It’s also easy to activate accidentally. In low-light situations, it’s tough to tell if it’s on or off by feel alone. This safety design has frustrated more than a few shooters over the years.
Winchester SXP
The Winchester SXP uses a small cross-bolt safety behind the trigger guard. The placement can make it hard to access quickly, especially with gloves on. It doesn’t provide the crisp feedback you’d want when you can’t see what you’re doing, leading to hesitation in stressful moments.
Benelli Nova
The Benelli Nova’s safety is placed in front of the trigger guard and feels awkward to reach for some shooters. It’s a small button with minimal feedback, which makes it tough to operate confidently in the dark. Many users end up modifying or replacing it to make it more usable.
Mossberg 930
The Mossberg 930 moved away from the classic tang safety to a trigger guard cross-bolt. Many shooters miss the easy, ambidextrous reach of a tang safety. The 930’s setup isn’t as instinctive, making it harder to disengage quickly without looking directly at the gun.
CZ 712 G2
CZ’s 712 G2 has a tiny safety button that’s easy to overlook. It’s positioned awkwardly and doesn’t offer enough texture or size to easily find by feel. Many shooters mention frustration with how slippery and stiff it feels, especially when wearing cold-weather gloves.
Stevens 320
The Stevens 320 has a cross-bolt safety that’s small and stiff right out of the box. Several users report struggling to disengage it under pressure. With minimal tactile feedback, it’s the kind of setup that can slow you down when quick reaction time matters most.
TriStar Raptor
TriStar’s Raptor features a basic cross-bolt safety that lacks refinement. It feels mushy and offers little confidence when you’re trying to find it quickly. In poor lighting, it’s not intuitive, and more than a few shooters have found themselves fumbling during fast-paced drills.
Hatsan Escort
The Escort shotguns often have safety buttons that are undersized and poorly placed. They don’t click positively, and some users complain about inconsistent engagement. In high-stress or night-time situations, that’s exactly the kind of problem you don’t want sitting between you and a safe shot.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
