A jammed shotgun in a high-stress moment is the last thing you want. Whether it’s at the range, in the field, or for home defense, reliability isn’t optional—it’s required. But some shotguns just don’t deliver when pushed.
Weak springs, sloppy feeding, or poor-quality parts can lead to failures right when you need that next round. These are the shotguns that have earned a reputation for letting folks down when it matters most.
Mossberg Maverick 88
The Maverick 88 shares a lot with the Mossberg 500, but the cost-cutting shows. The action bars aren’t quite as smooth, and the forend has more play. These guns are known to short-stroke if you don’t run them hard, which causes feed failures. Add in inconsistent shell tolerances, and you’ve got a setup that’ll jam if you’re not on top of it.
Remington 887 Nitro Mag
The 887 looked tough with its armor-like coating, but internal issues were common. Feeding problems, stuck shell latches, and light strikes plagued this shotgun. It’s especially known for jamming when dirty, and the pump action never felt solid. Remington pulled the plug on it for a reason—it just didn’t hold up like it should.
TriStar Raptor
The Raptor is marketed as an affordable semi-auto, but that price comes at a cost. Light loads often fail to cycle, and the action can feel sluggish even with proper maintenance. Ejection issues aren’t rare, and cleaning doesn’t always fix it. Reliability depends too much on specific ammo, which makes it hard to trust under pressure.
Escort AimGuard
Escort shotguns can be hit or miss, and the AimGuard is no exception. It’s prone to feeding problems, especially when switching between shell lengths. Some users have reported failures to extract or chambers locking up entirely. It might look like a decent home defense option on the rack, but too many folks have had it lock up on them mid-use.
Remington V3 Tactical
The V3 had promise, but early runs showed some hiccups. Cycling issues popped up with lighter loads, and the bolt group could lag behind if the gun wasn’t perfectly clean. For a semi-auto marketed as duty-ready, that inconsistency under less-than-ideal conditions isn’t acceptable. Later versions improved, but the reputation stuck.
UTAS UTS-15
This bullpup-style shotgun draws attention for its design, but the function doesn’t back it up. Feed failures, double-feeds, and cycling problems are all too common. The dual-magazine setup looks neat, but it adds complexity that often causes issues. It’s more range toy than real tool—and it tends to jam exactly when you’re hoping it won’t.
Citadel Warthog
The Warthog sells as a budget tactical shotgun, but it’s known for being ammo picky. If you’re not running full-power loads, it’s likely to short cycle or fail to eject. The fit and finish leave a lot to be desired, and reliability takes a back seat to looks. For serious use, it doesn’t cut it.
Charles Daly Honcho
Compact and cool-looking, the Honcho gets a lot of attention—but the execution isn’t there. The pump action can stick, especially after extended shooting. Feed issues and extractor problems have both been reported, and the short barrel doesn’t help cycling smoothness. It’s more novelty than tool, and that becomes obvious the more you run it.
Panzer Arms AR-12
This AR-style shotgun draws folks in with the tacticool appeal, but its track record isn’t great. Magazine feed issues, failure to eject, and inconsistent cycling are all common complaints. Even with good ammo, reliability can be shaky. If you’re after something dependable, this one misses the mark more often than it should.
Hatfield SAS
Sold at big box stores and priced to move, the Hatfield SAS is another semi-auto that struggles to run consistently. Soft loads can cause stovepipes, and the gas system gets gummed up faster than you’d expect. The bolt can also fail to lock back properly. It might be tempting for a new shooter, but it’s not something to count on for serious use.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
