Go with a tri-burst, single BB shotguns aren’t even shotguns.
We worked in the airsoft industry for over 2 years. We’ve played thousands of airsoft games both indoor, outdoor, MILSIM, competitive, casual, you name it. We stand by the above statement. Airsoft shotguns that fire just a single BB suck. In fact, quite a few of the shotguns out there are suspect. They look like a shotgun; you can pump them like a shotgun; but, they don’t FEEL like a shotgun.
We’re going to save you a couple hundred bucks on bad buys and show you some of the better airsoft shotguns currently available on the market.
What are the best airsoft shotguns available? We’re looking closely at 7 options for you, but check out our breakdown below for fast answers.
| Best Value | Most Competitive / Best Overall | Runner Up |
|---|---|---|
| UTG Multishot Spring Shotgun | JAG Arms Green Gas Shotgun | Golden Eagle M870 Gas Shotgun |
 |  |  |
| Spring Powered | Green Gas Powered | Green Gas Powered |
| 325 FPS | 300 – 330 FPS | 300 – 330 FPS |
| ABS Plastic & Metal | Full Metal | Full Metal |
| Pump Action | Pump Action | Pump Action |
| 3 Burst | 3 Burst / 6 Burst | 3 Burst / 6 Burst |
| Very Economical | Top Quality w/ Warranty & Lots of Aesthetic Options | Similar to Jag Arms w/o Warranty w/ Limited Options |
| Click to See Review | Click to See Review | Click to See Review |
If you want to see our final breakdown – click here.
Our factors for what makes a good airsoft shotgun
| Factors | Reason |
|---|---|
| It must shoot more than a single BB | This is not negotiable – it simply isn’t a shotgun if it fires just one BB. |
| Shooting Performance | We look for consistent FPS, minimal shot spread, and decent range. We don’t expect to shoot targets out to 100 feet, but it’s awesome if the shotgun can. |
| Overall Build Quality | We check out the material of the externals and internals, how well it holds up to abuse, and how long we think the shotgun will last under normal use at the airsoft field. |
| The Fun Factor | We want our shotguns to be FUN to shoot. You should feel awesome when you pull the trigger. |
| Ease of Use | Most airsoft shotguns are spring – which means that it’s a pain to rack the slide (very much unlike the real thing). We check to see if it is easy to aim, rack, and fire. |
| Other high quality features | We’re talking about add-ons like side saddles, top tactical rails, and other features that make the airsoft gun stand out. |
Below are 7 of the top airsoft shotguns reviewed in depth. We believe they will let you make the most informed decision to determine your selection. Hopefully, your search for a good airsoft shotty will come to an end.
Keep in mind that all airsoft guns sold are federally mandated to include orange tip.
1. UTG / CYMA Multi-Shot Combat Tactical Shotgun Airsoft Gun
| Action: | Pump Action |
| Power: | Spring (3 Burst) |
| Material: | Hard ABS Plastic & Metal |
| FPS: | 325 FPS |
| Ammo: | 0.20g 6mm BB |
| Effective Range: | 100 feet |
The UTG Multi-Shot Combat Tactical Shotgun Airsoft Gun is a spring airsoft gun that’s able to fire off 3 rounds simultaneously (this is often called tri-burst, or the tri shot system). It fires multiple BBs at around 320 FPS with .20g BBs. It is able to do this because there are actually 3 inner barrels inside of the gun.
Additionally – this great product comes with a fixed stock which makes the pump action a LOT easier. The fact is – when it comes to pump action spring products – you’ll need to have a good degree of upper body strength to properly rack the slide. The full stock helps you brace the pump action shotgun against your shoulder (or even in some cases with younger players, their waist).
One of the coolest features here is that this airsoft weapon does come with a mock shell that holds 30 BB’s (30 BBs means you can get 10 shots before it goes empty).
The UTG Multi-Shot Combat Tactical Shotgun Airsoft Gun enables users to pump and fire complete combat loads in order to execute serious missions or airsoft skirmishes. The gun has polymer construction that’s good quality along with a Matte Black non-glare finish.The included sling mounts are servicable, but nothing special.
We, at Airsoft Core, consider this model to be the baseline for all spring action airsoft shotguns to be compared to. In other words, all pump action shotgun products should be compared to this particular item.
We consider this airsoft gun to be the baseline for all airsoft scatterguns.
All in all, this is an incredibly fun airsoft shotty to shoot. The fixed backspin is great for 0.20g or 0.25g BBs. Any heavier than that and you’ll find the range very lacking.
Who is this shotgun for?
An airsoft player looking for the best balance between usability, cost, and looks. The fixed full stock makes this the most competitive spring airsoft shotgun since you can easily make followup shots.
2. Jag Arms Green Gas Shotgun
| Action: | Pump Action |
| Power: | Green Gas (3 or 6 BBs per shot) |
| FPS: | 300 – 330 |
| Ammo: | 0.20g 6MM BB |
| Effective Range: | 100 feet |
If money isn’t too much of a problem for you – then stop. This is the best choice if you’ve got the money to spare. Realism? Check. Ease of Use? Check. High peformance? Check. High quality build? Check.
This shotgun is about as close to the real gun that current exists in airsoft form. This is a very well made clone of the famous Tokyo Marui line of compressed gas shotguns. The frame is completely made of metal and the furniture is made of extra sturdy polymer.
This is probably the most fun we’ve ever had shooting an airsoft gun.
The best parts though? Because this is a gas shotgun it actually is MUCH easier to work the pump than a spring shotgun (much like the real thing). Additionally – you can set this shotgun’s firing mode to fire not just three, but SIX bb’s at a time. In this department, this shotgun will create quite the spread and really no other type of airsoft gun will do this.
This makes this gas shotgun VERY fun to shoot. Opponents will be surprised when they take 6 BB’s to the face. Playing CQB has never been more enjoyable.
Gas powered airsoft shotguns like this 870 replica will utilize the cool 30 round mock shell magazine like the other tri-burst shotguns on this list. This particular model will come with 3 of them – giving you 90 rounds to work with. The gas tank is located in the rear and is fully removable so you can load it up with green gas easily. This is a great design as it protects the gas fill nozzle.
The short rail on the top of the metal receiver will accommodate tactical accessories like red dot optics or something similar. There’s probably not room for much else.
This is a pricey shotgun – but there’s really no other airsoft product like it in terms of it’s ability to sling multiple BBs per trigger sequeeze. Frankly, this one of the most realistic airsoft shotguns currently on the market.
The initial products coming out of this airsoft company had some problems having to do with the gas system, but they’ve since then sorted out their QC (quality control) issues.
Who is this shotgun for?
An airsoft player looking for the most fun shotgun (and arguably the most fun airsoft gun in general) to shoot. The ease of racking a new set of BB’s also makes this the absolutely most competitive airsoft shotgun in general. This is easily one of the best airsoft shotguns available.
3. Elite Force Tactical Force Tri-Shot 6mm BB Airsoft Shotgun
| Action: | Pump Action |
| Power: | Spring (3 Burst) |
| Material: | ABS Plastic & Metal |
| FPS: | 310 FPS |
| Ammo: | 0.20g 6mm BB |
| Effective Range: | 75 feet |
The Elite Force Tactical Force Tri-Shot is probably more “tactical” and “special forces” than the other multi shot spring shotguns currently on this list. One of the most unique factors of this airsoft weapon is that it includes a side saddle system allowing you to carry more mock shells (which are basically used as magazines in these shot guns). Additionally, it features a side rail & top rail for airsoft accessories like optics, lasers, and flashlights.
This spring shotgun package includes 6 additional 30 round shells – so it’s quite a good deal since you’re probably going to end up buying more shells to ensure you have enough shots on the field.
In the department of cool the two tone desert color will definitely turn heads on the airsoft battlefield. One negative we do have to point out is that it doesn’t include a stock. We very much prefer multi shot spring shotguns to have some kind of stock, even a collapsible or folding one.
On one hand – this cuts the length in half and makes it VERY easy to maneuver in close quarters. On the other hand – not having it means that the spring pump action will be difficult for younger players as all you have is the pistol grip. You’ll need to get some gains in the pectoral muscle department.
We’ve even seen adults get tired as they use this pump action shotgun for the 30th time in an airsoft fight.
Who is this shotgun for?
An airsoft player looking for one of the shortest airsoft shotties available. It’s frankly one of the coolest looking too.
4. Lancer Tactical CM352L Tri-Burst Long Barrel Airsoft Shotgun
| Action: | Pump Action |
| Power: | Spring Powered |
| FPS: | 300-330 FPS |
| Ammo: | 0.20g BBs |
| Effective Range: | 100 feet |
The Lancer Tactical CM352L Tri-Burst, like the other selections, comes with the tri-burst feature allowing it to sling 3 BB’s in a single trigger pull. The main standouts here are the full metal barrel assembly and fully metal folding stock. This allows the users to collapse the multi shot spring shotgun for when they need to be quick on the move and extend it for when they need to fire more rapidly.
As mentioned earlier – it does allow you to brace the weapon better on your shoulder for rapid pumps, which is difficult on the upper body after the 20th pump.
The barrel of this pump action shotgun is longer than the other selections above – although that unfortunately doesn’t contribute to accuracy or distance. Airsoft BB range is dependent on good quality BB’s as well as the backspin provided by the fixed hopup unit.
In terms of overall function you’re going to find this shotgun to be somewhat similar to the UTG shotgun mentioned earlier in the article only running an ABS plastic frame with a full metal barrel.
Who is this shotgun for?
An airsoft player looking for a folding stock on their airsoft gun. We wouldn’t call this a super competitive airsoft gun, but it’s pretty awesome looking.
- Constructed with a full metal barrel assembly and a durable polymer body
- Airsoft shotgun shells load and fire with a tri-burst function
- Full metal swing folding stock quickly assists in firing both close quarters and at a distance
5. DE (Double Eagle) M56c M3 Tactical Shotgun Pump Action
| Action: | Pump |
| Power: | Spring Powered |
| FPS: | 300 Feet Per Second |
| Ammo: | 0.20g |
| Effective Range: | 100 feet |
The DE (Double Eagle) M56c M3 Tactical Shotgun Pump Action is similar to the others on this list by firing 3 BBs per shot via 30 round mock shell magazine. The main standout department here is that it features a shorter barrel & collapsible telescopic tactical stock. The main difference between this airsoft weapon and the DE m56a Double Eagle is the longer barrel and folding-stock.
The folks at Double Eagle managed to make an airsoft gun very comparable to the UTG multishot.
Much like the real deal, this component will allow you to twist the shotgun sideways. In real life – this is so you can check the chamber of your shotgun for safety. In the case of airsoft – it’s mainly to look cool (it certainly will!)
Much like the UTG & Lancer Tactical options above – this Double Eagle shotgun has a fixed hop up giving 0.20g BB’s good enough backspin to go out quite a distance.
The real question though – does the stock hold up the same way that a fixed version would in terms of helping you pump? Unfortunately, the answer is: not quite. It does help somewhat – but we’ve found that we’d overall prefer the fixed version for the durability and sturdiness.
It does help – just not as much as we’d like.
We’d like to end on a high note though. We’ve noticed that this shotgun, despite performing like the other airsoft weapons on this list, seems to run at a better cost than the others.
Who is this shotgun for?
An airsoft player looking for that awesome looking Benelli M4 telescopic stock on a short barrel platform.
6. CYMA Standard Full Metal M3 3-Round Burst Multi-Shot Shell Loading Airsoft Shotgun (Full Stock)
| Action: | Pump |
| Power: | Spring Powered |
| FPS: | 300 Feet Per Second |
| Ammo: | 0.20g |
| Effective Range: | 100 feet |
CYMA gets into the airsoft shotgun game with this beast of a triburst airsoft gun. The full length barrel, full stock AND full metal receiver makes it feel like you’re wielding a true length Benelli M3. This is effectively similar to the UTG shotgun we described earlier in terms of internals, but instead featuring a full length barrel + a metal receiver instead of the polymer ones typically featured on other models.
We love the full stock length and pistol grip combo. It makes racking the slide much easier.
Unfortunately, longer barrel doesn’t mean it shoots further or more accurately. We think this shotgun uses the same fixed hopup setup like the other spring triburst scatterguns on this list, but instead the BB’s are wasting a little energy as they exit the muzzle. The FPS on our tests maxed out at about 305 with 0.20g BB’s.
In terms of actual field performance, it is about as good as the polymer models.
Nonetheless, the full length polymer barrel & full stock feel much sturdier when compared to the telescopic or folding stock options, and the receiver being metal is just awesome in both heft and handling. We think of this airsoft gun as a close 2nd behind the UTG.
Who is this shotgun for?
An airsoft player looking to wield a beast of a shotgun. Length and full metal receiver weight makes for something fun to swing around and blast a player with.
7. Golden Eagle M870 Gas Powered 3/6 Shot Pump Action Full Metal Airsoft Shotgun
| Action: | Pump |
| Power: | Green Gas |
| FPS: | 330 Feet Per Second |
| Ammo: | 0.20g |
| Effective Range: | 100 feet |
Another Tokyo Marui 870 gas shotgun clone! This one is so similar to the Jag Arms we reviewed above that it is a bit scary. In terms of feature it has all the fixings like 3x to 6x multishot, easy fore-end pumping, receiver tactical rail for accessories, and the ability to take the universal 30x BB shotgun shells.
The main differences we saw had to do with build quality, as while they are similar it is noticeable that this model seems less well put together. There was slight movement in the foreend and the full stock needed to be tightened up.
We will be making LOTS of comparisons to the Jag Arms scattergun.
Additionally, we noticed that the included gas tank didn’t seem to be as efficient as its counterpart. We still got a good number of shots out of the airsoft shotgun, it was just noticable fewer before we needed to add more green gas.
Who is this shotgun for?
If you want the same level of competitiveness at a lower price, this is a great option. However, Double Eagle isn’t known for their customer service, so the Jag Arms might be a better choice if you want the quality control & warranty.
Our Ranks for the Best Airsoft Shotgun in 2024?
Now that we’ve looked through and reviewed the best airsoft shotguns of 2024, we want to go over what we think about all of them. This is to help readers with their selection and to get some idea as to why we value certain airsoft guns the way we do. Following is a short summary of the airsoft shotguns we mentioned above and how we at AirsoftCore feel about it.
We consider this the baseline tri-burst shotgun to get. Firing 3x BBs at the same time is extremely fun and the spread even at 50 feet is not bad at all. The fixed stock is simply a must, in our opinion, in order to make the spring pump action bearable for long days in CQB rounds.
The Jag Arms Shotgun is probably the most versatile product on this list. It’s capacity to fire 6 BB’s at a the same time and having the capacity to pump and fire the next shot rapidly allows this gun to great effect in a CQB or mid-ranged environment. It’s frankly the most fun we’ve had using airsoft shotguns. It is as close as it gets to simulating firing actual 00 buck (which usually holds between 8-9 shot each). When firing in 6x bbs mode you’ll make only 5 shots before needing to reload, which is similar to the magazine tube capacity of the real product.
Complete with all the fixings you’d expect for a tactical platform, this airsoft gun isn’t cheap, but there’s simply no other like it. Going with this selection will not cause any regrets we think.
Not going to lie – this is a good looking product in addition to being one of the best airsoft shotguns on the market. The fact that it just has a grip is both a boon and a problem – we really don’t recommend it for younger or weaker players seeing as it only has a pistol grip. But, if you’ve got the upper body strength this will really do some work. Included with the airsoft package is a 7 total shells ensuring you’ll have enough rounds per airsoft game or competition to last.
This goes perfect with the integrated side saddle meaning you won’t have to fumble for shells in your pocket as you go. Any airsoft player who wears gloves as they play will know that reaching into your pocket to search for shells or magazines can be a problem. Having it on your gun itself saves you headaches.
We do like the folding stock for this product. Having options while on the airsoft field is great to keep you versatile and capable in many circumstances. Unfortunately, the added barrel length doesn’t add much to performance and is mainly there for aesthetics. It performs about as well as the other tri-burst shotties in terms of distance and accuracy. The folding stock – we feel – is mostly kept in the extended mode and at that point you’d might as well stick to a fixed version for sheer durability.
This product is similar to its cousin the M56a Double Eagle and is pretty cool looking with the telescopic tactical stock. It has some features used in the real steel although it’s mostly for looks. What can we say? It’s fun to shoot like the other shotguns – we just wish it would’ve helped the user pump a bit more than it currently does.
With that said, it does seem to come with a lighter price tag allowing you to worry less about banging it up (which you will do – since shotties are for CQB).
So The Best Airsoft Shotgun Is..
The best shotgun is clearly the Jag Arms Scattergun HD Gas Airsoft Shotgun
If you’ve the cash to afford it and you’re SERIOUS about using an airsoft shotgun, then this is as good as it gets.
This choice has basically ALL the best features of the best airsoft shotguns on the list and some. The capability to rack the pump handle with ease will be a night-and-day difference to those used to the spring shotguns. Additionally, being able to launch SIX bb’s at a time is flat out fun.
The second best airsoft shotgun is the UTG Multi-Shot Combat Tactical Shotgun Airsoft Gun.
This choice accounts for the balance between cost & effectiveness.
The capability to fire off 3 BB’s at a time and having a stock for easy follow up shots makes this quite a good bang for your buck. It isn’t so expensive that you’re afraid to get it banged up – but it’s durable enough to last quite a while with a degree of abuse.
It’s a no nonsense choice when it comes to cost vs what you get. Give it a go – it doesn’t cost much to see if you like it.
If we had it our way, gas shotguns would be all we use.
Where can I buy these?
See these links below to see current prices, up to date information, & user reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don’t you recommend single BB shotguns?
We don’t recommend single shot airsoft shotguns because they suck. A single BB coming out of your gun just doesn’t FEEL like a shotty at all. Airsoft shoguns should feel AWESOME to use. Additionally, you’ll easily feel like you’re being outgunned on an airsoft field when you’re plinking single BB’s with opponents firing semi-automatic or even full auto your way. It simply doesn’t make for a good experience and you’ll feel helpless.
Now in the department of plinking at stationary targets a single BB shotgun is fine. You’ll quickly see that they’re all about the same though in quality and cost (which isn’t much at all.)
Lastly, if your goal is to cosplay or use it for a costume (be very careful if you choose to do this) then it doesn’t really matter what function the spring gun has, you’re just buying it for looks.
Do you recommend any specific tactical attachments?
We have no problem saying there are two main tactical attachments we recommend for airsoft: a flashlight and a reflex sight, in that order.
As you can guess, a strong weapon mounted flashlight will help you navigate the field as well as blind your opponents. However, the flashlight is actually extremely useful in highlighting your BBs as they fly through the air. You can literally see your BB’s flight path and what it does is allows you to visually confirm that you’ve made a hit on your target. This makes flashlight products a solid choice for a first accessory.
Next, we recommend a reflex optic. You’ll find that red dot sights are great for helping you acquire your target faster (remember how we said that getting the first shot is important?). The reflex sight , after you’ve practiced a bit, allowing you to just place your weapon dot on the target and you’ll know where your BB’s will land. You can spend more of your time on the search for opponents rather than getting your gun on target. Once you’ve gotten some practice, it’s not different at all from normal airsoft rifles.
There are laser pointers or tactical lasers, but we typically don’t recommend those as the laser can give you away as well as be cumbersome to use in close quarters.
If your airsoft gun has the capability we also recommend rear sling swivels as it makes attaching a single point sling far easier.
What airsoft equipment or tactical gear goes with airsoft shotguns?
There are vests and plate carriers build specifically to carry more shotgun shells. You could also go with a bandolier or side caddy. You could also combine all of these options to make full power combat loads for long missions.
Here’s a few recommendations:
How much do good airsoft shotguns cost?
Prices for shotguns can vary, but the average price you should pay for a solid tri shot spring shotty should be under $100. We would even argue that you should probably not pay more than $75 – although some of the triple shot spring airsoft shotguns these days have additional airsoft accessories that might make it worth the extra cost. Luckily, you can expect a free speed loader with most of these purchases.
Green gas shotguns you can expect to pay about double that at $200. This is fair really since gas shotguns are just way more complicated in terms of functions and have far more moving parts. Great shotguns in the gas variety will cost even up to $300.
If you go with a single shot BB type airsoft shotgun we recommend not paying more than $40 – $50.
Keep in mind that our recommendations above do not account shipping costs into the prices.
Can you reuse airsoft shotgun shells?
Yes you can, airsoft shotgun shells are completely reusable. You will need a speed loader in order to load them.
You can treat them like magazines in regards to other airsoft weapons. .
How do I get better at airsoft with the shotgun?
In a way – yes. One thing you’ll find is that the shotgun requires you to be accurate on your very first shot. The advantage with a spring or gas shotgun is that they actually cycle a smidge faster than AEG’s (like a Double Eagle M4) – and so on the draw your BB’s will come out of your barrel first.
But, an enemy with an AEG will have multiple firing modes, such as full auto, and if you do not get them on that first volley there will be problems. This isn’t like the movies where the enemy will miss because you’re the hero. You have to expect they’re just as skille as you are.
In short – you’ll NEED to be fast on the weapon draw and you’ll want to be able to move quickly. A major advantage we’ve found is that the airsoft shotguns have a tendency to be on the lighter side and this includes all the extra ammo you carry. So, you can potentially move faster than others with heavier airsoft weapons on the field.
If you can do these – you’ll find yourself excelling in the role of a shotgun expert. For more great tips you can visit this reddit thread.
How far will an airsoft shotgun shoot?
You can expect most of the good shotguns to be able to reach out to 100 to 150 feet fairly easily. Although, the chances of successfully scoring a hit at that range can be dicey. Almost all airsoft shotguns at this time of writing utilize a fixed hop up unit (no adjustable hop up unfortunately) – and so the backspin placed on the BB can’t be adjusted. This is unfortunately a limitation of the current technology for the current products above.
You’ll find that if you choose to try BB’s heavier than 0.25g that the range will drop off significantly, which can be a problem, but the increase in effective range might be worth it. See our article on airsoft effective ranges.
Spring vs Gas, which one?
If it was apparent in our statements earlier, we REALLY like gas shotguns. The reason really is that it best simulates the real steel with the easy to use pump action. The spring pump action products are still good for their price, but the gas shotguns just simply feel better to shoot in almost every way. If you had to only buy a single product and money wasn’t a concern we would say go immediately for gas shotguns.
Only go for the spring variant if you really don’t have the money to spend on the green gas shotgun.
Are there any semi auto airsoft shotguns?
We do wish a company would build something like that (an airsoft AA12 would be awesome). But, airsoft technology (at time of writing) hasn’t gotten to the point where they can make semi auto shotguns. If they do end up building a semi auto shotty – we think that it’d most likely be a gas type airsoft gun, and probably would be quite expensive.
There does exist the Tokyo Marui AA12 – but it is an electric gun and it’s… frankly not very good at its price point.
Can I remove the orange tip?
United States has federally mandated that all airsoft guns are to be sold with the orange tip. This is really for your own safety as you don’t want any police agencies believing you have a real firearm (which the brightly colored tip helps ID it as an airsoft product). You’d hope that United States law enforcement would be able to tell the difference between an airsoft rifle and a real one, but it is not really reasonable for them to assume. This is why the it is essential and removing them can create a problem.
With that said, you’ll find a lot of players end up removing their orange tip. Hopefully they know the risks involved. Ultimately, we want you to be safe, and the airsoft hobby / sport truly does NOT need any tragedies.
By removing the tip you can create other legal concerns as well.
Airsoft Shotgun Gameplay
Airsoft Gameplay by Rep the airsofter
