In Smith & Wesson’s never ending endeavor to add fish scale serrations to literally everything they produce, they finally came out with a shotgun; the M&P12. If you haven’t been able to guess the 12 indicates that this bullpump shotgun is chambered in…. you got it! 12 gauge. This totally-not-a-KSG-knock-off shotgun offers two magazine tubes that can hold up to 7 shells each depending on the shells used. With 2 3/4″ shells you’re looking at 7, with 3″ shells you’re looking at 6. Smith & Wesson claims that you can mix & match your ammunition with 2 3/4″ shells, 3″ shells, and Mini-Shells; though they don’t definitively say you can mix all three together.
So, what separates this from all the other bullpup inspired shotguns on the market?
Well, for starters it has not one, but two M&P pistol grips on it! The let down is, is that only the rear one has exchangeable backstraps. It also has an ambidextrous action unlock lever on the front of the trigger guard, a push button tube selector on the side of the rifle, as well as an M-Lok compatible barrel shroud. It also has an ambidextrous safety which is worth mentioning. Probably the coolest feature is the unload/load assist that can help you unload the shotgun without needing to cycle the tubes empty.
While reserving as much judgement as possible, I don’t think the push button tube selector is the best option. Without knowing how easy it is to manipulate, I could the potential for outside forces to be able to manipulate it, or get it stalled out right in the center between both tubes. I’m also not sure where it’s made…?
The MSRP for this bad boy? $1,165… which puts it against Beretta’s 1301 Tactical, which is considered the God Tier shotgun on the market. Anyway, if you’re wanting to learn more about the Smith & Wesson M&P 12 you can find out more on their website here.