6 Best Used Shotguns For Upland Birds That Last Season After Season

The autumn air is crisp, and the dog is getting birdy just ahead in the sorghum. You shift the weight of the shotgun in your hands, its worn walnut stock smooth and familiar. A great upland gun doesn’t need a showroom shine; it needs to be reliable, feel like an extension of your arm, and swing true when a covey of quail explodes from the cover.

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Finding Lasting Value in Pre-Owned Shotguns

Chasing pheasant, grouse, or quail across the landscape is about the experience, not the price tag of your gear. This is where the used shotgun market truly shines. A pre-owned firearm from a reputable maker isn’t a liability; it’s a proven tool with character, often available for a fraction of its original cost. You’re investing in decades of proven engineering and quality materials that new, budget-oriented guns simply can’t match.

Many hunters mistakenly believe "used" means "worn out." For a well-made shotgun, nothing could be further from the truth. These firearms are designed for tens of thousands of rounds. A used gun with some honest wear on the bluing or a few scratches on the stock is just a sign that it has already been where you want to go—the field. The tradeoff is simple: you accept minor cosmetic imperfections for a mechanically superior firearm that will likely outlast you.

The key is knowing what to look for. The most dependable used shotguns are often the models with the longest production runs and the simplest, most robust mechanics. They are the F-150s and Land Cruisers of the gun world—built to work, easy to fix, and trusted by generations. They offer a direct path to quality without the steep cost of entry, letting you focus your budget on shells, gas, and good boots.

Remington 870 Wingmaster: The Timeless Pump

If you’re trudging through a muddy cornfield after late-season roosters, you need a gun that simply does not fail. The Remington 870 Wingmaster is that gun. For decades, it set the standard for pump-action reliability and smoothness, with a slick, twin-action-bar design and a receiver milled from a solid block of steel. The deep, rich bluing and polished walnut on older Wingmasters are a testament to an era of American manufacturing that prioritized quality.

The beauty of the 870 is its straightforward, rugged design. It points naturally for a huge range of body types, and the shuck-shuck of its action is an iconic sound in the uplands. Because millions were made, parts and barrels are widely available, making it easy to maintain or adapt for different types of hunting. It’s a gun you can learn on, depend on, and pass down.

When shopping for a used Wingmaster, the general advice is to seek out models made before 2007. These "pre-Freedom Group" guns are widely considered to have a better overall fit and finish. The primary tradeoff is weight; its all-steel construction makes it heavier than some modern alloy-receiver shotguns, a point to consider if you plan on covering many miles in steep country.

Browning Citori: The Heirloom Over/Under

Imagine a classic southern quail hunt, with dogs locked on point and the anticipation of a covey rise. This is the world of the over/under, and the Browning Citori is its long-reigning king. A used Citori isn’t just a purchase; it’s an heirloom in the making. Known for their exceptional balance, durability, and timeless good looks, these Japanese-made shotguns represent one of the best values in the double-gun world.

The Citori’s strength lies in its robust, full-width hinge pin and tapered locking bolt design. This action is built to withstand incredible volumes of shooting, meaning a used field model has barely been broken in. They swing beautifully, and the advantage of having two chokes at the ready (e.g., an open choke for the first shot, a tighter one for the second) is a significant benefit in varied upland terrain.

While they hold their value well, a used Citori is still far more accessible than a new European over/under of similar quality. The main consideration is finding the right model for your needs. A Citori "Sporting" model will be heavier and built for clay targets, while a "Field" or "Hunter" model will be lighter and better suited for all-day carry. Check that the action locks up tight, but rest assured that finding one with a "shot-out" action is exceptionally rare.

Benelli Montefeltro: The Lightweight Inertia Champ

You’re hunting chukar in the steep, rocky canyons of the West, where every ounce on your back matters. After a five-mile hike, a heavy gun feels like an anchor. This is the scenario where the Benelli Montefeltro excels. As a flagship of Benelli’s inertia-driven system, it is famously lightweight, sleek, and relentlessly reliable.

The inertia-driven action is the Montefeltro’s core feature. It uses the recoil of the shell itself to cycle the action, resulting in a system with very few moving parts. This makes it incredibly clean-running, as gas and powder residue are blown out the barrel instead of being funneled back into the gun’s mechanics. For the hunter who wants to spend more time hunting and less time cleaning, this is a massive advantage.

The primary tradeoff for this lightweight, simple design is felt recoil. Without a gas system to absorb some of the kick, an inertia gun will feel sharper on the shoulder than a comparable gas-operated semi-auto. This is a non-issue for many hunters in the field, where a few shots a day are typical. But if you’re particularly recoil-sensitive or plan on high-volume shooting, it’s an important factor to weigh against the gun’s incredible ease of carry.

Beretta 390/391: The Soft-Shooting Semi-Auto

Picture yourself at the edge of a sunflower field, waiting for the evening dove flight. The shooting can be fast and furious. In this situation, or for a long day walking for pheasants, a soft-shooting shotgun keeps you from flinching and helps you stay on target for follow-up shots. The Beretta 390 and 391 series (including the popular AL391 Urika) are legendary for being the softest-shooting, most reliable gas-operated semi-autos of their time.

These guns are workhorses. Their gas system is self-regulating, allowing them to reliably cycle everything from light 7/8 oz target loads to heavy 1-1/4 oz pheasant loads without adjustment. This versatility makes them a fantastic all-around choice. The gas operation bleeds off recoil energy to work the action, turning a stout magnum load into a manageable push.

The price for that soft recoil is maintenance. Gas-operated guns need to be cleaned more thoroughly and frequently than an inertia gun or a pump to maintain their legendary reliability. They are also a few ounces heavier than their inertia-driven counterparts. But for the hunter who prioritizes shooting comfort and proven performance, a well-cared-for Beretta 390 or 391 is one of the smartest buys on the used market.

Ithaca Model 37: The Classic Featherlight Pump

For the grouse hunter navigating the thick alder swamps of the Northwoods, a quick-handling, lightweight gun is essential. The Ithaca Model 37 is an American classic that fits this role perfectly. First introduced in 1937, its design is celebrated for being incredibly light and for its unique bottom-ejection port.

The Model 37’s "Featherlight" name is well-earned. Many 12-gauge models weigh well under 7 pounds, making them a joy to carry through dense cover and up steep hills. The bottom-eject feature is another standout, as it throws empty hulls straight down at your feet, keeping them out of your line of sight. This also makes the gun truly ambidextrous and seals the action from rain, snow, and debris.

When looking at used Model 37s, there is one critical point to check: the choke system. Many older models were made with fixed chokes (e.g., Modified or Full). Ensure the choke is appropriate for your primary type of hunting, or look for a later model that was fitted with interchangeable choke tubes. Its svelte profile and classic feel make it a stylish and highly practical choice for the walking hunter.

Mossberg 500: The Dependable Field Workhorse

Sometimes, you just need a tool that works, every single time, without fuss. Whether you’re on a budget or you need a single gun to handle rough use in a duck blind one weekend and a pheasant field the next, the Mossberg 500 is the answer. It is one of the best-selling shotguns of all time for a reason: it’s affordable, adaptable, and stone-cold reliable.

The Mossberg 500‘s design prioritizes function over form. Its dual action bars, dual extractors, and anti-jam shell elevator create a system that can handle abuse and grime. The top-mounted tang safety is a standout feature, being perfectly ambidextrous and easy to operate with gloves on. The aftermarket for the 500 is also enormous, so finding different barrels, stocks, or parts is both easy and inexpensive.

You won’t find the polished finish of a Wingmaster or the fine balance of a Citori here. The action can feel a bit loose compared to more expensive pumps, but this is a feature, not a bug—those looser tolerances allow it to function when dirty or wet. A used Mossberg 500 might be the least glamorous gun on this list, but it is arguably the most practical, dollar-for-dollar investment a hunter can make.

Key Inspection Points for Any Used Shotgun

Finding a great deal is exciting, but a thorough inspection before you buy is crucial. A few minutes of careful examination can save you from a major headache down the road. Don’t be rushed; this is your chance to ensure you’re getting a safe and functional firearm.

Before handling any firearm, confirm it is unloaded. Then, perform a few key checks. A good inspection is your best insurance policy against a bad purchase.

• Check for cracks: Look very closely at the wood stock, especially at the wrist (the thin area behind the receiver) and where it meets the metal. Check the forend as well.
• Examine the barrel: Run your finger along the outside of the barrel to feel for any dents, which can be dangerous. Use a light to look down the bore from the chamber end; you’re looking for deep pits, rust, or bulges.
• Test the action: With the seller’s permission, cycle the action several times. It should feel smooth and lock up positively, not gritty, loose, or binding.
• Check the lockup (for break-actions): When you close an over/under or side-by-side, it should feel like a bank vault door. There should be absolutely no wobble or play between the barrels and the receiver.
• Look for modifications: Be wary of barrels that look like they’ve been cut down (which may affect the choke) or any signs of amateur gunsmithing, like buggered screw heads.

Patience is your best friend when shopping for a used shotgun. There are thousands of great ones out there. If a gun doesn’t feel right or the seller seems evasive, simply walk away. The right tool for your adventures is waiting for you.

In the end, the best shotgun is the one that gets you out into the fields and the woods, season after season. A reliable, well-fitting used gun is more than just a smart financial choice; it’s a connection to the traditions of the hunt. So find one that feels right, spend an afternoon practicing with it on a clay range, and then go make some memories. The birds are waiting.