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#7 on this list
SX4 Field
Winchester
The workhorse gas auto: reliable, light for the class, and priced for a hunter who beats on guns.
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#8 on this list
500 Field 20 Gauge
Mossberg
The pump that raised a generation of upland hunters — dead reliable and endlessly repairable.
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Specs side by side
| Spec | SX4 Field | 500 Field 20 Gauge |
|---|---|---|
| Action | Gas-operated Semi-auto | Pump-Action |
| Gauge | 12 Gauge (common) | 20 Gauge |
| Chamber | 3" or 3.5" | — |
| Stock | Synthetic | — |
| Receiver | Aluminum Alloy | Aluminum Alloy |
| Sight | Fiber Optic Front | — |
| Capacity | — | 5+1 Rounds |
| Safety | — | Top-Tang Ambidextrous |
| Barrel Length | — | Typically 26 or 28 inches |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
SX4 Field
- Reliable gas system handles diverse ammunition
- Light for a semi-auto, easy to carry all day
- Synthetic stock shrugs off harsh weather and impacts
- Effective recoil reduction for comfortable shooting
- Excellent value for its performance and durability
- Utilitarian aesthetics lack classic appeal
- Trigger pull is good but not match-grade
- Fore-end can feel bulky to some shooters
500 Field 20 Gauge
- Legendary reliability in harsh conditions
- Excellent value for the price point
- Ambidextrous tang safety is easy to operate
- Lightweight and well-balanced for all-day carry
- Vast aftermarket support and repairability
- Not as fast for follow-up shots as a semi-auto
- Utilitarian aesthetics, lacks high-end finishes
- Stock comb might be low for some shooters
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