r/canadaguns • u/PossibleBroccoli • Apr 08 '26
Buy recommendations Compact 12GA Pump Recommendations?
Hey y’all, I recently got my PAL and I’ve been looking for a compact (14”~ barrel) 12GA 3”
pump shotgun with a telescoping stock and a rail for optics.
I don’t want to spend too much, so right now my top contenders are the Huglu Victor P-Tac or the Canuck Commander.
I also considered the EGE Panzer Arms Raider XII (or similar folding pumps), but I wasn’t fond of the reduced magazine capacity and relatively unproven design.
And recommendations or tips?
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u/Medical_Banana1586 Apr 08 '26
Mossberg 590a1 class iii (14 inch) is the answer
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u/PossibleBroccoli Apr 08 '26
I think when I get a semi-auto I'll spend the extra cash to get something nice like a Benelli, but for a pump-action is it really worth paying almost triple the price for what is pretty much the same gun? Is it really that much better/reliable? (The Mossberg would be $1,070+tax, while the P-Tac would only be $340+tax)
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u/GreenMan165 Apr 08 '26
It is going to be that magnitude more reliable over time and round count, yeah. Turkish shotguns do have a tendancy to wear pretty hard partswise with significantly cheaper choices in material over a 590. There is the Mossberg Maverick 88, which while unfortunately not offering a 14" barrel does have an 18.5" security barrel, you will be taking a bit of a step down again in terms of parts quality vs. a 590 but they tend to carry increased round counts better than a good bit of the Turkish designs.
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u/Medical_Banana1586 Apr 08 '26
You’re right it is on the expensive side for a pump but I’m kind of the buy once cry once type of person, I don’t intend to have a huge collection but I only intend to put higher quality stuff in it
I have a 1301 Tactical and I love that thing!
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u/Omega_Shaman Apr 08 '26
These short barrel 12 ga shotguns have a high level of perceived recoil. You may want to consider a Mossberg Maverick 88 security if you are on a budget. The extra weight goes a long way if you are using it for slugs etc.
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u/swift_gilford Apr 08 '26
Mav88 security + a magpul SGA stock and you have yourself an extreme budget - yet super reliable - shotgun. I have a fairly kitted out 870 including the vang comp system and i still recommend the above to people starting out.
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u/PM_me_ur_TT-33 Apr 08 '26
The 88 isn't drilled/tapped for mounts from the factory and OP wants a rail. (Yes there are janky slip-over mount systems but that isn't great.) I was going to suggest the top-folder 18" Maverick before noticing. Side-folding a 500 gets pricy fast.
1
u/Iokua_CDN Apr 08 '26
Yeah this is one time that the Maverick 88 suggestion falls flat.
Plus a 14 inch barrel and telescoping stock are going to be WAY more compact than a Maverick 88.
4 inches shorter from the Barrel plus however much it telescopes, which just based on looking at the pictures is another 4 Inches at least.
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u/Iokua_CDN Apr 08 '26
I won't lie, 14 inch 12 isn't bad at all. I would want to go shorter, but I really don't mind 14 inch.
2
u/GinnAdvent Apr 08 '26
My friend got this one.
Churchill 612 Pump Shotgun w/ Pistol Grip Stock - 12GA, 2-3/4" or 3", 12" Barrel, 5-Shot
And they also have another version but longer barrel.
Churchill 612 HD Telescopic Folding Stock Pistol Grip 12 Ga x 3", 18 1/2" Barrel CHUA17174
1
u/PossibleBroccoli Apr 08 '26
Was definitely considering a Churchill, dirt cheap and I've heard a lot of good things considering their price.
1
u/GinnAdvent Apr 08 '26
Yeah when my friend got it, he also bought a buttpad for it. I recommend him to take it apart and deburr different points, but he said the action pretty smooth right out of the box.
I think it's great for the price point.
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u/airchinapilot Apr 08 '26
Do mention what your intended use is. Horses for courses.
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u/PossibleBroccoli Apr 08 '26
Mainly random target shooting and incase something goes bump in the night iykwim. Don't intend to hunt and I'm going to get a semi-auto later on for clays.
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u/duckin-depressed Apr 09 '26
target shooting is one thing, but for a just in case situation you have to ask yourself if the potential to you life is worth saving $500 over something with better know reliability. personally id never trust my life to Turkish shotguns
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u/Iokua_CDN Apr 08 '26
I have a Canuck Defender, so 14 inch but wooden stock. The Comander looks to be the same, but a modern stock, telescoping with better irons.
I love my gun. It's worked flawlessly for me, and you can buy a 28 inch barrel for it. If you got the comander, you could throw the barrel on and go duck hunting.
Personally, I also think the telescoping stock is the best option for a small shotgun.
Folded out, you get all the benefits of a full stock. The stability, 3rd point of contact and such. This is really nice.
Folded up, you suddenly cut your size by a good chunk, making it much much more portable. Unlike a bird head grip though, you won't get quite as compact, but it comes with a major advantage. If you had to quickly shoot it, you could still use the telescoped stock as a stock and shoulder it, it would just have a short length of pull. But you can still get the benefits of a 3rd point of contact and some extra stability.
So the benefit of a full stock and the benefit of a short stock or no stock. Truly the best of both words.
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u/Enough_Challenge7264 Apr 09 '26
Stay away from offshore garbage. Invest in a Mossberg 590A1 class 3 pump. Dual bars, dual extractors, cock solid ghost ring irons, with a heavy walled 14" barrel. It will never let you down and it's NR (never again register anything with our government).
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Apr 09 '26
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u/Enough_Challenge7264 Apr 09 '26
Not if you've ever had a reliable hard-on it isn't. It's a great adverb/adjective.
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Apr 10 '26
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u/Enough_Challenge7264 Apr 10 '26
Mossberg ghost ring sights won't fail you, no matter how old they are. ;)
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u/BeerGunsMusicFood Apr 09 '26
Get a used mossberg 590 shockwave on gunpost and get the magpul sga for it. Cheapest way to put something bulletproof together.
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u/CheesecakeEasy8952 Apr 10 '26
Check out FOC they have the Canuck Recon3 …12” mag fed, optional 20rd drum mag $599
20
u/CanadianBoyEh Apr 08 '26
Benelli Supernova Tac 14''. It's worth the extra cash, and can be found on sale pretty regularly.