Guns Meet the new Smith and Wesson M&P 12 Bullpup Shotgun Forrest Cooper August 18, 2021 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More Find out more about how we test products. Click here to learn more about the M&P 12 at Smith-Wesson.comThe scattergun has continued to keep up with the times, changing form, and often adding functions. Our contemporary world is constrained by opposing restraints: choice barrel length balances legal requirements, the confined spaces of urban environments, and the performance of the projectiles. Smith and Wesson is taking their shot at a more compact shotgun that retains the performance of a longer barrel, while keeping to an overall compact platform with their new Smith and Wesson M&P 12 bullpup shotgun. Themed more as a tactical shotgun, the Smith and Wesson M&P 12 bullpup shotgun shows promise in the breaching and home defense uses, with the ability to switch between independent sources of ammunition raising the question of non-lethal contingencies. While decisions such as less-than-lethal are typically made closer to the agency level, than that of the individual, when it comes to private ownership, this shotgun has the appeal of both utility and next-generation aesthetic, not pushing too hard into cyberpunk. With two feeding tubes, it carries more shells in a tighter package than more traditional shotguns, while maintaining the performance of a 19-inch barrel with an overall length of 27.8 inches. Threaded for chokes, and accepting both 2-3/4 inch and 3 inch shells, birdshot, buck, slugs, and breaching rounds cycle through the pump-action without the need to adjust any gas system. For the Full Spec Sheet from Smith and Wesson, Read More:Smith and Wesson M&P 12 Bullpup ShotgunCaliber: 12 Gauge, 3 ̋ ChamberAction: Pump ActionCapacity: 6 Rounds 3 ̋ Shells per Tube 7 Rounds 2-3/4 ̋ Shells per TubeBarrel Length: 19.0 ̋ (48.3 cm)Barrel Internals: Smooth Bore, Threaded for Choke Tubes Stock: Synthetic Fixed StockGrip: M&P with Four Interchangeable Palmswell Grip InsertsLength of Pull: 14.5 ̋ (36.8 cm)Width: 3.7 ̋ (9.4 cm)Overall Height: 8.7 ̋ (22.1 cm)Overall Length: 27.8 ̋ (70.6 cm)Weigth: 8.3 lbs. (3,764.9 g)Barrel Material: 4140 Chrome-Moly Vanadium Steel Black Oxide Reciever Material: SteelBarrel Finish: Matte BlackOther Features: Reciprocating cover with release button for clearing damaged shells.Assist buttons on each magazine tube to make loading/unloading easier.Pushbutton magazine tubes elector. – Ammo adaptability.Two independent magazine tubes. – Tactile loaded chamber indicator.M&P grip with four interchangeable palmswell grip inserts.Ambidextrous safety selector.Picatinny-style rail on top for sights/optics.M-LOK® slots on barrel shroud.15-inch cable lock.Foam-lined, hard, carry case.Choke tube wrench.Modified and cylinder choke tubes included (Rem® Choke compatible threads).Ambidextrous QD push button base on the buttstock.More on Tactical ShotgunsBest Tactical Shotgun Options for Home DefenseSpace Force Bullpup Shotgun: the IWI Tavor 12Shotguns for Self Defense during a Crisis Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. 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