Battle of the 20 Gauges: the Short Version 

The reason I purchased a Weatherby SA-08 was because of Randy's review a while back . Coming in at 6.1 pounds and a 4 pound trigger and never having an issue. The SA-20 looks like a real winner.

Dude you are litterally my favorite shotgun reviewer.

This video sells a lot of Mossberg SA-20's. Power to Mossberg!

Thanks Randy! I had been on the fence for awhile. Just bought one tonight.

You gave me the info needed for an informed purchase . Thank you

I concur. Purchased a Mossberg SA-20 for my wife (skeet/trap) and for my use in upland hunting. I took it out to pattern it, and it is one sweet gun. Outpatterned a Benelli M2, Remington V3 and Browning Citori. It was dead on at 30 yards, and very evenly spaced with 2.75" WW 7 1/2 shot. This is a wonderful shooting gun, and will likely be my favorite - out of any shotgun, at any price.

After a year of looking I FINALLY found an SA 20 Tactical! Used on guns America! Thank you for your review!!

Mossberg SA-20, might be my next 20 gauge Shotgun for the wife to shoot! Thank you Randy Wakeman!

Randy, you seem like a pretty chill guy and would be fun to shoot with :) Nice review!

Very nice review Randy....Thanks

Nice honest review. I have the SA28 and like you say heavy trigger but I'm totally happy with the shotgun :)

Great review. Just bought the Mossberg SA-20 (same exact one you have here) and either I got lucky or they listened to you and lightened the trigger since this was done. Don't have a trigger pull scale but mine goes off when hung so it is at least under 6lb pull. Thanks for the work making these vids!

I just clicked "purchase" from my online dealer due, in no small part, to this review. I already own a Mossy 930 field shotgun and love it, but at 7.5 to 7.75 lbs, I have found it to be a bit much when I go hunting for rabbits or grouse. It's just a lunker. I'll continue to use it as my main turkey gun, but when I'm marching around the fields all day long I think I'll be carrying this one. It doesn't come for another week, but I'm really looking forward to taking it out this winter for rabbits. I also have faith that a company of Mossberg's reputation has thoroughly vetted and has a good partner in Armsan, so no worries about quality.

Really enjoyed your review. So much so, that i purchased the SA-20.

Sure would love to try the SA-20

I just got Mossberg SA-20 28" barrel synthetic stock; store had only walnut stock in 28Ga. Trigger is very good on mine, it still around 6lbs but smooth and has no take up at all so it doesn't bother me. The trigger return spring people changing is much softer so Mossberg improved it already. Still want to shoot it more weather permits I enjoy your videos an knowledge on the subject

Anyone who gets a Weatherby SA-08 will not be disappointed.

Up date on Mossberg SA 20 for any interested. I shoot with 13 1/2" LOP while a 12 1/2" fits my grandkids better. The SA bantam 20 at around 12" works great for them and I just slip on a pad for myself. I'm big on safety in teaching the youngsters, therefore manual unloading is a factor, I hate cycling everything through the chamber. I've found if you pull the bolt open about half way the carrier comes up far enough not to interfere with shells from mag tube. Just push the bolt stop button to the rear and shells in mag fly out. We're having a lot of fun with this shotgun.

Just convinced me to buy a SA-20

I have an m2 field in 12 gauge and yeah I give it to you that the m2 can be hard loading at first but I've put a lot of rounds through mine and I wouldn't say I've every gotten a sore thumb haha that said it has broken in a bit and isn't bad at all to load now after a few years of use... I'd say it actually broke in after 400-500 rounds or I just got used to it. I love the gun it's a workhorse and fits me perfect and it hots where my eyes are aiming. I still would like to get another one in 20 gauge... I shoot lefty so Benelli's are what works for me.

I’ll buy on your advice. Thanks

Where is everyone buying the Moss SA-20? I live in Chicago and all we really have is Cabelas and Bass Pro, neither carry the gun. And where can I find it for under 500$. The safety button on Mossberg shotguns are the key component for me. "safety on, safety off" that's all we say afield.

Well, you got a different sa-20 than I did, mine won't cycle any 7/8 loads, only hv or 1 ounce ,which is hard to find or 20 a box....I had high hopes, and a lot of 7/8 ammo

This guy knows

I am torn between the Weatherby Element deluxe and the Weatherby Sa-08 deluxe both in 20 gauge 26". I have never owned an inertia gun only gas (Beretta xtrema 2) for waterfowl but want something lighter for grouse/trap and some wood duck hunts? What would you recommend? Price are about equal in Canada

Doesn't look like you have to press the bolt release to load that SA-20 (like I read online). Is that an update/change?

I contacted Mossberg on 2/25/18 and the SA-20 no longer comes with a case. Super sad but it's not going to stop me from buying it based off this review.

Mr Wakeman, based on your review I went ahead and purchased the Mossberg SA-20 in the synthetic stock late last fall; my first semi-auto shotgun. I'm in my 60's and have done a lot of shotgunning but primarily with pumps. I have to admit being a bit disappointed when I got to field test my new Mossberg on some clay birds in that it had frequent ejection/stove pipe issues with several brands of 7/8 oz field loads. I shot a couple of boxes of shells, but it was obvious the gun doesn't like the load. When I stepped up to 1 oz load, no problem; cycled like a charm. Since I intend to primarily hunt with this shotgun, I will obviously be using 1 oz and heavier loads. Still, it would be nice to practice with lighter skeet/trap loads as the gun you tested seemed to do flawlessly. Any suggestions, or am I just stuck with a gun which is ammo finicky? If this was your shotgun, how would you proceed? Everything else was as described and otherwise am very happy with my purchase. Thank you for any suggestions you care to offer.

It would be nice to test Stoeger m3020...

My Remington model 11 was the same way.

Do you have an opinion on the b80 in 12 gauge? I bumped into one today and remembered your videos but forgot you didn't have it in a 12. It's definitely peaked my interest despite being rather beat up (scratched stock etc.)

I purchased the SA-20 couple years ago, for no other reason than I wanted a semiautomatic 20. Needless to say, it's been my favorite shotgun I own. Damn thing runs like a sewing machine. I shoot this over my A400 and 686, even when chasing ducks. Good review Randy

What do you think of the Tristar line I'm looking for a budget 20 gauge for my wife for trap and skeet or any other suggestion in the budget lines No pump action tho Keep up the great work

I did a lot of research on many shotguns and I was able to determine (without shooting them all) that indeed the best "value" is the Mossberg SA-20. I liked the Weatherby, and a few other. But it was hard to say no to the Mossberg price, 1yr warranty and good feedback. I called the factory and they suggested I break it in shooting 3" shells. I figured a decent cleaning and some 3" shooting should get her going. I don't hunt a lot, nor I shoot a lot of clay. I could not justify spending top dollars. The gun should be ready for pick up soon. On my search for a 12 ga..I will consider spending more for a gun that I can hold on to for life. ..on the radar a Winchester Super X 3.

Hello again Mr Wakeman and thanks for your precise reviews. I have purchased a Mossberg SA 20 in the hopes of making it an entry level gun for grandkids and a light carrier for myself. I'm very pleased with the way the gun handles and cycles, however I do have one issue which centers around the loading/unloading port. Since you did not mention this in your review I'm assuming you did not witness the issues I have, therefore I question if my problems are of my own making or just personal to my individual gun. Since the gun is 20 ga the port is smaller with sharp edges. Every time I load the gun, my finger gets trapped by the elevator and the shell must be aligned just right. Then if manually unloading the magazine, the released shell gets trapped by the slight hump in the elevator. I'm wondering if these issues are just mine to own, or if they are witnessed in other SA 20's?

Do you watch your videos? I can't see the clays at all, even when you break them.

Do the factory chokes pattern evenly with the Mossberg? Did you get more even patterns with the Tru-locks?

I'm curious if you still feel the same about the SA-20. I've already bought the Masai Mara with the help of your reviews and I'm now looking for an affordable, reliable 20 to add to my collection. Between the SA-08, SA-20 or ? gas semi. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

hello Mr. randy, i'm a huge fan of your channel. I have two questions. do you know what exact armsan shotgun is being rebranded as mossbergs sa-20?(armsan phenoma, armsan 612) If you were to choose between the mossberg sa-20 and the weatherby sa-08 (ata) which one would you pick up?

You mentioned in your video that all the guns were 26 inch barrels. I'm curious, do you prefer the 26 over the 28 inch? I know it's a matter of personal preference, but I'm specifically interested in your preference. Thanks.

Are you in nc i think i reconize those windmills

But....how easy is it to clean these shotguns? I own a Beretta 20 gauge A303 and it is hell to take apart and clean.

I am new to this Upland Bird deal. My dad always had Browning 12 gauge O/U. I see you have been mainly using 20 gauge in your videos. I am 25 years young, should I be looking to 20 gauges instead of a 12?

Do the mossberg sa 20 have a 26" or 28" barrel?

Is it pretty much a guarantee that a 12 ga b80 won’t reliably fire target loads? I’ve seen a few lately that are tempting but aside from annual hunting its primary use would be backyard clays.

I am curious if you have any experience with the CZ 720 Semi-Automatic 06439?

Can somebody tell me what full choke to buy for my weather by elements 20 gauge

Can anyone confirm the mossberg SA-20 cast? on, off, or neutral? I would like to get one for my son (lefty) and wife (right handed) to share.

How does SA-20 compare to 500? Which is better all around mossberg, semi or pump

I am currently looking at a Benelli SBE 3 20ga but I am still hinged on buying the SA-20ga what would your suggestion. Thank you for all the info you share with us shooters

I recently purchased a Mossberg SA-20 after watching your video. I've had terrible results with mine. I've fired 110 rds thru the gun and it stove pipes and at times it will leave the spent shell in the chamber which is very difficult to get the action open. The gun malfunctioned on all 15 stands. Switched ammo and still had the same results. Sent the gun to Mossberg and now they tell me it will take "2" months to repair it. Why not just send me a new gun???

randy, was the mossberg in 28 or 26 inch barrel ?? Much thanks

Any reason why you didn’t have a Remington 1187 in the group?

LOL my 20 gauge M2 wouldn't feed a full tube without jamming with any shell.

I miss My B80 that and my 302 Beretta were much better than my new Benellis

The B-80 hasn't been made in 20 years though .

I just broke down and bought this 20 gauge. Probably use it for mostly pheasant and quail with maybe some sporting clays thrown in. Carrying a heavier gun and possibly working with a new gun dog pup just isn't doable anymore. Give me the lighter gun.

Was investigating purchasing a Mossberg SA-20, and mossberg told me that parts are not available for purchase, only for warranty repair. This is disconcerting, as to get a recoil spring, if it is available, I will have to send in my gun for repairs. They don't even offer an expanded parts diagram on the parts side of their website. Very disappointing that they can offer such a quality weapon, but will not/cannot sell parts. That has been a deal killer for me...what if my one year warranty expires, and I need a simple part? With regrets, I am looking elsewhere.

Just remember that cheap guns are fine for those who don't shoot a lot. In my opinion, if you are going to shoot/hunt a lot and want to use it year after year you would be better suited with a gun built by companies who have a good track record with automatic shotguns. One way to select a shotgun that can go the distance is to look at what guys in Argentina let their clients use when they don't bring guns with them.

M2 terrible loading ! Ridiculous paying that much to get something that makes your thumb feel like a truck ran over it.