Shotguns Buying Guide
Browse shotguns at Loftus Firearms and find the right scattergun for waterfowl hunting along the Mississippi Flyway, pheasant season across Iowa’s premier upland fields, home defense, or breaking clays at the range. From reliable pump actions and fast-cycling semi-autos to classic over/unders and side-by-sides, our selection covers every gauge, application, and budget.
Pair your new shotgun with everything you need at Loftus Firearms:
- Pump action shotguns: The most proven and versatile platform in the shotgun world, pump actions handle everything from field loads to magnum turkey shells and buckshot with dependable reliability in any condition.
- Semi auto shotguns: Gas-operated and inertia-driven semi-autos cycle follow-up shots faster and soften recoil, making them a top choice for waterfowl hunters, competitive shooters, and high-volume clay target enthusiasts.
- Shotgun chokes: Match your choke to your load and target distance for optimized downrange patterns, from open cylinder and skeet chokes for close birds to full and extra-full chokes for turkeys and waterfowl.
- Shotgun barrels: Swap barrels to configure your shotgun for different applications, from a longer field barrel for upland and waterfowl hunting to a shorter cylinder-bore barrel for home defense use.
- Gun scopes: Add a dedicated slug gun scope or low-power variable optic to your rifled barrel shotgun for improved accuracy on deer at longer ranges during Iowa’s firearm deer season.
- Red dot sights: Mount a red dot on your defensive or field shotgun for faster target acquisition, a practical upgrade for home defense builds and turkey hunters who want a precise aiming point.
Local And Compliance Notes
Loftus Firearms is the well-equipped firearms dealer in Hudson, Iowa, and serves customers in the nearby cities of Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Evansdale, Dunkerton, and Jesup. Iowa enacted constitutional carry in 2021 under Senate File 535, allowing law-abiding residents who are legally permitted to possess a firearm to carry openly or concealed without a state-issued permit. Residents seeking reciprocity when traveling to other states can obtain an Iowa Permit to Carry Weapons through their county sheriff’s office.
All shotgun purchases at Loftus Firearms are conducted in full compliance with federal law, including ATF Form 4473 and a NICS background check for every sale. Buyers must be at least 18 years of age to purchase a shotgun from a licensed dealer and must meet all applicable federal and Iowa state eligibility requirements. Iowa imposes no state-level waiting period beyond the federal background check process. Short-barreled shotguns, defined federally as those with a barrel under 18 inches or an overall length under 26 inches, are regulated under the National Firearms Act and require ATF registration, a $200 tax stamp, and approval prior to transfer. Loftus Firearms can walk you through the NFA process for any regulated configurations.
Iowa hunters should consult the Iowa DNR for current regulations on non-toxic shot requirements for waterfowl, legal gauges and loads for turkey season, and shotgun-specific rules for Iowa’s firearm deer season, where slugs are a popular and legal option in many zones. Transport your shotgun unloaded and cased in accordance with Iowa law, and store it securely at home to prevent unauthorized access. Contact Loftus Firearms for help selecting the right shotgun, choke, barrel, or optic for your next hunt or range day.
