Smith & Wesson announced a first for its M&P product category in August 2021 with the rollout of the M&P12 bullpup shotgun. While the M&P brand has been long known for its extensive lineup of self-defense, duty and concealed-carry handguns, as well as AR-15 rifles, the 12-ga. bullpup-style shotgun is the first such offering from the storied brand.
“Smith & Wesson has a long, storied history of making handguns for self-defense, yet no conversation around personal protection can be complete without mentioning the 12-ga. shotgun,” said Kyle Tengwall, vice president of marketing. “With the introduction of the new M&P12, Smith & Wesson is able to offer our consumers a personal protection product in a variety of categories: pistol, revolver, rifle and shotgun. Today, we’re excited to unveil the M&P12–a new category introduction for Smith & Wesson and a firearm that’s purpose-built for protection and a blast to shoot at the range.”
The Smith & Wesson M&P12 shotgun is a pump-action design built with two separate magazine tubes. Each magazine tube is outfitted with a load-assist button that makes loading and unloading fast and easy. Capacity is seven rounds when filled with standard 2 3/4″ shotshells and six rounds with 3″ magnum shells. The M&P12 will also accommodate and function reliably with mini shells, too, thereby increasing magazine capacity. A push-button selector switch allows users to quickly select which tube feeds the action, and the highly visible selector makes it clear which tube is being used.
Controls on the Smith & Wesson M&P12 are bilateral, giving left- and right-handed shooters an oversized bolt release accessible from either side of the action. There’s also an AR-style safety selector. One of the highlights of the new design is the inclusion of an M&P grip, which accepts included M&P palmswell grip inserts. M-Lok attachment slots on the barrel shroud make it easy to attach lights, lasers and other accessories. Modified and cylinder-bore choke tubes are included with the M&P12 shotgun, as well as a choke-tube wrench and a hard-sided, foam-lined carrying case. The suggested retail price on the new shotgun is $1,165.
