What’s a long gun? A long gun is any shoulder-fired firearm; at least, that’s my definition. It’s rifles and shotguns of all types, and I wanted to bring you a mix of the two, plus a wildcard to cover the best long guns of SHOT 2026.
Mossberg 990 Magpul
The Mossberg 990 Aftershock premiered as a “firearm,” meaning a 12-gauge, pistol-grip-only gun in a gas-operated semi-auto format. Mossberg is now bringing the 990 to shotgun form in both SBS and standard configurations outfitted with Magpul’s SGA stock.
These new guns are optics-ready, with the option to add a standard rail, direct-mount an RMSc footprint optic, or use plates. The optic’s cover is now a fixed ghost ring sight that aligns with a fiber optic front sight. You don’t need an optic, but I love red dots on my scatterguns.
The 990 Magpul is compatible with all other Mossberg 500/590 stocks. This means you can set it up exactly how you want it. It comes with the SPX handguard that offers an integrated heat shield, M-LOK slots, and sling slots.
It’s the best factory handguard I’ve ever seen on a semi-auto shotgun. Factory semi-auto shotgun barrels are rare, so it’s nice to see one of the biggest shotgun manufacturers in the United States release one to everyone who can get a stamp.
James River Armory BM-59
The BM-59 is what the United States promised the M14 would be, more or less. The M14 was supposed to be interchangeable with Garand parts, but that didn’t really happen. The BM-59, a creation of the Italians, uses many M1 Garand parts but still fires the 7.62 NATO round, feeds from a box magazine, and comes in numerous configurations.
The BM-59 is being manufactured in the United States by a small company, James River Armory. There are a few originals out there, but they are as rare as hen’s teeth. James River Armory is turning parts kits into full rifles.
This includes tanker and paratrooper variants, folding-stock models, and more. These rifles are painfully recreated to give Americans the authentic experience. They are surprisingly priced around or under $2,000 and are generally competitive with the M1A.
However, you get unique designs, straight-insert magazines, an integrated bipod, and a supposedly much smoother shooting rifle.
SCAR 16 Gen 2
The SCAR series is an integrated part of my childhood. They were the gun of spec-ops in the Global War on Terror. The SCAR gives me fond memories, and I’m excited FN brought it back after killing it not so long ago. The SCAR Gen 2 comes with a ton of upgrades that were a total necessity.
It has a hydraulic buffer to smooth out the recoil impulse, an extended M-LOK handguard, truly ambidextrous controls, and a single-stage trigger that’s brilliant.
It shoots and handles like a dream. It’s still a little front-heavy, and it is now authorized to be suppressed by FN.
We shot them suppressed with FN’s new cans without a problem. The Gen 2 series in general are all great, but the SCAR 16S will always be my favorite. FN just breathed new life into the old design and modernized it for 2026.
IWI Mafteah SBS
The IWI Mafteah premiered as a short-barreled, 12-gauge firearm. It was an awesome gun, and I enjoyed it immensely. IWI showed off several SBS options at SHOT 2026. While “firearms” are fun, a stock takes it into the long gun realm, which is more practical for most users.
The stock looks familiar, right? It’s a Magpul SGA stock, and IWI is producing an adapter plate to make it compatible with Mossberg 500/590 stocks.
This means you can use any of the wide variety of Mossberg stocks, from the modern Magpul stock to side-folder and top-folder options.
In an SBS format, you have to obtain a tax stamp, but once you do, you go from a niche tool to a generalized “room broom.” To me, the 14-inch barrel is just perfect for the home defense shotgun. It balances maneuverability and capacity by giving you five 2.75-inch rounds. The semi-auto design simplifies things even further with an inertia-operated system.
S&W FPC in 5.7x28mm
I try to make the last pick my personal wildcard. I have a real affection for 5.7x28mm carbines. In the right configuration, I call it a “Light Rifle.” Light Rifle is a term used to describe the M1 Carbine, and the FPC 5.7x28mm meets that definition perfectly.
The FPC has chambered 9mm and 10mm, but the latest entry is my favorite. The use of 5.7x28mm means we get an insanely light gun.
The FPC is a straight blowback design, and since it uses the low-recoil 5.7, it doesn’t require a heavy bolt or buffer spring. The gun is absurdly lightweight at just a hair over four pounds.
The FPC folds in half to make it ultra-portable and easy to carry in a bag. S&W includes a bag bythe way. The FPC in 5.7 even allows you to carry a total of 66 rounds on the gun by stashing two 22-round magazines in slots on the stock.
It’s affordable, easy to throw into the truck, and offers decent accuracy out to 200 yards with negligible recoil.
Putting the “Long” in Long Guns
Most of the long guns in this list are a bit shorter than average. That’s to be expected with a SHOT Show moving more toward NFA-regulated items. With the reduced tax stamp, it’s going to be an interesting time for firearms, and manufacturers are taking full advantage of it. I’m 100% here for it. Let’s get more short long guns.
