Savage 320 Tactical FDE 19468 12 Gauge

The 12-gauge pump shotgun is a mainstay for home defense and as a truck gun. Pump actions offer ease of use, easier maintenance, and versatility because they can be loaded with shells that range from non-lethal types and bird shot to 00 buck and slugs that can still be cycled through the gun. Also, pump shotguns are typically less expensive than semi-autos, which require more maintenance and can be finicky with light target loads. We gathered three 12-gauge pump shotguns and put them in the hands of our testers to evaluate the guns with an eye toward gauging affordability and assessing performance, two traits that are not usually found together. The pump guns matched up in this review include the Mossberg Maverick 88 Security, $264; Savage 320 Tactical FDE, $270; and the SDS Imports Duo-Sys Force, $469.

First, let’s look at the similarities. All are designed for defense work, are chambered for 3-inch 12-gauge shells, and are equipped with polymer stocks. From there, the Mossberg and Savage are on the pump-gun side of the fence, and the SDS plays on both sides of the fence, operating as a semi-auto and pump. We found features we desire in a defense gun, such as ease of loading, smooth cycling, easy recoil management, sights that are fast to acquire, and adequate round capacity. If there are aftermarket parts available, that’s all to the better so we could customize the shotgun to fit our needs.

We found we could have both affordability and performance. In our opinion, the Savage and Mossberg offer features desirable in a defense shotgun at a cost that pleases our wallets. The SDS, with its hybrid action, is more expensive, but it allows the shotgun to run on any ammo you feed it, just make sure it is in the correct mode. Yes, as you might have suspected, the SDS M3 clone didn’t cycle light target loads, which we will get into.

How We Tested

We used IDPA-style targets set at 15 yards and fired all rounds off hand to gather shot patterns and slug-group data. With the Savage and Mossberg, we couldn’t control the patterns as much as we wanted because both of these guns use a fixed Cylinder choke. The SDS uses choke tubes, which enable the user to be surgical with the Full choke tube. Ammo consisted of a light target load, Federal Ultra Clay & Field No. 8 shot with a factory muzzle velocity of 1255 fps. Defense loads were Aguila High Velocity rounds with 0 buckshot (1275 fps factory muzzle velocity), Panzer Defense 00 Buck (1350 fps factory muzzle velocity), and Hornady Critical Defense 00 Buck (1600 fps factory muzzle velocity). We also fired Federal Hydra-Shok 1-ounce rifled slugs. Note that factory muzzle-velocity data is included in the Range Data table. You will see why we included the velocities, especially for the SDS shotgun. Hornady and Federal loads provided more felt recoil than the 00 buck loads. We could have fired the light Federal loads all day long, and in fact, we did. Using the push-pull method of recoil control, we pushed the fore end with our support hand and simultaneously pulled back on the pistol grip with the firing hand just before loosing a round. This method minimizes the punishing recoil 12-gauge pumps can dole out. We shot one target to obtain pattern and group data, then fired for speed on another target. 

Stock styles included fixed pistol-grip tactical buttstocks on the SDS and Savage. The Mossberg was equipped with a traditional-style stock. Our team slightly favors this stock over the pistol grip, for reasons we’ll get into. The top line is the Savage and Mossberg chugged through the range test with no hiccups, but the SDS had initial FTE jams when it was eating light loads in semi-auto mode. We would use any of these shotguns in a heartbeat to defend ourselves, but we had our preferences. Here are the details on these shotguns.

Savage 320 Tactical FDE 19468 12 Gauge

$270

Gun Tests grade: A- [best buy]

Based on the old Winchester Model 1300 design. Easy to load, cycled smoothly and comfortably. The shorter 18.5-inch barrel was maneuverable. We liked the heat shield, sights, and Picatinny rail to mount a light. Recoil was tolerable.

The Savage 320 is a Chinese knock-off of the Winchester Model 1300. The 320 uses dual slide bars for smooth operation and has a rotary bolt, just like the old Model 1300. Our sample is the Tactical FDE model with 5+1 round capacity and an FDE-finish polymer pistol-grip stock and fore end. The 320 is very maneuverable due to the 18-inch barrel, which uses a fixed Cylinder-bore choke. The shotgun is comfortable to shoulder and aim. Fit and finish were okay, our shooters said.

In addition to the pistol-grip stock, other tactical features include a heat shield, protected ghost-ring sights, Picatinny rail to mount an optic, and two small Picatinny rails on the sides of the magazine tube just forward of the fore end to add a light. Attachments for a sling are on the buttstock and magazine cap.

The matte-black metal finish was good, and the rubber recoil pad was fitted well to the synthetic stock. The manual crossbolt safety is built into the forward part of the trigger guard. It is easy for right-handed shooters to operate. The action slide lever is a small rounded tab located at the rear of the trigger guard on the left side. The action slide release took more effort to operate, requiring use of the support hand or removing the firing hand from the grip to press the button.

The rear ghost sight is fully adjustable, and the front sight is a green-fiber-optic tube on a post protected by wings. These are rugged sights that are quick to acquire and keep on target. 

Going hot, the 320 loaded smoothly from the get-go. With buckshot, the Hornady Critical Defense load had the tightest pattern, measuring 4 inches. The Panzer had a 12-inch pattern and the Aguila had a 10-inch spread. The Federal No. 8 bird shot gave us an average pattern of 19 inches. With Federal slugs, the best group measured 3.4 inches. Recoil was tolerable using the push-pull method. We also noted that the extended fore end covered the edge of the receiver. This ensures no pinched hands and means the slide is easier to manipulate without stretching out your support arm. Plus the slightly shorter LOP of 13.7 inches meant smaller-stature shooters have to reach less. Running the 320 fast was a cinch.

The 320’s large sights can obscure the target at 15 yards and farther, but we were able to hit the target consistently until the shredded cardboard keeled over. 

The trigger broke at 7.1 pounds, which is heavy, but serviceable. The push-button manual safety blocks the trigger, but it is a stretch to reach with the trigger finger, depending on your hand size. The heat shield is a nice feature, but we have learned not to touch the barrel when reloading. We loaded with our support hand stuffing shells into the port and our firing hand on the pistol grip.

Our Team Said: We liked the 320 and felt it was set up nicely for home defense. If we owned this shotgun, we would attach a small tactical light to the short Picatinny rails on the magazine tube. We would also add an elastic ammo holder to the side of the receiver. If you want a shotgun that has a lot of the most-wanted tactical shotgun features out of the box, then the Savage 320 Tactical FDE is a great option.

To collect pattern data with shotshells and groups with slugs, we fired off hand at a distance of 15 yards.

Written and photographed by Robert Sadowski, using evaluations from Gun Tests Team members. GT