New for 2020: Blackwater Firearms Sentry 12

by
posted on October 5, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
blackwater-firearms-sentry-12.jpg

Blackwater Firearms has announced it will offer a pump-action shotgun styled for the defense-minded consumer with tactical styling, lightweight engineering and a detachable box magazine for speedy reloading. The Sentry 12 is a compact, manually-operated 12-ga. shotgun with a two-part receiver and controls similar to those of the AR-15 design, which makes for an easy transition to the Blackwater Firearms scattergun.

The Sentry 12 houses an 18.5” barrel that is chambered for 3” shells and features a Nitride finish. Disassembly and reassembly of the system is fast—the barrel simply attaches to an extruded aluminum upper receiver via a hand-tightened barrel nut. A single pin retains the upper receiver in position attached to the lower unit of which houses the gun’s controls—a bilateral safety lever, trigger and pistol grip are included.

A notable feature of the Sentry 12 is the five-round detachable box magazine that fits within the lower receiver. The Sentry 12 ships with two magazines. Large magazine release buttons on both left and right sides are provided in a convenient position above and in front of the trigger shoe.

Weighing in at 6.5 lbs., the Sentry 12 has an overall length of 36”. A shortened buttstock is included and provides a 12’ length of pull measurement, which helps to retain its compact footprint and to accommodate tactical operators wearing bulky protective gear. A Picatinny rail along the top of the shotgun plays host to accessories such as lights, optics and iron sights.

Blackwater Firearms manufactures its Sentry 12 in the United States of America and commands a suggested retail price of $899. To learn more, visit the company website HERE.

Latest

target with holes
target with holes

Resisting the Temptation of "Good Enough" for Firearm Performance

No matter what firearm you're using for whatever purpose, even if it's simply a trip to the range, always resist the temptation to accept “good enough” if there is the possibility of better performance.

Armed Citizens Stop a Lot More Criminals Than Most in the Media Will Admit

Since January 2025, the Crime Prevention Research Center has documented 16 defensive gun uses in which police say armed citizens stopped mass public killings.

Federal & Mossberg Collaborate on Autonomous Airborne Drone Defense

Federal and Mossberg are working with Palladyne AI in the creation of SwarmShot, a kinetic defense system that employs swarms of armed drones to shield troops from unmanned aircraft system threats.

Cold Performance: How to Prepare for the Uncertainty of Self-Defense

Defensive gun use is defined by uncertainty. You don’t know when it will happen, how far away the threat will be, how many threats you will face or what position you will be in when it begins.

Derya Goes Silent: The OBone Suppressor

In 2025, Turkish manufacturer Derya Arms opened a new facility in Florida, enabling the company to produce a number of new products domestically, such as its new OBone suppressor.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 26, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.