NRA Gun of the Week: Remington Versa Max Sportsman Turkey Shotgun

by
posted on April 23, 2016
** 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. **
Gas-operated shotguns certainly are not new, though designs have changed since Mr. Browning’s famed Auto 5. Six years ago Remington released its newest version of the gas-operated, semi-automatic shotgun, the Versa Max. Utilizing a rotary bolt with two locking-lugs, two short-stroke gas pistons and a shortened energy transfer system, the design is proven and has evolved into sub-models, as seen here with the Sportsman Turkey variant. Capable of firing anything from standard length 2¾” shells to the powerful and hard-recoiling 3½” high brass shell of a turkey load, the gun’s VersaPort gas system takes away the punishment and consistently operates with all styles of shells. Its synthetic stock is wrapped in Mossy Oak Obsession camouflage and adjustable fiber-optic sights, the Versa Max Sportsman Turkey is a home run in the turkey woods.

Manufacturer: Remington Arms
Action: Gas-operated, semi-automatic shotgun
Gauge: 12 gauge; 3½” chamber
Barrel: 22”; 4140 hammer-forged steel; threaded for Remington Pro Bore chokes 

Trigger: 5-lb., 14.4-oz. pull
Magazine: five-round tube (two-round plug included)
Sights: adjustable TruGlo fiber-optic rear notch, TruGlo fiber-optic front bead
Stock: synthetic
Finish: Mossy Oak Obsession
Overall Length: 43 15/16"
Weight: 7lbs. 12 ozs.
MSRP: $1,222

Latest

Savage Stance XR
Savage Stance XR

Review: Savage Stance XR

Savage Arms reworked its Stance pistol in 2025 to incorporate desirable features not available in the first iteration, resulting in the new Stance XR.

Preview: Die Free Kung Fu Grip

A replacement pistol grip for AR-10/15-pattern rifles, the Kung Fu Grip from Die Free Co. utilizes a reduced (12 degree) grip angle that makes shooting a gun with a short length of pull much more comfortable on the wrist—making it an ideal choice for practitioners of modern, squared-up shooting stances.

The Elusive Finnish Mausers

In the 1920s, the Finnish Shooting Sport Federation sought to replace the military’s venerable Mosin-Nagant. Its attempts to introduce Mauser target rifles as service rifles were eventually thwarted in the 1930s by design limitations and budgets.

The Armed Citizen® Dec. 22, 2025

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

Rifleman Q&A: Point Of Hold

Q: I have always been a rifle and handgun shooter, with little shotgun experience, and I am a little confused about the “point of hold” shown in the pattern illustrations of our magazine.

Preview: MTM Case-Gard Suppressor Protector Case

Secure, rugged and inexpensive, the Suppressor Protector Case by MTM Case-Gard is a convenient way to transport or store as many as three (cooled) silencers up to 10" in length.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.