Shotguns for sale in Canada
2581 shotguns listings currently for sale across Canada, posted by GunEx members and gathered from public Canadian classifieds. Updated daily.
Shotguns trade steadily on the used market because most of them last indefinitely. Pump guns and semi-autos dominate the hunting listings, while over-unders and side-by-sides come from clay shooters and estates.
Gauge and chamber length decide most of what a gun is useful for. Confirm whether a 12 gauge is chambered for 2¾, 3 or 3½ inch shells, and check the choke situation before you assume you can shoot steel through it.
Prices cluster by action. A used Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 in working order is the cheapest way into a 12 gauge and the two most common guns on this page. Semi-autos from Beretta, Benelli and Browning sit above them. Over-unders cover the widest band of any shotgun type, from a few hundred dollars for a tired field gun to five figures for a competition stack.
Shotguns by province
What to check before you buy
Confirm the chamber length before the gauge
A 12 gauge chambered for 2¾ inch shells will not safely take 3 inch magnums, and plenty of older guns are 2¾ only. The chamber length is usually stamped on the barrel near the receiver. Read it rather than assuming.
Check whether the barrel is choked for steel
Non-toxic shot is mandatory for migratory game bird hunting in Canada, and steel through a fixed full choke in an older barrel is how barrels get bulged. Fixed-choke guns built before the steel era need a more open choke or a different load; screw-in choke guns just need the right tube.
Measure, do not eyeball, a short barrel
The RCMP classifies a shotgun with a barrel under 457 mm, or one adapted to an overall length under 660 mm, as prohibited. A gun advertised as a “short barrel” or “riot” configuration is worth measuring before you agree on anything.
Work the action and look at the locking surfaces
On a pump, cycle it a dozen times and watch for a gritty or short stroke. On a break action, close it and try to rock the barrels: a gun that is off the face is a gunsmithing bill, not a bargain.
Price the extras separately
A spare barrel, a full set of choke tubes, or a factory case is a real part of the value. A gun listed with one fixed barrel and no tubes is worth less than the same model with three barrels, whatever the ask says.
Common questions
Do you need a PAL to buy a shotgun in Canada?
Yes. A valid Possession and Acquisition Licence is required to acquire any non-antique firearm in Canada, and most shotguns are non-restricted, so a non-restricted PAL covers them. The RCMP Canadian Firearms Program states that the PAL is the only licence available to new applicants aged 18 or older, and that you must pass the Canadian Firearms Safety Course before applying. Both buyer and seller are responsible for verifying the licence before the firearm changes hands.
What gauge shotgun should I buy?
12 gauge has the widest selection of guns and the cheapest ammunition in Canada, which is why most of the listings on this page are 12s. 20 gauge is noticeably lighter to carry and kicks less, and is the usual choice for upland birds and smaller-framed shooters. 16 gauge and .410 both exist in the used market here, but shells are harder to find and cost more per box, so factor the feeding cost in before you buy one.
Are short-barrelled shotguns legal in Canada?
Not below the statutory thresholds. The RCMP's classes of firearms guidance lists rifles and shotguns adapted to an overall length under 660 mm, or with a barrel under 457 mm, as prohibited firearms. A shotgun above both thresholds is normally non-restricted, but classification attaches to the specific firearm rather than the model name. Check the exact gun against the RCMP Firearms Reference Table before a transfer.
Can a shotgun be shipped between provinces in Canada?
A non-restricted shotgun can be shipped by a carrier that accepts firearms once the seller has verified the buyer's licence. Ammunition is a separate problem: it is dangerous goods and cannot go by regular post, which is why most shell lots on GunEx change hands in person. If you want an in-person handoff, the province and city links below are the fastest way to find something local.
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