David Morey 
When you purchase a semi-automatic shotgun, you don’t just gain comfort; you also get control.
For those in Canada, the conversation about semi-automatic shotguns gets specific. Canada has its unique ‘rules of the road.’ These rules do change quite frequently, so it’s important to always check the recent legislation and make your decisions accordingly.
So, below isn’t just another list. Think of this as a guided tour through the best semi-automatic shotgun options specifically curated for Canada. We’re going to look past the marketing and focus on the shotguns that deliver on the promise of performance while playing perfectly within our rules. Let’s find the right machine for you.
What to Pay Attention to
Here is a quick mental checklist that can help you decide whether a shotgun is right for you. Instead of giving you ‘one-size-fits-all’ tips and tricks, we chose to provide you with a list of questions that you can answer for yourself, based on your goals and preferences, to see whether or not a shotgun is good for you.
- Is the action type gas or inertia? Both are fine, just different pros and cons.
- Does it naturally fit your body?
- What do you need it for? Competition, hunting, something else?
- How heavy is it, and is the weight suitable for your intended use (e.g., for a long hunt in the forest)?
- Is it reliable with your target loads?
- How expensive is it? How costly are its spare parts in case there is a need for repair?
- Does it comply with the most recent legislation?
Top Semi-Automatic Shotguns for Sale in Canada
Here are some of the best options in the Canadian market. While these semi-automatic shotguns aren’t from Canadian producers, they comply with the local regulations in Canada.
Canfirearm.com offers a wide selection of semi-automatic (and not only) shotguns that meet the Canadian legal requirements while at the same time satisfying your wildest goals and needs.
The Rock Island Armory TM22
The Rock Island Armory TM22 is a modern, all-metal semi-automatic .22 LR rifle designed with extensive compatibility for AR-platform accessories.
Key Features
- Chambered in the affordable .22 LR caliber.
- Features a reliable semi-automatic action.
- Constructed from durable 7075 airplane-grade aluminum for a “Total Metal” build.
- Equipped with a 20-inch blued barrel.
- Offers high compatibility with many AR-platform accessories, including grips, commercial buffer tube stocks, and attachments for its top rail and forend.
- Ships with two 10-round aluminum magazines.
- It is a Non-Restricted firearm.
BCL SRV2 Siberian
This one is a lightweight, short-stroke piston semi-automatic utility rifle in 5.56 NATO. It comes with a folding stock and familiar AR-15 ergonomics.
Key Features
- Chambered in 5.56 NATO and compatible with .223 Remington.
- Operates using a reliable two-piece short-stroke piston system with a forward captured dual spring.
- Features an 18.6-inch blued barrel.
- Designed to be lightweight (2kg) and compact, with a folding stock mechanism that eliminates the need for an AR-15 buffer tube.
- Offers extensive stock modularity by mounting to a universal 1913 Picatinny rail at the rear of the receiver.
- Incorporates user-friendly AR-15 style controls, including an ambidextrous safety and bolt release.
- Utilizes a non-reciprocating charging handle located on the left side for easy operation.
- Accepts standard AR-15 magazines.
- It is Non-Restricted.
Black Creek Labs SRV2 Grizzly
The BCL SRV2 Grizzly is a semi-automatic .308 utility rifle built on a short-stroke piston action.
Key Features
- Chambered in the powerful .308 Winchester caliber.
- It is built upon a reliable short-stroke piston action.
- Comes with a 3-position adjustable gas block, so the user can fine-tune the rifle for different ammunition, suppressors, or adverse conditions.
- Equipped with an 18.5-inch barrel with a 1/10 twist rate, so it can achieve 1.5 MOA accuracy with appropriate ammunition.
- Provides AR-10 style controls that are upsized for easier manipulation.
- Offers vast stock customization with a universal 1913 Picatinny rail mount, shipping standard with a Magpul Zhukov stock.
- Built with a durable anodized aluminum receiver set that includes steel reinforcements in the rail and QD sling points to prevent wear.
- Feeds from widely available AR-10 pattern magazines.
- It is classified as a Non-Restricted firearm.
Semi Auto 12GA 5rd
This is a reliable semi-automatic 12-gauge hunting shotgun.
Key Features
- Chambered for the versatile 12 Gauge with a 3-inch chamber that cycles both 2 ¾” and 3” shells.
- Operates on a reliable semi-automatic action with a Canadian-compliant 5+1 capacity.
- Comes with a 26-inch barrel that’s great for hunting.
- Includes three interchangeable choke tubes (Full, Modified, and Improved Cylinder).
- Built with a lightweight aluminum receiver and durable, lightweight black polymer furniture.
- Equipped with a high-visibility fiber optic front sight for fast and easy target acquisition.
- It is a Non-Restricted firearm in Canada.
Summing Up
There are many reasons why you’d want a semi-automatic shotgun over anything else. A semi-automatic gun:
- Softens felt recoil and makes shooting more pleasant and less tiring.
- Allows for nearly instant follow-up shots.
- Ensures a more stable sight picture.
- Provides a more fluid and intuitive shooting experience.
There is not one “best” semi-automatic shotgun, but there is a gun that’s best for you.
Your budget and intended use will narrow the field, but the final decision comes down to feel.
A great semi-auto is an investment in a more effective and comfortable shooting experience. Trust your instincts and choose the one that feels less like a tool in your hands and more like an extension of yourself.
