I’m looking for opinions, and I know my readers are not shy about sharing them. I am looking at taking advantage of Florida’s sales tax holiday for firearms. I have a chance to get a 12 gauge shotgun for less than $250, and I just want to see if it’s decent.
The one I am looking at is the GForce Arms GFY-1 12-ga. Semi-automatic Bullpup Shotgun. The shotgun is less than $250. It takes AR-12 magazines. Gunmag Warehouse has them in 2, 5, 10 round versions, as well as 20 round drums.
Does anyone know anything about this shotgun, the manufacturer, or anything else that could help me make a decision?
18 Comments
AZGunny · October 23, 2026 at 9:14 am
I sold these for a while and tried one myself. It is imperative to follow the note regarding ”
Break-in” rounds being high velocity loads. Even after 200 HV rounds, it would not reliably cycle anything other than HV rounds. The drum mags are total trash but the standard mags are ok. I was lucky to have a source for the HV rounds (LE instructor) so I didn’t go poor. I sold it and went back to a Mossberg 509A1 pump. I’m just more comfortable with its reliability and manual of arms. YMMV…
mjeff87 · October 23, 2026 at 10:46 am
No info about the specific model, but I picked up a Tokarev AR12 last year for about the same money (and it looks quite identical). Two things, it does not cycle correctly with 2-3/4″…it needs 3″ to run consistently. Also, careful inserting the mag into the magwell. Do not “slap ‘er in there” all GI Joe style, just push up on it until it clicks. It will go in too far and block the BCG otherwise.
Oh, and your shoulder isn’t going to like you very much after shooting it (alot). There aren’t many options for a different recoil pad I can find due to the shape of the butt stock. Still a fun firearm to shoot though.
Jim · October 23, 2026 at 10:07 pm
I bought a Panzer Arms EGX500 and it also requires the 3″ to cycle properly. For the price it does ok.
Saburai · October 23, 2026 at 10:48 am
No experience with the bullpup, but I’ve got 500+ through my MAC 1014 w/o issue. https://palmettostatearmory.com/military-armament-corporation-model-1014-12-gauge-semi-auto-shotgun-18-50-black-21000120.html
Sardaukar · October 23, 2026 at 12:04 pm
I’ve seen and helped a few people at the range with them. Very picky with ammo, a lot of jams, mags seem ‘delicate’. Range toy if you like to fiddle around with firearms. Definitely not something to bet your life on.
If you’re adamant about getting a bullpup shotgun, I can heartily recommend a Tavor TS12. 16 rds (no mags needed). Granted it looks like it has the ergonomics of a 2×4, but surprisingly it doesn’t. After a familiarizing session, I went through a shoot house course with it and 250rd.s later had no issues during the session. Compact for close quarters, natural POA. Enjoyed it so much Bought one a few weeks later and now have around 1,000 rds through it, no problems. Not inexpensive, but worth it IMHO. Going to be adding a Salvo 12 suppressor to it shortly.
Curtis · October 23, 2026 at 10:58 am
They are fun, but they are a range toy. I would not get one if I intended to train a lot with it, and I would be hesitant to rely on it for a defensive tool.
Tree Mike · October 23, 2026 at 11:05 am
I impulsively bought a Savage Stevens 320. I thought it was Turkish (usually good), nope, Chinese. Buyers remorse!!! Go on utube, look at reviews, Relief! Turns out it’s Great! It’s an improved clone (holds 5 instead of 4 rounds, uses Winchester mag extensions) of Winchester 1200, 1300, XSP family. It’s the fastest operating pump, because of the rotating bolt, recoil unlocking action. Early production had some issues (rumor), current production, xlnt! Mine was $143** before tax and background. I like it more than my 2, bullet proof, 52 year old, Mossberg 500s and 870.
Comes in various configurations, mine is 28″, hunting version. They also come in Turkey (camo) and 18″ tactical versions, with or without rifle sights.
TMan from TX · October 23, 2026 at 12:30 pm
Read the reviews on Grabagun.com. And it’s cheaper there. I’ve bought a lot from them over the years.
https://grabagun.com/g-force-gfy-1-semi-automatic-shotgun-12-ga-20-barrel-3-chamber-5-rounds.html
TRX · October 23, 2026 at 12:40 pm
I don’t have any experience with that particular shotgun. but Saiga-12s are extremely sensitive to which shells they will feed. Most owners who shoot them much retrofit an adjustable gas block.
The problem isn’t so much the shotguns, as the extremely wide variation between brands and loadings of shotgun shells. A single-shot or pump doesn’t care, but an AK-style gas system has to have some minimum amount of gas to work properly. Apparently, the Russian shells the Saiga was designed for were loaded very hot by American standards.
Walter · October 23, 2026 at 1:36 pm
If you want a range toy, go for it. If your wanting a shotgun for social purposes I’d stick with the tried and true mossburg, or beretta. Something that is never mentioned is the propensity of plastic shotgun shells to deform when stored in magazines thereby causing stoppages.
Jake · October 23, 2026 at 3:01 pm
I got one just for the model number. Haven’t fired it, yet.
NoveskesRock · October 23, 2026 at 3:31 pm
Drum magazines are generally a no go for me. Don’t plan to change from one drum mag to another one under stress. You have to have a dedicated bandolier for the spares – they don’t shove easily into a pocket, belt, etc. It’s okay to have it for your initial primary loadout but do plan to have a loaded stick magazine right beside it. If the drum jams switch to the stick. Drill that contingency. And drum mags are h*e*a*v*y. They mess up your ergonomic handling.
Divemedic · October 23, 2026 at 3:47 pm
If I were to get one, it would eat the 10 and 5 rounders. I don’t own a single drum magazine in any caliber, and I don’t see myself doing so.
Walt · October 23, 2026 at 6:41 pm
Be aware that there have been many reports of plastic shotgun shells deforming when stored under spring pressure of magazines causing stoppages. This has never been a problem when those same shells are stored in a standard tube magazine. With the no tax on sbs I’d seriously consider mossbergs 990 sbs. We used mossberg 590 sbs at work for a number of years and that length is amazingly useful in urban fighting. I never felt under gunned with only a five round capacity after all, each round of federal flight control is similar to a burst from an mp5 which we also used.
Leigh · October 23, 2026 at 3:54 pm
Personally, the price is too low for something I may have to bet my life on. Especially something that is semi-auto. I would be real leery of the quality. Bullpups also tend to have complicated and finicky trigger systems. If you absolutely have to have a Bullpup, Kel Tech would be the one I would go with. If for nothing else it is a pump.
I’m sure you don’t want to spend what a Benelli M4 or Beretta A300 or 1301 Tactical costs. May I suggest the Stoeger M3000 Freedom Series.
https://stoegerindustries.com/shotguns/m3000-freedom-series-tactical-shotgun
My son and I both have Stoeger M3000 Sporters we use in trap shooting. They are inertia driven – so they run clean and reliably. We have run everything from light target loads to 3″ Magnums. Though they are a little finicky with 7/8 oz target loads – anything 1oz and above runs flawlessly. A heavy-bolt kit will run the very light loads, but will have too much bolt energy for full power loads.
There is a fairly robust aftermarket for them as well. My go to’s are MOA Precision and Midwest Gunworks.
https://moaprecisionllc.com/product-category/shotgun-parts-upgrades/stoeger/stoeger-parts/
https://www.midwestgunworks.com/stoeger-m3500/parts.html
A little background on the inertia system in the Stoeger. They got sued by Benelli because they claimed they copied theirs. The courts ruled it was just enough different, that it wasn’t a copy. So, handed that loss, Benelli did the only thing they could – they bought Stoeger.
I’ve never had a failure of any kind with mine. The kid has only had an issue with the bolt not locking back with the 7/8oz loads. At that it was only a half dozen times.
Just my two cents.
Leigh
Whitehall, NY
Wild, wild west · October 24, 2026 at 1:16 pm
Find out how to disassemble for cleaning and reassemble before you buy. Some of the Turkish guns are a real bear in this regard. Voice of experience here, although not with that particular model.
Beaner49 · October 24, 2026 at 6:29 pm
If you are determined to acquire a Bullpup shotgun this outfit makes a large selection of them and I’ve been running one of their other models in our three gun matches with no problems whatsoever. Maintenance is pretty simple and they don’t seem to be jamomatics. I have probably 2,000 rounds through my gun and so far so good.
https://blackacestactical.com/product-category/shotguns/
anon · October 25, 2026 at 2:17 pm
Personally I would stick with a decent pump gun.
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