Quail coveys and September doves are the reason a gun like this exists. The Winchester SX4 Upland Field is a 20 gauge semi-auto with a 3 inch chamber, a 28 inch barrel and a four-round capacity, dressed in maple wood and a nickel finish.

Maple furniture is a step up from plain synthetic. The grain shows warm color, and the nickel-plated metal gives it a bright look that matches a nice set of boots and a brush-poppers vest. Underneath, it is the same gas-operated SX4 that the maker calls lighter, faster cycling and smoother swinging than the SX3 it replaced.

A 28 inch barrel is the classic upland length, long enough for a smooth swing and short enough to carry through broomsedge and pine edges. The 20 gauge keeps the weight and recoil down, so you can walk all afternoon and still shoot well at the end.

Nickel does need a wipe after a damp hunt, but it cleans easily. Carry open chokes for close flushes and tighter ones for the long dove shots. It ships to a North Carolina FFL dealer, where the background check is completed at pickup.