Hunters on the Outer Banks and the Pamlico Sound know that salt air eats guns. The Winchester SX4 Waterfowl is built for that fight. It is a 12 gauge with a 26 inch barrel, a four-round capacity and a Realtree camouflage finish.

The gas-operated action cycles a wide range of loads, from light to heavy waterfowl shells. Recoil is moderate, which lets you stay on the second and third birds. A 26 inch barrel moves quickly in a blind and keeps the gun short enough for tight spots. A little practice every month beats a long session once a year.

Camouflage covers the stock and forend, and finishes resist moisture. Even so, wipe the gun down after every wet hunt, and keep a coat of oil on the exposed metal. Use steel shot or other approved non-toxic loads for waterfowl.

For ducks along the sounds, geese on the farm ponds and flooded timber in the east, a semi-auto 12 gauge like this is a standard tool. It ships to a North Carolina FFL dealer, where the background check is completed at pickup.