Winchester SXP Long Beard 12ga 24in Mossy Oak DNA Pump
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 6.56 lb — keeps you steady for longer holds compared to a 7.5 lb benelli.
- Invector-Plus choke system — accepts thousands of aftermarket tubes for pattern tuning.
- Inflex recoil pad — reduces felt recoil by an estimated 20-30% with 3.5-inch magnum loads.
Trade-offs
- No case included — adds $50-$100 for proper transport and storage.
- Limited sighting options — receiver not prepped for optics, forcing a gunsmith job for a red dot.
- Pistol-grip stock — can be awkward for shooters used to traditional straight-grips, affecting fast reloads.
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
The Winchester SXP Long Beard 12ga 24in Mossy Oak DNA Pump is a purpose-built, 3.5-inch-chambered turkey rig with a fiber-optic sight and an aluminum receiver for weight management. This is a tool, not a collector's piece—it's engineered for one season and one environment. After 11 years as an armorer dealing with military-grade equipment, I respect that specificity.
What is the Winchester SXP Long Beard used for?
This shotgun is optimized for turkey hunting within 40 yards, period. The Xtra Full Long Beard choke tube and 24-inch barrel are calibrated for dense, lethal patterns using specialized high-density turkey loads. It's not a waterfowl gun, a clay gun, or a home defense weapon; its utility narrows dramatically outside of a turkey blind or upland stalk.
How does the Winchester SXP Long Beard compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U?
The Long Beard is a superior dedicated hunting implement than the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U for the turkey woods. Where the Stevens 555 is a dual-purpose sporting clay and field gun with a 30-inch barrel and 3-inch chamber, the Long Beard's 3.5-inch chamber, fixed choke system, specialized fiber-optic sight, and camouflage finish make it a more effective single-purpose tool. The Stevens is better for a shooter who wants one gun for clays and occasional pheasant.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
Unloaded, this firearm weighs 6.56 pounds (2.975 kilograms) and has an overall length of 44.25 inches. The 24-inch barrel features Winchester’s Invector-Plus threading, and the synthetic stock has a 13.75-inch length of pull, which is on the shorter side for better maneuverability in heavy brush. The aluminum alloy receiver directly contributes to keeping the weight under 7 pounds, a critical factor when you're holding it at full extension for minutes at a time.
Who is this NOT for?
This is not the gun for anyone seeking a multi-role, general-purpose shotgun. If your primary use is waterfowl hunting, you’ll need a longer barrel and different choke. If you’re a trap or skeet shooter, the fixed sights and tight choke will be a liability. It’s also not for the NFA-curious; this is a Title I firearm with a 24-inch barrel, so there are no Form 1 or Form 4 considerations, unlike building an SBR from a platform like the Stevens 334 Rifle.
What's in the box?
You get the shotgun, one Invector-Plus Xtra Full Long Beard choke tube pre-installed, and an owner's manual. Winchester does not include a hard case, a standard field-style choke wrench, or additional choke tubes. Compare this to some O/U packages that include five chokes; here, you buy the tool for the job already installed. You'll need to source a choke wrench and a soft case separately, which adds $30-$50 to your initial outlay.
Is the Winchester SXP Long Beard worth it at $536.99?
At $536.99, this pump gun offers exceptional value for the serious turkey hunter. You're paying for specialized performance features—the TruGlo sight, the Inflex pad, the Mossy Oak DNA finish—not a brand premium or polished aesthetics. It is more expensive than a basic Mossberg 500 but delivers better pattern optimization out of the box for its intended target. If your season is five days long and your success hinges on one shot, this investment is justified.
Key attributes
| upc | 048702025815 |
| manufacturer | Winchester |
| manufacturer part number | 512430290 |
| action | Pump Action |
| atf type | Shotgun |
| barrel length | 24" |
| caliber/gauge | 12 Gauge |
| capacity | 4 + 1 |
| color | CAMOFLAGE |
| length | 41.7 |
| package height | 2.9 |
| package width | 9.0 |
| product type | Shotgun |
| shipping weight | 9.35 |
| sights | TruGlo Fiber-Optic Front Sight |
| sights type | Adjustable Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard Invector-Plus choke tubes?
- Yes, it uses the standard Winchester Invector-Plus choke thread pattern. This means the hundreds of aftermarket Invector-Plus tubes from brands like Carlson's, Patternmaster, or Trulock will fit, providing you have the correct wrench. The included Xtra Full tube is proprietary to Winchester's Long Beard load patterning.
- Does it fit in a standard 52-inch rifle case?
- Yes, with room to spare. With an overall length of 44.25 inches, this shotgun will fit in most standard hard or soft rifle cases designed for 52-inch internal length. Ensure the case width accommodates the pistol-grip stock, which adds approximately 3.5 inches of width compared to a traditional straight-grip stock.
- Can I return it if it doesn't fit?
- Ironclad Armory accepts returns of new, unfired firearms within 10 days of delivery, provided all original packaging and tags are present and the firearm shows no signs of handling. You are responsible for all shipping costs and must coordinate the return through an FFL. Fired firearms cannot be returned except for warranty repair.
- Does this work with a sling and a red dot sight?
- It works with a sling but not a red dot without modification. The receiver is tapped for a standard sling swivel stud on the stock. The receiver is not drilled, tapped, or railed for an optic. Mounting a red dot would require a professional gunsmith to drill and tap the receiver, a service costing approximately $100-$150.