A couple of months ago, the Standard Arms  DP-12 double barrel pump shotgun showed up for a review. It is an interesting shotgun, to be sure. It is worth noting the QR code on the stock, allows you to scan it and get the instruction manual on demand.

Being a double-barrel pump shotgun, it loads both chambers with a single pump. The first pull of the trigger fires the right barrel, and the second pull fires the left barrel. A quick tug on the action and the empty shells are ejected downward behind the pistol grip, and fresh shells are loaded into the chambers.

There is a full-length Picatinny Rail along the top and plenty of M-Lok on the sides of the shotgun, allowing you to set up the shotgun for whatever role you deem it to fill. Capacity is strong with fourteen three-inch shells, 16 two and three quarter inch shells, or twenty-four mini shells. Those numbers count plus two for each chamber being loaded. For example, each tube will hold seven two and three-quarter shells and two in the chambers for a total of sixteen.

The DP-12 ships with Spreader Chokes optimized for patterning at twenty-five yards, but they can be swapped out for other chokes that use the Tru-Choke thread patterns if you see fit. Whatever way you decide, it is advisable to pattern the shotgun at several distances with whatever set up you like to be sure you are getting the desired results.

The ambidextrous pump release is in front of the trigger guard, and the ambidextrous AR-style safety is just above the pistol grip.

Range Time 

Conclusions 

The Standard Manufacturing DP-12 is a very interesting bullpup shotgun, and even if it is not your speed, you have to appreciate the R&D it takes to make something like this work and work well. Manufacturers that think outside of the box is where the next generation of firearms are conceived. In my opinion, the DP-12 would be best suited as a defensive shotgun with plenty of capacity but short enough to be wielded in tight spots; where maybe a larger shotgun would be cumbersome. With the two magazine tubes feeding two chambers, it is almost like you have your full complement of ammunition and a reload already ready. Over the two months, we ran about 400 shells through the shotgun, mostly two and three quarter seven and a half and eight-shot, but we also ran some three-inch high brass and the mini shells. There were no issues, and the only failure was when my friend Rick was running the gun, and we had a bad primer. Recovering the shell the primer was heavily dimpled but failed to go off. It is worth noting that since this is a pump-action, he was able to cycle the bad shell out and keep on keeping on, where an autoloader would have taken a bit more effort to clear. All in all, I am satisfied with the DP-12 for what it was designed to do.

Specifications 

Caliber:  12 Gauge

Overall Length:  29.5″

Weight (unloaded):  9 pounds 12 ounces

Barrels:  2 x 18 7/8”, chambered for 2 ¾” or 3″ shells

Chokes:  Both barrels include spreader choke tubes with Tru-Choke thread pattern

Capacity:  14 rounds in magazine tubes + 2 in chambers – 16 total  with indicator windows

Action:  pump action with two shots from single trigger, inline shell feeding

Material:  Machined from aircraft-grade 7075 aluminum, Thermal coated receiver

Controls:  Ambidextrous safety, ambidextrous pump slide release

Grip:  Co-Molded non-slip rubber pistol grip, composite front vertical grip

Stock:  Synthetic stock

Forend:  Composite material with slots for MOE Rails

Recoil Pad:  Rubber with dual spring shock-absorbing recoil mechanism

Sling Points:  Front sling attachment, sling swivel attachment on stock

Includes:

Two Picatinny rails for accessories; seven slot rail on the bottom by the foregrip and a 13.75″ 34 slot rail on top

Choke tube wrench

Heavy-duty lock

Instruction booklet and warranty card

Acknowledgments 

Standard Manufacturing 

Hornady

Thanks to Chris at Load N’ Make Ready for the help with the review.

By Hunter Elliott

I spent much of my youth involved with firearms and felt the call early on to the United States Marine Corps, following in my father's and his brother's footsteps. Just after high school I enlisted and felt most at home on the rifle range, where I qualified expert with several firearms and spent some time as a rifle coach to my fellow Marines. After being honorably discharged I continued teaching firearm safety, rifle and pistol marksmanship, and began teaching metallic cartridge reloading. In the late 1990s I became a life member to the National Rifle Association and worked with the Friends of the NRA. Around that time my father and I became involved with IDPA and competed together up until he passed away. I began reviewing firearms for publications in the mid 2000s and have been fortunate to make many friends in the industry. Continuing to improve my firearms skills and knowledge is a never ending journey in which we should all be committed. I am also credited as weapons master on a few independent films.

5 thoughts on “Nothing standard about the Standard Arms DP-12.”
  1. Nice review. The point of this gun escapes me. At 10lbs you won’t be lugging it around. At that price you can buy two nice quality pump shotguns. Two is better than one, imho. At a lighter weight, a “regular” shotgun will be easier to aim and shoot for many people. Still, as you noted, interesting to see what people come up with. When I first saw the picture, my immediate reaction was “it’s gotta be a keltec, wonder if it works?”

  2. Great stats and review. However, like they say, if you’re worried about the price, its not meant for you. I have this weapon and I love it. Its not like any other shotgun I have. I also have the UTAS UTS-15.

  3. If costs was an issue, I guess people would look elsewhere, but that wasn’t the point of the review. Great review. I have this weapon and the UTS-15 also. I love them both. I have the standard shotguns as well, but the Bullpups always get the attention. This is a powerful weapon. I have seen it take out large animals as well as be used for target practice. If you are considering a different type pump action shotgun, consider this one or any of the other Bullpups. They are different!!!

  4. I have this weapon and i would add that the ability to have two quick shots in succession like an automatic is awesome, but to have the reliability of a pump is also fantastic, this thing is made for close combat and although heavy it would make an excellent choice for home defense. Sure you could 4 mossburgs for the same money but they will not give you this kind of speed on the trigger and the automatics are a touch slower on the second round and a bad primer puts you in a much worse position.

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