Winchester SX4 Review

Intro/Method

Shotguns can serve many purposes. They’re often used for hunting ducks and other waterfowl, upland birds, turkeys, and even deer. And of course, plenty of folks use a shotgun strictly for shooting clays at the range.

I’ve hunted turkeys with my husband for several years now and know firsthand the value of a shotgun that shoots straight and hits where you aim. But it wasn’t until we tried our hand at snow goose hunting that I realized just how vital so many other factors are.

That experience pushed me to start asking more detailed questions when choosing a firearm. How well does the shotgun fit me? Is the weight distributed so I can quickly shoulder it and get on target? Is it heavy enough to balance well but not so heavy that it wears me out? How much recoil does it have? How easy is it to load? How does the barrel length match what I want to do with the shotgun? Does the action cycle consistently and reliably? And, most importantly, do I feel truly comfortable shooting it?

I no longer buy the “best” shotgun I can afford. Instead, I look for the one that gives me the best answers to these questions.

In this review of the Winchester SX4, I’ll walk through all of those points – and more.

Winchester SX4 Overview

The Winchester SX4 – or Super X4 – was released in 2017 and has since proven itself as a reliable, go-to option in Winchester’s lineup. In this review, I’m focusing on the standard SX4 12-gauge in black with a 28” barrel and a 3½” chamber, as that’s the model we’ve been testing.

It’s worth noting that the SX4 lineup is extensive. Winchester offers both right- and left-handed versions in 12- and 20-gauge with multiple barrel and chamber lengths. Beyond the standard configuration, there are 10 additional models tailored to waterfowl, upland, and deer hunting, as well as options for 3-gun competitions and home defense. Along with the black finish, you can choose from FDE, Woodland Camo, Mossy Oak, and Realtree patterns, so finding one that fits your needs (and style) shouldn’t be difficult.

Unfortunately, Winchester still doesn’t offer the SX4 in any subgauges. In recent years, I’ve become a big fan of carrying a 28‑gauge in the field – those guns are usually incredibly lightweight and still produce excellent patterns, even with smaller shot charges. Maybe in a future release, Winchester will expand the lineup and give us that option.

The SX4 also incorporates several upgrades over earlier generations, helping it stand out in a crowded field. Those improvements might also be part of the reason Winchester hasn’t needed to design a new semi-auto shotgun since 2017.

Winchester SX4 Features and Benefits

• Active-Valve Gas System

The Winchester Active-Valve gas system automatically adjusts and releases the exact amount of gas pressure needed to cycle a wide range of loads. In practical terms, this means the SX4 should reliably run everything from lighter 2¾” field loads up to hard-hitting 3½” magnum turkey loads without hesitation. So far, we’ve primarily shot 2 ¾” and 3″ target loads through ours, and we haven’t experienced any trouble with these loads.

Another advantage of the Active-Valve system is the placement of its vents in the distal end of the forearm. The Quadra-Vent ports redirect excess gas upward and forward, reducing blowback toward the shooter and helping keep the gun cleaner during extended use.

• Spring-Loaded Ejector

The spring-loaded ejector also helps with reliable cycling. The shell is thrown from the ejection port as soon as it clears the chamber. Because of this, any length of shell is more quickly and reliably ejected, allowing for the next shell to cycle through for your follow-up shot. With our testing, we have seen ejection and cycling to be consistent and smooth.

• Back-Bored Technology

The traditional bore size for a 12-gauge shotgun is .729″. Winchester conducted extensive research to determine whether this was truly optimal. Their testing showed that increasing the bore diameter to .742″ created a more efficient environment for the shot to travel.

According to their findings, larger bores allow too much gas to escape around the shot cup, which reduces velocity. Smaller bores, on the other hand, tend to deform pellets as they travel down the barrel, leading to poorer ballistic performance. Winchester concluded that .742″ strikes the best balance for consistent patterns and reliable velocity.

From our experience, that tracks. Both my husband and I shot several different target loads at the skeet range, and we were surprisingly accurate. Neither of us would claim to be expert clay shooters, but with the SX4, we felt like we might have a knack for it. Despite our non-professional skills, we broke more clays than we missed – and that’s saying something.

• Improved Ergonomics and Grip

Before I ever read about the advertised improvements of the Winchester SX4, I could tell immediately that this shotgun just feels different from others I’ve shot.

At 7 pounds 2 ounces, it’s light and easy to handle. The SX4 has a noticeably narrower, more compact profile, and the rounded grip gives it a comfortable, maneuverable feel. My only complaint – and this is definitely due to my tiny hands – is that the distance from the grip to the trigger is a bit long at 3½”. I can’t rest my hand where it naturally wants to be and still reach the trigger with my index finger. Instead, I have to slide my hand slightly forward, which isn’t as comfortable.

And even though I am focusing on the standard SX4, it’s worth noting that the turkey-specific version has the same grip. A future improvement in that model could include a pistol grip instead.

The forearm position, however, is perfect for me. Plus, the textured panels make shouldering the gun and maintaining a solid hold both easy and comfortable.

• Balance Point

Another fit factor we noticed immediately – even before reading anything about it – is that the SX4’s balance just feels right. As soon as you shoulder the shotgun, it’s easier to get into position, line up on target, swing through a moving clay or bird, and follow through smoothly. I’m confident that this ideal balance is a big part of why we were so accurate with the SX4.

• Adjustable LOP

Winchester also added the ability to adjust the length of pull (LOP) to help the SX4 fit a broader range of shooters. Polymer ¼” spacers can be added or removed to dial in your ideal LOP. Without any spacers installed, the LOP from the recoil pad to the trigger measures 14″. While I usually prefer a slightly shorter LOP, the SX4 still feels like a pretty good fit for me.

One downside, however, is that the SX4 doesn’t offer any drop adjustability. With all the other fit-focused improvements Winchester made, I expected that option to be included.

Still, even with the longer LOP, the extended trigger reach, and no drop adjustment, I found the SX4 easy, comfortable, and genuinely fun to shoot.

• Inflex-2 Recoil Pad

I also noticed that this 12-gauge shotgun seemed to have lighter felt recoil than other 12-gauge shotguns I’ve used, which surprised me, given how light and compact it feels. Perhaps the active-valve gas system plays a significant role, especially as gases blowing up should limit how much the barrel rises. But the Inflex-2 recoil pad also plays its part. It feels highly viscoelastic, absorbing shock well and quickly returning to its original shape, ready for the next shot.

• Further Ergonomic Improvements

The SX4 also brings several more ergonomic upgrades. The enlarged bolt handle and bolt-release button are much easier to locate and operate – especially when you’re wearing gloves. The oversized crossbolt safety is just as user-friendly, and it’s reversible, so both left- and right‑handed shooters can set it up the way they prefer.

Winchester also gave the trigger guard extra room, ensuring you can comfortably access the trigger without anything getting in the way, even on those cold‑weather hunts when bulky gloves are a must.

• Chrome-Plated Chamber and Bore

With more hunters turning to high‑density shot like tungsten and bismuth for waterfowl and turkey hunting, a shotgun must be built to handle those harder materials. The SX4’s chamber and bore are chrome‑plated, which increases surface durability and provides excellent resistance to rust and corrosion. In short, it’s designed to stand up to heavy use – and the heavier shot that comes with modern hunting.

• Drop-Out Trigger Group

Whether you’re shooting tons of loads at the skeet range or carrying your shotgun through the turkey woods or the duck wetlands, you need to keep your shotgun clean. The trigger group on the SX4 is a drop-out group, so it can be easily removed. Plus, it features a self-aligning bolt carrier link, making reinstallation easy.

• Invector-Plus Choke Tube System

Finally, the Winchester SX4 uses the Invector‑Plus choke tube system – one of the most popular and widely supported on the market. Its extended taper helps produce more consistent, denser patterns, while the engineered thread design minimizes gas leakage between the barrel and the choke. The thicker tube walls also enhance durability, making the system well‑suited for today’s demanding loads. And because Invector‑Plus is so common, you can easily find aftermarket choke tubes from just about any major manufacturer.

Winchester SX4 Specs

WHY WOULD YOU BUY?

As I mentioned at the beginning of this review, my hunt for the “perfect waterfowl shotgun” began after a conservation snow goose hunt in Missouri. If you’ve never been on one of those hunts, the idea is that you are going to shoot – and shoot a lot. The birds may come in close and make it easier for you, but in our experience, because of some icy ag fields, they stayed at the fringe of a good shooting range.

The shotgun I used was adequate, but I knew after that experience that I needed to up my game. I needed to make sure that the next hunt of this type I went on would yield a greater return.

I needed to find a shotgun that would fit me well enough to be comfortable and easy to handle. It had to be lightweight and compact enough that shouldering it and getting on target quickly was almost automatic. I also had to be able to shoot it multiple times throughout the day without it wearing me out – either from the weight of the gun or from the recoil.

I also knew I had to find a reliable shotgun. I need it to use multiple shell types and lengths, because you never know what’s going to be available, and it’s a lot cheaper and easier to practice shooting skeet than using bird loads. It needs to cycle repeatedly and consistently, and it needs to shoot well enough with a consistent enough pattern to overcome my lack of skill.

The Winchester SX4 checks most of those boxes for me, but there is still room for improvement.

I’ve given you a lot of information about the Winchester SX4, including features, upgrades, and potential future improvements. Here is a list of Pros and Cons to help you out.

PROS

• Multiple options available:
  • 12- and 20-gauge
  • 18”-28” barrels
  • 2 ¾”-3 ½” chamber options
  • Left- and Right-handed
  • Models for waterfowl, upland, turkey, and deer hunting
  • Models for home defense and 3-gun competition
  • Multiple color options, including black, FDE, Mossy Oak, Real Tree, and Woodland camo
• Adjustable length of pull
• Easy loading
• The SX4 is lightweight and compact.
• The balance point is more forward, which makes it very easy to shoulder, aim, and follow through on moving targets.
• The Active-Valve Gas system ensures perfect pressure release for increased repeatability and accuracy, regardless of shell size.
• Reliable and repeatable ejection and cycling
• The recoil pad and Active-Valve gas system significantly reduce felt recoil.
• The oversized bolt handle, bolt release button, crossbolt safety, and trigger guard make working this shotgun easy, even with thicker gloves during cold-weather hunts.
• Multiple aftermarket choke tube options are available with the Invector-Plus choke tube system.
• Swivel studs for easy use of a sling
• Fiber optic sight makes “aiming” easy
• Chrome-lated chamber and bore can withstand High-Density loads such as TSS and bismuth.
• The non-glare, matte-black finish ensures wildlife won’t spot your gun.

CONS

• No available drop adjustment.
• The length of pull is still longer than I would like, even with all of the spacers removed.
• Because of my tiny hands, the distance from the grip to the trigger is also longer than I would like, so I have to hold my hand in a more awkward position to reach the trigger.
• Not available in 28-gauge or .410.
• The Turkey-specific option does not have a pistol grip.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Even though I would like a shorter LOP, an adjustable drop, and a shorter trigger reach, I have found the Winchester SX4 to be an incredibly comfortable shotgun to shoot. It is lightweight and compact, and the balance point is ideal for easily and repeatably shouldering, aiming, shooting, and following through on your target. The recoil is very manageable, even for a lightweight 12-gauge, and I was impressed with how accurately and consistently we were able to bust moving clays at the skeet range.

In future releases, perhaps Winchester will make some of the changes I have suggested. But even if they don’t, I would still buy this shotgun in a heartbeat.