This decade has been good to airsoft shotguns. Always an afterthought in the purchasing decisions of airsoft players, airsoft shotguns were mainly more of a novelty rather than something serious for airsoft players to use in the field in the past. But this decade, we have seen the airsoft shotgun from the lowly springer airsoft gun into something that can bring serious firepower into any airsoft gun. Thanks to two companies that have led the charge into improving airsoft shotguns.

One is APS, with its CAM870 CO2 powered airsoft shotgun. Introduced in 2014, it is the most realistic operation airsoft shotgun and is preferred by 3-Gun Nation airsoft shooters. The other is of course, Tokyo Marui. When they released their new Gas Shotgun tech in the form of the M870 Tactical, it was an amazing performer, with a selection of 3 to 6 shots when firing it, and the range is of course like having an airsoft sniper rifle. This is available into the Marui M870 Gas Series as well as the KSG Gas Shotgun. The same tech is now being replicated into other airsoft manufacturer’s airsoft shotguns.

But one big development in airsoft shotguns is that we finally get to have an electric powered airsoft shotgun, the Automatic Electric Shotgun (AES). Developed by Tokyo Marui, it was first put into the AA-12 AES then followed up by the newly released SGR-12 AES (similar to the soon to be released Resident Evil Thor’s Hammer also made by Tokyo Marui). With three barrels and fire in full auto, the AES is a menace in the field. Now, if we have more real world shotguns that can also use the AES when they get replicated in airsoft, then more choices in airsoft shotguns. I have to admit, the Remington M870 airsoft shotguns are getting boring.

Perhaps the SKO 12-gauge Semi-Automatic Shotgun from Standard Manufacturing Co. LLC. can be a candidate for the AES.

It is a new release from Standard Manufacturing, known for their DP-12 shotgun double barrel pump shotgun series. It is a rather a very unique looking shotgun and at first glance your first impression is that it s the G36 of shotguns.

The SKO accepts 2 ¾” and 3” shells and can be fed with magazines up with capacities of up to 10 shells and a 25-shell drum magazine.  In short, it has features seen in the AA-12 which is also magazine fed. The AES technology of Tokyo Marui was developed for magazine fed shotgun designs.

What we like is the build material of the SKO as the upper receiver from a machined 7075 aircraft grade aluminum billet; with the lowere receiver machined from a forging of 7075. We do not know if say, Tokyo Marui, if it would they would the SKO design, would also resort to using the 7075 as material for the airsoft version. The long protruding tube is the 18 7/8-inch barrel and it also has a 22-inch rail mount for weapons accessories such as optics, lasers, and weapon lights. As for the rear part it has a 6-position adjustable stock.

The SKO is on a limited production for now Standard Manufacturing is selling it for US$1,100 as the retail price.

Now, let’s see if Tokyo Marui would want to put their AES tech on an airsoft version of the SKO.