First Look: Umarex Primal 20, a 20-Gauge Airgun

This new big-bore airgun will fire up to five 20-gauge projectiles in a single charge
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The new Umarex Primal 20 gauge airgun.
The new Umarex Primal 20 is an airgun that can fire any 20-gauge projectile. Tanner Denton

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Why, you might wonder, does this 20-gauge airgun from Umarex exist? The best answer we got at SHOT Show 2022 was, “Why not?” It wasn’t until we started shooting the Umarex Primal 20 that we started to see potential applications for the airgun. The Primal 20 is a little unwieldy, sure, but it’s quiet, has minimal recoil, and would work just fine for suburban deer hunting, hog control, and shooting pesky squirrels while you’re waiting on a buck to show. Just swap your slug for birdshot, and you’ve got a relatively quiet solution for critter control in the deer woods.

Umarex Primal 20 Specs and Features

  • 20 Gauge
  • Two-shot design
  • Invector Rifled Choke
  • Push Safety
  • On-Board Air Tank Pressurizes at 4,000 PSI
  • 24 Cubic Inch Air Tank
  • Fills via Foster Quick Fill Port
  • Fully Ambidextrous Design
  • Drop Safety
  • Sling Stud Compatible
  • Integrated Picatinny Rail
  • Shoots 395 Grain Slugs at 700 FPS
  • Ability to Safely Decock
  • Cocked Bolt Indicator
  • All-Weather Polymer Stock
  • MSRP: $649.99 

Read Next: New Shotguns of SHOT Show 2025

When fully charged, the Umarex Primal 20 has a 4- to 5-shot capacity. The 2-shot magazine simply slides back and forth across the bore, and will accommodate any 20-gauge projectile. The controls are ambidextrous, and it’s easy to switch the charging handle from one side to the other.

Video by Tanner Denton

Andrew McKean Avatar

Andrew McKean

Hunting and Conservation Editor

Andrew McKean is Outdoor Life’s hunting and conservation editor, drilling into issues that affect wildlife, wildlands, and the people who care about them. He’s also OL’s optics editor, helping readers to make informed buying decisions.

Natalie Krebs Avatar

Natalie Krebs

Executive Editor

Natalie Krebs is the Executive Editor of Outdoor Life, where she tackles everything from reporting digital features to producing podcast episodes. Originally from Missouri, she currently lives in northwest Arkansas with her bird dog, Hatchet.