Invented in the 18th century, the double barrel shotgun is the precursor of modern shotguns. While shotguns have a long and legendary history, the invention of the first hammerless double barrel shotguns is credited to an American Daniel Myron Lefever, or more commonly known as Uncle Dan. These shotguns have been widely used across the world, and are still in existence even after the dawn of sophisticated mechanisms.
Here we’ll delve deeper into the world of double barrel shotguns, and will learn about their relevance in current times. We will also review the best options on the market along with finding answers to some common associated queries.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Double Barrel Shotgun
- OUR TOP PICK: Mossberg Silver Reserve II Field
- RUNNER-UP: CZ-USA Hammer Coach 20" 12 Gauge
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Tristar Sporting Arms TT-15 Combo Trap
Comparison of the Best Double Barrel Shotguns
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Are All Double Barrel Shotguns The Same
Double barrel shotgun, as the name suggests, is a term used to describe a shotgun with two barrels. These barrels can be mounted parallel in the horizontal (side by side shotgun) or vertical (over/under shotgun) planes.
These shotguns are breech loading weapons and shoot different types of shotgun ammunition (birdshot, buckshot, slugs, etc) available in different calibers (8 gauge, 10 gauge, 12 gauge, 16, 20, 28 gauge, and 410 bore).
These devices may feature a double trigger or a single selective trigger. The double trigger shotgun has two triggers, each of which fires one barrel. Whereas the single trigger allows you to set which barrel fires first. Most DB shotguns these days have this trigger mechanism.
Can You Really Find a Quality Double Barrel Shotgun That’s Affordable
Before we ponder upon affordability. Let us consider why double barrel shotguns are mostly expensive. While a double barrel shotgun may seem to be a simple firearm with two barrels simply conjoined together. These shotguns are some of the most difficult and sophisticated weapons to manufacture.
The first price supporting factor is the presence of two barrels, each of which has to be meticulously designed. The second factor is the barrel configuration. Since both barrels are slightly angled and converge usually at 40 yards out. Another factor is the complex single selective trigger mechanism with some models. The other factors include wooden stocks with textures and craftwork, scrollwork and aesthetics.
Good news though, there are plenty of well built options within reasonable budgets! You can and will find a quality product at an affordable price as you scour within the list of shotguns reviewed further in this guide.
What Makes a Great Double Barrel Shotgun
Ergonomics
While double barrel shotguns are indeed classic weapons, they have a very basic design. A shotgun can have a pistol style grip, raised comb and texturing on the forend and grip to offer shooting comfort. These generally have wood stocks with impeccable finish. So good ergonomics plays an important part. Additionally, the weight and length balance is also a notable factor.
Adjustability and Customizability (Design)
While double barrel shotguns are generally not intended to be tactical weapons. Having some level of adjustability and customizability won’t hurt. Such a shotgun must be compatible with a range of chokes. Plus having some adjustable features(LOP, cheek weld) and space for adding accessories(recoil pad, sling) is also a good factor.
Trigger Mechanism
While this an absolute matter of personal preference. A DB shotgun with a selective trigger is often a good trait. However, double trigger shotguns are equally useful and effective in their own wake.
Aesthetics
Double barrel shotguns are not something you’ll find in every gun owner’s safe. Plus, they have a sort of class and opulence attached with them. A good chunk of the price you pay for high end double barrel shotguns is associated with the impeccable scrollwork and aesthetic craft. However, you should also take durability as an equal factor.
Review of the Best Double Barrel Shotguns
A double barrel shotgun can be classified as an over/under or side by side. However, each of them has their own importance and usefulness in specific situations. Here we have handpicked and reviewed some of the best choices on the market, suitable for specific applications.
Best Overall:
Mossberg Silver Reserve II Field
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Users appreciate the aesthetics and reliability of this O/U shotgun. It works flawlessly even through thousands of rounds. The price and impeccable functionality are the two most appreciated features. However, some users reported the break to be stiff initially. Rest other is individual feedback.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Mossberg Silver Reserve II is the perfect mix of apt pricing, reliable function, prompt customer service and good aesthetics. This shotgun is chambered for 20 gauge magnum shotshells, making it a great choice for both men, women and young shooters. Additionally, the weapon features an appropriate weight for convenient handling and mitigating recoil.
Who Will Use This Most
This shotgun from Mossberg is perfect for hunting upland birds and informal sporting clays. The safety isn’t automatic, making it suitable for hunters who like to handle the safety on their own. The vent rib barrel assists with maintaining proper sight picture and in turn the accuracy.
Bottom Line
Given its price and performance, the Mossberg Silver Reserve II is the best overall double barrel shotgun for every purpose a DB shotgun can serve. The gun is quite compact for quick maneuvering and suiting different body profiles. Plus the flawless performance makes it a reliable option.
Runner-up:
CZ-USA Hammer Coach 20"" 12 Gauge
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers of this CZ hammer coach gun seem baffled by its quality, fit, finish and performance. The ergonomics and tolerances of this gun are immaculately flawless. The checkering on the stock is amazing, and the gun offers the best value for its price. The compact design and ammo variability is also an appreciable factor for many.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The CZ hammer coach gun features perfect quality and finish for a double-barrel shotgun. The double trigger design allows you to shoot two different loads at the same time or consecutively. The compact size makes swinging and maneuvering easier for appropriate situations. Given its function and price, the gun is a viable alternative to more expensive options.
Who Will Use This Most
This side by side double barrel shotgun is ideal for cowboy action shooting competitions, home-defense and as a scrub gun for hunting rabbits, boars or other game found in marshy areas. Additionally, the gun is also a viable addition to a collector’s assortment of firearms.
Bottom Line
The CZ hammer coach gun is a short, maneuverable and powerful double-barrel shotgun with double triggers for improved versatility. It is a viable weapon for hunting and even self-defense if the need arises. The features of this shotgun exceedingly justify its price and make it a good alternative to expensive shotguns.
Best for the Money:
Tristar Sporting Arms TT-15 Combo Trap
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Almost all users shooting this gun seem pleased with its performance. One thing most commonly pointed out by buyers is the value-for-money offered by this shotgun. Even after being loaded with so many features, the gun still priced at a decent and comprehensible point.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The gun is by far the best clay shooting option on the list. The combo offers you to change the barrels as and when needed. Plus the adjustable feature and inclusion of a variety of chokes make it suitable for almost every sporting situation. Given all that, the price of this gun is just incomparable.
Who Will Use This Most
The TT-15 double-barrel shotgun combo has been specifically designed for shooting sports. Which includes trap, skeet, and sporting clays. The adjustable design, unsingle barrel, and overall features allow the shooter to customize it to the most minuscule of detail. Giving an edge over fellow competitors.
Bottom Line
The TT-15 combo is a value for money double-barrel shotgun. It is fully adjustable and allows you to reduce the weight by switching to the unsingle barrel. The shotgun is ideal for sporting clays and allows the user to make appropriate customizations. A must-have shotgun for a shooter into clays.
Best Tactical Double Barrel Shotgun:
Savage Arms Stevens 555 Compact
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The gun has quite a lot of mixed reviews from buyers. Although most users mention the gun to be very lightweight, compact and easy to maintain & clean. The gun shoots flawlessly and is great for hunting and defense. However, some users reported simultaneous firing of both barrels with a single pull (which is indeed a result of not opening the breech fully).
Why it Stands Out to Us
For a tactical and maneuverable weapon, this shotgun is exceptionally lightweight and compact. It has a single selective trigger and five interchangeable chokes to give you the most out of it. It’s an inexpensive, easy-to-maintain double barrel shotgun that won’t burn a hole through your wallet.
Who Will Use This Most
The Model 555 is great for hunting upland birds and home defense. The choke customization, selective trigger and easy swing helps with maneuvering and effective range. This is a great entry level gun and given its size and weight, the gun is also quite suitable for youngsters, women and people with a smaller body build.
Bottom Line
The Stevens 555 double barrel shotgun is a compact and inexpensive weapon ideal for the budget buyer. The gun is perfect for close range bird hunting and home defense due to its lightweight, size and caliber. It can also be used for shooting sports. Especially for acquainting new learners with such sports.
Best 410 Double Barrel Shotgun:
Chiappa Firearms 536 26"" 410 Gauge
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The Chiappa 536 is indeed a gun with limited sales and customer reviews on the market. However, most users who have bought this gun were impressed by the simplicity and reliable function. The gun has absolutely zero functional flaws and is dead-on accurate within its effective range.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This shotgun features a side by side design with a single selective trigger and a set of five chokes for different applications. The shotgun features a rather simple yet impressive design, and is chambered for 3” shotshells for maximum versatility. The gun is also quite lightweight which adds to the notable features.
Who Will Use This Most
The gun is ideal for hunters using 410 gauge shotguns for hunting small game and pest control. It can even bring down a deer sized game with proper shot placement. However, that is legally disallowed in several states. The gun can also be used for sports and occasional shooting for experiencing retro firearms.
Bottom Line
The Chiappa 536 is a side by side option with a classic design and single selective trigger. Complimented by an array of interchangeable chokes for versatile applications. The gun itself is very lightweight and works flawlessly through hundreds of rounds on the field.
Best 20 Gauge Double Barrel Shotgun:
Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon is the epitome of double barreled over/under shotguns when speaking relatively. Users of this shotgun are enchantingly impressed by the flawless function, finish and accuracy. This sporter variant is compact and low profile which serves its intended purpose really well.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The 686 silver pigeon is the least expensive O/U shotgun offered by the renowned Beretta, without any compromise with performance or quality. The shotgun offers the perfect balance among durability, aesthetics and performance. It has a wider rib, no auto safety and ensures reliability.
Who Will Use This Most
The gun has been intentionally designed for sporting applications. However, you can also use it for hunting in a limited capacity. The shotgun is also a dependable and amazing option to teach amateur shooters the basics of handling shotguns and related activities.
Bottom Line
The reputation of Beretta shotguns precedes themselves. This shotgun is the closest a budget buyer can get to the impressive line of Beretta double barrel shotguns. It will allow you to experience the thrill and adventure of shooting a meticulously designed, high quality shotgun. While letting you hone your shooting skills.
Cautious Considerations to Keep in Mind
Trigger
Pre-determine the type of trigger you want. While a double trigger is often more reliable, versatile and useful for self defense engagements. Single selective trigger has its own benefits on the playground.
Intended Application
Consider the intended applications of the shotgun before you buy. Since shotguns used for hunting should offer a good mix between length and weight. Shotguns for home defense should be compact and maneuverable. Whereas those for clay sports have to be long and preferably with some adjustable feature. Also take note of the gauge plus shell size.
Ejector/Extractor
While an extractor allows you to collect the spent shells with ease. Thus helping in keeping the shooting area clean. Ejectors are good for shooting sports and situations where reloading speed matters. But eventually, it’s personal preference.
Over Under or SxS
While over-under shotguns are a nick more accurate, balanced and swingable than side by side’s. Due to the low recoil and flip. That’s why you always see O/U’s in competitions. Side by side’s are more useful as ‘field guns’. Eventually, each has their own place.
Warranty and Customer Support
Check out for the after-sales support and warranty a company has to offer. More renowned companies tend to offer better customer support. But you must always check it beforehand.
Conclusion
A double barrel shotgun is a reliable and deadly weapon, especially at close range. It allows the user to diversify the use of chokes with a single weapon. While over-under shotguns are extensively used for sports, side by side shotguns are good for hunting and home defense. Although, you must consider factors like trigger, ergonomics, and your budget before buying one.
People Also Ask
Double barrel shotguns are not very common since most shooters are obsessed with more ‘tacti-cool’ platforms these days. Which is why they attract a lot of questions from prospective buyers. Let’s try answering a few of them here:
Is a Double Barrel Shotgun Good For Home Defense?
It’s similar to asking if a longsword was good for fighting a battle. A double barrel shotgun is definitely good for home defense, but with some limitations. While they allow you to use specific chokes for each barrel for long and close range shots. Their capacity can be a deterring factor for apprehensive fumblers. Plus an armed intruder will always have a gun with capacity more than yours. DB shotguns have been extensively used for home defense for decades, and they’re still as good, even if not appropriately relevant for some situations.
What is a Double Barrel Shotgun Used For?
The over/under type shotguns are extensively used for skeet shooting, trap shooting and sporting clays competitions. Whereas side by side double barrel shotguns are used for hunting and even home defense(as they have been since their very invention).
Do Double Barrel Shotguns Shoot Twice?
Yes. A double barrel shotgun with a single trigger will fire only through one barrel with a single pull(depending upon the set order of barrels). Such a shotgun with a double trigger can fire through both the barrels at once if both the triggers are pulled at the same time.
How Does a Double Barrel Shotgun Trigger Work?
Such shotguns can have either of the two types of triggers. The double trigger DB shotgun has two triggers. Each of which fires the shell in one barrel when pulled. Whereas, the single trigger when pulled fires the shell in one barrel, and then switches behind the firing pin of the other barrel. However, the order can be adjusted.
Is a Double-Barrel Shotgun Considered Semi Automatic?
No. By definition, a semi-automatic gun refers to a firearm that automatically chambers the subsequent cartridge after firing. However, that’s absolutely not the case with double-barrel shotguns. Since loading and unloading of shells is totally manual.
How Many Shells Can a Double-Barrel Shotgun Hold?
These guns hold two shells - one per barrel. There also are some out-of-the-box designs which have a higher capacity. But they aren’t very common. A regular DB shotgun is a breech loading weapon requiring manual feeding.
Who Made the First Double Barrel Shotgun?
The double barrel side-by-side “muzzle loaded” shotgun was invented in the 18th century in England. However, modern breech-loaded double barrel shotguns with boxlock action were invented in 1875. These were widely used by the U.S Cavalry back then. Daniel Myron LeFever is credited with the invention of the American hammerless shotgun in 1878.
How Many Triggers Does a Double Barrel Shotgun Have?
A double barrel shotgun can either have two triggers or a single trigger(which can also be selective). Double triggers operate the ignition for one barrel on each side. Whereas a single trigger fires both of them one by one in set order. A single selective trigger allows you to set which barrel will fire first.
