Single Shot Shotguns

Why Choose a Single-Shot Shotgun?

The single-shot break-action is mechanically simple enough that there is almost nothing to go wrong. One barrel, one chamber, a hinge, and an extractor — that’s the entire mechanism. This simplicity makes it the right choice for new shooters learning firearms handling, for youth hunters using a first gun, and for farm and property owners who want a reliable utility firearm that will function after years in a barn. The break-action also provides an immediately and visibly safe condition when open — ideal for teaching firearm safety. Single-shots are among the most affordable shotguns available, often under $200 new.

Single-Shot Gauges: 12ga vs. 20ga vs. .410

The 12 gauge is the most powerful and most versatile option — the widest selection of loads from birdshot to slugs, and the choice for home defense and deer hunting. 20 gauge offers meaningful recoil reduction vs. 12 gauge while remaining effective for upland birds, small game, and deer with slugs — the most popular choice for youth and recoil-sensitive shooters. The .410 bore is the smallest and lightest option, popular for squirrel and small game hunting and for very young or recoil-sensitive shooters. For a first shotgun, 20 gauge is the practical recommendation — effective for virtually any small to medium game, with recoil manageable for most ages.

H&R and Rossi: The Dominant Single-Shot Brands

H&R (Harrington & Richardson) and Rossi dominate the single-shot shotgun market with decades of proven production. H&R’s Pardner series is the benchmark — simple, durable, and available in every gauge. Rossi’s single-shot shotguns offer similar quality with a slightly different stock profile. Both brands are known for reliability that outlasts their modest price points. The interchangeable barrel systems on some H&R models allow switching between gauges or between shotgun and rifle barrels, making them versatile platforms for hunters who want multiple options from one receiver.

Single-Shot Shotguns for Home Defense: Limitations and Considerations

While not the first choice for home defense, a single-shot shotgun loaded with buckshot is a legitimate defensive tool at close range. The limitation is obvious: one shot requires immediate reloading if a follow-up is needed. Some shooters carry extra shells between the fingers of their support hand for a practiced quick reload. The advantages are simplicity — no safeties to forget under stress, no action to cycle — and the undeniable effectiveness of a 12 gauge buckshot load at room distances. For home defense as a primary tool, a pump-action like the Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 is a better choice, but a single-shot beats nothing.

Youth Shotguns: Sizing for Young Shooters

Single-shot shotguns are the most common first gun for young hunters because they are light, simple, and available with shortened stocks sized for youth dimensions. A standard adult stock has a 14″ length of pull; youth stocks run 12–13″ to fit smaller frames. Proper fit is critical for recoil management and accurate shooting — a stock that’s too long pushes the young shooter off balance under recoil. For a child under 12, a .410 or 20 gauge with a youth stock is the right starting point. For teenagers, a 20 gauge in an adult stock is appropriate for most builds.

Single-Shot Shotguns & Related Pages

For pump-action shotguns with more capacity, see our Mossberg 500 and Remington 870 pages. For the full shotgun gauge selection, see our 12 gauge, 20 gauge, and .410 gauge shotgun pages. For short-barrel shotgun options, see our short barrel page.