Side-by-Side Shotguns

Side-by-Side vs. Over/Under: Which Double Barrel Is Right for You?

The side-by-side and over/under are both double barrel shotguns but serve different primary audiences. The SxS is the traditional American upland hunting configuration — lighter, with a lower profile and sighting plane, and historically associated with field use in brush and cover. The over/under is the dominant sporting clays and trap configuration — its single sighting plane is easier to track a moving target with consistently. For upland hunting and cowboy action shooting, the SxS is the authentic and practical choice. For sporting clays, trap, and skeet, the over/under is preferred. For both in one shotgun, many shooters own one of each. For over/under options, see our over/under shotguns page.

CZ Bobwhite and Ringneck: Value SxS Options

CZ produces some of the most value-oriented SxS shotguns available. The Bobwhite features fixed chokes and a classic English straight grip — the traditional upland configuration at an accessible price. The Ringneck adds extractors and a splinter forend for a more refined feel. The CZ Hammer Classic adds exposed hammers for the most traditional aesthetic — visually identical to 19th-century doubles, with the safety of modern manufacturing. For hunters who want a functional, attractive SxS for upland hunting without spending premium prices on a European import, CZ's SxS lineup represents strong value.

Stoeger Coach Gun: American Heritage in a Working SxS

The Stoeger Coach Gun is a short-barreled (20-inch) side-by-side that reproduces the stagecoach guns of the American frontier era. Popular for cowboy action shooting and as a compact home defense shotgun with historical character. Available in standard and Supreme grades with extractors or ejectors, the Coach Gun provides reliable function at accessible pricing. The short barrel makes it maneuverable in tight spaces. For SASS cowboy action shooters, the Stoeger Coach Gun is one of the most commonly used SxS competition shotguns at the club level. See our cowboy action shooting guide for SASS-specific recommendations.

Upland Hunting with a Side-by-Side

The SxS excels as a field gun for upland hunting — pheasant, quail, grouse, and woodcock — where its light weight, quick handling, and two-shot capability without complex mechanics match the demands of walking birds in cover. Typical upland SxS configurations use 26 or 28-inch barrels with improved cylinder and modified choke combinations, optimized for flushing birds inside 35 yards. The straight English grip, lighter than most semi-auto shotgun stocks, promotes a natural mount and consistent swing. For bird hunters who want a lighter, more traditional field experience than a semi-auto provides, the SxS is a compelling option.

SxS for Home Defense

The short-barreled coach gun configuration has practical merit for home defense — two shots of 12-gauge buckshot are immediately available without cycling, and the break-action design is the simplest manual of arms of any shotgun. Loading and unloading are visually obvious. For a home defense shotgun that family members with limited firearms experience may need to operate, the simplicity of a break-action SxS is genuinely valuable. The primary tradeoff is limited capacity (two shots) versus a pump or semi-auto. For home defense, see our full home defense guns guide for broader options.

Premium SxS: Caesar Guerini, Browning, and Winchester

At the upper end, European-made SxS shotguns from Caesar Guerini, Beretta, and imported doubles from Winchester's Japanese-manufactured line deliver premium fit, finish, and trigger quality for serious upland hunters and collectors. The Browning BSS and similar premium doubles command prices from $2,000 to $10,000+ depending on grade, wood quality, and engraving. For a working gun that will last a lifetime of hunting seasons, a mid-range CZ or imported Turkish double at $600–$1,000 delivers most of the field performance at a fraction of the cost.

Gauge Selection: 12, 20, and .410

SxS shotguns are available in 12, 20, 28, and .410 bore. The 12 gauge is the most versatile — the widest selection of loads for any shooting application. The 20 gauge is meaningfully lighter than a 12 gauge SxS and is well-matched to upland hunting where you'll carry the gun all day; it sacrifices some pattern density but is very effective on upland birds inside 30 yards. The 28 gauge has a devoted upland following for its light recoil and pleasant handling characteristics — most frequently found at the premium end of the market. The .410 is primarily a specialty bore for squirrel hunting and youth shooters. See our .410 shotguns and 20 gauge shotguns pages.

Shop Side-by-Side Shotguns at Impact Guns

Browse the full side-by-side shotgun selection at Impact Guns. For over/under doubles, see our over/under shotguns page. For other hunting shotguns, see semi-auto shotguns and pump shotguns. For cowboy action, see our SASS guide.