A side by side shotgun is the earliest form of modern long guns after the invention of the primer cartridge.
These shotguns can have exceptionally humongous collectible and monetary value depending upon their design and year of manufacture. These shotguns gained popularity as hunting guns and โcoach gunsโ used for defense back in the day.
Not everybody buys an SxS shotgun multiple times. And if youโre doing it once, better do it right with the right knowledge. Which will also help you save some money and pick the right pick for your needs. Check out this comprehensive review of the best side by side shotguns to decide on your pick.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Side By Side Shotgun
- Best Side by Side Shotgun Under $500: Stoeger Coach Side-by-Side Shotgun
Comparison of the Best Side By Side Shotguns
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What to Watch For When Buying a Side By Side Shotgun
Check out some important factors to look at when choosing a side by side shotgun.
Sidelock or Boxlock
Youโll also have the option of choosing between sidelock and boxlock action. The former is a more complex and meticulous trigger mechanism that costs more and requires gunsmithing skills. Plus, they also have more collectible value due to the meticulous craftsmanship involved. The latter is comparatively cheaper and a very simple mechanism. More like a workhorse gun.
Another factor to look out for is an exposed or concealed hammer. Boxlocks will always have a concealed hammer. Exposed hammers are simpler but prone to snagging. Concealed hammers are also good, especially with the safety mechanism.
Single or Double Trigger
SxS shotguns can have double triggers (one for each barrel) or a single trigger that may or may not have a barrel selector. Double triggers also allow you to fire both barrels at once if needed. Plus, selecting the barrel to fire quickly if you are using different chokes on each.
Photo credit: shootingtimes.com
Ejector or Extractor
An extractor requires the user to pull out the spent cases manually after firing shots. An ejector pops out the spent cases as the action is opened. Making it simpler and quicker for reloading in a jiffy. Either way, itโs your personal preference.
Fixed or Removable Choke
Many side by side shotguns come with fixed chokes, limiting the patterning adjustments. If your SxS shotgun is limited to some specific uses or is just a collectible item. A fixed choke wonโt bother. But having the capability of switching chokes makes the shotgun more versatile. Additionally, the barrel length can also be a consideration here.
Associated Costs
SxS shotguns can be very expensive. In fact, these are one of the most expensive firearms to own if you talk about collectible value. If you go for a more intricately designed shotgun with good aesthetics and a complex mechanism. It will add up the maintenance and gunsmithing costs.
However, there are still many affordable SxS options suitable for occasional or workhorse use. Especially those imported from Turkey and Russia.
Review of the Best Side By Side Shotguns
Compiling the best side by side shotguns on a small list is nearly impossible. There are models that have attained excellence in craftsmanship and class and can cost more than a Tesla in price. Our list includes some of the most popular, easily available, and affordable models that can be bought practically.
Best Side by Side Shotgun under $500:
Stoeger Coach Side-by-Side Shotgun
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
A well built, compact, sturdy, and reliable shotgun that is perfect for hunting and close-quarter encounters. Consider adding a limbsaver pad to mitigate the heavy recoil. The gun can withstand a lot of beating and still continue to function perfectly.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The first factor for including this gun on our list is its low price. It is very rare to find a good sxs as this gun at such a price. The shotgun is very well built and compact enough to maneuver in close quarters. This is a great versatile shotgun that can be used for almost every shotgun application except for dedicated clay shooting and waterfowl.
The gun is very easy to clean and you wonโt fret if it catches a scratch on the stock. It has fixed IC/Modified chokes which do limit its application. But the gun is still very deadly and accurate for about 30-35 yards. You can also consider using it as a home defense shotgun.
Bottom Line
The Stoeger Coach gun is a compact and versatile shotgun capable of being used as a hunting and home defense weapon. It used to cost less than $500 before Covid, but the price doesn't go much beyond the 500 mark. The gun is very affordable and easy to maintain. It can be a great first-gun for people who are just starting with sxs shotguns.
2. CZ-USA Hammer Classic 30" 12 Gauge
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
This gun is hands down the best bang for your buck. The finish and fit of the gun are just perfect, and it works great as a field and target gun. The gun shoots well and is very easy to handle. However, almost every user recommended getting a good recoil pad since the buttpad is steel and the recoil will start hurting after a few shots.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The CZ-USA Hammer classic side by side shotgun is an amazingly affordable sidelock action shotgun (without debating about sidelocks guns being expensive) you can find on the market today. The long 30โ inch barrel is sufficient for taking down birds and clays at the field. Which is certainly what this shotgun is used for the most. The eloquent scrollwork is what you find on expensive shotguns, and the stock wood is at least grade III.
The gun comes with 5 screw-in interchangeable choke tubes and has a very good swing. It has dual triggers and exposed hammers to give you that classic feel and function.
Bottom Line
The Hammer Classic is an affordable sxs shotgun with an impeccably reliable action and mechanism. Thereโs no shotgun that can surpass its quality in its class. If cared for properly, you can rest assured about passing it down to your grandchildren.
3. Browning Side-By-Side (BSS)
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The Browning BSS went out of production in 1983, and what can be bought today are the ones on resale. This gun is built like a tank and will seldom jam if it has been cared for properly. The gun is just 6.4 lbs in weight and very easy to carry and maintain.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Browning BSS is a very rare find these days. Even the one included in this list is a used shotgun but in a very good condition. These are great pheasant and upland bird hunting shotguns with a 26-inch barrel to provide optimal swing and accuracy. The BSS is super tough and will withstand even the most unforgiving conditions.
This specific model can also be used for sporting clays if needed. Being a resale weapon, the gun has some very minor cosmetic drawbacks. But it is still a very rare and collectible gun to last for generations.
Bottom Line
The BSS, now not in production, is still a very sought after side by side shotgun. It offers the quality and shooting experience of a very high-end expensive shotgun while bearing a reasonable price tag for serious buyers. Additionally, the gun was made in Japan, so build quality is not a question here.
Best 20 Gauge Side by Side Shotgun:
Dickinson Arms ST Estate 28"" 20/28 Gauge
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Handling this 28โ long shotgun is very easy and quick. The gun itself is very light and the recoil is minimal. The shotgun features an ergonomic stock which often requires coating with linseed oil for longevity. The trigger is crisp and the gun performs perfectly in all mechanical respects.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Dickinson Estate sxs shotgun is a masterpiece. With detailed scrollwork, an ergonomic English stock, long barrel, and single selective trigger. This shotgun is perfect for brushing quail, pheasant, chukar and other upland game with lead. The barrel is chromed to allow using steel shots. Plus the gun is covered by a lifetime warranty for any defects.
The 3โ chamber eats up all loads fed and the automatic ejectors allow for quick reloading of shells. The rounded receiver is easy to handle and the gun is very lightweight.
Bottom Line
The Dickinson Estate is an extremely attractive and accurate 20 gauge sxs shotgun, covered by a lifetime warranty by the manufacturer. It will be a delight to own this shotgun, especially while hunting birds or shooting clays in the sky.
Best 410 Side by Side Shotgun:
CZ-USA Sharp-Tail 28" 410 Gauge
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
This is a sharp-looking shotgun with outstanding aesthetics, impressive fit, and flawless action. Shouldering the gun feels very well and it breaks open without effort. The trigger pull is hard initially but will loosen up with time. The single trigger does cause a delay in the second shot, but that can be overcome with practice.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The CZ-USA Sharp Tail has everything you can ask from a side by side 410 bore shotgun. It is lightweight, accurate, swings perfectly, and doesnโt require maintenance. The gun has a 14.5-inch pull and doesnโt fall short on aesthetics than similarly priced 12 or 20 gauge shotguns. The chrome-lined bores accept steel shots and the raised rib improves target acquisition.
Being a .410 bore, this shotgun is suitable for varmints and small birds. The long barrel does help with accuracy and swing, but the power of a .410 is still limited. The gun is very easy to carry around and requires little maintenance than other expensive models.
Bottom Line
With a good reputation in the 20 gauge, the Sharp-tail is the best .410 bore side by side shotgun you can find on the market. The single selective trigger may require some adherence, but the gun will be a useful weapon overall.
6. Taylor's & Co. CZ 1878 Coach Gun
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The fit and finish of the gun are excellent. Making many people experience the class of Victorian-era guns. The packaging of this gun is very impressive and the gun itself shoots perfectly at a close range. The chambers are thick to handle hot loads. Plus, the gun will loosen up after a few sessions.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The CZ 1878 is a replica of the Victorian era coach guns. The classy mule-ear rebounding hammers and double triggers with detailed engravings and a shiny walnut stock make the gun look exceedingly admirable. With a short 20 inch barrel, this shotgun is great for sporting clays and hunting small game and birds.
The gun features inertia firing pins and handles any 12 gauge loads up to 3โ in shell length. While the non-acceptance of choke tubes will limit the applications of this shotgun to some extent. It is a perfect gun for purposes it can serve.
Bottom Line
The CZ 1878 is a great sxs shotgun for casual hunting, cowboy shooting, small game, and even home defense. The compact design is easily maneuverable and the gun has a classy feel to it.
What is a Side By Side Shotgun?
As the name indicates, a side by side is a shotgun with two barrels aligned horizontally parallel to each other. A big advantage of having two barrels is that each of the barrels can have a different choke for close or ranged shots. These shotguns have a maximum capacity of two shells and have a very simple and reliable operating mechanism due to the lesser number of internal parts.
Side by side shotguns became extremely popular in the wild west as coach guns and were used for guarding train coaches and wagons against bandits, due to their wide patterning capabilities on a short-range. These guns have also been used widely for hunting. Some high-end models featuring a meticulous design are a great collectible these days and can cost around hundreds of thousands of dollars in price.
Photo credit: shootinguk.co.uk
How Does a Side By Side Shotgun Work?
The mechanism of a side by side shotgun is pretty simple. You grab two shotgun shells and push them manually inside each barrel. Locking the barrel back in place automatically cocks the action (if itโs a non-exposed hammer design). Some of these shotguns feature double triggers (one of each barrel), whereas some have a single selective trigger to choose which barrel fires first. The shot from the two barrels usually converges at 40 yards, which is the range up to which these guns are very accurate.
Each of these barrels can have a different choke if needed. Plus, double trigger models also allow you to fire both barrels at once by pulling both the triggers at the same time. The gun can have an extractor or ejector for pulling out spent shells.
What to Look For When Buying a Side By Side Shotgun
Side by side shotguns are a long term investment. So there are certain factors you should keep an eye out for when buying such a weapon. Letโs discuss them in detail.
Trigger
SxS shotguns can either have a double trigger or a single selective trigger. While specially designed SS triggers can automatically switch to the next round even if the first one is a dud. However, double triggers offer more versatility on choosing the barrel, but at the cost of crisp pull.
Barrel Length
Barrel length for sxs shotguns can range anywhere between 20 to 30 inches, or even more. It is better to decide what use youโll be putting the shotgun up to and what barrel length will work best for you.
Aesthetics and Wood
These shotguns are renowned for their aesthetics and scrollwork. While models with deliberate and meticulous craftsmanship definitely cost more, they are a worthwhile investment in the long term if you are ready to pay their price.
Photo credit: shootinguk.co.uk
Hammer
You can choose between a classic exposed hammer or the latest concealed hammer design. Each of them has its own benefits and emotional factors. While the former is safer, the latter protects the weapon from snagging.
Ejector/Extractor
An extractor pulls up the spent cases a bit to help you extract them manually. Whereas an ejector throws out the spent cases for faster reloading. The latter is more preferred by competitive shooters for quicker follow-up shots.
Gauge
SxS shotguns come in all gauges. It can be a 12 gauge, 20/28 gauge, or even 410 bore. 12 gauge versions are good for overall applications whereas 20 and 410 are good for youngsters and hunting birds.
Perks of Getting a New Side By Side Shotgun
Side by side shotguns are often not very cheap. Plus, they are among those guns that arenโt dusted and shot regularly. So before you plan on buying one, let's check out some perks of getting one.
Ambidextrous
Side by side shotguns are ambidextrous. Some might be cast for right or left-hand shooters, but overall they can be used by anyone without a problem. This ensures that multiple members of your family or your friends can use one.
Improve Skills
SxS shotguns have a capacity of only two shots. Which means you only have two attempts to get things done. Whether it be bagging a kill, or hitting a clay pigeon. Working with these guns helps you improve your accuracy and shotgun handling skills in the long term.
Classic Experience
These shotguns are classic weapons and bear a taste of luxury and craftsmanship with them. Shooting one of these is a very satisfying experience and has an emotional factor attached to it.
Resale Value
Investing in a valued sxs shotgun will turn out to be a valuable possession in the future. For example, the Browning BSS reviewed above is now out of production, but still sought after by many enthusiasts. These shotguns are known to hold their value, and often increase it.
Photo credit: shootinguk.co.uk
Side By Side vs Over Under Shotgun - Comparison Overview
Letโs understand this by looking at the similarities and differences between the two:
Barrels
An O/U shotgun has both barrels stacked on top of each other which keeps the sight plane common for both. A side by side shotgun has barrels aligned horizontally and their shots usually converge at 40 yards.
Trigger
Most O/U shotguns use a single selective barrel which can be set for the order in which the barrels fire. On the other hand sxs shotguns generally have two triggers that operate each barrel individually and also allows you to shoot them simultaneously.
Chokes
Both these shotguns allow you to use two chokes at once. So you may have one for close shots and another one for distant shots.
Balance
O/U shotguns are better at balance since barrels are stacked one on top of the other. Thatโs why you mostly see these shotguns at trap and skeet ranges. Side by sides are wider and require much skill.
Eventually, either of these is good in its own wake. Itโs the skill of the shooter that really counts.
Photo credit: sportingshooter.co.uk
Conclusion
Side by side shotguns are classy, meticulously designed, and high-end shotguns that have an expert bearing. Specific models of these guns are used for hunting, competitions, and even home defense. The shotgun that fits and feels the best is what you should eventually go for.
People Also Ask
Here's some common questions asked about shotguns, especially SxS and O/U
How to Increase Drop on a SxS Shotgun With an Adjustable Butt Plate?
Drop refers to the displacement on the stock with respect to the rear end of the receiver through a vertical plane. An adjustable buttplate with a vertical displacement can be shifted up to counter low drop and low to counter high drop/
How to Tighten The Action on a Side by Side Shotgun?
It can be achieved by adjusting the rear bite of the shotgun. Peen the steel on the rear bite using a hammer to move the metal surface upwards, raising the surface on which the bolt bites. You may also refer to this video below.
What Are Automatic Ejectors in Side by Side Shotgun?
Automatic ejectors are only activated if the shell in the barrel is fired. These ejectors wonโt throw out both the shells on opening the action, but only the shell has been fired. This happens due to the small spring mechanism that is only activated by the pressure of the rebounding shell.
Which is Better Over Under or Side by Side Shotgun?
Each of them is a great weapon in its own place. SxS shotguns have a wider sight plane, are easier to reload, and can allow you to fire both barrels at once. Whereas o/uโs are more compact, better balanced, and have stiffer barrels for quicker follow-up shots. However, it eventually comes down to what suits you the best.
How Can You Tell the Difference Between a Sidelock and a Boxlock?
Sidelocks are more complicated systems compared to a boxlock. A sidelock action can be noticed having extra screws, tumblers, or small plates along with exquisite scrollwork to cover the cosmetic factor. Whereas boxlock actions look simple and plain and wonโt have any protruding screws or metal on the exterior.
What Are the Different Types of Shotguns?
The different types of shotguns can be classified as break action (single barrel, double barrel[side by side and over/under]), lever action (ex. Winchester 1887), pump-action (ex. Remington 870), semi-automatic (ex. Browning BPS) and full-automatic (ex. AA-12). Shotguns will also differ in the type of ammo they use, commonly known as a gauge. The available gauges today are 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 28 and .410.
