null

Side by Side Shotguns

The side by side shotgun also known as the SxS shotgun is considered one of the most classic styles of shotguns around. With a classic design and consistent, yet beautiful shooting a side by side shotgun is about as traditional as you can get. Fin Feather Fur Outfitters, a trusted side by side shotgun retailer, offers some of the most beautiful side by side shotguns for sale to add to your collection.

Grid
List
Compare Selected

The Best of Side By Side Shotguns

Side by side shotguns are double-barreled shotguns with two barrels mounted horizontally next to each other. They became popular in the 19th century, particularly among hunters and sport shooters, and are known for their classic design and quick handling similar to an over under shotgun. These shotguns often feature break-action mechanisms and are favored for upland bird hunting due to their balance and instinctive pointing. While not as common as over under shotguns in modern sporting use, side by sides remain appreciated for their traditional craftsmanship and elegant aesthetics. Many are still handcrafted by prestigious gunmakers, especially in Europe. Side by side shotguns originally were invented in the 1700s with a flintlock ignition, but it wasn’t until about the 1930s when side by side shotguns were modernized and became the firearm of choice for upland hunters and recreational shooters.

side by side shotguns, side by side shotgun for sale, affordable side by side shotguns

Benefits of Using Side By Side Shotguns

There are many benefits to purchasing and using a side by side shotgun. These include easy and instinctive aiming, reliability when using, and a classic yet timeless aesthetic. These benefits bring value to hunters, recreational shooters, collectors, and everyone in between.

  • Side by Side Shotgun Aiming:

    With a wide barrel alignment, aiming a side by side shotgun comes very natural to hunters. With fast target acquisition side by side shotguns are a great option for close range shooting when upland bird hunting.

  • Side By Side Shotgun Reliability:

    Due to the simple design of a side by side shotgun, they are incredibly reliable to operate. They typically have a break action mechanism that is simple, making loading and unloading easy as well as great to maneuver, operate, and clean.

  • The Classic Side By Side Shotgun Design:

    A side by side shotgun also known as a “coach gun” has a timeless design with two barrels horizontally mounted with a wooden body. They can become very decorative with engraved metal accents and beautiful wooden finishes.

Typical Side By Side Shotgun Uses

side by side shotguns, side by side shotguns for hunting, upland hunting shotgun, side by side shotguns for sale

Side-by-side shotguns are best known for their versatility across both field and sport. In upland hunting, their quick handling and instinctive aim make them a favorite among bird hunters pursuing fast-flying game such as bobwhite and California quail, ring-necked pheasant, and ruffed or spruce grouse. The wide sight plane of a traditional side-by-side allows shooters to acquire flushing birds quickly, while the two barrels, often with different chokes, provide flexibility for close or follow-up shots. Beyond the field, many enthusiasts use side-by-side shotguns for sporting clays and target shooting, where the challenge of breaking clays with a classic double-barrel design sharpens technique and offers a connection to the heritage of wingshooting. At Fin Feather Fur Outfitters, our firearm specialists have evaluated leading brands like CZ, Stoeger, and Beretta, testing their balance, trigger response, and durability in both hunting and range conditions to help shooters choose models that perform reliably season after season.

Common use Best gauge Popular model (example)
Sporting clays / recreational clay shooting 12-gauge (offers widest range of target loads and consistency for clays) Chapuis / Perazzi-style sporting SxS or custom-grade side-by-side models (sporting-configured examples)
Upland — Quail (bobwhite, California) 20-gauge or 12-gauge (20 for lighter carry and less recoil on long walks) Yildiz or CZ side-by-side variants (lightweight field models preferred by upland hunters)
Upland — Pheasant 12-gauge (more power for larger, fast-flying birds) Merkel / Stoeger / higher-end field SxS examples suited to pheasant work
Upland — Grouse (ruffed, spruce) 20-gauge or 12-gauge (20 for very light, fast walking hunts; 12 for versatility) Lightweight English-style SxS models from CZ, Yildiz or bespoke makers (designed for tight cover and quick handling)
General target / training (novice shooters) 20-gauge or .410 bore (lower recoil, easier follow-up shots for new shooters) Entry-level SxS offerings from reputable manufacturers (good for introducing new shooters to double-barrel handling)

Buying a Side By Side Shotgun For Sale

When buying side by side shotguns online you should keep in mind a few things. The most important is to keep in mind your intended firearm use; hunting, clay shooting, or a versatile mix of both. You will want to consider the gauge and barrel length for your side by side shotgun, typically the most common gauges will be 12 gauge and 20 gauge side by side shotguns. Once you have chosen your desired model, you’ll have to complete the purchase through a licensed FFL (Federal Firearms License) dealer, luckily for you Fin Feather Fur Outfitters is an FFL, so you can either have the side by side shotgun ready for pickup at one of our locations, or shipped to your local FFL dealer. You can also talk to our expert firearm team by calling or filling out a contact us form with any questions about this.

side by side shotgun, affordable side by side shotguns, side by side double barrel shotguns

Best Side By Side Shotgun Brands

There are plenty of side by side shotgun manufacturers on the market, with a large presence of them being in Europe. We have a couple of favorites that bring high quality side by side shotguns with excellent manufacturing and consistent shooting that we think you’ll love too.

  • CZ Side By Side Shotguns:

    CZ is known for their reliable firearms and consistent shooting. When it comes to side by side shotguns the story stays true with options like the CZ Bobwhite 20 Gauge 28” Side By Side Shotgun.

  • Stoeger Side By Side Shotguns:

    Stoeger is known for making high-quality yet affordable side by side shotguns like the Stoeger Coach Gun, which were historically used by cowboy action shooting and home defense.

FAQs About Side By Side Shotguns

What’s the difference between a side by side and an over-under shotgun?

Side-by-sides have barrels mounted horizontally, while over unders stack the barrels vertically. Each has unique handling characteristics.

Are side by side shotguns good for hunting?

Yes, especially for upland bird hunting, thanks to their quick pointing and light weight, side-by-side shotguns are easy to maneuver around while out in the landscape, and being available in multiple gauges, they are more than capable hunting shotguns.

Why do some side by sides have two triggers?

Each trigger controls a separate barrel, allowing the shooter to choose which barrel (and choke) to fire first.

The Side By Side Shotgun Experts

Overall, when it comes to side by side shotguns trust the online experts here at Fin Feather Fur Outfitters. If you are looking for a side by side shotgun for hunting, clay shooting, a collection piece, or even if you don’t know exactly what you are looking for our expert shotgun team behind our gun counter can answer your questions. Call us or fill out a contact us form if you have any questions about our selection or side by side shotguns for sale in general, we are happy to help!

Talk To Our Side By Side Shotgun Experts
!