Prior to the mid-19th century, all shotguns were muzzleloaders. But, the invention of cartridge ammunition made it possible for several shotgun actions to emerge. Self-contained shotgun rounds encouraged innovation in gun design and made repeating actions and breechloaders possible.
Shotgun types are categorized by their gauge and their action, which functions as its operating system. Every gauge and action type has benefits and uses both on the range and in the field.
Let’s take a look at some popular types of shotguns and what makes each unique.
Overview of Shotgun Types
The 5 most common types of Shotguns are:
- Pump-Action Shotguns
- Semi-Automatic Shotguns
- Over-Under and Side-by-Side Shotguns
- Single-Shot and Bolt-Action Shotguns
- Lever-Action Shotguns
Pump-Action Shotguns
Pump-action shotguns are a great option for both hunting small game, waterfowl and turkey hunting as well as for home protection.
A sliding handguard on the gun’s forestock is moved to activate the pump action, a sort of manual handgun operation. When firing, the sliding stock is moved forward to load a fresh cartridge into the chamber, after being dragged backward to expel any used cartridge, and usually to cock the hammer or striker.
While some pump-action guns employ detachable box magazines, the majority use integrated tubular magazines. Although technology has also been used in rifles, grenade launchers, and other weapons, pump-action weaponry are usually thought of as shotguns. In colloquial terms, a gun that uses this system is called a pump gun.
Since the trigger hand does not need to be taken off of the trigger while reloading, a pump-action weapon is much quicker than a bolt-action and somewhat faster than a lever-action since the forend is often operated with the support hand. Additionally, since the action is cycled linearly, less torque is produced, which might tilt the gun and cause it to go off target when firing quickly.
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Semi-Automatic Shotguns
Selecting a shotgun that is semi-automatic is no different from selecting any other kind of weapon. You should consider pricing, performance, brand, and quality.
Naturally, the adage “you get what you pay for” still holds true in most cases. More abuse, longer firing schedules, and occasional cleanings are likely to be handled more reliably by a high-end shotgun, such as a Beretta 1301 or Benelli M4, than by one at the lower end of the spectrum.
Low-cost semi-automatic shotguns have long been seen as unstable and only suitable for range practice rather than any real-world usage. Although there is some truth to this reputation, it is mostly focused on the low-cost firearms of the past rather than more recent, reasonably priced, but superior models.
However, there are still many shotguns that perform well at all price ranges, so unless complete dependability is your top need, you don’t need to spend a fortune.
Over-Under and Side-by-Side Shotguns
The question of over-under, and side-by-side will always be up for discussion. An over-under will not get the same derisive remarks on a shot as it did thirty years ago, despite the fact that tradition has favored side by side. In fact, many firearms discover that stacked barrels improve their shooting. Which would you prefer, side by side or over and under?
Over-Under shotguns have barrels stacked one on top of the other...
Over-unders are typically thought to be easier to aim because they only have one sight plane, but some shooters prefer the quicker handling feel that side-by-sides provide.
The over-under, who usually weighs about 7 pounds, would be a whole pound heavier than the side-by-side, to begin with. Therefore, the perceived recoil in the side-by-side and the muzzle-flip would be much higher when utilizing identical 28g No. 7 ammunition, for instance.
And the “side-by-side” shotgun has its barrels parallel to one another, side-by-side.
Not only will the over-under’s extra weight absorb more recoil, but the side-by-side’s barrel configuration causes the recoil to return in a dogleg fashion, which is backwards and slightly to the side, following the stock’s line, which normally has more cast in it than in the over-under. As a result, the way you experience the recoil will vary depending on whatever trigger you pull. But with the over-under, the recoil will return in a roughly straight line.
One tip when shooting an over-under is to use a considerably straighter lead-arm than you would with an over-under to increase pointability and lessen perceived recoil and muzzle-flip in a side-by-side.
In fact, the gun would always seem short if you held the fore-end of it side by side with your lead-hand, which would make it harder to handle. Therefore, the straight arm not only absorbs recoil (instead of your shoulder), but it also allows you to have more control over the barrels, which increases accuracy and precision.
Single-Shot and Bolt-Action Shotguns
The phrase “single-shot” describes weapon designs that need manual reloading after each shot since they can only contain one cartridge of ammunition.
Single-shot designs are much simpler and also more durable than magazine/belt-fed firearms, but they also fire at much slower rates. This is because single-shot designs do not require a large receiver behind the barrel to accommodate a moving action, unlike multi-shot repeating firearms (also known as “repeaters”), which have moving parts other than the trigger, hammer/firing pin, or frizzen.
Bolt-action shotguns use an attached handle to manually cycle the bolt. Technically speaking, however, every shotgun — aside from break-action models like over/under and side-by-side shotguns — has a bolt. (Photo credit: Savage Arms)
Particular to “bolt action” shotguns, the bolt closes up the rear aperture of the barrel chamber as the propellant in the cartridge burns. The bolt rotates forward to load a fresh cartridge after the round is shot and back to remove the used cartridge.
Examine that action in comparison to other shotgun kinds. To cycle the bolt on a pump-action shotgun, slide the forestock forward to load a fresh round and backward to expel the previous one, locking the bolt in position. In a semi-automatic, the bolt is cycled by gas from the fired cartridge.
Lever-Action Shotguns
Behind the trigger of a lever-action gun is a sizable metal lever. Usually, this handle also serves as the trigger guard. The cartridge case is ejected from the chamber by pushing the lever forward and downward to open the action.
Choosing the Right Type Shotgun
There are some key factors to consider when choosing a shotgun…
What To Consider:
- Intended Use: What will you be using the shotgun for?
- Budget: Shotguns range in price from very affordable to very expensive.
- Fit: The shotgun should fit your body comfortably.
- Gauge: 12-gauge is the most versatile, but 20-gauge offers lighter recoil.
- Barrel Length and Choke: These affect the shotgun’s pattern and range.
Here’s a breakdown of the different types of shotguns and their ideal applications:
1. Pump-Action Shotguns:
Photo credit: RemArms.com
Pump action shotguns are typically used for hunting, home defense, and recreational shooting
Pros:
- Extremely reliable.
- Relatively inexpensive.
- Can handle a wide variety of ammunition.
- Simple to maintain.
Cons:
- Slower rate of fire compared to semi-automatics.
- Requires manual cycling.
2. Semi-Automatic Shotguns:
Semi-automatic shotguns are helpful when rapid follow-up shots are required, such as in bird hunting, competitive shooting and even self-defense situations (photo credit: Mossberg.com).
Pros:
- Faster rate of fire.
- Can reduce the amount of recoil that is felt.
Cons:
- More complex mechanisms, leading to potential reliability issues with certain ammunition.
- Generally more expensive.
- Require more frequent cleaning to ensure proper operation of the mechanisms.
3. Over-Under and Side-by-Side Shotguns:
Multiple barrels of over-under shotguns, like this one from Beretta, tend to be simple and reliable (photo credit: Beretta.com).
Pros:
- Simple and reliable.
- Two barrels allow for different loads in each barrel.
- Aesthetically pleasing.
- Often shorter than other shotguns, giving the shooter the ability to move better in tight spaces.
Cons:
- Limited capacity (typically two shells).
- Generally more expensive.
- May require more practice for proper aiming, due to two barrels.
4. Single-Shot and Bolt-Action Shotguns:
Bolt action shotguns are very simple and reliable, but also have a slow rate of fire (photo credit: savagearms.com).
Pros:
- Very simple and reliable.
- Inexpensive.
- Bolt actions with rifled barrels make them a good option when hunting with slugs.
Cons:
- Very slow rate of fire.
- Limited capacity.
5. Lever-Action Shotguns:
Lever action shotguns have a very historical feel and are relatively easy to use, but can be difficult to reload quickly (photo credit: MidwayUsa.com).
Pros:
- Relatively fast rate of fire.
- Unique and historical appeal.
- Fairly easy to use.
- Can fire a variety of ammo.
Cons:
- Less common, so fewer options and potentially higher prices.
- Can be more difficult to reload quickly.
- Slower rate of fire compared to pump action and semi-automatic shotguns.
- Can be prone to jamming if not maintained/cleaned properly.
Final Thoughts On Shotgun Types
Hopefully, this article has given you some insight into which shotgun would be the best for your budget and intended use.
As always, use proper gun safety practices and shoot straight!