In this day of semi-automatic and slide action shotguns and AR 15 rifles, why would anyone use a double barrel shotgun? What advantages does the Double Barrel Shotgun have over other systems which render it valid today?
The Double Barrel Shotgun has no moving action to increase the overall length of the weapon. A Double Barrel Shotgun with an 18- inch barrel will be noticeably shorter than a slide action or semi-automatic shotgun with the same barrel length. It will in fact be shorter than some 16-inch carbines. This makes the Double very maneuverable for use in-doors or from vehicles. The lack of a tubular magazine or a slide action make for a very light weight firearm despite having 2 barrels.
Most Doubles can be assembled and loaded in about 10 seconds. Very quick assembly combined with the very short length of the barrel and stock make this a very handy car gun. A 20-inch brief case can easily carry the disassembled Double. The size of the disassembled Double will also allow it to be carried in a back pack or a motorcycle saddle bag. I have carried a Double on motorcycle rides and automobile trips.
The Double makes a good traveling companion with your lever action carbine.
Many Doubles can be purchased for half the price of a slide action shotgun and keeping one stored in a vehicle is an option that most people can afford.
There is no action that is faster for a follow up shot than a Double. Every bit as fast, if not faster, than a semi auto for a second shot.
Why do African Dangerous Game Hunters often prefer a Double Rifle. The speed of a follow up shot is the first reason. The Double Rifle is far faster than a bolt action for a follow up shot when shooting to stop a charging animal.
The second reason is reliability. Many Double Barrel Shotguns have 2 independent ignition systems. Should a trigger spring or firing pin break or some other failure occur the Double would still function as a single shot. If the ignition system fails on a slide action or semi auto, you have an expensive club.
Immediate action for a misfire with a Double is to simply press the other trigger and fire the round in the other firing chamber. This is much faster than working a bolt or slide to get to another cartridge.
The manual of arms for correctly operating a slide action shotgun in a fight is complicated and we consider them firearms for experts. The manual of arms for the Double is very simple and can be learned by an experienced shooter in one day.
A Double Barrel Shotgun with slugs or large buck shot can be a good choice for a light weight compact maneuverable predator defense weapon for the same reasons that African Hunters often carry a Double Rifle.
As a short-term survival weapon the Double Barrel Shotgun will provide versatility, at low cost. It is easily stored and quickly assembled. Loaded with flares, bird shot, snake shot, buck shot, fire starter cartridges or slugs the double can accomplish a variety of tasks.
There are better firearms for specific tasks. While not the best at any one thing, the Double Barrel Shotgun is a good choice for many situations and we should all know how to run them efficiently.
Larry and Stacey Mudgett
Marksmanship Matters
Thank You Larry!!! I enjoy each article that you wright. Is there one brand that is preferred for reliability. You would recommend.
As a friend and I have discussed many times, a shotgun like the 870 would likely make for a very good firearm all over the US because it looks less “offensive”. In this case, the double is even less offensive and about the only place in the US you probably can’t have one (or any shotgun) is in New Jersey.
Right to the point! Thank you. Terry Bunker (Arizona )