What types of guns are there: names, types, shooting characteristics and applications

• April 13, 2019
• Weapons and ammunition
• Natali Michaelis

Are you interested in what types of guns are available for hunting? In our article you will find not only a detailed classification of smooth-bore weapons, but also tips on choosing the first gun for a novice hunter. You will also learn about the most preferred models for beginners and their technical characteristics. In short, all the necessary information about firearms that will be useful to any owner in the process of selecting a unit for hunting and its operation.

VO Falcon Edition

The VO Vapen company produces exclusive weapons. It was founded by gunsmith Viggo Olsson in 1977. Today this company is engaged in the production of the most expensive and luxurious weapons, each copy of which is made by hand.

The octagonal barrel is made of Damascus steel, and the stock is made of walnut root, decorated with exquisite designs in the form of falcons.

The wood for the stock was chosen personally by the owner of the company, and the wooden blanks were aged for 3 years under special conditions to obtain the required conditions.

The process of polishing and finishing the stock takes almost 5 weeks. Customers can independently choose a wooden blank for their specimen, and the gun will be made according to the hand of the future owner.

Cost: 51,641,637 rubles or $820,000.

Queen Victoria Purdey double-barreled shotgun

Purdey has been making shotguns for about 200 years. They were used by many crowned persons, including the Russian Emperor Nicholas II.

The gun is made by hand and to order. Its technical characteristics are slightly inferior to other well-known brands, but the product is distinguished by its beautiful appearance.

Cost: 12,880,633 rubles or $195,000.

Disadvantages of double-barreled guns

Despite the obvious advantages, double-barreled shotguns have their drawbacks. As a rule, most of them are associated with the inconvenient process of reloading ammunition, which is very unpleasant if hunting is carried out in difficult weather conditions. Samples without an ejector (a mechanism for ejecting spent cartridges) cannot be used in severe frost, since the used cartridge will freeze to the barrel. In addition, most double-barreled guns are quite heavy, which does not allow them to be used for a long time, since the hunter simply gets tired.

Spielberg shotgun IVO Fabbri 12G

This is a work of art that is made by hand, not only the barrel, but also the case. Another interesting fact is that the client can personally participate in the creation of the gun - the company discusses all the details and stages with the buyer, allowing him to choose his own design.

Among the owners of IVO Fabbri you can meet such famous personalities as Steven Spielberg and Juan Carlos.

Cost: 11,902,767 rubles or $189,000.

Shotguns for beginners

If you are interested not only in what types of guns there are, but also in how to choose the first weapon for a beginner, then you have come to the right place. Experts recommend starting shooting training with classic double-barreled models, since they will allow you to more accurately and in a short time hone your primary skills in handling a gun, which in the future should move into the category of reflexes. For a beginner, there is no particular difference between horizontal and vertical, so you can buy the gun that you like best. The most successful models will be TOZ-34 and IZH-27, which are similar in their technical characteristics.

Sauer Meisterwerkflint cal. 20/76

This is the only gun in the world with horizontal barrels, which is equipped with the legendary locks on the side boards from Sauer&Sohn, the design of which complies with the “Tal rule”.

It appeared in 1895 and deservedly took a leading position among high-end shotguns. Weapons specialists were amazed at the fact that such a thing could be constructed.

Characteristics:

• subcategory – smooth-bore weapon, double-barreled turning weapon;
• caliber – 20/76
• the location of the trunks is horizontal;
• butt - 8th grade walnut;
• number of cartridges – 2;
• store design – absent;
• sighting devices - sighting bar with front sight.

Cost: 3,442,114 rubles or $54,656.

Shotgun calibers

Are you interested in what calibers of hunting rifles are there? As a rule, the most popular among hunters is 12 gauge. It maintains good accuracy over long distances and is suitable for hunting medium and large game. Such a cartridge can be loaded with either shot or buckshot, or a lead bullet. The type of ballistic projectile directly affects the quality of the trophy that the hunter will receive after the hunt. However, hunting ducks with bullets or buckshot is pointless. Therefore, cartridges are loaded with shot to make it easier to hit a moving target.

The twentieth gauge is best suited for hunting small and medium-sized fur-bearing game and birds. As a rule, such a cartridge is loaded with shot or salt. Of course, the destructive power is significantly less than that of a twelve-gauge, but the cartridge has almost perfect accuracy at medium distances. If you want to learn how to shoot birds in flight, then you should buy a twenty.

What other calibers of guns are there? Well, 16 is considered something between the twelfth and twentieth gauge. Many owners consider it universal, but even more hunters dislike 16-gauge guns for such statements. Yes, such models have fairly good combat accuracy at long distances, but the power is still closer to twelfth than twenty. That is, there are the makings for shooting from a distance of more than 50 meters, but for successful fishing there is not enough lethal force. You can shoot game from a distance of 20 meters, but the shot will severely damage the trophy.

Piotti King I cal. 20/70

This is a classic hammerless shotgun with a horizontal barrel arrangement. It is a high-quality weapon, since it is equipped with complex and labor-intensive locks on removable side boards.

For maintenance and repair, the gun locks can be removed using a special key located on the left side. The closure is carried out with a Perde strip. This is a weapon for a true connoisseur.

Characteristics:

• subcategory – smooth-bore, double-barreled shotgun;
• the location of the trunks is horizontal;
• number of cartridges – 2;
• sighting devices - front sight only;
• trunk length – 71 cm;
• butt - walnut;
• triggers – 2 pcs.

Cost: 3,353,706 rubles or $53,252.

Beretta S05 SPORT 12/76 MC 750 MM

The barrels of this shotgun are constructed from cold rolled steel and guarantee bore perfection and long lasting corrosion resistance. The pistol butt and butt are made from carefully selected walnut.

The low profile box is exceptionally smooth to enhance swing and aim. The sides are beautifully hand engraved to an extremely high standard.

Characteristics:

• caliber – 12/76;
• magazine capacity – 3+1;
• butt material – walnut;
• trunk length – 75 cm;
• trunk location – vertical;
• The principle of operation is a turning point.

Cost – 2,735,591 rubles or 43,437 dollars.

The best smoothbore shotguns with vertical barrels

The undoubted leaders in this class, from the moment they appeared on the market, were IZH-27 and TOZ-34. Produced by two of the most eminent Soviet enterprises, each of the guns has a lot of its supporters, but none of them has opponents. Adherents of TOZs praise them for their reliability, reliability and accuracy, while fans of IZHs admire the same qualities of their shotguns.

IZH 27

The connection between the barrel and the receiver is made using a locking frame and an under-barrel hook. The method is simple, reliable and durable.

IZH 27 is equipped with a ventilated sighting bar and an ejector that speeds up the removal of spent cartridges. The series includes 12 shotguns; 16; 20 cal. The bores and chamber are chrome plated. When the barrel is opened, the hammers are automatically cocked and the safety is automatic.

Advantages:

• A reliable locking mechanism ensures a long service life.

Flaws:

• The factory stock and stock, made of wood, may require replacement.

TOZ 34

The shotgun is distinguished by good quality barrels; they are attached and locked to the receiver using ring hinges and a locking frame. The wedge connection ensures a lower landing of the trunks. The line includes 12 barrels; 16; 20; 28 cal. The weapon compares favorably with its competitors due to its lighter weight, good design, excellent grip and balance.

Advantages:

• excellent quality of barrels;
• high accuracy of combat.

Flaws:

• On some models, the outer surface of the barrels is not blued and is susceptible to corrosion.

MC 109, cal. 12

This is a top-class double-barreled hammer gun, which is a real work of art, which is achieved thanks to the handwork of the best craftsmen. The gun is inlaid with silver, gold and mother-of-pearl.

Characteristics:

• caliber - 12/70;
• trunk length – 75 cm;
• butt material – walnut;
• principle of operation – turning point;
• The location of the trunks is vertical.

Cost – 2,362,500 rubles or $37,513.

Blaser F3 Competition Custom Grade III cal. 12/76

This is an exclusive line, which differs from serial models in engraving and the use of rare high-quality wood. The model's bolt box is equipped with side false boards, which increase the area for engraving.

The breech part of the trunks is covered with floral ornaments. The main design can be covered not only with arabesques, but also with an interlacing of different leaves.

Characteristics:

• subcategory – smoothbore, double-barreled fracture;
• the location of the trunks is vertical;
• caliber – 12/76;
• total length – 120 cm;
• butt - 8th grade walnut;
• number of cartridges – 2;
• sighting devices - sighting bar with front sight.

Cost: 1,614,164 rubles or $25,630.

Double-barreled shotguns with a breaking mechanism

The most common type of hunting weapon is the classic “double-barreled shotgun” with a breaking mechanism. This type of reloading is considered a kind of ideal among Russian hunters. There are several reasons for this popularity: the convenient design of the guns, durability, high build quality, and the ability to carry out repairs yourself. A distinctive feature of double-barreled types of hunting rifles is that they allow you to fire an additional shot if the first one does not hit the target. In addition, two barrels can be loaded with different types of cartridges, which is very convenient if you need to fire at once from short and long distances.

Fausti Stefano Dea British SL 12/76, L=71

The gun gained its inimitability and sophistication due to the unusual decorative details and the author's hand-engraved round blocks.

The guns are equipped with a straight English stock made of selected wood impregnated with oil. The stock is of the English type, the forend is separate, the butt plate is rubber. Hardened alloy steel is used for mechanism parts and blocks.

Characteristics:

• trunk type – smooth;
• magazine capacity – 2;
• barrel material – weapon steel;
• fore-end and butt material – wood;
• caliber – 12;
• the location of the trunks is horizontal;
• trunk length – 71 cm.

Cost – 1,400,000 rubles or 22,230 dollars.

Piotti Semi Auto SP 004 cal. 12/76

Piotti hunting rifles can easily be considered masterpieces of classical weapon art of the modern era. The weapons of this company have received well-deserved recognition from experts and appear at all prestigious auctions in the world.

This model is distinguished by high combat characteristics, reliable operation, exemplary technical solutions and aesthetic appeal.

Characteristics:

• subcategory – smooth-bore, semi-automatic shotgun;
• caliber – 12/76;
• recharging system – inertial;
• magazine design - under-barrel tubular;
• trunk length – 76 cm;
• sighting devices - only front sight.

Cost – 1,229,752 rubles or 19,526 dollars.

The best assault rifles for self-defense

Initially, pistols and machine guns firmly established their assault status; their compactness and rate of fire were unrivaled. But after the Second World War, this segment attracted the attention of specialists and was replenished with weapons with large-caliber cartridges capable of performing this function perfectly. As a result, today the choice of assault weapons is very diverse.

Vepr-12 Molot smoothbore carbine

An effective multi-purpose shotgun of domestic production. All types of weapons are equipped with Picatinny rails, allowing the shotgun to be equipped with an optical sight, flashlight and other devices.

The handguard, lining and gas release mechanism are copied from a Kalashnikov light machine gun. The folding stock with a metal frame has increased strength. The designers provide for adjustment of the buttstock in terms of length and height, which are necessary when using optics. To extend the service life, the barrel bore is chrome-plated.

Advantages:

• reliable and easy to maintain;
• huge selection of tuning.

Flaws:

• heavy weight;
• price.

Saiga 12

Initially, the appearance of this smoothbore rifle caused a mixed reaction among experts and hunters. But after a number of modifications, the Saiga 410 model was replaced by the Saiga 12, and the situation changed, the new rifle claims to be the world's best smoothbore weapon for practical shooting.

The first thing that attracts attention is its external resemblance to a Kalashnikov assault rifle. The impression is not deceptive; the rifle borrows not only some design elements, but also reliability and unpretentiousness. Weight of Saiga 12 - 3.6 kg, when loaded, removable magazine for 4 or 10 rounds. Automatic principle of operation, reloading using waste powder gases. For quick magazine changes, the 12K model is equipped with a thumb reset button.

Advantages:

• resistant to adverse factors;
• ease of maintenance;
• reliability.

Flaws:

• The design of the safety lock does not allow for cross-fire.

Merkel DF 60TI Arabesque cal. 12/76

This is a true functional masterpiece among shotguns, worthy of a place in a private collection. A special feature of the model is the side locks, which combine the latest technical solutions.

This gun is an example of the unity of walnut and steel, and the impression is emphasized by the polished butt and the laborious technical processing of the walnut, which gives the texture a special expressiveness.

Characteristics:

• subcategory – double-barreled, smooth-bore fracture;
• caliber – 12/76;
• the location of the trunks is horizontal;
• butt - walnut class not lower than fifth;
• total length – 113 cm;
• number of cartridges – 2;
• store design – absent;
• sighting devices - sighting bar with front sight.

Cost – 803,655 rubles or 12,760 dollars.

Classification of smoothbore shotguns?

Today, shotguns are the most popular type of firearm, which is used for hunting a wide variety of game. The main feature of such models is their design, which involves the use of exclusively smooth trunks.

Are you interested in what types of hunting rifles are there? As a rule, such samples are usually classified depending on:

• number of trunks (one-, two- and three-barrel);
• presence of a cartridge magazine (box-shaped, tubular without magazine);
• charging method (shutter, automatic, semi-automatic);
• cartridge caliber (varies from 4 to 32).

It is worth noting that different types of shotguns can have both their advantages and disadvantages, so you need to choose it wisely.