Single-barreled shotgun: description, device, firing range, photo

• August 29, 2018
• Weapons and ammunition
• Human

If you go to a gun store, your eyes will simply run wild from the large selection. But you can’t buy everything. It is necessary to focus on one specific instance. In this regard, the relevant question is: how to choose a gun that satisfies all the needs of a novice hunter? We will search for an answer to this question.

Introductory information

Choosing a hunting rifle is not an easy task. Single-, double-, triple- and even quadruple-barreled, pump-action, and semi-automatic weapons are available for sale. They differ in characteristics, bullet release speed, calibers, and intended purpose. One important nuance should be noted. For hunting they use smooth-bore and rifled weapons. But for a resident of the Russian Federation, making a choice between them in this case is difficult. Why? The fact is that, according to current legislation, you can purchase rifled weapons only after you have owned a smooth-bore weapon for five years. In this regard, its consideration is ineffective.

But the information can be read by Russian-speaking readers from other countries where conditions differ from those in the Russian Federation. For example, in Ukraine, rifled weapons can be purchased after reaching twenty-five years of age. Therefore, a little attention will still be paid to him. But mainly the conversation will be about how to choose a smoothbore gun.

It should also be noted that three- and four-barreled representatives will not receive significant attention due to the reasons that they are not popular and are not in demand among hunters. And so the various execution options, the calibers used for them, the numerous nuances of selection and subsequent use, and the specific, most popular representatives will be considered. Speaking about the choice of the first gun, it should also be noted that representatives of the smooth-bore family can shoot bullets, shot and buckshot.

CZ Mallard

Czech best hunting rifles that appeared in the 90s. They have become very popular and of high quality. The Turkish factory is responsible for production, but after production the company spares no expense and sends them to the Czechs for re-checking. The Russians were able to get acquainted with the model only in the 2000s, and not every domestic double-barreled shotgun can become its competitor. Externally, it is the most familiar classic, the barrels are made of steel, most parts are chrome-plated. The debate about which hunting rifle is better than the CZ Mallard or any domestic one will never subside. First of all, the model is praised for its excellent quality and reliability, which you can’t argue with. Fits perfectly in the hand, thanks to proper balancing.

• Country: Czech Republic/Turkey
• Caliber: 12 and 20 mm
• Length: 1145 mm
• Weight: 3.35 kg.

What to choose: fracture or non-return?

The question posed relates to what kind of barrel the chosen weapon will have. Fractures are the most popular and most common type of execution among hunters. It is charged by simply firing ammunition into the chamber. For hunting, they are mainly used to shoot rifles, which have one or two barrels. The peculiarity of these guns is that they allow you to change cartridges relatively quickly. Fractures are easy to maintain, use and care for. But at the same time, they are demanding for combat use. You have to pay close attention to each shot, have a good knowledge of ballistics, and also be able to select the right ammunition.

Spring-piston systems allow for a good sequence of shots. In addition, they are usually long-lived. Thus, the best representatives of the Tula and Izhevsk factories can boast a service life of 7-10 thousand, or even a large number of shots. The spring-piston system serves well until the metal base becomes obsolete. But in this case it can be replaced. To remove cartridges, they use ejectors and extractors. The first automatic ones throw them out of the spring, while the second ones simply extend them, allowing the shooter to take them with his hands. Ejectors make the weapon faster to fire, but increase the likelihood of it breaking. In addition, ejecting cartridges does not seem to be a very convenient function when you are in a swamp or hunting at night.

Shotguns with non-reclining barrels also come in single and double barrels. But often they are also distinguished by a higher rate of fire and productivity. True, their maintenance is not such an easy matter as in the case of fractures. This is not all you need to know in order to make a good choice of a smoothbore gun for hunting.

Beretta 686

The company, which is familiar to a huge number of people around the world, also produces the best shotguns and one of them is the 686. Today, this model is the most affordable of all the others and is suitable for both hunting and sports. No expense will be spared to replenish the collection with such a specimen, which looks like an expensive weapon. In general, this is a classic vertical with a turning point. The barrels were not threaded, which means you can easily shoot shot from them. The Italians used only high quality materials and took the assembly seriously. The best smoothbore guns from there are worth their weight in gold. One of the disadvantages is the lack of a mechanism for adjusting the length of the butt; sometimes this makes using the weapon inconvenient.

• Country: Italy
• Caliber: 12 mm
• Length: 1115 mm
• Weight: 3.2 kg .

Single- and double-barreled shotguns

These are real veterans! These guns have been developed and improved for centuries; there are a number of models that have been produced for decades without the slightest change. Therefore, their operating mechanism is refined to the smallest detail. The likelihood of problems occurring in the weapon itself during this time is minimized. Problems arise much more often with cartridges than with guns. True, for beginners who do not plan to shoot at least several hundred rounds of ammunition as part of training before going hunting, purchasing single-barreled options is not recommended due to the fact that if he misses, he is unlikely to have time to reload before the prey has time to hide or attack. In this case, the best result is simple disappointment. Injury or even death is possible.

But the main advantage of single- and double-barreled shotguns is that they are very cheap, so almost anyone who doesn’t mind a month’s salary can buy them. Also, representatives of this family are distinguished by their light weight, convenience and obedience. It should be noted that if a gun has one barrel, it is usually thicker and longer than those with two. Thanks to this, the combat is somewhat better.

In skillful hands, a single-barrel gun can demonstrate good results. For example, professional fishermen use it together with small calibers (20-28). Of the single-shot ones, you can pay attention to the hammerless IZH-18. But the double-barreled shotgun is considered the real queen of hunting weapons. We can give her the palm without any doubt. It is unlikely that any other weapon is so common in hunting.

There are guns on the horizontal and vertical planes. The choice is usually a matter of taste. Although there is an opinion that “verticals” (as hunters call them) are more accurate than horizontal ones. Why? Many argue that the two visible barrels block the shooter's view. In addition, they are characterized by different muzzle constrictions. So, usually the lower or right barrel is the pay, and the upper or left is the choke. The accuracy of the battle depends on this, which allows you to make a choice based on hunting conditions. As well-known representatives, we can recall the IZH-43 and IZH-27.

Saiga 12K

The best guns of 2021 should be modern and meet the requirements of today's hunters. This is exactly what a carbine called Saiga 12K is. This line first saw the light of day in the 90s; its production was carried out at the IZHMASH plant. The appearance is far from the usual double-barreled shotguns; on the contrary, the specimen is more similar to an assault rifle. Its power was increased due to the short barrel, and a locking mechanism was also added. The best smoothbore shotguns are also about the Saiga 12K, it is a self-loader. You can easily install sights of any complexity on it, even a thermal imager. The weapon weighs little, and there is an option for several magazines. As for reliability, this gun is also at its best; hunting in the mud and under difficult conditions will not be a problem. At the same time, it is easy to assemble and disassemble, in principle exactly the same as a Kalashnikov assault rifle.

• Country Russia
• Caliber: 12 mm
• Length: 910 mm
• Weight 3.5 kg.

Pump options

When talking about which gun to choose for a beginner, it is difficult to ignore this lightweight, fast and effective option. Oddly enough, the cheapest pump-action shotguns will cost less than single- and double-barreled shotguns, two and a half times. What is the reason for this state of affairs? The fact is that many imported representatives are police variants. Their peculiarity is the absence of a rear sight, front sight, or both of these devices for aiming. In addition, they have a very limited resource of use. You'll be lucky if you manage to fire at least a thousand shots without a single problem. Here we can recall the representatives of the Tula and Izhevsk arms factories. But in general, they are distinguished by a very high rate of fire (you can make three conditionally aimed shots in two seconds, with training, of course) and a significant ammunition capacity (from four to seven rounds plus one in the barrel).

In addition, it should be noted that it is convenient to use in case of problems. For example, you came across a defective cartridge. If this happens with a single- or double-barreled shotgun, then you need to break it, take out the defective ammunition, then a new one, insert it and make the weapon ready for combat. Whereas with a pump-action shotgun everything is much easier - you just need to twist the fore-end, and the defective cartridge will fly out of the barrel, and the next one will be fed in its place. This is very useful and good if shooting is carried out at a large and dangerous animal - for example, a bear.

Therefore, if you do not have the proper dexterity in working with more reliable representatives, then, when wondering which gun to choose for hunting for a beginner, how to ensure your safety, you can set your eyes on the pump.

Best rifles

Remington 700

The rating is headed by the Remington 700 bolt-action rifle produced by the American company Remington Arms, founded in 1816. The first place for a model produced since 1962 is well deserved, since over 57 years a lot of new modern types of weapons have appeared on the market, but all this diversity could not shake the popularity of this rifle.

The bolt box is locked using the lugs located in its front part.

It is equipped with magazines with a capacity of 3 and 5 rounds. The high level of production and excellent build quality allow us to obtain consistently high shooting results from factory weapons, without fine-tuning and zeroing.

Advantages:

• simplicity;
• reliability:
• efficiency.

Flaws:

• A large number of component suppliers has led to the fact that low quality parts may be found on the market.

Browning X-Bolt

Compact, lightweight rifle with good balance. Chrome plated bolt with twist release and triple locking. Silent two-mode fuse.

The stock and butt with a pistol neck are made of walnut, coated with varnish that is resistant to mechanical damage. A structural lattice is applied to the fore-end and neck of the stock for a more tenacious hold on a wet surface. Standard 4-round magazine.

Equipped with a Minox ZE 5i 2-10×50 optical sight, EAW swivel bracket. Barrel length 1,080 mm, weight with optics 3.94 kg.

Advantages:

• excellent assembly;
• light weight;
• excellent combat accuracy.

Flaws:

• noisy fuse;
• hard descent.

Semi-automatic weapons

These variants feature a large amount of ammunition. An example is the ten-shot Saiga. In addition, there is no need to do additional actions, such as breaking the gun or distorting the forend. It's very simple - take aim and pull the trigger. If you run out of cartridges, then, as a rule, it is enough to simply replace the magazine, and you can continue shooting. Semi-automatic weapons are necessary in cases where it is necessary to ensure a high rate of fire with the same type of cartridges. For example, mass shooting of aquatic game.

But it is necessary to take into account that semi-automatic devices are characterized by a lot of weight. This is especially noticeable when the conversation turns to mobile hunting. In addition, its use is accompanied by high consumption of ammunition. Also, when using ammunition of different power, you have to reconfigure the weapon. This causes significant discomfort not only for beginners, but also for experienced shooters.

To be honest, when the question is about which gun to choose for a novice hunter, it is better to carefully study semi-automatic options for suitability. The fact is that you first need to learn how to shoot well. And for this it is advisable to use a weapon that allows you to cool down and catch your breath. Whereas the use of semi-automatics promotes excitement, leading to the release of bullets without taking them into account and without particularly aiming. But what do the rules of good shooting say? After each shot, you need to inspect the target, make an estimate for the bullet’s flight, and, taking all this into account, continue training. Semi-automatic weapons perform well if they are rifled. But this is not interesting for newcomers to the Russian Federation.

Popular horizontal lines

Over the past few years, Russian enterprises have really increased their capacity, presenting commercial hunters (and simply fans of sports and recreational shooting) with a lot of excellent examples of 16-gauge smoothbore shotguns.

IZH-58

An excellent representative of the model range, enjoying considerable popularity in Russia and a number of CIS countries. Ideal for beginner hunters.

The design of IZH-58 is distinguished by the presence of internal trigger locks with fuses. This reduces the likelihood of an accidental shot to a minimum. The gun has three bolts - two upper and one lower. This ensures a tight locking of the barrel.

Hunting rifle IZH-58
Please note that with a barrel length of 710 mm, the weight of IZH-58 reaches 3.3 kg. You can find 2 additional modifications on sale:

1. IZH-58 MA - equipped with an automatic fuse.
2. IZH-58 MAE - has a removable ejector.

MP-43

Another name for the gun is IZH-43. This model is equipped with a universal double-trigger trigger mechanism, which allows the hunter to choose the shooting mode: autonomous or single-trigger. Suitable for beginners, highly reliable in handling.

MP-43 has an ergonomic shape. If you decide to buy this model, choose a gun from later releases, because over time the manufacturer has improved the build quality.

Double-barreled shotgun MP-43 beech

TOZ-BM

Another representative of 16 gauge. A horizontal double-barreled shotgun with good shooting performance, balanced weight and ease of handling. With regular care, it is resistant to external factors.

TOZ-BM 1956 release

Let's say a word about calibers

There are a large number of them. When choosing a weapon, you need to pay attention to its caliber. This determines what kind of game you can hunt. Let's look at the most popular options for weapons used in the Russian Federation for hunting:

1. 12 gauge shotgun. Choosing a gun of this type means betting on versatility. This is the most popular option among hunting enthusiasts. It can fire shot, buckshot and slugs. With it you can hunt bears, moose, wolves, hares, and ducks. In addition, such a gun has proven itself excellent in self-defense. Truly – universality in living embodiment.
2. 16 gauge shotgun. Such weapons have less weight and recoil. This is good if you plan to walk a lot during the hunt. But there is also a drawback - it is difficult to find cartridges of a suitable caliber. Therefore, if they are available, it is necessary to stock up on them properly.
3. 20 gauge shotgun. Due to the weak recoil, many gunsmiths also call it “female”. This weapon is suitable for hunting small animals. For example, hares or ducks. Keep in mind that going after a large animal with him is not the best idea. If you try to kill a bear with such a weapon, it will most likely end sadly for the hunter.

Browning 525

We finish remembering the best smoothbore shotguns and before us is the Bockflint, developed by John Moses Browning. Naturally, such a brilliant gunsmith created a real miracle, and it is still in demand among professional shooters. The best shotguns for hunting Browning 525 have been tested by time and have proven that they are reliable, balanced, comfortable and beautiful in appearance. The main manufacturer of the models is Belgium, and the stock is made of expensive walnut. This is why many people cannot afford the Browning 525.

• Country: Belgium
• Caliber: 12, 20, 28 mm
• Length: 1030 mm
• Weight: 3.2 kg.

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Shotgun selection

So, we have already learned all the necessary general information. Now let's figure out how to choose a gun for hunting for a beginner. You should always remember these points:

1. A repeating shotgun is always heavier than a single- or double-barreled shotgun.
2. The more difficult a weapon is to manufacture, the more expensive it is. But there is a question of quality. So, for 30 thousand rubles you can buy a reliable and high-quality double-barreled shotgun (for example, IZH-27), which will last a very long time and, quite likely, can be inherited by your son or even grandson. Whereas a pump-action shotgun, costing 10,000 rubles. will have, perhaps, a terrible fight and a small resource of use.
3. A complex mechanism requires distinct and precise operation. Therefore, it is advisable to purchase guns from famous and trusted companies that have proven themselves to be good.
4. When purchasing a pump-action shotgun, it is advisable to aim not at the police (of which there are many), but at the hunting version. In this case, there will be a rear sight, a front sight, and quite good survivability.
5. A repeating shotgun with one barrel does not allow you to change the accuracy of shot shooting. But in some cases this circumstance can be corrected with replaceable nozzles.

In general, I would like to advise you to pay attention to domestic arms factories. They produce strong, reliable and durable products that are in demand not only in our homeland, but also abroad. For example, the Saiga in a ten-shot version was adopted by the police of a number of Western European countries.

Benelli Vinchi

We continue to explore the topic of which hunting rifle is better and remember the Italian Benelli Vinchi. Today, this weapon is considered innovative and has absorbed all the best. Therefore, many years of work and improvements on them have improved efficiency and durability. The best guns for hunting are comfortable, because the material does not slip, and this is the most important thing during fishing. The mechanism works very quietly, and was even able to soften the recoil.

• Country: Italy
• Caliber: 12 mm
• Length: 1115 mm
• Weight: 3.15 kg.

How to choose a hunting rifle depending on your needs?

The first condition is that it must be universal and suitable for hunting any game. What caliber of gun should I choose for such cases? There is not much choice here - either 12 or 16. As a rule, it is a matter of taste. But if you ask experienced hunters for their opinion about them, then, perhaps, many will prefer the 12 gauge. Although, if you plan to hunt exclusively for small game, then you can choose others - 20, 24, 28 and so on. If you are only interested in a bear or an elephant, then you need to focus on 4 or 8 gauge. As you can see, the 12th is rightfully considered universal, such that it can be used in various conditions. After selecting the caliber and the desired unit, the following sequence of actions follows:

1. It is necessary to carefully inspect the gun upon purchase for any defects. Never take a seller's word for it. Just because it's brand new doesn't mean it's free from defects. There is a popular complaint among hunters that the quality of domestic production has dropped somewhat in recent years. Although it should be noted that the very fact that the gun is foreign is not a certificate of its quality.
2. The weapon must be practical. What does it mean? Numerous jumps should be made. At the same time, it should lie equally on the shoulder. In this case, his aiming line should coincide with the direction of view with virtually no adjustments. This depends on the balance of the gun, as well as how it suits the buyer's body type.
3. The weapon must be of suitable weight. This is a very important criterion, especially for running hunts, when it has to be carried for many hours on the shoulder or in the hands. Long-term practice shows that a gun should be no more than 1/22 of the hunter’s weight.

Here's how to choose the right gun in stores.

Arrangement of store samples

Single-shot magazine shotguns are models in which reloading is carried out by manual action on the bolt, while the cartridges are located in a special container called a magazine. The shooter first pulls the bolt back, thereby removing the spent cartridge from there, after which he moves the bolt to the reverse position, sending a new cartridge from the magazine into the chamber. Similar manipulations occur before each shot.

As a rule, the magazine capacity is two rounds or more. Containers are tubular or box-shaped. Box stores, in turn, are divided into fixed and removable.

What should you pay attention to?

Let's expand the introductory situation a little and take into account that weapons can be bought not only in stores, but also second-hand. What should you pay attention to? First of all, for the safety of the inner surface. To do this, the sleeve is removed, and then the barrels are rotated along the axis of their channels. In this case, you need to shake them slightly and look at the light. If there is a slight rash or slightly tarnished glass, then this is a nuisance that may be missed if the gun itself is really good. But if there is a surface corroded by a layer of rust, it is better to refuse to purchase it.

You need to be wary if the weapon looks shabby. For example, the stock is worn, metal burns around the firing pins are visible, the outside of the barrels has turned grey, but at the same time its inner surface shines as if new. Most likely, this indicates that the trunks are shuffled. In other words, the top layer of metal was removed to remove rust. After this procedure, in the vast majority of cases, the weapon loses its fire.

You also need to pay attention to soldering. It often acts as a weak point in guns. First of all, it is necessary to inspect the soldering area for its quality. To do this, you need to hang the gun by the under-barrel front hook on a rope and hit the bar several times with a stick. If a rattling sound is heard, this indicates a soldering defect. In addition, you need to wipe the grease off the barrel pads with a cloth and connect them to the stock. Then rest the butt against your thigh and swing it lengthwise. The slightest motion will be immediately felt. The presence of such defects should immediately discourage you from purchasing a gun. It would be a good idea to check the operation of the triggers. After all, the speed of the shot and accuracy depend on them. When cocking, loud, sharp clicks should be heard. The strikers are simply required to provide sufficient impact force. You can check it like this: put the cartridge case on the firing pin. Let's pull the trigger. The cartridge case should bounce at least half a meter. Here's how to choose a hunting rifle.

The best carbines

The carbine is the most prestigious and expensive weapon in existence. The presence of a Blaser or Mauser in a gun room speaks not only of the owner’s wealth, but also of his love for weapons and dedication to hunting.

The high cost places high demands on the characteristics and appearance of the gun. It was based on these criteria that the selection for the rating below was carried out.

Blaser R8

The undisputed favorite in sales, for many years, no one managed not only to displace him, but at least to reduce the gap in the number of sales.

If theoretically there was a standard for an ideal weapon for hunting, then the Blaser R8 would undoubtedly be very similar to it. Lightweight, compact, instant reloading, safe and very accurate.

This characteristic would be sufficient for any weapon, but not for a carbine. It is extremely multifunctional and can be customized for any task. Even changing barrels, an available option on the Blaser R8 and its highlight, is not available to any of its competitors.

Advantages:

• unique accuracy and accuracy of combat;
• multifunctionality

Flaws:

• not detected.

Mauser M98

An excellent carbine and the main competitor of the previous model. Reliable, prestigious, M 98 is a typical representative of the timeless classics.

This carbine is also the most popular, but for safari. The shot power of this weapon is very high and has good stopping power, which is very important when hunting buffalo, rhinoceroses, elephants and other large animals. The bolt is locked with 6 lugs; ammunition is replenished with the magazine removed or from above.

Advantages:

• unparalleled reliability and reliability of the Mauser bolt.

Flaws:

• not detected.

What to buy?

It has already been discussed how to choose a gun for a beginner. Now let's talk about specific representatives that are recommended for purchase by inexperienced future hunters:

1. Izh-18. Single-barreled shotgun. Works with calibers ranging from 12 to 28. A reliable classic.
2. Izh-27. Double-barreled shotgun. Vertical. Hunting classic.
3. TOZ-34. Double-barreled shotgun. Vertical. Industrial weapons.
4. Izh-43. Double-barreled shotgun. Horizontal. Not elegant, but simple and reliable.
5. MC-21. Has original design solutions. Considered one of the best representatives of Russian self-loading machines.
6. "Boar Hunter". A rifled carbine chambered for 7.62 x 51. There are complaints that it was made not for hunting, but for war.

Of course, you don’t have to rely solely on the guns listed above. If your heart is set, then you can purchase representatives of other families, including foreign ones. But it is necessary to take into account the difference in cost. So, for example, the products of the Izhevsk and Tula arms factories are not inferior to those that are manufactured. And the difference in cost is about ten times. Considering both this and the large amount of information on domestic models, it is better to bet on local guns. Then there will be a much lower chance of disappointment.

TOZ-34

Soviet guns for light hunting, which almost everyone has heard about. Their production started in 1964 at a plant in Tula, and about 1 year later the weapon received a gold medal. At that moment, nothing lighter than 3.2 kilograms had been invented, and therefore TOZ-34 was recognized as worthy of this award. Over the entire history of models, at least a million have been produced. The over-and-under shotgun with two barrels has a striking design with strict shapes, maintains excellent balance and demonstrates excellent accuracy. The best TOZ-34 shotguns are still being produced today and are unlikely to stop.

• Country: USSR/Russia
• Caliber: 12, 16, 20, 28 and 32 mm
• Length: 1150 mm
• Weight: 3.2 kg.