Shotguns are versatile firearms used for various purposes, from hunting to home defense.
They come in many different types, each with unique characteristics and uses.
Whether you’re a hunter, a sports shooter, or someone looking for home defense, understanding the different types of shotguns can help you choose the right one for your needs.
This blog will explore 25 types of shotguns, highlighting their features and common uses.
List of Different Types of Shotguns
1. Pump-Action Shotgun
Pump-action shotguns are among the most common types.
They are known for their reliability and ease of use.
To eject the spent shell and load a new one, the shooter must manually pump the forearm.
Pump-action shotguns are popular for hunting, home defense, and law enforcement.
- Operation: Manually operated by pumping the forearm
- Common Uses: Hunting, home defense, law enforcement
- Features: Reliable, easy to use
2. Semi-Automatic Shotgun
Semi-automatic shotguns automatically load the next round after firing, allowing for quicker follow-up shots.
These shotguns are favored by sport shooters, hunters, and those looking for home defense.
They offer a balance between speed and control.
- Operation: Automatically loads next round after firing
- Common Uses: Hunting, sport shooting, home defense
- Features: Fast follow-up shots, balanced control
3. Double-Barrel Shotgun
Double-barrel shotguns have two parallel barrels, allowing for two shots before needing to reload.
They come in two main configurations: over-under and side-by-side.
Double-barrel shotguns are popular in hunting and clay shooting sports.
- Operation: Two parallel barrels for consecutive shots
- Common Uses: Hunting, clay shooting
- Features: Two shots before reloading, traditional design
4. Single-Shot Shotgun
Single-shot shotguns are simple firearms that hold and fire one shell at a time.
Due to their reliability and ease of maintenance, they are often used for training, hunting, and survivalists.
Single-shot shotguns are among the most affordable options available.
- Operation: Fires one shell at a time
- Common Uses: Hunting, training, survival
- Features: Simple, reliable, affordable
5. Over-Under Shotgun
Over-under shotguns have two barrels stacked vertically.
Due to their balanced handling and precision, they are commonly used in sport shooting events like trap and skeet.
Competitive shooters and hunters alike favor over-under shotguns.
- Operation: Vertical double-barrel design
- Common Uses: Trap, skeet, hunting
- Features: Balanced, precise, popular in sports
6. Side-by-Side Shotgun
Side-by-side shotguns feature two barrels placed horizontally next to each other.
They have a classic, traditional appearance and are often used in hunting and sport shooting.
Side-by-side shotguns are known for their quick pointing and handling.
- Operation: Horizontal double-barrel design
- Common Uses: Hunting, sport shooting
- Features: Classic design, quick handling
7. Break-Action Shotgun
Break-action shotguns have a hinge that allows the barrels to “break” open for loading and unloading.
They are simple and reliable, making them popular for hunting, sport shooting, and training.
Break-action shotguns can be single or double-barreled.
- Operation: Hinge design for easy loading and unloading
- Common Uses: Hunting, sport shooting, training
- Features: Simple, reliable, versatile
8. Bolt-Action Shotgun
Bolt-action shotguns operate similarly to bolt-action rifles, requiring the shooter to manually operate the bolt to eject a spent shell and load a new one.
They are less common than other types but are used in niche hunting and sport shooting applications.
- Operation: Manually operated bolt action
- Common Uses: Hunting, niche shooting sports
- Features: Precision, less common design
9. Lever-Action Shotgun
Lever-action shotguns cycle the action using a lever located around the trigger guard.
They are known for their speed and reliability and are often used in hunting and cowboy action shooting.
Lever-action shotguns have a nostalgic appeal and are favored by traditionalists.
- Operation: Lever around trigger guard to cycle action
- Common Uses: Hunting, cowboy action shooting
- Features: Fast, reliable, nostalgic
10. Automatic Shotgun
Automatic shotguns, also known as fully automatic shotguns, can continuously fire rounds as long as the trigger is held down.
These shotguns are typically used in military and specialized law enforcement roles due to their high rate of fire.
- Operation: Fully automatic firing mechanism
- Common Uses: Military, specialized law enforcement
- Features: High rate of fire, tactical use
11. Tactical Shotgun
Tactical shotguns are designed for combat and defense situations.
They feature enhancements like extended magazines, rails for attachments, and adjustable stocks.
They are commonly used by military, law enforcement, and home defense enthusiasts.
- Operation: Enhanced for tactical use
- Common Uses: Combat, law enforcement, home defense
- Features: Extended magazines, rails, adjustable stocks
12. Hunting Shotgun
Hunting shotguns are specifically designed for hunting games, with features like camo finishes, choke options, and longer barrels for increased accuracy.
These versatile shotguns can be used for various game types, from birds to deer.
- Operation: Optimized for hunting
- Common Uses: Hunting various game
- Features: Camo finish, chokes, long barrels
13. Sawed-Off Shotgun
Sawed-off shotguns have shortened barrels and stocks, making them more compact and maneuverable.
Due to their reduced size, they are often associated with illegal use but can be legally owned with the proper paperwork.
They are used in close-quarters situations.
- Operation: Shortened barrel and stock
- Common Uses: Close-quarters, tactical
- Features: Compact, easy to maneuver
14. Youth Shotgun
Youth shotguns are designed for younger or smaller shooters, featuring shorter stocks, lighter weights, and reduced recoil.
They are often used for training and introducing new shooters to the sport.
Youth shotguns are available in various action types.
- Operation: Tailored for younger shooters
- Common Uses: Training, sport introduction
- Features: Shorter stock, lighter weight, reduced recoil
15. Coach Gun
Coach guns are short-barreled, double-barrel shotguns originally used by stagecoach guards in the Old West.
They are favored for their ease of use and effectiveness in close-quarters situations, making them popular in cowboy action shooting.
- Operation: Short-barreled double-barrel shotgun
- Common Uses: Cowboy action shooting, home defense
- Features: Easy to use, effective in close quarters
16. Trap Shotgun
Trap shotguns are specifically designed for trap shooting, where shooters aim to hit clay targets launched away from them.
These shotguns often have longer barrels and specialized chokes to improve accuracy and shot patterns.
- Operation: Optimized for trap shooting
- Common Uses: Trap shooting sport
- Features: Long barrels, specialized chokes
17. Skeet Shotgun
Skeet shotguns are designed for skeet shooting, where shooters aim at clay targets crossing in front of them.
These shotguns often have shorter barrels and adjustable chokes to accommodate the sport’s fast-paced nature.
- Operation: Designed for skeet shooting
- Common Uses: Skeet shooting sport
- Features: Shorter barrels, adjustable chokes
18. Sporting Shotgun
Sporting shotguns are versatile firearms in various shooting sports, including clays, traps, and skeet.
They are designed to handle different target presentations and often feature adjustable stocks and multiple choke options.
- Operation: Versatile for multiple shooting sports
- Common Uses: Sporting clays, trap, skeet
- Features: Adjustable stocks, multiple chokes
19. Slug Gun
Slug guns are shotguns specifically designed to fire slugs rather than shot pellets.
They are used for hunting large game like deer, where precision and stopping power are required.
Slug guns often feature rifled barrels for improved accuracy.
- Operation: Designed for firing slugs
- Common Uses: Hunting large game
- Features: Rifled barrels, high stopping power
20. Turkey Shotgun
Turkey shotguns are specialized hunting shotguns designed for turkey hunting.
They often feature camouflage patterns, tight chokes for long-range shots, and fiber-optic sights for better targeting.
These shotguns are optimized for stealth and accuracy.
- Operation: Optimized for turkey hunting
- Common Uses: Turkey hunting
- Features: Camouflage, tight chokes, fiber-optic sights
21. Police Shotgun
Police shotguns are tactical firearms used by law enforcement for various duties, including crowd control and close-quarters combat.
They are often pump-action or semi-automatic, featuring enhancements like extended magazines and tactical lights.
- Operation: Tactical design for law enforcement
- Common Uses: Law enforcement, crowd control
- Features: Extended magazines, tactical lights
22. Military Shotgun
Military shotguns are robust firearms designed for use in combat scenarios.
They are often semi-automatic or pump-action and are built to withstand harsh conditions.
Military shotguns may be used for breaching, close-quarters combat, and other tactical operations.
- Operation: Built for combat use
- Common Uses: Military, breaching, close-quarters combat
- Features: Durable, tactical design
23. Home Defense Shotgun
Home defense shotguns are designed to protect one’s home.
They feature short barrels for maneuverability, easy-to-use controls, and often tactical enhancements.
These shotguns are typically pump-action or semi-automatic for reliability and speed.
- Operation: Designed for home defense
- Common Uses: Home protection
- Features: Short barrels, easy controls, tactical options
24. Survival Shotgun
Survival shotguns are versatile firearms designed for survival situations.
They are often lightweight, durable, and capable of firing a variety of ammunition types.
Outdoor enthusiasts and preppers favored survival shotguns.
- Operation: Versatile for survival situations
- Common Uses: Survival, outdoor activities
- Features: Lightweight, durable, multi-purpose
25. Short-Barreled Shotgun
Short-barreled shotguns (SBS) have a barrel length shorter than the legal limit, making them highly maneuverable in tight spaces.
They are heavily regulated and often require special permits.
SBS are used in specialized tactical situations.
- Operation: Shortened barrel for maneuverability
- Common Uses: Tactical, specialized situations
- Features: Compact, regulated
Conclusion
Shotguns are diverse firearms that serve various purposes, from hunting and sport shooting to tactical applications and home defense.
Understanding the different types of shotguns can help you choose the right one for your needs, whether you’re a seasoned shooter or a beginner.
Every kind of shotgun offers unique features that make it suited to specific tasks, ensuring a shotgun for every situation.
