Truth be told, the shotgun was the versatile weapon that helped tame the wild West. Countless shotguns were carried by settlers, pioneers, farmers and wagonloads of others. For lawmen, the shotgun had the ability to stifle barroom arguments and bring desperados to their knees. The break-action, side-by-side shotgun was the most common type, but pump- and lever-action shotguns made their mark, too. And well before shells, there were muzzle-loading percussion models where you loaded all the required fixings. Luckily, several companies are offering modern reproductions to suit your needs. So, without further ado, here’s a roundup of some of the best cowboy shotguns.
For more on the cowboy shotguns featured in the gallery above, please visit the following sites.
Chiappa Model 1887
chiappafirearms.com
Cimarron 1878 Coach Gun
cimarron-firearms.com
Cimarron 1883 Double Barrel
cimarron-firearms.com
Cimarron Doc Holliday
cimarron-firearms.com
CZ Hammer Classic
cz-usa.com
CZ Hammer Coach
cz-usa.com
Dixie Gun Works Baker Cavalry
dixiegunworks.com
Dixie Gun Works M1887 Mare’s Leg
dixiegunworks.com
IAC Model 1897 Cowboy
iacshotguns.com
Stoeger Coach Gun Single Trigger
stoegerindustries.com
Stoeger Coach Gun Supreme
stoegerindustries.com
Taylor’s & Co. Black Powder Shotgun
taylorsfirearms.com
Taylor’s & Co. Wyatt Earp Shotgun
taylorsfirearms.com
This article was originally published in “Guns of the Old West” #90. To subscribe to the magazine, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.