The Best Single-Shot Shotguns

There are 3 main reasons to consider a single-shot shotgun — the first is their legality. Generally, most states allow hunting with a shotgun, but migratory bird hunting requires a capacity of 3 shells or less owing to the Migratory Bird Protection Act. If your shotgun can hold more three rounds, you have to have plug the magazine to limit the magazine to the legal hunting capacity.

Single-shot guns make this easier to navigate, as they hold a single shell in the barrel, making for one less thing to worry about. This helps keep hunting fun and uncomplicated.

Second, single-shot shotguns are remarkably reliable. Building upon break-action breech-loading rifle designs from around the turn of the 20th century, the only real moving parts of single-shot shotguns are the breech hinge and the trigger mechanism. There is simply very little that can break.

Upon opening the action, everything is laid bare right in front of you, which means repairing or cleaning on a single-shot, break-action shotgun is relatively straightforward. Additionally, once the hammer is cocked the trigger pull is light and crisp, making them excellent small game and hunting arms. They’re relatively simple firearms, which means they work well for years and years.

Finally, there is more than a little cool factor in these guns. While some use modern materials, most are finished in a classic wood, like American Walnut, making them beautiful objects to display in your home. Similarly, there’s a nostalgia factor that we like about these firearms: stalking through the woods with your grandpa, holding a pair of gorgeous, single-shot shotguns between you is the stuff of great memories.

Don’t be intimidated by the limited capacity though — these are sporting arms through and through. There’s an excitement in knowing you have just one shot to get it right, and filling your tags shot-by-shot makes for a truly satisfying hunt.

Modern Products

We didn’t consider classic firearms for this list. All recommendations had to be in current production. There are probably more vintage single-shot guns available than new models and if you can find a quality example locally, by all means, pick it up.

We can’t get our hands on those in reliable numbers, and any used firearm needs to be vetted in person if you expect to be functional, so we’ve recommended modern productions only.

One note on product selection — we’ve included breech-loading shotguns with single-barrel, over-under, and side-by-side double-barrel orientations. Rather than focus on single-barrel only (which are single-shot in the truest sense) incorporating any breech-loading shotgun that has to be opened to be reloaded will give you a much broader sense of the available products.

The mechanics of reloading & firing are nearly the same for all options in this list (only one round comes out of each barrel before the action has to come apart). This leaves us with a little more variety in an otherwise fairly small market segment. We avoided pump-action and tactical shotguns in favor of breech loaders.

A fit for your purpose

Given that these guns can vary significantly from one model to another, we’ve given each recommendation a specific purpose.

Unlike modern tactical firearms, these older designs tend to be purpose-built for a single kind of shooting. For this list, we preferred firearms that excel at one thing rather a jack of all trades.

They all share the benefits we discussed above, but are fine-tuned to do one thing exceptionally well. Performance is key to the utility of these designs.

Before diving into specific recommendations, it’s worth understanding what makes these firearms tick. Single-shot shotguns might seem straightforward — load one shell, fire, reload — but there’s more variety in design and function than you might expect. Getting familiar with the different types will help you make a more informed decision about which style best fits your needs.

Action Types: How They Work

The vast majority of single-shot shotguns use what’s called a break-action mechanism, though you’ll occasionally encounter other designs. Here’s what you need to know about each:

Break-Action (Hinged Breech)

This is the classic design that most people picture when they think of single-shot shotguns. The barrel hinges open at the breech, exposing the chamber for loading. It’s the same basic mechanism whether you’re looking at a single-barrel gun or a side-by-side double.

How it works: A lever or button releases the barrel latch, allowing the barrel to pivot downward. Load your shell, snap the action closed, and you’re ready to fire. After firing, opening the action automatically extracts the spent shell.

Advantages: Dead simple, incredibly reliable, easy to clean and maintain. The exposed chamber makes it foolproof to verify the gun is unloaded.

Disadvantages: Slower to reload than other actions, though this is rarely an issue for hunting applications.

Single-Action (Hammer-Fired)

While most break-actions are hammer-fired, some single-shots use an external hammer that you manually cock before firing. These tend to be more traditional designs.

How it works: Pull back the exposed hammer until it clicks into the cocked position, then pull the trigger to fire.

Advantages: Very light trigger pull once cocked, often more precise for target shooting.

Disadvantages: Extra step in the firing process, hammer can snag on clothing or brush.

Other Actions

You’ll occasionally find single-shot shotguns with bolt-action or even falling-block mechanisms, but these are relatively rare in the shotgun world. For practical purposes, break-action dominates this market segment.

Barrel Configurations

Single-shot shotguns come in three main barrel configurations, each with distinct advantages:

Single-Barrel Shotguns

The purest expression of the single-shot concept. One barrel, one shell, maximum simplicity. These guns are typically the lightest and most affordable option, making them excellent choices for young shooters learning the fundamentals or experienced hunters who appreciate the challenge of making every shot count.

Best for: Training new shooters, small game hunting, survival situations, budget-conscious buyers.

Side-by-Side Doubles

The classic “coach gun” configuration puts two barrels next to each other horizontally. While technically not single-shot (you get two shots before reloading), they’re included in this category because each barrel must be loaded individually and the action must be opened to reload.

Best for: Home defense, upland bird hunting, traditional shooting sports, collectors who appreciate classic styling.

Over/Under Doubles

Two barrels stacked vertically, with the second barrel directly above the first. Like side-by-sides, these break open and give you two shots before reloading, but the vertical arrangement offers some practical advantages, such as using different choke tubes for each barrel (many folks will run one Improved Cylinder for closer, faster shot and a Modified choke for longer ranges or follow-up shots.)

Best for: Clay shooting sports, serious bird hunting, situations where precision is paramount.

Gauge Selection: Matching Power to Purpose

Choosing the right gauge is crucial for getting the performance you want. Here’s how the most common options stack up:

.410

Don’t let the small size fool you — .410 can be incredibly effective within its limitations. The light recoil makes it perfect for introducing new shooters to the sport, and it’s surprisingly capable on small game like rabbits and squirrels at close range.

Ideal for: Youth and small-statured shooters, close-range small game, pest control around the farm.

Consider carefully for: Anything beyond 25-30 yards, larger game, situations where you need maximum stopping power.

20 Gauge

The goldilocks of shotgun gauges — not too big, not too small, but just right for most applications. 20 gauge delivers solid performance with manageable recoil, making it an excellent all-around choice.

Ideal for: General hunting, shooters sensitive to recoil, all-day carry situations, most bird hunting scenarios.

Consider carefully for: Waterfowl hunting (though 3″ shells help), situations requiring maximum range.

12 Gauge

The heavy hitter of the shotgun world. 12 gauge delivers maximum power and the widest selection of ammunition types, from light target loads to heavy waterfowl loads and everything in between.

Ideal for: Waterfowl hunting, turkey hunting, home defense, situations requiring maximum power or range.

Consider carefully for: Recoil-sensitive shooters, extended shooting sessions, youth applications.

Chamber Length Considerations

Most modern single-shot shotguns are chambered to handle both standard-length shells and longer magnum shells in the same gauge. A 3″ chamber will safely fire 2.75″ shells, but the reverse isn’t true.

Standard chambers (2.75″): Fine for most hunting and target applications, typically less expensive.

Magnum chambers (3″ or 3.5″): Accommodate longer, more powerful shells for waterfowl and turkey hunting.

Pro tip: Unless you specifically need magnum performance, standard-length chambers are often the better choice. They’re typically lighter, balance better, and standard-length shells are less expensive and more widely available.

Below is my list of the best single-shot shotguns. I list the best choices in terms of value, performance, design, and cost.

Click on the name to head to the product page, read reviews and check prices or skip ahead to the list of shotguns.

1. Small Game Hunting: Stevens Model 301

In terms of utilitarian guns, the Stevens/Savage Model 301 is hard to beat. Stevens — a sub-brand of Savage Arms — built this 301 to be more hunting-oriented with its camo finish, but it is both incredibly popular (the Savage 301 was the 3rd most popular single-shot shotgun sold on Gunbroker.com in 2019) and has a number of features which make it a good choice for survival as well.

First and foremost, it’s light at just 4.6 lbs, and has both iron sights and a 1913 rail for mounting optics. A pistol red dot would be an interesting and useful call on this 20 gauge model for medium range engagements.

Additionally, you’ve got sling swivels to ease long range carry and a recoil pad to soften up the shooting experience. With buckshot at close range this would be a solid hunting shotgun.

2. Farm/Utility Work: ATI Nomad

For sheer utility, this is another great choice. The ATI Nomad comes in .410, 20 gauge and 12 gauge, and would make a great second shotgun chambered in the same gauge as your primary. The 3” chamber will accommodate any shell you tend to run in other guns plus the synthetic stock has pre-installed sling swivels, making this shotgun a perfect choice to keep in your truck on the farm for disposing of pests like coyotes.

Especially in the 26” barrel variants, this is a light, compact, useful tool that we’d happily pair with one of ATI’s backpacksfor an affordable survival kit.

3. Clay Shooting: Browning BT-99

The Browning BT-99 first saw the light of day 1968 and was put out to pasture in 1995 until 2001 when Browning re-introduced the new BT-99 which is still in production today. It’s a firearm that is as beautiful as it is practical: excelling at bird and clay shooting, with its rib sight and adjustable length of pull. With an overall length of more than 47 inches, the BT-99 isn’t going to cut it for home defense but as a hunting tool, it’s a top performer.

The fit and finish on these are second to none, and it is exactly the kind of firearm you would want to pass down to your grandchildren. In many ways, the BT-99 is an example of classic beauty that shows off what contemporary manufacturing techniques can do with a design that’s over a century old.

4. Premium Bird Hunting: Winchester 101

An absolute classic, the Winchester Model 101 is the kind of firearm anyone would be delighted to inherit. Originally introduced 1963 (in 12 gauge only we might add) it sold for $284 – undercutting Browning’s Superposed model by more than $80 at the time.

This one is an over-under in 12 gauge and is likely one of the finest wood stock bird hunting guns on the market today. Aside from the stunning fit and finish on this piece of art, the classic vent rib, quality of the barrel, trigger, and sights make this a more than capable field gun. If you take care of this firearm, it will not only turn heads at the range but truly enable you to bring home food as long as you do your part in the shooting.

5. Home Defense: CZ Coach Gun

In the lawless west of 1858, Wells, Fargo & Co. began stagecoach service along the 2,800 miles from Tipton, Mo., to San Francisco, Calif. These coaches moved passengers, mail, and gold shipments to Wells Fargo’s banking facilities, which made them a regular target for outlaws.

Robbing coaches essentially became a cottage industry from 1870 to 1884 – with Wells Fargo coaches seeing some 347 attempted robberies. Driving a stagecoach was not for faint of heart – some of the most famous drivers went on to become the stuff of western legend – with names like Buffalo Bill Cody, Wyatt Earp, and Wild Bill Hickok.

The driver’s box of these coaches would include both the driver and an armed guard toting a coach gun. The term coach gun didn’t pertain to a specific make or model, but a generic class of guns. These compact, side-by-side double-barreled shotguns have 12- to 20-inch barrels which made for capable handling in the cramped confines of a stagecoach.

This example from CZ is a fantastic double-barrel side-by-side with an attractive walnut stock and black finish. This cylinder bore compact shotgun would be right at home in a closet for emergencies and home defense duty.

With that said, it’s also a capable hunting gun that would excel at hog hunting or situations where you need mobility and simplicity, and aren’t interested in fussing over finishes.

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2. Firearms History, Technology & Development, Loading Mechanisms: Breechloader, Wednesday, April 28, 2010
3. Peterson’s Hunting, Ben OBrien, Forty-Six Hunting Seasons With The Winchester 101, May 24, 2011
4. Midwest Gunworks, MGW: Know your Browning BT 99
5. Popular Mechanics, Revival Of The Coach Gun, Dec 7, 2004
6. American Rifleman, B. Gil Horman, Affordable Survival: ATI RUKX/Nomad Shotgun Combo, April 23, 2020
7. American Rifleman, Guy J. Sagi, Savage Arms 301: A Top-Selling Single Shot, July 22, 2020
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9. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Migratory Bird Program | Conserving America’s Birds, April 16, 2020