There was a time when the side-by-side shotgun ruled the hunting fields and shooting grounds. It was the classic sportsman’s firearm, carried by generations of hunters and gamekeepers. Today, however, side-by-sides are in serious decline, losing ground to more modern over-and-under shotguns. The reasons are numerous, and while these guns still have their enthusiasts, the reality is that they are becoming relics of the past.
The Best Thing About Side-by-Sides: Price
One of the biggest advantages of side-by-side shotguns today is how inexpensive they have become. With demand plummeting, prices have followed. What was once a premium firearm that would cost thousands can now be picked up for a fraction of that price. High-quality, handmade shotguns that were crafted over a century ago are now selling for a few hundred dollars at auction. In terms of sheer value, there’s almost nothing that compares.
A Piece of History in Your Hands
There’s a romantic appeal to carrying an old side-by-side into the field. Owning one feels like holding a piece of history, a direct connection to the past. The craftsmanship on these firearms, especially older models, is stunning – beautiful engravings, fine wood stocks, and hand-fitted parts that modern mass-produced guns can’t match. For collectors and history buffs, this alone makes them worth owning.
Performance: Not as Bad as You Think
A shotgun is ultimately a tool for delivering a payload of shot, and in that regard, a side-by-side does the job just fine. If it’s pointed correctly, it will hit the target, whether that target is a bird, a clay, or a rabbit. Historically, hunters have taken massive numbers of birds using side-by-sides, proving that they can be just as effective as any other shotgun. The problem is not with their ability to function – it’s with how they compare to the competition.
The Over-and-Under Takeover
The biggest reason side-by-sides are fading away is simple: over-and-under shotguns are just better for most shooters. Over-and-unders are easier to shoot, easier to maintain, and generally more available. When someone walks into a gun shop today looking for a shotgun, they’ll find an overwhelming selection of over-and-unders and very few side-by-sides. The modern shooter simply isn’t interested in the old-school designs.
The Ease of Over-and-Under Shotguns
Over-and-unders have a natural advantage in terms of handling and aiming. Their stacked barrels create a single sight plane, which makes them much easier to shoot accurately, especially for beginners. The grip and forend are also more ergonomic, giving the shooter better control over the gun. Learning to shoot on an over-and-under means developing muscle memory and technique that doesn’t translate well to the quirks of a side-by-side.
The Decline of Traditional Shooting Schools
Another reason side-by-sides are disappearing is that fewer people are learning to shoot the way they used to. In the past, shooting skills were passed down from father to son, uncle to nephew, and often began in the field with a side-by-side in hand. Today, most new shooters get their training at dedicated shooting schools or clay target ranges, where over-and-unders dominate. The shift in training culture means fewer people even consider a side-by-side as an option.
Harder to Maintain, More Expensive to Fix
Over-and-under shotguns, especially modern ones, are built with interchangeable parts and modular designs. If a firing pin breaks in a popular brand, replacing it is quick and easy. Side-by-sides, especially older models, don’t have that luxury. Many of them were hand-built, meaning a broken part often requires custom machining to repair. As these guns age and break down, fewer people are willing to put in the time and money to restore them.
The Double-Trigger Problem
Another challenge with side-by-sides is the double-trigger system found on many traditional models. While some people love the ability to choose between two chokes instantly, the reality is that most shooters today aren’t trained to use them. Modern shotguns overwhelmingly use a single trigger that automatically switches between barrels, making them far more intuitive. Going from a single-trigger over-and-under to a double-trigger side-by-side is an adjustment that many people simply don’t want to make.
Changing Tastes and Trends
Style and tradition play a huge role in the firearms industry, and right now, side-by-sides just aren’t in fashion. While they’re still accepted in traditional hunting settings, they are becoming rarer on game shoots, where over-and-unders now dominate. Some traditional hunting groups even insist on using side-by-sides, but these are becoming the exception rather than the rule. The overall trend is clear: the market is moving away from them.
The Steel Shot Problem
One of the final nails in the coffin for side-by-sides is the transition to steel shot. Many older side-by-sides have smaller, softer chambers that aren’t suited for steel ammunition, which is becoming more common as lead shot restrictions increase. This makes them less versatile than modern shotguns, which are designed to handle a variety of loads. If a shooter needs a gun that can do it all, a side-by-side is often not the best choice.
A Future of Novelty and Nostalgia
Are side-by-side shotguns doomed? Probably not entirely. There will always be a niche market for them, especially among collectors and those who appreciate fine craftsmanship. Some hunters will continue using them for the tradition and challenge. However, their role in mainstream shooting sports and hunting is shrinking fast. For most people, they’re becoming more of a novelty than a practical tool.
Beautiful, Historic, but Outdated
Side-by-side shotguns are beautiful, historic, and undeniably charming, but they are also outdated in many ways. Over-and-under shotguns are easier to shoot, more reliable, and more widely available, making them the preferred choice for modern shooters. The combination of changing training methods, evolving ammunition standards, and simple market trends has pushed side-by-sides into the background.
For those who love them, they will always have a place. But for the average shooter looking for an all-around shotgun, the answer is clear – the era of the side-by-side is coming to an end.
Raised in a small Arizona town, Kevin grew up surrounded by rugged desert landscapes and a family of hunters. His background in competitive shooting and firearms training has made him an authority on self-defense and gun safety. A certified firearms instructor, Kevin teaches others how to properly handle and maintain their weapons, whether for hunting, home defense, or survival situations. His writing focuses on responsible gun ownership, marksmanship, and the role of firearms in personal preparedness.