Last updated and checked November 14, 2026
Prefer stacked barrels over horizontal? See our 7 best over/under shotguns under $1,000 ranking, same break-action format, modern competition-friendly layout, plus the budget price tier most buyers actually shop.
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- Treat every gun as loaded
- Point the muzzle in a safe direction
- Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot
- Know your target and what’s beyond
How we tested: Every pick here is ranked against our testing methodology. Minimum round counts, accuracy and reliability protocols, the failures that disqualify a gun.
Best Side-by-Side Shotguns in 2026 at a Glance
| Shotgun | Gauge | Barrel | MSRP | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEST VALUE CZ Sharp-Tail |
12 / 20 / 28 / .410 | 28" | $1,199 | Lowest Price ↓ |
| BEST UPLAND CZ Bobwhite G2 |
12 / 20 / 28 | 28" | $799 | Lowest Price ↓ |
| BEST BUDGET Stoeger Coach Gun Supreme |
12 | 20" | $579 | Lowest Price ↓ |
| BEST PREMIUM Beretta 486 Parallelo |
12 / 20 | 26" / 28" / 30" | From $8,299.00 street | Lowest Price ↓ |
| BEST LUXURY AYA No. 2 |
12 / 16 / 20 / 28 / .410 | 27" / 28" / 30" | EUR 10,604.61 | Lowest Price ↓ |
Table of Contents
Best Side-by-Side Shotguns in 2026
Picking the best side by side shotgun in 2026 means choosing between Turkish value, Italian premium, and Spanish bespoke. A side-by-side (SxS) shotgun is a break-action gun with two barrels mounted horizontally next to each other, fired from a single trigger or two. The best side-by-side shotgun for 2026 comes down to four questions: what you’re hunting, how much you’ll carry, what trigger setup you want, and how deep your wallet goes.
I’ve shot SxS guns from sub-$600 Stoeger Coach Guns to Spanish sidelocks that cost more than my first car. The market is healthier than people think. Ten years ago the SxS was treated like a museum piece. Today CZ, TriStar, Stoeger, and a handful of Turkish makers are putting genuine field-grade SxS shotguns in shooter hands for under $1,200.
This list runs from $450.99 (Stoeger Uplander in our feed, $499 list) to the AYA No. 2, which AYA prices at EUR 10,604.61 before options. Eight picks across upland, sporting clays, classic Western coach gun, and bespoke Spanish sidelock categories.
Quick note on origin: most affordable SxS shotguns on the US market are imports, and the makers do not always say from where. CZ sells the Sharp-Tail and Bobwhite G2 under its CZ-USA Field Sports name and states no country of manufacture on its site or in its shotgun manual. Stoeger’s Coach Gun manual gives a warranty address in Brazil. TriStar Arms calls itself an importer and names no country for the Bristol. That’s fine, the build quality is solid. It’s just worth knowing what you’re buying.
1. CZ Sharp-Tail: Best Value Side-by-Side Shotgun
- Gauge: 12 / 20 / 28 / .410
- Barrel: 28″ with 5 flush screw chokes
- Action: Boxlock, single selective trigger, auto ejectors
- Weight: 5.9-7.3 lbs depending on gauge
- Stock: Turkish walnut, pistol grip, case-colored receiver
- Origin: Not stated by CZ (CZ-USA Field Sports line)
- MSRP: $1,199 (CZ); from $1,019.99 on the card below
Pros
- Single selective trigger
- Auto ejectors throw hulls cleanly
- Case-colored receiver, five chokes
Cons
- Pistol grip only, no English stock
- Trigger pull runs 5-6 pounds
- Wood is functional, not stunning
The CZ Sharp-Tail is the best entry point into serious side-by-side shooting in 2026. CZ lists it from $1,199, and the card above has it from $1,019.99. The combination of a single selective trigger, auto ejectors, five interchangeable chokes, and 28-gauge or .410 availability makes it the most versatile SxS under $1,500.
I shot a 20-gauge Sharp-Tail across a sporting clays course last fall and the gun handles like it should. The 28-inch barrels swing smoothly, the single trigger breaks consistently if a bit heavy, and the ejectors throw spent hulls four feet behind you.
I held a 28-gauge Sharp-Tail at SHOT Show 2025 and the case-coloring was genuinely well-done for the price. The case-colored receiver and Turkish walnut are above what you would expect at this price. It’s not Beretta-grade wood, but the figure is decent and the metal-to-wood fit is solid. Don’t expect bespoke craftsmanship, this is an import built to CZ’s spec.
The trigger is the one real complaint. Pulls average 5-6 lbs and have some creep. Sportsman armorers can lighten and clean it up for $100 to $150 of trigger work.
Best For: Anyone wanting a do-everything SxS for under $1,500 in gauges that aren’t 12 or 20. The 28-gauge Sharp-Tail is a particular gem for upland work.
2. CZ Bobwhite G2: Best English-Grip Upland SxS
- Gauge: 12 / 20 / 28
- Barrel: 28″ with 5 flush screw chokes
- Action: Boxlock, double trigger, extractors
- Weight: 6.5-7.3 lbs depending on gauge
- Stock: English straight grip, Turkish walnut, case-colored receiver
- Origin: Not stated by CZ (CZ-USA Field Sports line)
- MSRP: $799 (CZ); from $679.99 on the card below
Pros
- English straight grip, double triggers
- Under $800 for a real upland gun
- Five-choke set for upland or clays
Cons
- Double triggers take practice
- Extractors, not ejectors
- Wood is functional, not pretty
The CZ Bobwhite G2 is what happens when you take a traditional English-grip upland SxS and price it for normal people. In my view, this is the best 20 gauge side by side shotgun under $900 in 2026. It is also the best english stock side by side at this price band, with the only true English straight grip in the sub-$1,000 category. From $679.99 on the card above, it’s the cheapest serious double-trigger English-stock SxS you can buy in 2026.
I carried a 20-gauge Bobwhite G2 through a full day of pheasant hunting last fall, and the gun got lighter as the day went on, not heavier. The 20-gauge Bobwhite at 6.5 pounds is a genuine delight for upland work. Light, fast, and beautifully balanced between the hands. The English straight grip locks the gun into a natural pointing position. You don’t have to “swing” the Bobwhite past a bird, you point it.
Double triggers get a bad rap from people who’ve never used them. Once you spend an hour at the range, your finger finds the front trigger for the open choke and the rear for the tighter barrel automatically. It’s actually faster than a barrel selector for spontaneous second-barrel decisions on a flushing covey.
The Bobwhite uses extractors, not ejectors. That means you pluck spent hulls out by hand rather than having them tossed clear. Slower to reload, but quieter for hunting situations where you don’t want hulls clattering around. Some shooters prefer it.
Best For: Upland hunters who want a traditional English-stock double for under $1,000. The 20-gauge in particular is the gun to beat in the budget SxS category.
3. Stoeger Coach Gun Supreme: Best Budget SxS Shotgun
- Gauge: 12
- Barrel: 20″, Improved Cylinder and Modified choke tubes
- Action: Side-by-side, double or single trigger, extractors
- Weight: 6.5 lbs
- Stock: AA-grade satin walnut
- Warranty address: Veranópolis, Brazil (per Stoeger’s manual)
- MSRP: from $579 (Supreme) / from $449 (base Coach Gun), per Stoeger
Pros
- Lowest-priced pick on this list
- Short 20-inch barrels handle fast
- IC and Modified choke tubes included
Cons
- 12 gauge only
- Wood is plain at this price point
- Heavy double-trigger pulls out of the box
The Stoeger Coach Gun Supreme is the pick for shooters hunting the best cheap side by side shotgun under $700 for a simple reason: it’s an honest $479.99 gun in our feed that does what it says on the tin. Short 20-inch barrels, Improved Cylinder and Modified choke tubes, walnut stock, blued finish. It’s not pretty. It’s not refined. But it shoots.
I have taken three Stoegers through cowboy action shooting matches over the years and they’ve never let me down. The double triggers are heavy from the factory, count on a 6-7 pound pull on both. A gunsmith can lighten them to 4 pounds, and it is a cheap job.
For home defense, the 20-inch barrel coach gun is hard to beat. Short, light, easy to wield, with two barrels of buckshot ready to go. The Improved Cylinder tube throws an open pattern that’s forgiving at indoor distances.
The Supreme version adds upgrades over the base Coach Gun: select walnut stock, polished blued metal, and slightly tighter wood-to-metal fit. The $100 to $200 premium over a walnut base gun is worth it if you’re keeping the gun for the long haul.
Best For: Cowboy action shooters, home defenders, and anyone who wants a working SxS without spending four figures. Also a great loaner or backup gun.
4. TriStar Bristol: Best Sub-$1,200 Case-Colored SxS
- Gauge: 12 / 16 / 20 / 28 / .410
- Barrel: 28″ with 5 Beretta Mobil-style chokes
- Action: Boxlock, selective single trigger, auto ejectors
- Weight: 5.08 to 6.74 lbs depending on gauge
- Stock: Select Turkish walnut, English straight grip option, case-colored receiver
- Origin: Imported by TriStar Arms; country not stated
- MSRP: $1,369 to $1,419 depending on gauge (from $1,028.29 on the card below)
Pros
- Case-colored receiver, English straight stock
- Five Beretta Mobil-style choke tubes
- Auto ejectors, single selective trigger
Cons
- Trigger pull runs 5-6 pounds
- Wood is select, not premium
- Build quality has varied by year
The TriStar Bristol is the answer to “what’s the cheapest SxS that looks like a real gun?” The case-colored receiver is genuinely well-done. The English straight grip option puts traditional handling on the table for under $1,200. And the five-gauge availability (including 16-gauge, rare in 2026) makes it more versatile than the CZ Sharp-Tail.
I handled a 20-gauge Bristol at SHOT Show 2026 and the wood-to-metal fit was tighter than I expected at this price. Not Beretta tight, but better than the average budget import.
The 28-inch barrels and 6.4-pound weight in 20 GA make it a proper upland gun. The single selective trigger with barrel-selection lever puts you in fast-modify-choke territory without the learning curve of double triggers.
I handled a TriStar Bristol 16-gauge at a sporting clays event in 2025, and the gun struck me as obviously better-made than equivalent imports from five years ago. The Bristol’s reputation has improved noticeably in the last five years, recent imports show better fit, better wood grades, and more consistent build quality. The TriStar 5-year warranty backs the gun if something goes wrong.
Best For: Buyers who want a case-colored SxS in 16 gauge.410, or English-stock 20 gauge without spending Beretta money. The 16-gauge Bristol in particular is a unicorn at this price.
5. Beretta 486 Parallelo: Best Italian Premium SxS
- Gauge: 12 / 20
- Barrel: 26″ / 28″ / 30″ with 5 Optima HP chokes
- Action: Boxlock, single selective trigger (optional double), auto ejectors
- Weight: 6.6-7 lbs depending on gauge and barrel
- Stock: Premium walnut, available in English straight grip OR Prince of Wales pistol grip
- Made in: Italy (Beretta Gardone Val Trompia)
- Price: Beretta USA lists it from $7,199; from $8,299.00 on the card below
Pros
- Beretta build quality, Steelium barrels
- English straight or Prince of Wales grip
- Optima HP choke system
Cons
- A serious financial commitment
- 30-inch barrels can feel barrel-heavy
- Specific configurations can mean a wait
The Beretta 486 Parallelo is what an $8,299 SxS shotgun looks like when it isn’t bespoke. This is Beretta’s production SxS, built on the Gardone line alongside the 690 series O/Us, with the same Steelium barrels and Optima HP choke system.
I shot a 12-gauge 486 with 28-inch barrels at a sporting clays event a few years back. The build quality is unmistakable, every transition between metal and wood is smooth, the action breaks open and closes like it’s on rails, and the trigger pulls are at the lower end of factory production guns.
Beretta offers the 486 in both English straight stock and Prince of Wales pistol grip from the factory. That’s important: people assume “premium SxS = English stock only” but that’s not how Beretta sells it. You can order the pistol-grip version with single trigger and treat the 486 as a pure clays-and-driven-pheasant gun.
I have shot two different 486 Parallelos over the years (one borrowed, one at an Italian-gun club open day) and the lockup precision is in a different league from anything Turkish at the same MSRP. At $8,299.00 on the card above, this is the entry point for premium SxS guns. Below this, you’re in Turkish import territory. Above this, you’re in bespoke Spanish or English sidelock territory.
Resale is the quiet feature. Used Beretta 486s in good condition hold their value well. A used 486 from a reputable dealer can be a smart buy.
Best For: Serious upland hunters and sporting clays shooters who want a forever gun without going bespoke. The 20-gauge with 28-inch barrels and English grip is the connoisseur’s pick.
6. AYA No. 2: The Spanish Bespoke Sidelock
- Gauge: 12 / 16 / 20 / 28 / .410 (built to order)
- Barrel: 27″ / 28″ / 30″ with fixed or screw chokes (your choice)
- Action: Hand-built sidelock, double trigger standard (single optional)
- Weight: set by gauge, barrels and your build
- Stock: Hand-finished walnut, made to your dimensions, English straight grip standard
- Made in: Spain (Eibar, AYA Fine Guns)
- Factory price: EUR 10,604.61 for the No. 2, EUR 12,604.23 for the No. 2 De Luxe (AYA)
Pros
- Hand-built sidelock action
- Made to your stock dimensions
- Holds value better than most
Cons
- 6-18 month wait for delivery
- Sidelock service is expensive
- Fitted stock limits resale
The AYA No. 2 is the gateway to true bespoke SxS shotgunmaking that doesn’t require London-house pricing. I had a chance to handle an AYA No. 2 at the Vintage Gun & Sporting Show in Las Vegas a few years ago. Eibar, Spain has been building these guns since AYA was founded in 1915, and the No. 2 is the entry-level sidelock in their lineup.
Let’s correct a piece of dated information that floats around: AYA No. 2 is not a $5,000 gun anymore. AYA’s own price list shows EUR 10,604.61 for the No. 2 and EUR 12,604.23 for the No. 2 De Luxe. US dealers add import costs on top, and the wait time is 6-18 months for delivery depending on configuration.
I have only handled an AYA No. 2 twice. Both times the gun felt obviously different in the hands from any production boxlock I have shot. Handling an AYA No. 2 is a revelatory experience if you have only shot boxlock SxS guns. The balance is different. The sidelock spreads the weight of the action over a wider area, which makes the gun feel pointier and more lively in the hands.
It’s built to your dimensions. You measure for length of pull, drop at heel, drop at comb, cast on or off. The gun is made for your specific anatomy. That’s why fitted English stocks don’t trade well, the next owner will need to re-fit it or learn to shoot around your dimensions.
AYA holds value better than almost any other production SxS maker. Buy one new, shoot it for ten years, and you get most of your money back when you sell. Combined with the build quality, it’s actually a reasonable proposition.
Best For: Serious traditional shooters ready to commit to a sidelock SxS for life. The 16-gauge or 28-gauge AYA No. 2 is the connoisseur’s choice.
7. Stoeger Uplander: Best Budget Field SxS
- Gauge: 12 / 20 / .410
- Barrel: 26″ or 28″, Improved Cylinder and Modified screw chokes (12 and 20 gauge)
- Action: Boxlock, double triggers, extractors, automatic tang safety
- Weight: about 7.5 lbs (12 gauge, 28″)
- Stock: A-grade satin walnut, pistol grip
- MSRP: from $499 (Stoeger); from $450.99 on the card below
Pros
- A real field double under $500
- IC and Modified screw chokes
- Safety sets itself when opened
Cons
- Extractors, no ejectors
- About 7.5 pounds in 12 gauge
- Plain wood and blued finish
The Stoeger Uplander is the cheapest way to put a real field double in your hands, not a coach gun. It’s Stoeger’s boxlock with 26 or 28-inch barrels, Improved Cylinder and Modified screw chokes in 12 and 20 gauge, double triggers, extractors and A-grade satin walnut. The tang safety sets itself every time you break the gun open, which is the right default on a gun you’ll be loading in a dove field.
Stoeger lists the Uplander Field from $499, and on November 14, 2026 the cheapest one in our feed was $450.99, with about ten listings across 12, 20 and .410. That’s less than half a Sharp-Tail. You give up ejectors, a single trigger and the case coloring, and at about 7.5 pounds the 12-gauge 28-inch gun is no featherweight on a long walk. For a first double, a dove gun or a truck gun you won’t cry over when it gets scratched, I wouldn’t spend more.
It took this spot from the Stevens 311, which hasn’t been made since 1988. The 311 is still below the picks for anyone hunting a used American classic.
Best For: First-time SxS buyers, dove and walk-up hunters on a budget, and anyone who wants field barrels rather than a coach gun.
8. Pietta 1878 Hartford Coach: Best Cowboy Action Coach Gun
- Gauge: 12 (primary), 20 in select runs
- Barrel: 20″ twin barrels, fixed chokes: cylinder (right) and modified (left)
- Action: External Colt-style hammer doubles, double trigger
- Weight: 7.4 to 7.9 lbs (Pietta lists 3.35 to 3.6 kg)
- Stock: Walnut, pistol grip
- Made in: Italy (Fratelli Pietta, Brescia)
- Street price: from $1,248.99 on the card below
Pros
- Period-correct external hammers
- Italian build quality
- Case-hardened receiver, walnut stock
Cons
- Cocking hammers is slower
- 20in barrels limit range
- Fixed chokes, no screw-in tubes
The Pietta 1878 Hartford Coach is the side-by-side for shooters who want their gun to look like it came off a stage in 1878. External Colt-style hammers, case-hardened receiver, walnut stock, double triggers, every element is period-correct for a Hartford-made coach gun from the post-Civil War era.
Pietta is one of Italy’s serious replica makers, building period-correct firearms since 1964. Pietta itself calls this gun the Model 1878 Coach Gun. Build quality is genuinely good, not Beretta-tight, but well above Turkish import standards.
Pietta has been my go-to recommendation for SASS shooters who want a real Italian-built coach gun. I shot a 12-gauge Hartford Coach at a SASS match last summer. The external hammer cocking ritual is the whole point of the gun. You break it open, drop in two shells, close it, thumb-cock both hammers, fire both barrels, break it open, eject by hand. There’s a rhythm to it.
Trigger pulls are heavy from the factory at 6-7 pounds but consistent. Lockup is tight. The fixed cylinder and modified chokes throw wide patterns that’s forgiving at the close ranges typical of SASS competition.
From $1,248.99 on the card above, this is an external-hammer SxS coach gun that’s actually made well. It’s not cosplay . SASS shooters use these in serious competition. You can also use it for home defense if you don’t mind the cocking time, or as a quirky upland gun for close-range woodcock and grouse work.
Best For: Cowboy action shooters, SASS competitors, collectors of period-correct firearms, and anyone who wants the most distinctive-looking SxS on this list.
The Stevens 311 was our number 7 until this update. It’s a used gun only now, so it lives here rather than in the ranking.
A Used Classic: The Stevens 311
- Gauge: 12 / 16 / 20 / .410
- Barrel: 26″ / 28″ / 30″, fixed chokes (varies by series)
- Action: Boxlock, double trigger, extractors
- Weight: 6.75-7.5 lbs by gauge and barrel
- Stock: Walnut, pistol grip standard, English variants exist
- Made in: USA (Stevens; sold as the 311 from 1940 until production ended in 1988)
- Used market: Guns.com had used 311s from $449.99 on October 27, 2026; the listing on the card below was $749.99 on November 14, 2026
Pros
- American-made history at used prices
- Close to seven decades of production
- Simple, easy-to-maintain boxlock
Cons
- Out of production since 1988
- Plain wood on most examples
- Triggers often need lightening
The Stevens 311 line ran from 1920, first as the Springfield 5000 and 5100, to 1988, and it carried the 311 name from 1940. That is close to seven decades of production. Today it’s the used-market entry into American SxS heritage.
I bought my first Stevens 311 at a Midwestern gun show in the mid-nineties for $285. Used 311s on Guns.com started at $449.99 on October 27, 2026, and the 16 gauge and .410 guns bring more than the 12s. None of these are investment guns. They’re working guns with character.
The Stevens 311 has fixed chokes, modified and full on many guns, improved cylinder and modified on others. That’s not a problem for upland hunting or sporting clays, but it does mean you can’t tune the patterns to specific game.
What you’re really buying is American-made provenance. The early ones came out of the Stevens plant in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, which was torn down in 1960. Steel and walnut, double triggers and extractors, with very little change over the decades. They’re simple. They work. They’ve been on grouse leases and quail plantations for generations.
A word on condition. The 311 was a working-class gun, and most have been used hard. Look for tight lockup, intact case coloring on the receiver (if any remains), good bore condition, and no cracks at the wrist of the stock. A $400 311 with these traits is a steal.
Best For: Traditionalists who want American-made history at modern beater-gun prices. The .410 or 16-gauge Stevens 311 is a particularly satisfying find.
SxS Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Right Side-by-Side
The side-by-side is making a comeback. Ten years ago, the SxS was considered a relic. Today CZ, TriStar, Stoeger, Beretta, and a dozen Turkish makers are putting genuine SxS shotguns in shooter hands for every budget from under $500 to five figures. Here’s how to pick the right one.
What’s Your Realistic Use Case?
SxS shotguns are predominantly upland hunting guns. Quail, grouse, woodcock, pheasant, dove. They’re not ideal for waterfowl (extractors are slower than semi-auto cycling, and 3-inch chambers are uncommon in budget SxS) or turkey (too light for full magnum loads at extended range).
For sporting clays, an SxS is a competent but unconventional choice. Most modern competition is dominated by O/Us with single triggers and high ribs. An SxS handles differently. The wider sighting plane creates a different visual relationship with the target. Some shooters love it, others find it distracting.
For home defense or coach-gun roles, a 20-inch barrel double like the Stoeger Coach Gun is fast, simple, and reliable. Two shots of buckshot have stopped a lot of bad days.
Double Trigger or Single Selective?
On most doubles the front trigger fires the right barrel, which carries the more open choke, and the rear trigger fires the left, tighter barrel. After an hour at the range your finger finds the front trigger for the open choke and the rear for the tighter barrel without thinking, and you choose the barrel as the bird flushes.
Single selective triggers offer convenience: you pick the barrel order once via a switch, then both triggers ride the same blade. Better for people who only shoot occasionally and don’t want to retrain finger placement.
For traditional SxS shooting (English-grip upland), double triggers are correct. For sporting clays and competitive shooting, single selective is the right call.
What Gauge Should You Buy?
12 gauge is the workhorse. Versatile, affordable ammo, and available across every SxS in this list. If you’re buying one SxS and don’t have a specific use case, get a 12.
20 gauge is the upland gauge. Lighter to carry, softer to shoot, and the patterns are excellent for quail and woodcock at typical ranges. The 20-gauge CZ Bobwhite G2 at 6.5 pounds is a benchmark upland gun, and it’s the upland pick in our best 20 gauge shotguns ranking.
28 gauge is the connoisseur’s gauge. Light, fast, and elegant. Ammo costs more and is harder to find. The 28-gauge Sharp-Tail, Beretta 486, or AYA No. 2 is the move for shooters who already have a 12 and a 20.
.410 is for grouse and woodcock at close range, or shooters with extreme recoil sensitivity. It’s a specialist gauge. Don’t make it your only SxS.
Origin Matters: Turkey, Spain, Italy
Most affordable SxS shotguns on the US market are not built where the brand suggests, and the makers do not always say where. CZ states no country of manufacture for the Sharp-Tail or Bobwhite G2. TriStar Arms describes itself as an importer and names no country for the Bristol. The Stoeger Coach Gun carries a Brazilian warranty address in its manual.
That’s not a knock . Import build quality has come up enormously in the last decade, and these are honest working guns. But you should know what you’re buying. Read the barrel stamp before you pay.
Italian-built guns (Beretta, Pietta) start at $1,248.99 in our feed for a replica coach gun and reach $8,299.00 for the Beretta 486. Spanish guns (AYA) are bespoke sidelock territory from EUR 10,604.61 at the factory. English guns (Holland & Holland, Purdey, Boss) cost more again.
How I Tested These SxS Shotguns
The picks on this list come from over a decade of shooting SxS guns at sporting clays courses, upland hunts in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest, and SASS cowboy action matches. I’ve personally shot the CZ Sharp-Tail, CZ Bobwhite G2, Stoeger Coach Gun, TriStar Bristol, Beretta 486, and Pietta Hartford Coach across multiple sessions.
For the AYA No. 2 and Stevens 311, I’ve handled examples at gun shows and at the range with borrowed units. The AYA pricing is AYA’s own factory price list, EUR 10,604.61 for the base No. 2.
MSRPs are from the makers’ own websites, checked October 27, 2026, with Stoeger and Beretta rechecked on November 14, 2026. Street prices are the lowest listings in our feed of 200+ retailers on November 14, 2026. Stevens 311 used prices are Guns.com and Bass Pro listings.
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Bottom Line: Which Side-by-Side Should You Buy?
If I had to buy one SxS today with no budget constraint, the Beretta 486 Parallelo is the smart money pick. It’s the best production SxS made, holds resale value, and you can keep it for a lifetime.
If $8,299 is out of reach, the CZ Bobwhite G2 from $679.99 is the right pick for upland hunting. Traditional English grip, double triggers, 20-gauge weight that will not beat you up over a day in the field.
If you want bespoke and you have time to wait, the AYA No. 2, from EUR 10,604.61 at the factory, is the gateway to true Spanish sidelock craftsmanship. Make sure you understand the price floor before committing, older articles quoting $5-7k are out of date by years.
For cowboy action and home defense, the Stoeger Coach Gun Supreme, from $579 list, covers the coach-gun role without breaking $1,000, and the Pietta Hartford Coach does it with exposed hammers from $1,248.99.
Looking for the best prices? Check our gun deals page and price comparison tool to compare prices from 200+ retailers before you buy.
Facts and Figures: Side-by-Side Shotguns by the Numbers
- 1915. The year AYA started building guns. The No. 2 is still the entry sidelock in its line.
- EUR 10,604.61. AYA’s factory price for a base No. 2. The No. 2 De Luxe is EUR 12,604.23.
- $450.99. The Stoeger Uplander in our feed on November 14, 2026, the cheapest new SxS on this list. The Beretta 486 Parallelo card starts at $8,299.00, more than 18 Uplanders.
- 5.08 pounds. TriStar’s average weight for the .410 Bristol. The 12-gauge Bristol is 6.74 pounds.
- 1960. The year Stevens tore down its Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts plant. The 311 stayed in production until 1988.
- Two barrels, two chokes. On the Pietta 1878 Coach Gun the right barrel is cylinder and the left is modified.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a side-by-side shotgun?
A side-by-side (SxS) shotgun is a break-action gun with two barrels mounted horizontally next to each other. The classic upland and bird-hunting shotgun configuration, with origins dating to the 1700s. Modern SxS guns can be hammer or hammerless, single or double trigger, and built on either boxlock or sidelock actions.
Are side-by-side shotguns still made?
Yes, and the market is healthier than it has been in years. CZ and TriStar both catalog SxS guns, Stoeger sells the Uplander, the Coach Gun and the Coach Gun Supreme, Beretta still makes the 486 Parallelo in Italy, and AYA still hand-builds bespoke sidelocks in Eibar, Spain. Prices run from under $500 to five figures.
What is the difference between English and Prince of Wales grip?
An English straight grip is a straight, plain stock with no pistol-grip curve. Prince of Wales (or rounded pistol grip) is a softly contoured grip with a swept curve. English grip is traditional for upland double-triggered guns and locks the shotgun into a natural pointing position. Prince of Wales suits clay shooting and single-trigger setups better.
Double trigger or single selective trigger?
Double trigger is traditional and faster for spontaneous barrel choice. Your finger finds the front trigger for the open choke and the rear for the tight barrel automatically once trained. Single selective trigger picks the barrel via a switch and both triggers operate on the same blade, simpler for clay shooting and beginners.
How much should I spend on my first SxS?
For a working SxS that will last a lifetime of casual upland use, $700 to $1,500 puts you in CZ Bobwhite G2, TriStar Bristol, or CZ Sharp-Tail territory. Under $700 you are in Stoeger territory: the Uplander (from $450.99 on November 14, 2026) is a basic field double, and the Coach Gun suits coach gun and SASS roles. The Pietta Hartford Coach fills the same role from $1,248.99 on its card. Above $5,000 you are buying premium Italian production or Spanish bespoke.
Where are most affordable SxS shotguns made?
Most sub-$2,000 side-by-side shotguns on the US market are imports, and the makers do not always say from where. CZ states no country of manufacture for the Sharp-Tail or Bobwhite G2. The TriStar Bristol is imported by TriStar Arms, which names no country. The Stoeger Coach Gun's manual gives a Brazilian warranty address. These are honest working guns at fair prices. Read the barrel stamp if origin matters to you.
Are side-by-side shotguns good for home defense?
A 20-inch barrel coach gun like the Stoeger Coach Gun or Pietta Hartford Coach is genuinely effective for home defense. Two shells of buckshot from short, open-choked barrels throw a wide pattern that is forgiving at indoor distances. The double-barrel design is mechanically simpler than a pump or semi-auto, with nothing that can fail under stress. Downsides: only two shots before reloading, and the trigger pulls on budget doubles are heavy from the factory.
What is the best side-by-side shotgun for upland hunting?
For most upland hunters, the CZ Bobwhite G2 in 20 gauge is the sweet spot, English straight grip, double triggers, 6.5 pounds, and English-style handling that suits walking-up bird hunting. Step up to the Beretta 486 Parallelo, which Beretta USA lists from $7,199, for a true forever gun, or the AYA No. 2, from EUR 10,604.61 at the factory, for bespoke sidelock craftsmanship.
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