Shotguns

Shotguns for Sale at TC Outdoors

When choosing your first gun or your seventh, you want to know you are buying from people who are experts in the field. TC Outdoors is a family business that has been serving our neighbors in Statesboro and surrounding areas for years. When you shop at TC Outdoors, we promise quality guns and ammunition for hobbyists and beginners alike. Our stock rotates frequently, so if you’re looking for a new shotgun, stop by our Statesboro store to see what we have available!

With a long, smoothbore barrel, shotguns are ideal for hunting small to medium-sized moving targets, such as birds. They use shot, a type of ammunition that expels multiple pellets that spread out instead of a single bullet. Shotguns are ideal guns for those interested in hunting because they can use a variety of shot types, such as birdshot, buckshot, and slugs. With regard to range, these guns sit between pistols and rifles, preferring a short to medium range for your target.

Types of Shotguns

Shotguns come in multiple styles to suit different needs. In most cases, these are differentiated by action (how they operate) and their gauge. For new gun enthusiasts, it’s important to consider what you’ll be using your shotgun for, as well as what type of ammunition you’ll be interested in using, as different models will have different availability of ammo.

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Tactical Shotguns

Tactical shotguns are high-powered machinery meant for high-stakes situations. These are designed for intense situations and so have been intentionally designed to favor adaptability, speed, and toughness. These guns usually feature shorter barrels and high shell capacity, allowing for maneuverability in confined corridors. They may be fitted with specialized muzzles and sighting systems for accurate aiming.

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Lever Action Shotguns

While this style is rare on shotguns, this style is perfect for the gun enthusiast who wants a piece of history. This style of shotgun uses a mechanism similar to a rifle, in which a lever is pulled to load the next round of ammunition into the barrel. This started as an early example of a repeating shotgun. Perfect for those interested in hunting large fowl as it can cycle through rounds without moving from your target.

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Semi-Automatic

While many shotguns require you to pump the front end of your gun to eject spent shells and load new ones, a semi-automatic simplifies the process by utilizing the energy from your shots to eject and reload. This makes it easier and reduces the time needed to perform a follow-up shot, perfect for competitions or bird hunting, where quick reaction time is imperative.

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Bolt Action

An uncommon sight, these guns would delight any gun collector. This is a manual-style shotgun that operates by manipulating a bolt through a bolt handle, styled similarly to a bolt action rifle. The shooter pulls back the bolt handle, loads a magazine, and pulls the bolt forward to slot the magazine in place. With the first shot, the shooter can then pull back the bolt handle to eject the spent cartridge, allowing for quick repeat firing. These are less common nowadays and tend to appeal to those who enjoy niche styles.

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Double Barrel Shotguns

As the name implies, a double-barrel shotgun has two barrels. These two barrels offer the benefit of an increase in shots fired per action or a quicker second shot. These guns usually either have two triggers (for shooting in quick succession) or a single trigger (for simultaneous firing). These guns are suited for hunting, specifically bird hunting, as the increased shots result in a wider area of coverage. These guns also serve well in sport shooting and self-defense.

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Over Under

This style retains the dual barrels style but positions them vertically. This style retains the range and quick shooting while improving the sighting plane and aiming.

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Side By Side

The most common style you might imagine when it comes to double barrel shotguns. This style has each barrel side by side horizontally. This style is older, originating in the 18th century. It is a simple, classic design that has stood the test of time.

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Single Shot/Barrel

Nowadays, single-shot (or single-barrel) shotguns are a rarity. These utilize only one barrel, significantly cutting down weight, but in exchange, reducing your ability to shoot again if you miss. These hold a single round of ammunition, meaning that after every shell, you’ll need to reload manually. If you’re hunting something that flees quickly, like waterfowl, this can be a detriment.

Shotgun Gauges & Ammo

Two of the most common gauges of shotguns are the 12-gauge and 20-gauge. These are determined by the interior diameter of the gun, known as the “bore,” as well as the number of lead balls of equal size to the bore that it would take to weigh a pound. For example, a 12-gauge shotgun would take 12 lead balls of the same diameter of the bore to equal a pound, while a 20-gauge would take 20. The smaller the number, the larger the ammunition size.

10 Gauge

10 gauge is the largest and most powerful of the shotguns, ideal for hunting big game. Originally one of the most popular styles, it faded out of popularity due to its bulk and unwieldy size. It has a high recoil.

12 Gauge

12 gauge is one of the most common styles of shotgun you’ll find. Popular among hunters due to its ability to hit mid-sized game such as deer. Due to popularity, these will likely be the easiest to find a variety of shot for but may be difficult for beginners unfamiliar with handling recoil. It has a moderate recoil.

16 Gauge

16 gauge is less popular than 12 or 20 gauge, sitting in the middle ground between the two. Lighter than the 12 gauge, it is most suitable for bird hunting. Due to its relative obscurity, ammunition options can be limited. It has a moderate recoil.

20 Gauge

20 gauge is another one of the most common styles of shotgun you’ll find. This shotgun is a solid choice for those interested in small-game hunting due to its minimal recoil and light body. Due to its popularity, the distinct yellow ammo is almost always easy to find. An ideal choice for those just getting into the hobby.

28 Gauge

28 gauge isn’t as obscure as a 16 gauge, but those interested in this model might still have trouble finding ammo options. Its light body and low recoil make it a comfortable choice for beginners, but the high cost of ammo significantly hurt its popularity. Great for those interested in small game hunting.

.410 Caliber

.410 is an oddity in shotgun sizing for not being measured in a gauge size, instead it measure its caliber based on the fact that it has a bore of .410 inches. This style is the smallest and lightest shotgun. Its compact size makes it ideal for those who need a simple gun for pest control.