Coach Shotgun Advice, Please...

[nrakid88]

I am looking for a coach shotgun, and want some advice on features, brands, and models. First a short back story, I just got a new job and want to get myself a little something to celebrate. I see that Big 5 has the Century Int. Arms Inc Coach side by side shotgun for $259.99. 20" cylinder bore barrels, bead front sight. This got me thinking that I want a side by side with 18" barrels, a medium-ish choke so it will reach further, and shoot slugs in tighter groups. I like the exposed hammers, blued metal and wood furniture as well. Not sure if I want auto ejecting or not (leaning toward auto eject). I think the bead sight is okay... but would a deer sight be better (for birds and four legged critters), or even available?

Basically I want something that is kind of like an african double gun, meets the Western Coach gun, in 12 ga so that I can shoot cheap bird shot, along with slugs and double ought that the gun patterns well with.

Please, give me any advice on any of the features/ideas I have listed, or any that you can relate. Just looking to get a practical and fun gun.

[gatesbox]

I'm not really any kind of expert save for cowboy action shooting. I own a Stoeger coach gun 20 inch hammerless. Here is the problem with a 20 inch coach gun...you can't use it in a lot of trap or sporting clay ranges that have a minimum barrel length.... I'm not sure how it would do with fowl....the pattern shoots pretty wide.

Now for cowboy shooting it is great...

[nrakid88]

I'm not really any kind of expert save for cowboy action shooting. I own a Stoeger coach gun 20 inch hammerless. Here is the problem with a 20 inch coach gun...you can't use it in a lot of trap or sporting clay ranges that have a minimum barrel length.... I'm not sure how it would do with fowl....the pattern shoots pretty wide.

Now for cowboy shooting it is great...

Why are there minimum barrel lengths?

I am reading a wide pattern can be good so you don't tear up the game... I am assuming your gun is cylinder bore? How does it group with slugs at say 100 yards?

[gatesbox]

Wide pattern isn't always good....IMO when you pattern say #4 shot, a tight group does slot of combined damage. The potential tisue damage of shot in a relatively close/tight pattern is significant. As for slugs OT to 100 yards, I have not tried it out on my gun, but would be Leary about accuracy at that range.... Like I say I shoot slot with my Stoeger, but it is for cowboy matches and mostly light shot is used for close up knock down targets.... If I really wanted a fowl/trap gun I'd probably look at a nice over/under with a 26" barrel.

The coach gun does seem to work well for cowboy and in a pinch I would not hesitate to use it for home defense with some buck shot.