Century Arms Coach Gun: An Affordable Side-By-Side Shotgun

Despite the fact Century Arms no longer offers its side-by-side Coach Gun, it continues to be one of the most popular shotguns in that genre among those sellers using the services of GunBroker.com. It claimed fifth in that category when the website compiled its 2019 ranking. Most models are currently running around $300, just below the price when they were brand new. The few remaining fresh specimens with the box command more.

The Chinese-made shotguns feature exposed hammers and double triggers. They can be found in both 12- and 20-gauge variations as well as .410 bore. All have 3" chambers. Barrel length, regardless of shotshell size, was 20". Overall length came in at 37" and weight hovers somewhere around 8 lbs., depending on shotshell size chambered and variations in wood.

Each feature a manual safety and rebounding hammers. The steel receiver has an extractor shared by both chambers, but no ejectors.

Metalwork is blued and furniture is walnut-stained hardwood with an oil-rubbed finish. The fore-end and grip on the stock were checkered. The guns shipped with a rubber recoil pad, sling swivels and a brass bead up front for the sighting.

The shotgun has been in that top-10 sales list for a number of years. In 2018 and 2017 it claimed third place. It was the fourth-place finisher in both 2016 and 2015. That kind of staying power is enviable in an industry where landscape and preferences routinely change.

On the other hand, there’s sometime timeless about the simplicity and reliability of rabbit-eared hammers on a side-by-side shotgun. None of will ever get to guard a stagecoach hauling gold in the old west, but one of these at least get a small taste of what it was like.