CZ Hammer Classic: A Top-Selling Side-by-Side

Classics never go out of style. Unfortunately, they’re getting scarce, particularly if you want one that won’t be sentenced to life as a wall-hanging decoration. You pay a premium, usually, when you find one worthy of warm mornings afield or late afternoons at the range.

CZ-USA understands just how appealing the look and feel of side-by-side shotguns are to firearm enthusiasts and offers a variety of fresh-from-the factory versions. They may not have the history of your grandfather’s firearm, but carrying one afield is guaranteed to resurrect pleasant memories, nonetheless.

The company took things up a notch when it rolled out the Hammer Classic, with all the looks and style of yesteryear in a gentle blend with modern manufacturing. The dual triggers, exposed hammers and color-casehardened sidelock receiver have made it a popular choice with sportsmen, and in 2019 it claimed third-place honors in GunBroker.com’s annual sales ranking for side-by-side shotguns.

The Turkish walnut stock with pistol grip and splinter fore-end blend nicely with the 30-inch, gloss-black chrome barrels. The 12-gauge can chamber shotshells up to 3 inches in length and the gun comes with five choke tubes. For sighting an 8 mm rib runs between barrels and ends in a bead. Add a manual safety with rebounding hammers and extractor and it’s a setup worthy of any sporting field.

Overall length is 47.38 inches and length of pull comes in at 14.5. The shotgun weighs 7.5 pounds. There is no recoil pad, although that would compromise the lines of what will undoubtedly become a family heirloom that stays in the family.

The gun is moving up in popularity, too. It didn’t even make the top-10 list in 2018 or 2019, although its sibling the CZ Hammer Coach made the rankings both years. MSRP for a new Hammer Classic is $1,010.