Is It a Shotgun or Rifle?

by
posted on February 22, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
zent2015_fs.jpg (1)

Yes, clearly the gun I chose to use on a bear hunt some years back did its job just fine. But am I seriously suggesting that somehow qualifies a $225 slug gun for a spot in my “Top 10 Shotguns”?  Find out (if I’ve really gone off the deep end) when we post the entire list later this week here on AmericanRifleman.org.

One way or the other, it begs the question: Is a slug gun a shotgun, or some sort of bastardized rifle? I’m in the camp that if you’re shooting a shotshell-even one loaded with a single projectile instead of pellets-it’s got to be considered a shotgun. But I’ve got to concede this debate could go either way, especially when the slugger’s got a rifled barrel, as was the case with my bear gun.

So, two questions for today’s blog readers: 1) Is a slug gun a shotgun or a rifle? 2) What make/model is my bear gun? (Big American Rifleman salute to those of you who can ID it.)

Latest

Guns of the American Revolution Illustration
Guns of the American Revolution Illustration

The Guns of the American Revolution

Contrary to popular perception, the American Revolution wasn’t all muskets, bayonets and Mel Gibson running around with a tomahawk.

The Pedersoli Kodiak Survivalist: A Gentleman's Survival Rifle

Pedersoli brings the double rifle into both affordable and practical territory with their Kodiak Survivalist Compact Express Rifle chambered in .44 Mag.

The Armed Citizen® June 29, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

4 Helpful Online Tools to Track Ammunition Prices

For those seeking the best possible prices on ammunition, a number of new tools have emerged to give firearm enthusiasts an edge up when it comes to feeding their guns on a budget.

Book Review: 2026 Traveler’s Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States

Newly updated for 2026, the 30th edition of the “Traveler’s Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States” is a must-have resource for those who travel often and therefore must navigate the patchwork maze of laws imposed in various localities.

5 Must-Have Ruger Mini-14 Accessories

In production since 1973, the Ruger Mini-14 has spawned a rather healthy aftermarket of parts and accessories. Here are five that you really can't live without if you're a true Mini-14 fan.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.