Modern Production bolt action shotguns? Do they exist? Can they be made?

dand883

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I know it was a topic of discussion a number of years ago on the Corwin sub forum people asking if it was possible to import something like the TOZ-106 or if there were a sort of turkish equivalent. The TOZ shotguns couldn't be imported because of the restrictions against russia and that's if they were even still in production.

At the time Martin had said he had seen a few prototypes, but they weren't really up to the quality levels for him to carry. That thread lead into (it seems like) him bringing in all of the smaller shorter barreled shotguns that he did at the time and it really seemed to open up from there with all kinds of options for barrel lengths, actions, etc.

One thing that did seemingly get lost by the wayside is the idea of the bolt gun, but i find myself drawn back to the idea.

I have handled some older savage/stevens, a mossberg or two. I really like an older J.C Higgins, but they all really leave something to be desired. They're almost all kind of heavy and clunky, bolts that stick way out to the side in an odd curve, heavy gritty triggers, fixed chokes (often full) full length barrels, etc.

Do any manufacturers make a current production bolt shotgun? Something with modern features, removable chokes, functional triggers and safeties, options for barrel lengths, could be mag or tube fed? Did those long ago prototypes turn in to anything that can be imported? Are there any current importers who can get something along these lines?

Why you might ask when there are other, better options/actions out there? I don't know, they just seem to appeal to me. I would love an 18-20" 20ga bolt gun that's light and easy to move around for rabbit hunting. Something i can put a red dot on for turkeys, or a scope for slugs. something that's different than the other 20 million 870's and 500's out there. And lastly, why not? Just because it's not the best/newest doesn't mean it won't do the job.
 
Bolt action shotguns never were popular, cheap was their best quality, I doubt they would be today, way better options for most people. I kind of like the novelty of the GEHA types but would never consider using one in the field.

Grizz
 
Savage makes the model 212 and 220. They were initially all rifled barrel slug guns, but they now make a smooth bore version as well that is threaded for choke tubes. Incidentally some of the old Mossberg bolt actions came with removable choke tubes. A lot of them had an adjustable poly choke also.

Jim
 
Bolt action shotguns were very popular back in the day. Kessler made about a million of them. High Standard, Mossberg, Stevens, Marlin, H&R all offered them.
I think the main reasons for their disappearance were rising wages and the appearance of inexpensive pump action guns.
The current Savage guns are specialized for shooting slugs, etc. Basically large bore rifles.
I think if any manufacturer thought they would do well in the current market, they'd be in production.
 
Savage is about the only one commonly available. Its made in rifled and smoothbore.
While not bolt action tc makes a single smoothbore with a short barrel. Should be higher quality than most singles

I wouldnt mind a 36" barreled bolt action 10ga with choke tubes myself
 
Bolt action shotguns were very popular back in the day. Kessler made about a million of them. High Standard, Mossberg, Stevens, Marlin, H&R all offered them.
I think the main reasons for their disappearance were rising wages and the appearance of inexpensive pump action guns.
The current Savage guns are specialized for shooting slugs, etc. Basically large bore rifles.
I think if any manufacturer thought they would do well in the current market, they'd be in production.

It seems I've been wondering in vain at the question of why no one has made a specialized slug gun. When I say specialized I mean that most literally: catering to the growing market of shotgun only areas for a gun season the traditional shotgun is woefully inadequate. A purpose built 20ga with specialized slug/sabot matched to rifled bore and sturdy action one would be exploiting a "loophole" in which attaining 200y shots accurately is completely possible with ample velocity and energy: making a 30-30 out of a shotgun essentially which would easily satisfy most ranges one might shoot in areas so afflicted by legislation determined for the dumbest factor.
 
It seems I've been wondering in vain at the question of why no one has made a specialized slug gun. When I say specialized I mean that most literally: catering to the growing market of shotgun only areas for a gun season the traditional shotgun is woefully inadequate. A purpose built 20ga with specialized slug/sabot matched to rifled bore and sturdy action one would be exploiting a "loophole" in which attaining 200y shots accurately is completely possible with ample velocity and energy: making a 30-30 out of a shotgun essentially which would easily satisfy most ranges one might shoot in areas so afflicted by legislation determined for the dumbest factor.
They make a 12ga rifle if your pockets are deep enough. I haven’t checked to see if they still make them but prices start over $3000. I had one passed to me at the range. I was impressed with its accuracy.
Look up Tarhunt.
 
Savage is about the only one commonly available. Its made in rifled and smoothbore.
While not bolt action tc makes a single smoothbore with a short barrel. Should be higher quality than most singles

I wouldnt mind a 36" barreled bolt action 10ga with choke tubes myself

The 220’s are accurate. Finding a decent source for Remington accu-tips is now nearly impossible though
 
Bolt action shotguns never were popular, cheap was their best quality, I doubt they would be today, way better options for most people. I kind of like the novelty of the GEHA types but would never consider using one in the field.

Grizz

If they were good sellers they would still be being made...end of story.

Bolt action shotguns were very popular back in the day. Kessler made about a million of them. High Standard, Mossberg, Stevens, Marlin, H&R all offered them.
I think the main reasons for their disappearance were rising wages and the appearance of inexpensive pump action guns.
The current Savage guns are specialized for shooting slugs, etc. Basically large bore rifles.
I think if any manufacturer thought they would do well in the current market, they'd be in production.

They lost popularity in a time where most people had one gun, so of course a pump with modern chokes and nice features beat them out. In this day and age people who own guns often have many and for no other reason than because they like the way they look. Look at all the short barrel shotguns on the market now. if you went back to when pumps were edging out bolts you would be laughed out the door if you suggested a pump with an 8" barrel, or folding stock, tactical sights, door breacher chokes, etc. Not to mention a 16" 12ga over under like there is available now.

Along with that, would they have fell out of favor as hard if they had updated them? made them ergonomic, good triggers, options for mounts, etc? Look at trucks and the old ford rangers and their fall compared to the popularity now of the new maverick, people still wanted a small truck, they just didn't want the old clunky ranger that was still an early inefficient 80's design being made and competing with technology that was light years beyond it. Hard to justify the ranger when an F150 3 times its size gets better gas mileage.

There seemed to be enough people interested in the old thread to make things interesting if someone could bring some in. No it won't ever out sell the 870, but it could be a niche market for someone to capitalize on.
 
I've had a few bolt action shotguns over the years, 2 Mossberg 12 ga & a Savage 212. I still use the Savage for fun shooting. I also have a Hastings rifled tube for my 870.
SAVAGE 212 with WEAVER K 2.5.jpg
 

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It seems I've been wondering in vain at the question of why no one has made a specialized slug gun. When I say specialized I mean that most literally: catering to the growing market of shotgun only areas for a gun season the traditional shotgun is woefully inadequate. A purpose built 20ga with specialized slug/sabot matched to rifled bore and sturdy action one would be exploiting a "loophole" in which attaining 200y shots accurately is completely possible with ample velocity and energy: making a 30-30 out of a shotgun essentially which would easily satisfy most ranges one might shoot in areas so afflicted by legislation determined for the dumbest factor.


My guess is you are missing the point of shotgun only.
 
As far as I know, Browning still offers the A-Bolt in 12G

12741163_01_browning_a_bolt_12ga_640.jpg
 
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