What’s the point of a coach gun

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Salibas007

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What’s the point of a coach gun

I’m looking at this 20” barreled SxS shotgun. Looks great. Light and points naturally. Typical coach gun. I just can’t think of a reason why I want it. So I thought what better thing to do than ask another alcoholic why he drinks.

So why should I get a coach gun ? What are they good for ? Any reason other than why not and who needs a reason (as that’s already my reason. Kind of hoping for a more practical use. Lol)

Is it good for hunting ? I hunt small game with a 20g/22lr combo gun.
How about clays ? But I already know it will most likely suck suck there because of the short barrels.
Better than bear spray ?
 
I know the history behind them. I’m wondering what people use them for nowadays. I know sometimes it feels like we’re still living in the far west, but I haven’t seen a coach recently that needed protection.

Side historical note: the expression “riding shotgun” dates from back then too. It meant to be the person sitting next to the coach driver holding the shotgun for protection from road bandits.
 
In african dangerous game country, drilling rifles are very common for their quick second shot.
In Canadian bush country, with its typical shorter ranges, I can't see why you couldn't justify a coach gun for dangerous game protection.
 
They are a must for cowboy action, along with a Winchester 1897. They also look just plain nasty. When you pick on up, you just feel your inner Doc Holliday come to the surface. I think tombstone is on tonight, you should have one in your hands while you are watching it
 
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So you can run a 97/100 in competition skeet doubles like a boss.
Double triggers for extra bossness.

There were many puzzled looks that day. lol

The point of a coach gun is to have fun with it. Period.
 
I have one in 20ga. I use it for my truck grouse gun when moose and deer hunting.
Fast to get out from behind the seat of the yoda and quick to load. Don't under estimate it for shooting clays either.
Messing around in the bush with the clay thrower I can keep up with anyone and find myself bringing it most often for that.
It is also one of my go to farm yard small predator dispatchers. #6's to buckshot to slugs. A mix of everything in the pocket and I have medicine for whatever is causing grief.
And yes....they are just fun.
 
They're handy, reliable and easy to operate.

A lot of folks that aren't well trained and struggle to load a tube fed gun in a hurry, or to get a quick second shot off with a pump under stress without short stroking, would probably be better off with a double IMO.

They break down into a nice small package as well.

My only knock is that you pay a lot for a given level of quality, even the budget models aren't particularly cheap, and the really good ones are either really expensive and/or long out of production.
 
I was shooting trap one time and the guy in the next station was shooting his coach gun for sh!ts'n giggles. Damn, he was nailing almost all of 'em. Looked like fun.
 
I would counter and say what's the point of a pipe on a shotgun longer than 20"?
There's only so much acceleration a shot group is going to reach, after that distance in the pipe it's just going to slow down if anything. The shot pattern is based on the choke of the barrel. You can have a 15" full choke and it's going to pattern the same as a 36" full choke except with the 36" pipe your shot is probably now slower velocity at the muzzle if anything.
20" barrel is perfect. That's what I have on my 1 and only shotgun. Long enough to fire slugs accurately and not have to swing a massive 4 foot pipe and very easy to manoeuver. Light weight and balanced.
 
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