Another firearm favorite of mine is the double barreled shotgun, or what some call a side by side shotgun. Don’t get the double barreled shotgun confused with the over under. We’ll cover that at a later date.
The first double barreled gun dates back to the mid to late 1700’s and sported an over under look. They were a revolving barrel type of shotgun. Flintlock and percussion rifles were created with two barrels and a hammer on each side of the rifle. Back then, it was the most simple solution to sending more shots down range. If you want more rounds to fire, just add more barrels!
My vision of the double barreled shotgun and it’s power comes mostly from hardcore action movies, like when Jason Bourne takes out a fellow assassin in the middle of a grassy field, or when Frank Castle of “The Punisher” wreaks havoc. One of my favorites is with Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp as he takes out Wild Bill and nearly all of his men. And don’t worry, if you find yourself with a double barreled shotgun, walking forward at a slow pace yelling “NOOOOO,” or, “You tell them I’m comin’…..and hell’s comin’ with me,” you’re not alone.
Aside from movies, the double barreled shotgun has become a popular choice of weapon in video games such as Call of Duty and Doom. Ron Swanson of the TV series “Parks and Recreation” sports a double barreled shotgun. Even Elmer Fudd whips out his double barrel every once in a while. Heck, even Elmer Fudd pulls his out from time to time.
The double barreled shotgun is more than just a shotgun, it’s a symbol that has been used as a weapon of protection. I can’t picture too many people taking a side by side shotgun bird hunting. I’d bet it’s the weapon of choice for every 
elderly man or woman across the south, when it comes down to home protection. Also, if you run across pictures in the 1800’s, it was often the weapon of choice by stage coach crews. It’s a piece of American history.
When you pick up a double barreled shotgun, you just feel more manly. It’s the weapon that blows through walls and doors and can blow a man clean off his feet. You can find it in 10 gauge, 12 gauge, 20 gauge and even in a .410. Sawed off, two triggers or one, I’ll take one. Adding it to my Christmas list!
Also, here’s one of my favorite double barreled t-shirts. Click on the image if you’d like to purchase it.
I thought you also might like a few clips from “Tombstone.” Just the good ones, of course!
