Often overshadowed by the speed of a modern repeater, a good single-shot shotgun today can still bring home fur and feathers every bit as well as it ever did. © Henry Repeating Arms
Single-shot Shotgun blog by Henry Repeating Arms
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Work Horse or Show Pony? The Henry Single-shot Shotgun
Your introduction to shotgunning could have been taught by Dad, or maybe Grandpa, by taking you out in the forest or field and patiently explaining how to shoulder it, how to lean into the gun, how to use that bead, and how to lead a bird or rabbit. Later on, you may have graduated to something more expensive, but the memories will never be outgrown.
Far too often overshadowed by the speed of a modern repeater, the truth that many already know is that a good single-shot shotgun today can still bring home fur and feathers every bit as well as it ever did, and we’ve done much better than merely “good” with ours.
Rifle vs. Shotgun
Sharing the same action as our single-shot rifle, our break-top shotgun in .410, 20, and 12 gauge brass or steel options feature the same rebounding external hammer and dual-direction, pivoting, locking lever setup that blocks hammer contact with the firing pin unless the trigger’s pulled. The same interlock system prevents opening the action with the hammer cocked, or closing it with the hammer cocked, as additional safety measures.
Like the rifle, there’s no manual safety on these single-shot shotguns, and they wear American walnut with a solid black rubber recoil pad on the steel-framed guns, and a smooth brass butt plate on the brightly polished, brass-framed models. Barrels on both are black matte finished, with the steel shotguns using a pistol-grip stock wrist and the brass guns carrying a straight English-style wrist.
Unlike the rifle, though, shells are fully ejected on opening the action for a quick follow-up shot if needed, not just partially extracted. Brass beads are standard, barrel lengths are 28” in the 12 gauge and 26” in the other two for good reach in the field, with a 14” length of pull on all three.
Read more: Lever Action Rifle Hunting by Henry Repeating Arms
We’ve done our best to keep weights down for field carry, and one thing we want to emphasize is that these shotguns are not intended to be budget entries–our standards are high and you can count on them for the long run.
Henry Single-shot Shotgun shells are fully ejected on opening the action for a quick follow-up shot if needed, not just partially extracted. © Henry Repeating Arms
Different chokes for different folks
We know as well as you do, that one choke does not fit all hunters; all three gauges have removable chokes so you can adapt your shotguns choke and thus alter its pattern and range so your single-shot shotgun can be used effectively in a wide variety of hunting and/or shooting situations. The 12- and 20 gauge in both brass and steel ship with a Modified Choke using Rem™ Choke-style threads which delivers a versatile shooting pattern for shooting at 25-45 yards, ideal for squirrels, rabbits, pigeons, doves, partridges, grouse, pheasant and wild flushing quail at medium range. The .410 comes with a Full Choke with Invector-style threads, giving it the most effective pattern for small game and trap.
Whether you like the simple operation, the reliable action, the nostalgia factor of hunting with a single-shot shotgun, or the uncomplicated first-gun introduction for a new shotgunner, we’ve built these for a wide audience. They’ll put on a show you’ll enjoy for years to come.
Model Number: H015-12
Action Type: Single-shot Shotgun
Caliber: 12 Gauge, 20 Gauge, .410 Bore
Capacity: 1 Round
MSRP: $448.00
Click here to find out more about the Henry Single-shot Shotgun. Read more from Henry Repeating Arms: Henry U.S. Survival Pack