Editing Double-barreled shotgun (section)

===Barrel configuration===
{{see also|coach gun|sawed-off shotgun}}
Double-barreled shotguns (specifically break-action), come in two basic configurations:
* '''side-by-side''' (S×S) — the two barrels are arranged horizontally;
* '''over-and-under''' (O/U) — the two barrels are arranged vertically.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wiles |first=Laurie Bogart |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ilaaDwAAQBAJ&dq=Double-barreled+shotguns+come+in+two+basic+configurations&pg=PT92 |title=Shooter's Bible Guide to Shotgun Sports for Women: A Comprehensive Guide to the Art and Science of Wing and Clay Shooting |date=2022-08-02 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-5107-4504-9 |language=en}}</ref>

The original double-barreled guns were commonly all side-by-side designs, which was a more practical design for [[muzzleloader]]s. Early [[cartridge (firearms)|cartridge]]-firing shotguns also used the side-by-side action, because they kept the exposed [[hammer (firearms)|hammer]]s of the earlier muzzleloading shotguns from which they evolved. When [[hammerless]] designs started to become common, the over-and-under design was introduced, and most modern sporting doubles are over-and-under designs.<ref name="tbm">{{citation|title=Twin barrel myths: side-by-side vs. over-under |work=Guns Magazine |date=July 2010 |author=Barsness, John |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_7_56/ai_n56222158/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111229063234/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_7_56/ai_n56222158/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-12-29 }}</ref>

One significant advantage that doubles have over single-barrel [[Repeating firearm|repeating]] shotguns is the ability to have more than one [[choke (firearms)|choke]] at a time.<ref>{{Cite book |last= |first= |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g9QDAAAAMBAJ&dq=advantage+that+doubles+have+over+single-barrel+repeating+shotguns&pg=PA120 |title=Popular Mechanics |date=September 1967 |publisher=Hearst Magazines |language=en}}</ref> Some shotgun [[shooting sport]]s, such as [[skeet shooting]], use crossing targets presented in a narrow range of distance, and only require one level of choke.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Russell |first=James |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=csSPiG0ThHgC&dq=shotgun+skeet+shooting+require+one+level+of+choke&pg=PA209 |title=Precision Shooting: The Trapshooter's Bible |date=1998 |publisher=James Russell Publishing |isbn=978-0-916367-10-7 |language=en}}</ref> Other sports, like [[sporting clays]], give the shooter targets at differing ranges, and targets that might approach or recede from the shooter, and so must be engaged at differing ranges. Having two barrels lets the shooter use a more open choke for near targets, and a tighter choke for distant targets,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Blakeley |first=Peter F. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vMO3DAAAQBAJ&dq=open+choke+for+near+targets%2C+and+a+tighter+choke+for+distant+targets&pg=PT197 |title=Successful Shotgunning: How to Build Skill in the Field and Take More Birds in Competition |date=2003-08-01 |publisher=Stackpole Books |isbn=978-0-8117-4370-9 |language=en}}</ref> providing the optimal shot pattern for each distance.

The disadvantage lies in the fact that the barrels of a double-barreled shotgun, whether over-and-under or side-by-side, are not parallel, but slightly angled,{{citation needed|date=April 2019}} so that shots from the barrels converge, usually at "40 yards out". For the side-by-side configuration, the shotstring continues on its path to the opposite side of the rib after the converging point; for example, the left barrel's discharge travels on the left of the rib till it hits dead center at 40 yards (36.58&nbsp;m) out, after that, the discharge continues on to the right. In the over-and-under configuration with a parallel rib, both barrels' discharges will keep to the dead center, but the discharge from the "under" barrel will shoot higher than the discharge from the "over" barrel after 40 yards (36.58&nbsp;m). Thus, double-barreled shotguns are accurate only at practical shotgun ranges, though the range of their ammunition easily exceeds four to six times that distance.

Side-by-side shotguns are often more expensive, and may take more practice to aim effectively than an over-and-under. The off-center nature of the recoil in a side-by-side gun may make shooting the body-side barrel slightly more painful by comparison to an over-and-under, single-shot, or pump-action, lever-action shotgun. Gas-operated and Recoil-operated, designs will recoil less than either. More side-by-side than over-and-under guns have traditional "cast-off" stocks, where the end of the buttstock veers slightly to the right, allowing a right-handed user to point the gun more easily.<ref name="tbm"/>

Double-barreled shotguns are also inherently more safe,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Montague |first=Andrew |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bZuhAQAAQBAJ&dq=Double-barreled+shotguns+are+more+safe&pg=PA116 |title=Successful Shotgun Shooting |date=2000-08-16 |publisher=Derrydale Press |isbn=978-1-4617-0270-2 |language=en}}</ref> as whether the shotgun is loaded or can be fired can be ascertained by anyone present if the action is broken open, for instance on a skeet, trap or hunting clays course when another shooter is firing; if the action is open, the gun cannot fire. Similarly, doubles are more easily examined to see if loaded than pump-action or semi-automatic shotguns, whose bolt must be opened and chamber closely examined or felt to make sure it is unloaded; with a double gun (or a break-action single gun), whether the gun is loaded, i.e., has cartridges in any chamber, is easily and immediately seen with a glance (and just as easily unloaded).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Markwith |first=Steve |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hnG0DwAAQBAJ&dq=break-action+guns+are+easier+to+check&pg=PT249 |title=Shotguns: A Comprehensive Guide |publisher=Prepper Press |language=en}}</ref>