Editing Shotgun (section)

====Break-action====
{{Main|Double-barreled shotgun}}

[[File:دولول سوار و بغل در یک قاب.jpg|thumb|A view of the [[break-action]] of a side-by-side, and an over-and-under double-barrelled shotgun, both shown with the action open]]

For most of the history of the shotgun, the breechloading [[break-action]] shotgun was the most common type, and double-barreled variants are by far the most commonly seen in modern days. These are typically divided into two subtypes: the traditional "side-by-side" shotgun features two barrels mounted horizontally beside each other (as the name suggests), whereas the "over-and-under" shotgun has the two barrels mounted vertically one on top of the other. Side-by-side shotguns were traditionally used for hunting and other sporting pursuits (early long-barreled side-by-side shotguns were known as "fowling pieces" for their use hunting ducks and other [[waterbird]]s as well as some [[landfowl]]s), whereas over-and-under shotguns are more commonly associated with recreational use (such as [[clay pigeon shooting]]). Both types of double-barrel shotgun are used for hunting and sporting use, with the individual configuration largely being a matter of personal preference.

Another, less commonly encountered type of break-action shotgun is the [[combination gun]], which is an over-and-under design with one smoothbore barrel and one rifle barrel (more often with a rifle barrel on top, but a rifle barrel on bottom was not uncommon). There is also a class of break-action guns called ''[[drilling (firearm)|drillings]]'', which contain three barrels, usually two smoothbore barrels of the same gauge and a rifled barrel, though the only common theme is that at least one barrel be smoothbore. The most common arrangement was essentially a side-by-side shotgun with the rifled barrel below and centered. Usually a drilling containing more than one rifled barrel would have both rifled barrels in the same [[caliber]], but examples do exist with different caliber barrels, usually a [[.22 long rifle]] and a [[centerfire]] cartridge. Although very rare, drillings with three and even four (a ''vierling'') shotgun barrels were made.