Do shotguns usually only have a single bead up front?

Lots and lots of shotguns (most, really) have beads, but there are those with rifle sights or ghost rings, too.

Beads are really good for fast, instinctive shooting which is what shotguns work best for.

Rifle sights and ghost rings find most of their use with slugs and buckshot.

Shotguns are pointed, not aimed. Traditionally they only have had 1 bead near the end of the barrel. Many guns of recent manuacture will have a 2nd smaller bead about 1/2 way down on the vent rib. It can help as an aid in making sure everything is lined up right. If you are doing it right you will rarely notice the bead at all.

SG

The standard and correct comment about shotgun sights is that, with a bead at the muzzle end, your eye is the rear sight. That is why, more than any other firearm, the fit of a shotgun to a shooter is important. A properly fitted shotgun, properly mounted, will shoot where you are looking and, as noted, you won't notice the bead at all.
Pete

I haven't done any hunting (except for two legged critters) in many, many years. My idea of a shotgun is usually called just a riot gun. My preference for any buckshot or slug gun is a simple bead sight... of course I'm not a hunter...

jmr40 said:

Shotguns are pointed, not aimed. Traditionally they only have had 1 bead near the end of the barrel. Many guns of recent manuacture will have a 2nd smaller bead about 1/2 way down on the vent rib. It can help as an aid in making sure everything is lined up right. If you are doing it right you will rarely notice the bead at all.

Click to expand...

Right.

When shooting skeet, I make sure the beads are lined up when I mount the gun (no international skeet here) but never see the beads after I call for the target.

Rifle sights are useful IF you are using your shotgun like a rifle - that is shooting at a still target like a deer or turkey - if the target is moving, as in clays or feathered, than your eyes are the sights guiding your hands to move the gun to the proper break point

Mine has a rifled front sight. Ithaca 37 riot gun.