Coach Gun Quest

The CZ Hammer Coach is also 20" but given they are cyl/cyl, there's no reason you couldn't cut them back to 18" if that suits your fancy.

https://cz-usa.com/product/cz-hammer-coach-12-20-fixed-cyl-bore/

I would recommend you consider hammerless. Those hammers snag, rust up, break off, in general are a world of hassle.
A coach gun with no external hammers is a lot more streamlined.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/895306409

no reserve

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/895111096

Buy It Now

I turned an inherited LeFever Nitro Special 16 Ga into a 18” coach gun because the ends of the barrels were badly pitted. I think it cost me $120 bucks to alter, so if you’re not finding what you want as a built-coach gun you may be able to find a longer gun easily to have cut down.

It’s hammerless so not quite what you’re looking for, but the double triggers give it a bit of flair. It is a fun little gun to shoot an occasional round of informal trap with, and I bought a bunch of Federal No. 1 Buck in case it’s ever pressed into a defensive role.

Good luck with your search.

Stay safe.

I actually have a Cimarron 1878 in very nice condition that I have no real use for. I love the gun but it mostly sits there. I'll have to measure again but I could swear it has 18 inch barrels on it.

DukeConnor said:

I don't doubt you but the hammers are sort of the point of my quest. ,)

Click to expand...

I also prefer the hammers. I like it because the gun can be loaded, closed, and not cocked. That's just my preference.

Whatever you do, make sure that you buy one with real hammers that contact the firing pins. Some have hammers that serve as cocking devices, but operate the same as hammerless. Not that this is bad in itself, but in my opinion if you have hammers they should be hammers.

I have a Remington Spartan (Baikal) with real hammers, but IIRC they also made a model with the phony hammers.

I know you said you're not interested in Cowboy Action. I'd recommend you get a Coach Gun that is set up for it. Tuned coach guns are nice. They actually open up without needing to be broken over your knee.

I bought a tuned Stoeger Coach Gun Supreme from here:
https://www.longhunt.com/web/index.php?page=lh-deluxe-stoeger-coach-gun

It is way nicer than my non-tuned Stoeger.

With the crazy current gun prices. I bet you'll find a tuned Coach Gun for the same or less than one on Gunbroker.
If you want hammers - get one of these:

https://www.longhunt.com/web/index.php?page=CZ-Hammered-Coachgun-Cowboy-Action

At $1295 for a tuned Long Hunter CZ vs the $1200 for a standard CZ (linked Gunbroker auction above) it's a no brainer!!!

My pair of Stoegers. Note the untuned one will be going to my best friend's 15 year old son in the next couple of years. He loves shooting it.

Sistema1927 said:

I have a Remington Spartan (Baikal) with real hammers, but IIRC they also made a model with the phony hammers.

Click to expand...

The Baikals have been sold under a few different mfgrs names.

IIRC, I think youre right that Bakail may have/had a hammer version that may not have fully functional hammers - either was only cocking or, neither cocking or uncocking and just moving dummy hammers.

Remington marketed one as the Bounty Hunter... I can't remember if that was the 20ga or just a name when they brought it back....?

Milkmaster said:

I also prefer the hammers. I like it because the gun can be loaded, closed, and not cocked. That's just my preference.

Click to expand...

I don't know if you know this.... the hammerless can too. While uncocked, just remove the forend, break apart, and load. It doesn't get cocked when you close it back up.



I got a USSG (Baikal) hammerless about 12ish yrs ago.

For me, the weight and short barrels makes it a point and shoot gun.... not a swinging gun. Stoeger has the 20" and a 24 barrel version. The 24" I'd image, now, would be a better swinging gun. I think it's an Upland model.

I initially wanted the hammers but 2 things stopped me. The question as to if they are fully functional hammers was concerning and I never fully figured it out with the USSG/Baikal. Loading as noted above solves the issue if that's how you want to store it. Also the issue of the hammers potentially being snag magnets changed my mind pretty quick.


It's tough to break open and agree with the above comments regaring that subject. You can fix that at home or pay... I've done neither as it's really just an occasional blasting fun gun. I like 20ga better... I can shoot a lot more 20ga than 12ga so in hind sight, I should have spent more to get the 20ga Stoeger strictly for the 20g option.

The Cimarron coach gun is made in China. Also sold under the name TTN.

I traded for a CAI JW-2000 once... It was made well enough and functioned ok, but was pretty heavy and stiff. If it was a little lighter and smoother, I probably would have kept it. For a range toy, its probably your cheapest option. If i had my pick though, my choice would be a hammerless model, maybe even in 20 gauge instead 12.

When I went shopping for a hammer double coach gun a few years ago I ran into the same kind of troubles. Seems like there isn't much between the low end and the top end. And of course there are lots of guns with those "pretend" hammers. I finally settled on the Taylor's "Wyatt Earp" (without the obnoxious name engraved on it). It is outside of your budget (and was outside mine) and it still needed trigger work right out of the box, but I'm quite happy with it and glad I broke my budget.

A fair number of people do coach guns as projects, not purchases. Go skulk rural gun stores, gun shows, buy a cheap SxS that you like otherwise, then cut it down to min legal length (or your favorite length). Yes, barrels will need a re-solder, etc. but it can be only a couple hundred for the gun; even if you need a smith to do some or all of work the price can be reasonable. Actually... if you have a remotely workable smith in town, he may even have cheap/abandoned side by sides he could provide or find for you.

Also something fun about having one sorta more western-authentic, cut down to your needs vs just store bought, and any wear might be fun also, else get it refinished while it's getting itself cut down.

fireman 9731 writes:

I traded for a CAI JW-2000 once... It was made well enough and functioned ok, but was pretty heavy and stiff. If it was a little lighter and smoother, I probably would have kept it. For a range toy, its probably your cheapest option.

Click to expand...

I have one of those. Haven't actually gotten around to shooting it yet; had it maybe a year. Yeah, my pecs got a good workout loosening up that break-action. I was doing it over my knee the first few times or more.