5 Affordable Over/Under Shotguns Worth A Shot (2023)

Updated 4/14/2023Over/Under Shotguns can be expensive. What are some economical over/unders to consider? CZ Redhead PremierCZ Side-by-Side Sharp-Tail Mossberg International Silver Reserve Model 555Browning CitoriThere’s over/under shotguns that cost more than the three-bedroom brick ranch I bought in 1961. These include the likes Krieghoff, Kolar and Perazzi. There are also used side-bysides, especially older English models, that can cost as much today as a Southern California fixer upper. This article is not about these double guns. The goal is to give you a few over/unders, and a side by side that won’t break the bank, melt your credit card or get you into too much Dutch with you spouse. Many hunters, waterfowl specialists and upland specialist would love to have a double gun in their safe. They’d also be proud to carry it come November. CZ Redhead PremierCZ stands for the Czech Republic firm whose name is difficult to pronounce for Americans. CZ is the American importer for their many products. Bolt-action centerfires are the company’s most popular and long-lasting products. CZ also produces a full line of rifles as well as Dan Wesson handguns, and other firearms related products. CZ’s shotgun models, including the Redhead Premier, are imported from Turkey. The CZ Redhead Premier has a bright satin finish, some engraving and a classic style Turkish walnut stock. The 12- and 20 gauge guns are available in either 26 or 28 inch barrels. Five flush-mounted screw in chokes are also included. All for a suggested retail price of around a grand. I went to the next SHOT Show and I was the first person to visit the Armsco booth because I’d been told about these over/unders. I was so impressed I bought five of these doubles. There’s fine laser cut checkering on the CZ Redhead today, a solid mid-rib of 8mm (so that no brush can accumulate when bulling thickets), top ribs, extractors, and a pistol grip with a low re-curve. This grip is in the Prince of Wales style. The chambers are 3 inches in the 12, 20, and.410 CZ Redhead Premiers. They are 2 3/4 inches in the 28 bore. The 28 and.410 both come with 28-inch barrels. This is probably CZ’s most common length for all four gauges. I think that those tight chokes are a mistake. Most shooters prefer screw-in chokes, or open ones. The patterns would be too small, especially when shooting at regular upland ranges. The thumb safety is manual, while the triggers are mechanical. Weight for the 12 gauge is 7.7 pounds on average, depending on the density of the walnut. What is the difference between a $12,000 over/under and a CZ Redhead Premier, which costs around $1,000? The Redhead is designed for hunting, but it can also be used on clay target fields. Hunting guns don’t get shot as much as a competition over/under, which could be shot 20,000 shots per year for decades. I doubt that the Redhead will withstand that kind of abuse. Plus, a $14,000 shotgun is likely to have a better fit and finish, a higher quality of walnut, as well as other factors that increase cost. If you’re looking for an affordable double-barrel shotgun, the CZ Redhead and others that follow are worth your consideration.