Smoothbore Firearms — A Wide Selection of Shotguns in the ArmElit Online Gun Store

Smoothbore firearms are a classic that has remained relevant for centuries. Combining reliability, versatility, and simplicity of design, they remain an indispensable tool for hunters, a popular choice for sport shooting, and an effective means of self-defense. The ArmElit hunting store offers a wide range of smoothbore firearms from leading global manufacturers. Here, everyone — from beginners to experienced shooters — can find and purchase shotguns that perfectly match their goals and preferences.

Unlike rifled firearms, which shoot a single bullet, smoothbore shotguns are primarily designed to fire buckshot and pellet cartridges, creating a wide spread of projectiles. The optimal spread of a shot cartridge has made it a favorite among hunters of various game, allowing effective shooting with less skill compared to rifled weapons. This makes shotguns especially effective at short and medium distances. There are also special slug cartridges for smoothbore barrels, greatly expanding their capabilities.

Fields of Application:

Hunting. This is the traditional and most popular use for smoothbore shotguns. Due to the wide pellet spread, they are ideal for hunting fast-moving game: ducks, geese, pheasants, quails, hares. With buckshot or special slugs, this weapon is also suitable for taking down larger animals, such as wild boar or roe deer.

Sport shooting. Clay shooting (trap, skeet) and sporting disciplines are entirely based on the use of smoothbore firearms. They require lightning-fast reflexes and precise accuracy to hit moving targets.

Self-defense. Smoothbore firearms are considered among the most reliable means of home and family protection due to their stopping power at close range.

The popularity of smoothbore firearms is due to a number of undeniable advantages. First of all, ease of use. Classic systems, such as break-action double-barrels or pump-action shotguns, offer intuitive handling and simple mechanisms that can be mastered in no time.

This simplicity directly affects the second key advantage — exceptional reliability and unpretentiousness. Smoothbore shotguns have fewer parts that can fail due to dirt or extreme weather. They tolerate some neglect in maintenance and continue to function where more complex mechanisms might fail. In addition, maintaining such weapons is much easier: cleaning a smooth barrel is quicker and simpler than a rifled one, as it lacks grooves where fouling and lead deposits build up.

Another important factor is the availability and variety of ammunition. The cost of ammunition for smoothbore firearms — especially the popular 12-gauge — is significantly lower than for most rifles. A number of Ukrainian and European companies (Taho, Zala Arms, STS, B&P) produce high-quality and affordable cartridges with various loads and pellet types — from No. 3 shot to the powerful Super Magnum. The 12-gauge has become a global standard, offering an ideal balance of power and recoil.

How to Choose a Shotgun

Choosing your first or next shotgun is a serious step. To avoid getting lost in the wide variety of models, it’s important to decide on several key parameters.

Single-barrel or double-barrel. Single-barrel shotguns (most often pump-action or semi-automatic) offer greater magazine capacity (from 3–4 to 10 or more rounds). Meanwhile, double-barrel shotguns allow two quick shots and the use of different types of ammo (e.g., buckshot in one barrel and slug in the other).

Long or short barrel. A long barrel (from 710 mm) provides better aiming accuracy and higher muzzle velocity, ideal for open terrain hunting and sport shooting. A short barrel (up to 610 mm) makes the weapon more compact and maneuverable, which is an advantage for self-defense or hunting in dense vegetation.

Gauge. The 12-gauge is suitable for most types of hunting, sport shooting, and self-defense. It offers a wide selection of ammo with different projectile types and weights. The 20-gauge is smaller and lighter than the 12, making it more comfortable to shoot, especially for people with smaller builds. The .410 bore remains the rarest and least common but offers minimal recoil and compactness.

Over-and-under or side-by-side. This refers to double-barrel shotguns. In “over-and-under” (boxlock) shotguns, barrels are stacked vertically. They have a single sighting rib, which many shooters find easier to aim with, and are considered more modern. In “side-by-side” shotguns, barrels are placed horizontally — a classic design praised for elegance and excellent balance.

First shotgun. For beginners, simple and reliable pump-action or classic double-barrel shotguns are often recommended — they help develop proper weapon handling skills. Experienced shooters and athletes often choose semi-automatics for their speed, or expensive handcrafted shotguns from renowned brands.

Our Range

The ArmElit gun store catalog features smoothbore shotguns from world-renowned brands: Benelli, Beretta, Browning, Stoeger, and more. We strive to meet the needs of every customer — whether you're a newcomer just starting your shooting journey or a seasoned shooter looking for a weapon with unique characteristics. That’s why the catalog includes both budget models for beginners and exclusive firearms for experienced users from prestigious European manufacturers.

Among the exclusive models are works by James Purdey, Merkel, Fanzoj, Cosmi, Luciano Bosis, and others. Due to small-batch production focused on quality, many exclusive weapons are not just rare — they are true works of gun-making art made as one-of-a-kind pieces. Regardless of your choice, you can be confident in a safe purchase. All products presented are certified in Ukraine and sold strictly in accordance with current legislation. We invite you to explore our catalog and find the shotgun that fits you perfectly.