Is It a Shotgun or Rifle?

by
posted on February 22, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
zent2015_fs.jpg (1)

Yes, clearly the gun I chose to use on a bear hunt some years back did its job just fine. But am I seriously suggesting that somehow qualifies a $225 slug gun for a spot in my “Top 10 Shotguns”?  Find out (if I’ve really gone off the deep end) when we post the entire list later this week here on AmericanRifleman.org.

One way or the other, it begs the question: Is a slug gun a shotgun, or some sort of bastardized rifle? I’m in the camp that if you’re shooting a shotshell-even one loaded with a single projectile instead of pellets-it’s got to be considered a shotgun. But I’ve got to concede this debate could go either way, especially when the slugger’s got a rifled barrel, as was the case with my bear gun.

So, two questions for today’s blog readers: 1) Is a slug gun a shotgun or a rifle? 2) What make/model is my bear gun? (Big American Rifleman salute to those of you who can ID it.)

Latest

NRA Logo On Blue
NRA Logo On Blue

2026 NRA Board Election Results

The National Rifle Association is pleased to announce the results of the 2026 elections for the NRA Board of Directors.

A Celebration of American Freedom: The 155th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits

With acres of exhibition space, addresses from NRA’s leadership, an epic country concert and literally tens of thousands of guns on display, the 155th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston­—and our nation’s 250th celebration—are not to be missed.

The "Dreaded Dry-Fire" Training Talk

Talk to the best shooters in the world, and you will hear the same story: the majority of their skill development did not happen on the range with ammunition. It happened with dry-fire practice.

U.S. Army Testing Improved Gun Barrel Material

In a joint collaboration with Geissele Automatics and Carpenter Technologies, the U.S. Army indicated that it's currently developing a new kind of steel for gun barrels that promises greater longevity and performance.

Rifleman Review: KelTec PR57

KelTec is known for its out-of-the-box designs, so when it came to designing a dedicated personal-protection firearm, the PR57, the company took a different approach than nearly every other firearm maker out there.

VOID Suppressors: Canik Joins the Silence Movement

Canik is largely known for its handguns, but with its new VOID line, the company recently joined the movement of manufacturers producing their own suppressors.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.