A side-by-side shotgun has a charm that is hard to explain until you carry one through a field of quail cover. The Stoeger Uplander is a 12 gauge with 3" chambers, 28" barrels, a blued finish, and a walnut stock.

Two barrels give you two quick shots with different chokes, which is useful for flushing birds. The action is simple and has few parts to fail. A side-by-side is also easy to inspect, since it opens and shows you at a glance that it is empty. Use the right shell for the job, and check your county and refuge rules before you head out for birds or deer.

Stoeger is known for affordable double-barrel guns, so this one costs much less than a fine European double. That is a good starting point for a hunter who wants to try upland birds without a large investment.

In North Carolina, a gun like this suits dove fields, grouse in the mountains, and a day of clay birds. Walnut and blued steel look great at a campfire, too.

Clean and oil it after each hunt, particularly in humid weather. New. It ships to a North Carolina FFL dealer for pickup and the background check.