What is Break-open shotgun?
A '''break-open shotgun''' is a type of [[shotgun]] that loads [[Shotgun shell|shotgun shells]] by opening up the barrels, taking out the spent shells, placing a new shell in each [[Chamber (firearms)|chamber]], then closing the barrels. Most are either single- or [[Double-barrel shotgun|double-barrel]]. Triple- and quadruple-barrel (three and four barrel) shotguns also exist, but single- and double-barrel shotguns are easier to make and less likely to [[Jam (firearms)|jam]]. Most double-barrel shotguns are made with their barrels touching side-by-side. However, there are also shotguns where one barrel is on top of the other. Over-and-under shotguns are easier to aim than side-by-side shotguns because you do not need to aim a little to the left or right. Since the [[metal]] [[Cartridge (firearms)|cartridge]] was [[Invention|invented]] in 1845, most shotguns were break-open shotguns until the repeating shotgun was invented. Break-open shotguns are still popular with [[Civilian|civilians]] because they are easier to use and less likely to jam than repeating shotguns; however, they hold fewer shells than repeating shotguns. [[Category:Shotguns]]