Hey Thirsty. Single shot shot guns are cheap, very cheap. You just have to watch what your buying. Like H&R, there are plastic pieces that ought to be metal.
My suggestion is hit a gun show or 2. My uncle (years ago) dripped $20 for one, sawed the barrel off and used it for years to bird hunt with his boy's and I while I was growing up.
I know have that gun. It's a Utica. Only made between 1900 and 1920. It's probably worth about the same $20 in it's restored condition, but it's sentimental value is priceless to me.
Couple years ago I picked up 2 Mossberg pump shot guns from Walmart (don't shop there no more). Mine was a 3-1/2" Chambered 12 gauge, and a 3" chambered 20 gauge for my son Josh.
With 20 boxes of shells for each (9 shot for trap) it was less than $600 bucks. (back when I had money, more like 5 or 6 years probably). Both done in Walnut stocks & forearms.
If you have a local used gun dealer (we do here) I picked up a black sytetic Mossberg 3" chambered 12 gauge for $200. Sold it back for $175 when I bought the new ones.
I traded a router for another 12 gauge Mossbert 3" chambered walnut stock. I ended up selling the 3-1/2" chambered one to the used gun dealer for $15 more than I paid including tax.
Stay away from Gander Mountain, Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops, they want too much for what they have. Gun shows usually turn up something, and people are always willing to take trades, and dicker.
A coach gun is cool, old time fun. functionally, they have been replaced by the over/unders. That what people use on skeet now. You don't have to adjust aim side to side for the barrels.
Buying online can be both good and bad. Some great deals can be had. But, you have to get a FFL dealer to take delivery in your area, and they cost $25 to $75. Normally the standard is $35.
Thing is, right now guns are plenty and good deals are out there. You just need to know what your buying.
If you think you found a good deal, you can always post it here and I'm sure there are a few of us gun guys that can tell ya if it's a good deal or not.
And if pumpkins are going to be your only enemy, a used one from a gun show is your best bet on a deal. Or a friend, or friend of a friend type thingy. Co-worker, etc.
Does anyone have a side-by-side coach gun? I don't have a huge interest in shooting, mostly because my vision is too poor. I don't do well at precision shooting at long distances, but I have had fun plinking with friends in the past when we could set up targets at whatever distance we want, and I could visibly see the tin can or whatever we were shooting at jump when hit. Lately I've been in the mood to blast some stuff, and I think a shotgun might be just the thing. I'm not really interested in spending very much for a quality gun for hunting or for trap or skeet. I'm more interested in blowing up pumpkins at about 25 yards. Anyone have any suggestions for that kind of gun?