Tristar Bristol SxS Shotgun: Heirloom Beauty, Family Budget

Side-by-side shotguns may conjure up a specific image in your head: Wingshooting in the English countryside, perhaps. For decades, the side-by-side has been thought of as an elite shotgun, and it's certainly true that a fine side-by-side doesn't tend to come cheaply. That's why, when TriStar announced the release of a side-by-side that would come in at right around $1,100, we took notice.

Available in an English walnut stock with either color case-hardened or silver receiver, this nimble shotgun is perfect for bird-hunting with a 28-inch barrel and gorgeous balance. Built on a true steel frame, the Bristol SxS comes with five Beretta-style choke tubes (SK, IC, M, IM, F). 
It boasts a selective top tang safety with a left-right barrel selector in the center, brass bead front sight and a single selective trigger. Initially rolled out in four chamberings (12 gauge, 20 gauge, 28 gauge and .410 bore), the Bristol SxS has a new 16-gauge version joining the lineup now. MSRPs from $1,100 to $1,130; tristararms.com