This week on #SundayGunday, we’re taking a look at the Heritage Badlander, a double-barrel scattergun that would not look out of place riding shotgun in a stagecoach through the badlands of the old west. Featuring two, 28-inch side-by-side black-chrome-coated barrels, the Badlander boasts an elegantly simple design.
A brass bead sight sits in the trough between the two barrels, easily visible with your cheek tucked to the stock. That stock is crafted from a high-grade walnut, with a lustrous, dark finish that matches well to the black chrome of the barrels. Its grip is checkered for purchase, while its fore-end, also checkered, is even swelled for a firmer hold. The most distinctive aspect of the Badlander, however? Its double trigger. With one trigger per barrel, the long extended trigger guard and two triggers give the gun a traditional, old West feel. Above, a tang safety engages or disengages the trigger. Shooters used to more modern double barrels should note that, as the gun has two triggers, the safety does not double as a barrel selector.
Forward of the tang, a long paddle lever is pushed to the side to break open the action, revealing the chambers. After firing, the ejectors throw spent cases far clear. To take the gun down, the fore-end is removed by lifting a latch embedded in its bottom. From there, the top lever is pushed to unlock the action, and the barrels lift free from the steel-alloy receiver. Putting it together is simply the reverse.
For hunters, the Badlander would make a great turkey slayer. Light, reliable, and capable of packing a punch from its 3-inch 12 gauge chambers, this is an old-school gobbler getters dream. For more information on the Badlander, which is also available in 20-gauge, 28-gauge and .410-bore, with an MSRP of $946.99, visit heritagemfg.com, and for more #SundayGunday any day of the week, check out our playlist on YouTube, where all previous episodes are archived.
