At first, when I saw the Heritage Badlander online, I figured it would be another shotgun for people who love the Old West and all the sentimentality attached with stagecoach rides – another gun for the collection, per say. After all, the term “riding shotgun” comes from the placement of the guy holding a side-by-side shotgun and providing protection to the driver and contents within the coach.
But then, Heritage sent me a Badlander, in 20 gauge, and after using it, I started thinking I didn’t need a stagecoach for this gun to be effective. If two quick shots would suffice, this break-open shotgun would serve quite nicely for home defense, or even, as a truck or side-by-side ride-along.
Heritage is known for its cowboy-action lineup of guns, and the Badlander series completes the third element, since it already has a line of single-action revolvers and new to the scene, lever-action rifles. Heritage offers Badlander shotguns in 12 and .410 gauges, as well as 20 gauge like the gun I evaluated.
Heritage calls the Badlander an “old-school” design. Keeping it simple right out of the box works. In fact, after a quick cleaning session and a little oil at the bench, this shotgun went right out to the range, along with Remington Ultimate Defense Managed Recoil Buckshot.
I couldn’t help but notice that it felt good and well-balanced. That, with its short overall length, it could be a great defensive shotgun for women and youth (and men of smaller stature, if we’re being honest).
The specs for this gun include the following:
Here’s how I decide what target distance to use on the range for any guns I’m working with for reviews. I figure how I’ll practically use the gun and what would be the nearest and farthest distances I might shoot it. In this case, the nearest distance was point blank (moot) and the farthest would be about 10 yards (we have a long great room in the house). So, also understanding that a shotgun will not spray shot in a big pattern at a close distance, and that even at 10 yards the spread is not much, it’s imperative to make sure you aim precisely. It was oh-so-easy to mount this one and aim, take off the safety and shoot.
Compared with other shotguns you may have shot, one difference with the Badlander is its double trigger set-up. If you’re not used to this configuration and you don’t practice, the triggers could slow you down when it comes time to shoot. So, I’d recommend practicing this one dry for a while, and get used to moving your trigger finger from the front trigger to the back trigger. Then, when you are on the range with the Badlander, practice your trigger finger changeup during recoil recovery from the first shot, working on having your finger placed on the rear trigger for a follow-up shot if needed. For what it’s worth, the front trigger fired the right-hand barrel on my gun.
As you can tell by the photos, the gun shot straight and accurately. I didn’t notice any problem with barrel regulation at 10 yards, as each barrel shot to my point of aim.
The only little issue is the really stiff break-open, not uncommon with new break-open long guns, but that just means I need to spend more break-in time on the range shooting it. I’m thinking of shooting some clay “rabbits” to get more training on moving shots. This could be a predator gun, as well – one you can whip out of a UTV or jeep and handle close-in targets.
I already noted the modern, corrosion-resistant finish. However, the Badlander’s overall look is a throwback to the Old West with its gorgeous purty-finished Turkish walnut on the fore-end and buttstock, along with some sweet checkering behind the trigger guard area.
I am going to ask to purchase this one, and I know a daughter-in-law or two who would like to try it on my range, and next time my granddaughter comes to “Granny Camp,” you can bet we’ll be out there with it.
Visit the Heritage Manufacturing website to learn more about the series of Badlander shotguns.
MSRP: $893.99
Publisher/Editor Barbara Baird is a freelance writer in hunting, shooting and outdoor markets. Her bylines are found at several top hunting and shooting publications. She also is a travel writer, and you can follow her at https://www.ozarkian.com. View all posts by Barbara Baird
