I recently spent some time cleaning up an old iver johnson 20 gauge single shot shotgun that had been sitting in the back of a friend's closet for probably thirty years. There is something incredibly grounding about holding a firearm like that. It doesn't have the tactical bells and whistles of a modern polymer-frame shotgun, and it certainly won't win any awards for rapid-fire capability. But as I wiped away the dust and a bit of surface oil, I was reminded of why these guns were once the backbone of rural American life. They were simple, they were honest, and they just flat-out worked.
Iver Johnson was a brand that specialized in what people used to call "hardware store guns." Back in the day, you didn't always go to a specialized boutique to find a hunting tool; you went to the same place you bought your nails, hammers, and fencing wire. These shotguns were tools, plain and simple. The 20 gauge version, in particular, occupies a really sweet spot in the history of these break-action classics.
A Relic from the Golden Age of Hardware Stores
If you look at the side of one of these old guns, you'll usually see the "Champion" name stamped into the receiver. The Iver Johnson Champion was the bread and butter of the company for decades. They produced millions of them between the late 1800s and the mid-1900s. Because they were so prolific, you can still find them today at almost every small-town gun show or tucked away in the corner of a pawn shop.
What makes the iver johnson 20 gauge single shot shotgun so iconic isn't just its longevity, but its accessibility. It was the gun that a father bought for his son as a first hunting piece. It was the gun that sat behind the kitchen door to handle a stray coyote or a hawk in the chicken coop. It wasn't a status symbol; it was a utility. The construction was straightforward—usually a forged steel frame and a walnut stock. They didn't cut corners on the materials, even if the design was basic.
Why the 20 Gauge is the Perfect Fit
While Iver Johnson made these in everything from .410 to 12 gauge (and even some 10 gauges back in the day), the 20 gauge is arguably the best of the bunch. If you've ever shot a 12 gauge single shot, you know exactly why. Because these guns are so light—usually weighing in at five or six pounds—the recoil from a 12 gauge shell can feel like a mule kicking you in the collarbone. There's no gas system to soak up the energy and no heavy magazine tube to add mass. It's just you, the steel, and the blast.
The 20 gauge version changes the math. You still get plenty of power for squirrels, rabbits, or even upland birds, but the kick is much more manageable. It's snappy, sure, but it doesn't make you want to quit after three shots. For a young shooter or someone who just wants to spend an afternoon wandering through the woods without getting a bruised shoulder, the 20 gauge is the "Goldilocks" choice. It's enough gun for the job without being too much for the shooter.
The Simple Beauty of the Single Shot Design
There is a specific rhythm to using an iver johnson 20 gauge single shot shotgun. You push the lever—usually located right behind the hammer or on top of the tang—and the barrel drops open with a satisfying "clack." You slide a shell into the chamber, snap the action shut, and you're ready. There's no safety switch in the modern sense; the safety is the hammer. You don't cock it until you're actually ready to pull the trigger.
This simplicity forces you to be a better hunter. When you only have one shot, you don't take "maybe" shots. You wait until the squirrel is clear of the branches or the bird is at the right distance. You become more deliberate. There's a certain peace in that. In a world where we're constantly told we need more capacity and faster reload times, the single shot reminds us that one well-placed shell is usually all it takes.
Another thing I love about these old Iver Johnsons is the "automatic ejector" feature that many of them had. On a lot of cheap single shots, when you open the action, the shell just sits there and you have to pluck it out with your fingernails. But a lot of these Champions were designed to fling that empty hull right over your shoulder. There's something immensely satisfying about hearing that ping as the brass hits the ground behind you.
Handling and Field Performance
The balance on an iver johnson 20 gauge single shot shotgun is surprisingly good. Because there's no heavy mechanism in the middle of the gun, the weight sits right between your hands. It points naturally. I've found that when I'm walking through thick brush, the slim profile of the single shot is way easier to carry than a bulky pump-action. It doesn't snag on vines, and it's light enough that you aren't huffing and puffing after two miles of hiking.
The barrels on these were often quite long—30 inches wasn't uncommon—and they were usually choked pretty tight. In the era when these were made, people wanted their shotguns to reach out as far as possible. If you're using modern shells with better wads, these old guns can actually be incredibly effective. I've seen people use them for turkey hunting with great success, provided they check the bore and make sure the steel can handle the pressure of modern loads (always check with a gunsmith first on those really old ones!).
What to Look for When Buying One Today
If you're looking to pick up an iver johnson 20 gauge single shot shotgun today, there are a few things you should keep an eye on. First, check the lockup. When the gun is closed, there should be absolutely no "wiggle" between the barrel and the frame. If it feels loose or "off-face," it might be worn out and unsafe to shoot.
Second, take a look at the stock. These guns used real walnut, which is beautiful, but the way they were designed often led to cracks right where the wood meets the metal receiver. A small crack isn't the end of the world, but it's something you'll want to fix before it gets worse.
Lastly, look at the bore. A lot of these guns were used with corrosive primers back in the 1920s and 30s, and if they weren't cleaned properly, the inside of the barrel can look like a sewer pipe. You want to see a shiny, smooth surface. If you find one with a clean bore and a tight action, you've found a treasure. You can usually pick these up for a couple of hundred dollars—sometimes even less if they're a bit beat up cosmetically.
Final Thoughts on a Working Man's Legend
The iver johnson 20 gauge single shot shotgun isn't a museum piece meant to stay behind glass. It was designed to be used, scratched, and carried through the rain. It's a testament to an era of manufacturing where things were built to last a century with just a little bit of oil and common sense.
Whenever I take one of these to the range, I always get someone coming over to ask about it. It usually starts with, "My grandpa had one of those." That's the legacy of Iver Johnson. It's a connection to our past and a reminder that sometimes, the simplest tool is the best one for the job. Whether you're a collector or just someone who appreciates a good, honest shotgun, there's plenty of room in the cabinet for a 20 gauge Champion. It's a bit of history you can still take out into the woods, and there's a lot of value in that.