The first double-barrel shotguns were originally muzzle-loading firearms. The primitive, but efficient, design was popularly used during the era of the American frontier. Double-barrel shotguns are mainly used for hunting and home defense. They come in an either a side-by-side or over-and-under barrel configuration. Still used commonly after the Great War, the shotgun is seen frequently in the Commonwealth and the rest of the wasteland.
Characteristics
The double-barrel shotgun is a break-action, two-handed shotgun that uses 12-gauge shotgun shells as ammunition. Intended for use at close range, the double-barrel shotgun deals a large amount of damage and is useful against any enemy in close range to the shooter.
Later modifications will increase its damage in line with more advanced weapons and also modify its range, accuracy and recoil.
The biggest downsides to this weapon are the low ammunition capacity of two shells and that it cannot be upgraded to hold more. This necessitates frequent and somewhat-lengthy reload times that leave the player character vulnerable. Legendary modifiers might come in handy to compensate for the slow reload animation and low ammo capacity, especially those which provide bonuses to base damage, such as "Explosive" or "Mighty." It can also become extremely powerful with the "Never Ending" legendary prefix, especially when coupled with an advanced receiver and heavy investment in the "Rifleman" and "Bloody Mess" perks, due to its very high fire rate and damage per shot.
Commonly sold by vendors, such as Arturo Rodriguez who sells one already equipped with a long barrel, and either a standard muzzle brake or a spiked one.
Sometimes wielded by Rust Devils.
