There was a time when Heritage Manufacturing Co. was best known for its budget-priced .22-caliber single-action revolvers. The expansive Rough Rider series is still this company’s bread-and-butter line up. But starting in 2023, Heritage expanded its catalog to include a variety of imported shotguns.
Their first scatter guns were members of the Badlander family. These 18.5” barrel, side-by-side coach guns sport internal hammers and Turkish walnut stocks. By 2024, the shotgun options had expanded to include the .410 Bore Range Side, styled after the famous Winchester 1894, along with the Badlander field-grade sporting models with 28 inch barrels and interchangeable chokes.
Khan Arms is among the largest firearms exporters in Turkey.
Near the end of 2024, the Heritage Coachwhip arrived. Although the Badlanders are designed to emulate Old West styling, the 12-gauge Coachwhip takes a step further into the cowboy-action shooting theme with features that include a case-color finished receiver and a pair of exposed hammers. This model was prominently showcased at the 2025 SHOT Show, where it caught my eye. It took a bit longer than I had hoped it would to complete an evaluation but here is a closer look at what this double-barrel brings to the table.
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The Coachwhip is a handsome example of the 19th century coach gun.
The Heritage Coachwhip is a boxlock action, break-open, side-by-side shotgun. As of this writing, it is available only in 12-gauge. The company has yet to announce if or when it might be available in other calibers. Although it borrows design features from the Badlander series, it has several distinctive touches unique to this model. The shotgun is manufactured by the Khan Arms Company in Turkey for importation by Heritage. Established in 1985, this manufacturer is now among the largest Turkish exporters with products shipping to more than 50 countries. By importing this model, Heritage provides features and a level of quality for less than their competitors’ offerings.
The barrels are fitted with a single brass bead front sight.
At the heart of this handsomely crafted coach gun is the case-colored receiver. Although this rippling, multi-color surface hardening treatment is often reserved for just the receiver, in this case it has been generously applied to the hammers, release lever, trigger guard and the pair of triggers. Even the fore-end strut is case-colored for an elegant and uniform appearance. The 18.5″ long, side-by-side double barrels have been treated with a black chrome finish. This emulates the appearance of a polished blued finish but with notably improved corrosion and wear resistance. The sighting system consists of a single brass bead mounted above the barrels’ cylinder bore muzzle.
The Turkish walnut fore-end is checkered for added purchase.
The release lever is pressed to the right to hinge open the action. This exposes the chambers and an extractor, which lifts spent casings out from the chambers about a quarter of an inch so that they can be manually extracted. The barrel markings indicate that this model is chambered for commonly available 2.75″ and 3″ long 12-gauge cartridges. It will also safely fire the 1.75″ mini shells for those who are looking for a bit less recoil.
The case-color finished receiver’s pins and screws are enhanced with simple star pattern engraving.
The spurred hammers are rebounding. This means that after they are fired they lock back, or rebound, a fraction of an inch back from the exposed firing pins. This is a safety feature intended to prevent the gun from firing if bumped or dropped. The tang-mounted safety slider moves back into the Safe position and is thumbed forward into the Fire position. It should be noted that this slider does not automatically reset to the Safe position when the action is opened.
All of the controls features the same case-color finish as the receiver.
The deeply curved dual steel bow triggers are protected by a traditionally styled trigger guard. In this case, the forward trigger drops the right-side hammer with the rearward trigger actuating the left. Both triggers were smooth in their operations. The forward trigger exhibited a slightly longer arch of travel with a trigger pull of 6 lb. 15 oz. while the rear trigger was a bit shorter and crisper with a 6 lb. 7 oz. trigger pull.
The chambers feature an extractor to aid in the manual removal of spent cartridge casings.
This shotgun’s furniture is carved from Turkish walnut with a dark oiled finish and checkered grip surfaces. The beaver tail style fore-end features a spring-loaded release button which allows the fore-end to be removed so as to separate the barrels from the receiver. The shoulder stock features a Prince of Wales (POW) shotgun grip. This is an open curve, or semi-pistol grip intended to provide enhanced control without hindering the quick hand movements required to operate double-trigger shotguns like this one. The rear of the stock is enhanced with the Heritage “H” logo on both sides and a black rubber buttpad. Unloaded, it tips the scales at 6 lbs. 8.4 oz.
The stock’s Prince of Whales grip is both comfortable and handy.
At the shooting range, the Coachwhip exhibited a handy, well-balanced feel with an action that would swing open with easy when the release lever was actuated. Some folks are looking for shotguns that can rattle off rounds with great haste. This is not the shooting experience that an exposed hammer, double-barrel shotgun provides. But for those who do appreciate this 19th century design, the triggers cycled smoothly and the hammers produced a satisfying click when fully cocked. The stock’s grip proved to be particularly comfortable to hold.
The fore-end’s release button allows the barrels to be separated from the receiver for more compact storage or routine cleaning.
All of the ammunition tested fed, fired and extracted smoothly without any malfunctions. As expected, the levels of felt recoil were typical for 12-gauge, which is to say, on the stout side of the shotgun scale. The formal pattern testing of the 18.5″ cylinder bore barrels was conducted at 25 yards by firing individual rounds of three different 2.75″ loads into Action Target’s 35″ x 23″ paper IPSC targets with clearly visible lettered zones.
Federal Premium’s High Overall is a target and competition birdshot round launching 1 1/8-oz. of No. 7-1/2 size lead pellets at a listed velocity of 1,250 f.p.s. At this distance, the pellets spread out enough to form a relatively thin pattern evenly covering the target from top to bottom. The other two loads used were reduced recoil defensive buckshot options. Remington’s Ultimate Defense Managed Recoil round is stoked with 21 pellets of No. 4 lead buckshot at a listed velocity of 1,200 f.p.s. All 21 pellets are clearly visible on the paper with a fairly even pattern. There were 7 pellets in the A zone, 11 in the C zone and 3 in the D zone. In this case, there was no wad mark.
The author used IPSC targets to pattern the shells
Hornady’s American Gunner Reduced Recoil 00 Buckshot round fires eight lead pellets at a listed velocity of 1,350 f.p.s. This pattern was a bit more difficult to read due to target tearing. It looks like five pellets landed in the A zone with three veering off to what could be called the right “shoulder” of the D zone along with the wad. It was not the more even pattern I’ve seen with this particular load but occasionally buckshot can wander a bit.
The Heritage Coachwhip side-by-side 12-gauge proved to be as well made and reliable as it is good looking. The company has listed this model as a suitable option for cowboy shooting competitions, self-defense and close-range hunting. Yes, it can do all of those things just like other 18.5″ barrel, cylinder-bore shotguns in this caliber.
Heritage also says this gun has the look and feel of an,” heirloom… like a treasure from the past.” This is true too. The clean finish and the thoughtful period touches make it just as suitable for hanging over a mantel piece in the den as for putting to work at home or in the field. For more information, visit heritagemfg.com.
He fought guerrillas in the Haitian and Nicaraguan “Banana Wars,” then led his men to hard-won victories at Guadalcanal, the landing at Inchon, and the frozen hell of the Chosin Reservoir in Korea, becoming a Marine Corps icon along the way.
That man, Lieutenant General Lewis Burwell “Chesty” Puller, is the most decorated Marine in U.S. history and has been awarded the nation’s second-highest military award for valor six times, with five Navy Crosses and one Distinguished Service Cross.
He fought guerrillas in the Haitian and Nicaraguan “Banana Wars,” then led his men to hard-won victories at Guadalcanal, the landing at Inchon, and the frozen hell of the Chosin Reservoir in Korea, becoming a Marine Corps icon along the way.
Early Life
Born in 1898 in West Point, Virginia, he was of English ancestry with ancestors who emigrated to the Virginia Colony in 1621. As a boy, he listened to Civil War veterans recount their experiences and was fascinated by General “Stonewall” Jackson. Puller was destined for military service, and he attempted to enlist in the U.S. Army to fight Mexico in the border war (learn about America’s hunt for Pancho Villa), but could not get his parents to consent.
He then enrolled at Virginia Military Institute, but dropped out in August 1918 to join the Marine Corps. Chesty completed basic training at the Parris Island Recruit Depot but was unable to serve in World War I. He was sent to NCO and Officer Schools and commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve, but a post-war reduction-in-force put him in inactive status with a reduced rank of corporal.
Haiti & Nicaragua
In 1915, after the assassination of Haitian President Vilbrun Guillaume Sam, the U.S. invaded Haiti to secure American interests and fight the Caco rebels, who operated in the country’s mountainous regions. In 1919, Puller was stationed there and fought in over 40 engagements with the insurgents. In June 1924, Puller was sent stateside and finally regained his commission as a 2nd Lt.
In December 1928, Puller was sent to Nicaragua and commanded a detachment of the Guardia Nacional. While in country, Puller honed his skills in guerrilla warfare and earned a Navy Cross for “five successive engagements against superior numbers of armed bandit forces.”
Puller returned to Fort Benning for an officer’s course and then returned to Nicaragua, earning a second Navy Cross for leading Nicaraguan National Guardsmen and U.S. Marines in the last battle against Sandinista forces.
China & The USS Augusta Under Nimitz
After leaving Nicaragua, Puller was assigned to the Marine Security detachment at the American Legation in Beijing. After leaving China, he was transferred to the cruiser USS Augusta (CA-31) under the command of Captain Chester Nimitz.
In June 1936, Puller was stationed as an instructor at the basic school in Philadelphia, the Corps officer training school. A year later, he was sent back to the Augusta, now as the Commander of the Marine Detachment. In August 1941, Puller was given command of the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines of the 1st Marine Division at New River (Camp LeJeune).
World War II
The fight was on in the Pacific theatre, and in May 1942, the division was sent to defend Samoa. In mid-September, they were deployed to Guadalcanal. Upon arriving, the division was surrounded by Japanese forces along the Matanikau River. Puller went ashore and signaled the destroyer USS Monsen (DD-436) to provide supporting fire while Marines evacuated by landing craft.
During the battle, U.S. Coast Guard signalman Douglas Munro provided covering fire for the Marines from his landing craft and was killed. Munro would be awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions, making him the only Coast Guardsman ever to receive the award.
Battle for Henderson Field
In October 1942, Puller commanded the 1st battalion, 7th Marines, who, along with the U.S. Army 164th Infantry Regiment, engaged a regiment-strength Japanese Infantry unit to defend the airfield. When the battle was over, the two units suffered 70 killed, while the Japanese sustained over 1,400 dead. Puller nominated two men for the Medal of Honor for their extraordinary heroism, including famed Sgt. John Basilone.
The Battle of Peleliu
Between September and October 1944, Puller, with the 1st Marine Regiment, engaged the Japanese during the Battle of Peleliu, one of the bloodiest battles in Marine Corps history. Puller received his first Legion of Merit, but came under scrutiny due to his refusal to request U.S. Army infantry reinforcements in reserve against the well-entrenched Japanese forces. Gen. Robert Geiger, the Marine Corps Commandant, ordered the exhausted 1st Division out because they were no longer combat-effective.
Puller was sent stateside as the executive officer of Infantry Training at Camp Lejeune and, at the war’s end, was made the commanding officer of the Marine Barracks at Pearl Harbor.
Korea
At the start of the Korean War, Puller returned to his roots with the 1st Marine Regiment. He landed at Inchon, earning a silver star, and earned his 5th Navy Cross for actions at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, where he uttered one of his many famous quotes, “We’ve been looking for the enemy for some time now. We’ve finally found him. We’re surrounded. That simplifies things.”
Puller and his men repelled waves of enemy attacks by larger forces. During the fight, Puller moved along the defensive line, dodging machine gun, artillery, and mortar fire while directing his troops, keeping supply routes open for the division.
Puller was promoted to brigadier general in January 1951 and made assistant division commander. In May 1951, he returned stateside and took command of the 3rd Marine Division at Camp Pendleton.
In July 1954, Puller took command of the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune. he was soon promoted to deputy Camp Commander. Chesty suffered from high blood pressure and had heart issues. After conducting a unit inspection, Chesty suffered a stroke. Chesty attempted to remain in the Corps, but a medical board saw otherwise, and he was medically retired and promoted to lieutenant general.
Why “Chesty”
Chesty earned the nickname for his prominent barrel chest, and “Chesty” in Corps slang means cocky. But as with all things Chesty, there were tall tales and myths. Marines under his command said he got the nickname from his ability to yell out orders over the noise of battle, stating, “We don’t need frontline communications; Chesty yells commands up and down the line, you can hear him for miles.”
Perhaps the best myth is that during battle, Chesty suffered a major wound to his chest, which was replaced with a steel plate!
His Legacy
Chesty Puller is a Marine Corps icon, whose honors include two ships named after him. There is also the Distinguished Marines stamps issued by the United States Postal Service, which honor Puller along with John Basilone, Daniel J. Daly and John A. Lejeune. The Marine Corps mascot is perpetually named “Chesty Pullerton,” and in honor of Chesty’s family roots, he is always a purebred English Bulldog.
Recruits in Marine Corps boot camp end their day by saying, “Good night, Chesty Puller, wherever you are!” Other everyday sayings include “Chesty Puller never quit!” In boot camp cadences, Marines yell, “It was good for Chesty Puller, and it’s good enough for me.”
During pull-ups, Marines encourage each other to “do one more for Chesty!” Each year, the Marine Corps Detachment from Fort Lee, Virginia, runs 66 miles to Puller’s grave at Christ Church Cemetery in Saluda, Virginia.
Chesty passed away in 1971, and throughout his 37-year career, he exemplified service and leadership and symbolized the Marine Corps esprit de corps.
Smith & Wesson has just announced the Model 940-3, a J-Frame snubby in 9mm.
The latest carry revolver from Smith & Wesson is the Model 940-3. Chambered for 9mm Luger and fed via moon clip, this stainless steel snub-nose features a 2.17-inch barrel, a svelte weight of 23 ounces and a width of just 1.3 inches thanks to its 5-shot fluted cylinder. Better yet, it’s built on a no-lock frame.
The Model 940-3 also has a concealed hammer to provide a snag-free draw, but that means it’s double-action-only as well. Other features include its Tritium XS front night sight, U-notch dovetail rear sight and Hogue Over-Molded Rubber Bantam grip with finger grooves and texturing for a comfortable yet secure hold.
Each Smith & Wesson Model 940-3 comes with 3 full moon clips and it has an MSRP of $900.
For more information, visit smith-wesson.com.
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