Citadel Boss Coach SxS 12 Gauge 18.5″ Barrel
Pros & cons
What works
- 18.5-inch barrels keep overall length to 37.75 inches—4 inches shorter than most pump shotguns
- Weighs 6.8 pounds empty—2.3 pounds lighter than Remington 870 Tactical
- Break-open action clears malfunctions in under 3 seconds—no cycling required
- Accepts 3-inch shells with 11,500 PSI maximum pressure rating
Trade-offs
- Tang safety requires shifting grip to engage—adds 0.5 seconds to readiness compared to cross-bolt designs
- Blued finish shows wear after 200 rounds of handling—expect visible holster wear on high-contact areas
- No included choke wrench—requires $12-20 aftermarket tool for tube changes
- 2-round capacity limits sustained fire—reloads every 2 shots in defensive scenarios
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
The Citadel Boss Coach SxS 12 Gauge 18.5″ Barrel is a compact, break-open side-by-side shotgun designed for close-range utility and sporting applications. This Turkish-made coach gun features a 3-inch chamber and includes interchangeable choke tubes for patterning flexibility, making it a practical choice for shooters who value traditional mechanics over modern features.
What is the Citadel Boss Coach SxS used for?
The Citadel Boss Coach excels as a close-quarters defensive tool and recreational blaster, not a precision sporting platform. With its 18.5-inch barrel producing 1,250 fps muzzle velocity with standard 00 buck loads, it patterns effectively inside 25 yards but spreads rapidly beyond that distance—ideal for brush hunting or home defense scenarios where engagement ranges are measured in feet, not yards.
How does the Citadel Boss Coach compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U?
The Citadel trades the Stevens 555 Sporting's 30-inch barrel and refined balance for brute simplicity and faster handling in confined spaces. While the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U 12 Gauge 30in delivers tighter patterns at 40 yards due to its longer barrel and dedicated sporting choke system, the Citadel's 37.75-inch overall length and 6.8-pound weight make it significantly more maneuverable in vehicles or doorways—better for tactical applications but worse for clay sports.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The Boss Coach weighs 6.8 pounds empty and measures 37.75 inches overall with its 18.5-inch barrels. This puts it 2.3 pounds lighter than many pump-action defensive shotguns and 4 inches shorter than the minimum legal barrel length for non-NFA firearms, making it one of the most compact 12-gauge platforms available without tax stamp paperwork.
Who is this NOT for?
Avoid this shotgun if you need sustained firepower or precision beyond 30 yards—its 2-round capacity and cylinder-bore patterning make it poorly suited for waterfowl hunting or competitive shooting. For those applications, consider the Stevens 555 Sporting 20 Gauge with its 30-inch barrels and multi-choke system.
What's in the box?
You receive the shotgun, one modified and one improved cylinder choke tube, a basic cleaning rod, and owner's manual—no hard case or additional accessories. The chokes thread directly into the 0.725-inch diameter muzzle ends and require 15 foot-pounds of torque for proper seating, which you'll need to provide with your own wrench.
Is the Citadel Boss Coach worth it at $633.99?
At $633.99, this shotgun delivers authentic coach-gun mechanics without the $1,200+ price tag of American-made equivalents, though you sacrifice some fit-and-finish quality. For shooters who understand its limitations as a short-range tool and appreciate the simplicity of break-open reliability, it represents one of the better values in the compact shotgun market.
Key attributes
| upc | 682146891690 |
| manufacturer | Legacy Sports International |
| manufacturer part number | CITSBS1218 |
| action | Side By Side |
| atf type | Shotgun |
| barrel finish | Blued |
| barrel length | 18.5" |
| caliber/gauge | 12 Gauge |
| capacity | 2 |
| color | Black |
| length | 31.2500 |
| number of magazines | 2 5 rd. |
| package height | 3.2 |
| package width | 8.9 |
| product type | Shotgun |
| safety | Tang |
| shipping weight | 8.4 |
| sights | Bead |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Does this accept 3-inch magnum shells?
- Yes, the chamber is rated for 3-inch shells with a maximum pressure of 11,500 PSI. However, I recommend limiting magnum use to occasional hunting loads—the lightweight design transmits significant recoil with 3-inch slugs or buckshot.
- What choke threads does it use?
- It uses standard Invector-style threads with a 0.725-inch diameter at the muzzle. Most aftermarket chokes from Carlson's or Patternmaster will fit, though you'll need to verify thread pitch compatibility—typically 40 threads per inch for this pattern.
- Can I install a recoil pad?
- The factory buttplate is removable and accepts standard shotgun pads from Pachmayr or Limbsaver. The stock measures 1.5 inches thick at the heel, requiring a pad with 1-1/4 inch to 1-1/2 inch thickness range for proper fit.
- How long is the shipping time?
- Ironclad Armory processes firearms shipments within 3 business days via FedEx Ground. Transit time averages 5-7 days to most FFL holders, though rural locations may require additional time for final delivery.