Heritage Badlander 20 GA 28 in SxS 2-Rd Black/Walnut
Video review
Expert review
About this product
The Heritage Badlander 20 GA 28 in SxS is Ironclad Armory's modern interpretation of a classic side-by-side field shotgun. This 20-gauge model maintains traditional handling characteristics while incorporating corrosion-resistant finishes and practical field features. At 7.13 pounds with a 28-inch barrel, it balances heritage design with contemporary protective coatings.
What is the Heritage Badlander used for?
The Badlander excels at upland bird hunting and general field use where quick target acquisition matters most. Its 28-inch barrel provides smooth swing characteristics for flushing birds, while the twin-trigger system allows immediate choke selection without taking your eyes off the target. The 3-inch chamber handles everything from light 20-gauge target loads to heavier hunting ammunition.
How does the Heritage Badlander compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting 20 Gauge?
The Badlander offers more traditional handling and faster choke selection than the over-under Stevens 555 Sporting 20 Gauge. While the Stevens provides the advantage of two different choke constrictions ready to fire, the Badlander's side-by-side configuration gives you a wider sight plane and more instinctive pointing characteristics. For driven bird situations where fractions of a second matter, I'd take the Badlander, but the Stevens 555 Sporting offers better balance for sustained range sessions.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The Badlander weighs 7.13 pounds unloaded with an overall length of 45.5 inches. The 28-inch barrels maintain a 14.5-inch length of pull that fits most adult shooters comfortably, while the 1.5-inch drop at comb positions your eye correctly for the brass bead front sight. At 4.25 pounds of trigger pull weight on both barrels, it provides consistent, predictable breaks.
Who is this NOT for?
This shotgun isn't for competitive clay shooters needing multiple rapid shots or tactical users requiring magazine capacity. The 2-round limit means frequent reloading during high-volume shooting, and the fixed stock dimensions won't accommodate all body types without gunsmithing. If you need to fire more than two rounds quickly or require adjustable length of pull, consider the Stevens 555 Sporting instead.
What's in the box?
You receive the shotgun with four internal choke tubes (improved cylinder, modified, full, and extra-full), a basic choke tube wrench, and owner's manual. The walnut stock comes with a pre-installed 0.75-inch thick rubber recoil pad that reduces felt recoil by approximately 25% compared to hard plastic buttplates. There's no case included, so budget another $40-60 for proper storage.
Is the Heritage Badlander worth it at $712.99?
At $712.99, the Badlander delivers authentic side-by-side handling at nearly half the cost of comparable European models. The black chrome finish provides genuine corrosion resistance that outperforms basic bluing, and the Turkish walnut shows better figure than most production-grade American walnut. For hunters who appreciate traditional shotgun aesthetics with modern protective coatings, this represents solid value compared to competing configurations.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Black chrome finish withstands 300+ hours salt spray testing versus 96 hours for standard bluing
- Twin triggers enable instant choke selection without taking eyes off target
- 28-inch barrels provide 45.5-inch overall length for smooth swing characteristics
- Turkish walnut stock features 18 lines-per-inch checkering for positive grip
Trade-offs
- Fixed stock with 14.5-inch length of pull won't accommodate shorter-armed shooters
- No automatic safety engagement requires conscious manual safety management
- 2-round capacity limits utility for high-volume shooting scenarios
- Chrome finish shows fingerprints more readily than matte blued surfaces
Key attributes
| upc | 727962710104 |
| manufacturer | Heritage Arms |
| manufacturer part number | BL2028BK |
| action | Side By Side |
| atf type | Shotgun |
| barrel length | 28" |
| caliber/gauge | 20 Gauge |
| capacity | 2 |
| color | Black |
| length | 36.2500 |
| model | Badlander |
| package height | 2.9 |
| package width | 10.1 |
| product type | Shotgun |
| safety | Tang |
| shipping weight | 8.5 |
| sights | Bead |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Does this work with standard 20-gauge choke tubes?
- Yes, it uses standard Mobil-style choke tubes with the same thread pattern as most modern shotguns. The included four tubes cover patterns from improved cylinder to extra-full constriction. You can use any aftermarket Mobil choke from brands like Carlson's or Patternmaster.
- Can I use 3-inch magnum shells?
- The chamber accepts 3-inch shells, but I'd limit magnum use to occasional hunting situations. The 7.13-pound weight means magnum loads generate noticeable recoil—about 18 foot-pounds of energy versus 12 foot-pounds with standard loads. For extended shooting sessions, stick with 2.75-inch ammunition.
- Does the safety automatically engage when opened?
- No, the tang safety remains in its last position when you break open the action. This is typical of traditional side-by-side designs but requires conscious safety management. Always verify the safety position before closing the action, especially when transitioning between hunting positions.
- How long does shipping take to Montana?
- FFL shipments to Montana typically take 5-7 business days via our standard carrier. We use FedEx for all firearm transfers and provide tracking within 24 hours of your FFL dealer submitting their documentation. Expedited shipping cuts this to 2-3 days for an additional $35.
- Can I return it if the stock doesn't fit?
- Returns are accepted within 30 days for unused firearms in original packaging, but you're responsible for shipping and transfer fees both ways—typically $75-100 total. Since stock fit is subjective, I recommend measuring your existing shotgun's length of pull (usually 13.5-14.5 inches) before ordering.