The Pietta 1878 Hartford Coach is a 12-gauge side-by-side shotgun built on an external hammer design with double triggers. The 20-inch barrels and 37-inch overall length put it squarely in coach-gun territory, short enough to handle in tight spots, long enough to be useful in the field. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Brand: Pietta 
• Model: 1878 Hartford Coach 
• Type: Side By Side Shotgun 
• Caliber/Gauge: 12 GA 
• Capacity: 2 Rounds 
• Barrel Length: 20 inches 
• Minimum/Overall Length: 37 inches 
• Chamber Length: 2.75 inches 
• Frame Material: Steel 
• Frame Finish: Blued 
• Firearm Stock: Walnut 
• Firing System: External Hammer 
• Trigger Type: Double Trigger 
• Chokes: Fixed Cylinder 
   

Detailed Features 

 
The side-by-side barrel arrangement lets you bring both barrels to bear quickly, which is why the external-hammer coach-gun format has stayed popular in cowboy action shooting for decades. Each barrel has its own trigger, so you control timing independently. Fixed cylinder chokes keep things simple and work well at typical close-to-medium ranges. 
 
The walnut stock and blued finish are standard for this style of reproduction and hold up to normal field use. Steel frame construction handles the forces of 2.75-inch shells without issue. 
 
The 1878 Hartford Coach suits hunters who want a traditional side-by-side for upland birds or brushy environments, cowboy action competitors looking for a period-correct gun, and collectors who want a usable reproduction rather than a wall piece.

Users of the Pietta 1878 Coach Classic 12GA generally respond well to it. The blued finish and walnut stock get repeated mention. People who want a period-style gun tend to find the looks accurate and satisfying. Its place in cowboy action shooting is well established, and competitors in that format regularly recommend it for that use.

On performance, the side-by-side layout and double-trigger setup draw praise for quick target transitions. A few owners note the gun runs a bit heavy for extended carry, which is typical for steel-framed shotguns in this class.

Value relative to price comes up often and mostly positively. Buyers see it as an accessible way to own a quality side-by-side. The main reservations are about fit and finish variability between individual units and some uncertainty about long-term durability. The consistent advice is to handle one in person before buying.