Why is a sawed-off shotgun so much worse than a regular shotgun? nt

[raccoon]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by cyberswede (a host of the General Discussion forum).

[EvilAL]

1. Easier to conceal.

Shorter barrel and cut off stock can fit under a coat or up a sleeve easily. A full length shotgun, not so much..

[NuclearDem]

4. That's it right there.

[pipoman]

12. The argument in US v. Miller, iirc

Was that the spread of the shot made them inaccurate and therefore indiscriminate. Handguns are far easier to conceal.

[EvilAL]

13. Ok,

I didn't know this was in regard to something else. Thought it was just a general inquiry.
It is true the spread is greater with a sawed off barrel. If someone was to use a sawed off shotgun in the commision of a crime they would likely use a larger shot, meaning less 'BB's' flying out of the muzzle, in order to inflict maximum damage. Handguns are easier to conceal, but harder to hit a moving target.

[hobbit709]

2. It's the modern version of a blunderbuss.

[Scuba]

3. Concealability.

[el_bryanto]

5. The phrase "Sawed-off" sounds cooler than the word "regular." nt

[EvilAL]

8. That too..

However, I wouldn't go skeet shooting with a sawed-off and expect to win any trophies... Heheh

[sakabatou]

6. Easier to conceal, wider spread

[pipoman]

7. It isn't

And likely wouldn't be on the NFA list if Miller had lived to argue his case. Instead, the case was heard by SCOTUS even though Miller was not even represented before them, the only argument heard in the case was that of the federal government.

Sawn off shotguns were "in common use for lawful purposes" at the time. Many woodland partridge hunters used them because of the short close shots required.

[Mojo Electro]

9. I thought it was because of the wider spread.

[Ed Suspicious]

11. That was my thought. I thought they were designed to maim rather than kill. Not much practical

hunting application for that.

[Adrahil]

14. Not really... it's concealbility, like with Short Barreled Rifles.

I think it's silly really.

[libtodeath]

10. Not just easier to conceal but also to fire without having to shoulder it.

[packman]

15. Johnny Yuma had one

In the Golden Age of TV westerns:

The series portrays the adventures of young Confederate Army veteran Johnny Yuma, an aspiring writer, played by Nick Adams. Haunted by his memories of the American Civil War, Yuma, in search of inner peace, roams the American West, specifically the Texas Hill Country and the South Texas Plains. He keeps a journal of his adventures and fights injustice where he finds it with a revolver and a sawed-off double-barreled shotgun.

He used a sawed-off because he was a terrible shot. I thought (I was very young at the time) that it was a cool gun.

[panader0]

16. Thanks--now I'll have the Johnny Yuma theme song stuck in my head

"Johnny Yuma was a rebel, he rode through the west..."

[mac56]

17. A classic

[Hoyt]

18. Maybe these photos of "sawed-off shotguns favored by folks like Zimmerman will answer your question.

Definitely not acquired for hunting. Zimmerman was given one by the manufacturer shortly after he walked after murdering Trayvon Martin.

[dionysus]

19. a scope for a sawed off? geeeez...

[SomethingFishy]

20. Beat me too it...

A scope on a sawed off shotgun with about a 20 foot range? Really? But hey, it looks cool!

[dionysus]

21. it's like putting laser sights on a blunderbuss!

[oldhippie]

29. Not a *scope* ....

.... with magnification. It's a dot sight, merely to give an aiming point. They are also commonly used on some handguns.

[loli phabay]

24. for using slugs.

[hack89]

28. That is not a sawed off shotgun and it is not a scope

it is a bullpup design that meets all federal laws for barrel length and overall length. The sight is a red dot close combat sight for rapid aiming.

[dionysus]

31. thanks for the correction.

[hack89]

32. Not a problem. nt

[Hoyt]

33. It is size of a "sawed-off" shotgun and designed/marketed to appeal to callous yahoo gun fanciers.

You guys and your "nomenclature obfuscation game" crack me up.

The sight is what one of the gungeoneers described a year or two ago as useful for clearing a room. Like any sane person actually thinks they are going to need to "clear a room."

The fact is, these type weapons appeal to groups like the Minutemen (Border Klan), Ayran Nation (Randy Weaver comes to mind), and those who callous enough to like to inflict mayhem (or just dream about it).


Zimmerman being congratulated by the owner of Kal-Tec after acquittal for murdering Trayvon Martin

[hack89]

25. That is not a sawed off shotgun - it's overall length meets all Federal laws.

have you ever considered reading the laws before posting such nonsense?

[Ikonoklast]

26. That jackass in the top picture points the barrel of that loaded weapon right at

the cameraman taking the video.


Another self-styled "gun expert" who breaks not one but two basic gun safety rules in one fell swoop.


Loaded weapon. He must have forgot.

Points it at human. He is a dangerous idiot.

[Deep13]

27. Those are not sawed-off.

They are a "bull-pup" design that puts the receiver in the stock near the shoulder, allowing for a full-length barrel in a compact configuration.

Also, that's not a scope, it's a 1x reflex sight.

[arely staircase]

22. spread of shot

basically like setting off a grenade.

[oldhippie]

30. Uh, no, it's not .....

The "spread of shot" from a shotgun barrel (even a "sawed off" barrel) is greatly exaggerated.

[arely staircase]

34. uh yes it is nt

[WovenGems]

23. Better and legal

A shotgun designed for ladies. Small enough to use in hallway. Thus it is best for home defense unless one lives with a Mastiff.

[wercal]

35. My guess, in the era they were regulated, they were used for alot of crime

Easier to conceal than a regular shotgun, favored by gangsters, etc. I think this was part of the NFA, and a whole host of 'tommy guns' and other weapons were included. They probably included sawed off shotguns with the bunch, because they were also a tool of the trade for Al Capone types.

[cyberswede]

36. Locking.

Host consensus is that this post doesn't meet the Statement of Purpose for GD.

Discuss politics, issues, and current events. No posts about Israel/Palestine, religion, guns, showbiz, or sports unless there is really big news. No conspiracy theories. No whining about DU.