The term is often applied to illegal weapons that are created by cutting off the barrel of a standard shotgun. In countries where handguns are more costly or difficult to obtain, criminals can convert legally purchased or stolen shotguns into concealable weapons. Ī sawed-off shotgun is often an unofficial modification of a standard shotgun.

To abide by NFA regulations, anyone may complete a Form 1 'making' form, and purchase and have approved the US$200 tax stamp for the shotgun in question, in order to legally reduce its barrel length to less than 18 inches by cutting the barrel or replacing it with a shorter one.

have not offered sawed-off shotguns to the public since 1934, when shotguns with barrel lengths of under 18 inches were restricted, although they had previously been sold. Many jurisdictions have a minimum legal length for shotgun barrels to make these more concealable shotguns unavailable for criminal purposes. In urban combat zones, military entry teams often use entry shotguns when breaching and entering doorways. Military vehicle crews use short-barreled combat shotguns as ancillary weapons. Powerful and compact, the weapon is especially suitable for use in small spaces, such as close-quarters combat in a military context. They are used by military forces and police agencies worldwide.Ĭompared to a standard shotgun, the sawn-off shotgun has a shorter effective range, due to a lower muzzle velocity however, its reduced length makes it easier to maneuver and conceal. They are subject to legal restrictions depending upon jurisdiction. In the 1930s, the United States, Britain and Canada mandated that a permit be required to own these firearms. As a result of the shorter barrel length, any sawed-off shotgun with a magazine tube will have its capacity reduced. The design also makes the weapon easy to maneuver in cramped spaces, a feature sought by military close-quarters combat units, law enforcement SWAT team users, and home-defense purposes. This makes them easier to transport due to their smaller profile and lighter weight. Barrels can be manufactured at shorter lengths as an alternative to traditional, longer barrels. Despite the colloquial term, barrels do not, strictly speaking, have to be shortened with a saw.

A sawn-off break-open shotgun of the type commonly known as a luparaĪ sawed-off shotgun (also called a sawn-off shotgun, short-barreled shotgun, shorty or a boom stick) is a type of shotgun with a shorter gun barrel-typically under 18 inches (46 cm)-and often a shortened or absent stock.

Super shorty shotgun holster