What is a "sawed-off" shotgun and what is the purpose of such a modification?

Answer 1

What a sawed off shotgun is, is a shotgun that has had the barrel cut down to a shorter length for concealment or making it easier and lighter to carry. It gives you all the shotgun power in a more compact form. The shorter barrel causes the buckshot to spread more and not go as far. These are not used for hunting, since the range is a lot shorter. They are fun you should get one in a 12 gauge.

Answer 2

The sawed-off shotgun (US) or sawn-off shotgun (UK) has a shorted barrel than the standard shotgun and often a shorter or deleted stock. This modification has a larger spread and a more limited range, but it has about the same destructive power. Such a powerful and compact weapon is especially suitable for nefarious purposes, such as armed robbery. As its name implies, the sawed-off shotgun is usually produced by illegal home-made modification of a standard shotgun. The sawed-off shotgun is also known as a sawed-off or sawn off.

Answer 3

A sawed-off shotgun (U.S.) or sawn-off shotgun (UK) is a type of shotgun with a shorter gun barrel and often a shorter or deleted stock, compared to a standard shotgun. The sawed-off shotgun has a larger spread and a more limited range, but it has about the same destructive power. Its reduced size makes it easier to conceal. Such a powerful and compact weapon is especially suitable for nefarious purposes, such as armed robbery. To make shotguns less concealable, many jurisdictions have a minimum legal length for shotgun barrels and most gun makers do not offer undersized shotguns to the public. As its name implies, the sawed-off shotgun is usually produced by illegal home-made modification of a standard shotgun.

Answer 4

A sawed-off shotgun is one where a good portion of the barrel has been sawed off, making it much shorter. It varies, but lengths of barrels are regulated and those of a too short length are illegal. They are sawed off because a shotgun shoots "shot" (hence, "shotgun") which is like a bunch of BB's, all at one time, rather than a single bullet, like a regular gun. Shot comes in differnent sizes, from "Double 00 buckshot", to 9. When the shot leaves the barrel of the shotgun when it gets fired, the shot spreads out. The shorter barrel length of a sawed-off one, means the shot will spread more quickly, meaning it's more lethal at close distances.

Answer 5

It generally refers to a shotgun having had it's barrel cut down to under the legal minimum length. The purpose is easier concealment and a wider shot pattern in a shorter distance.

Answer 6

Just to clarify. A sawed off shotgun is NOT more powerful. I guess people that believe that also believe that the "black powder faries" hide inside the gun and add more black powder to shells.

Answer 7

to shorten the barrel and make it easier to conceal. a 12 guage can punch a hole the size of a beer can in your chest. shooting someone in the head won't even leave an exit wound because there will be nothing left.

Answer 8

1: Its easier to conceal

2: Its shot spreads wider and is more powerfull [At short range only]

3: Itsa accuraccy at medium to long range is lowered the shot is more spread out and does less damage at the farther away the target is.

Answer 9

THE BARREL IS SHORTENED TO GIVE A WIDER SPREAD OF PELLETS. THE ONLY USE FOR A SAWED OFF SHOTGUN IS ANTI-PERSONNEL.

Answer 10

It's more powerful but the aim is not as accurate.