View source for Short-barrelled shotgun

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Short description|Type of shotgun}}
{{hatnote group|
{{redirect|Boomstick|the scuba diving weapon|Bang stick}}
{{distinguish|Broomstick}}
}}
[[File:Lupara.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A sawn-off break-action shotgun of the type commonly known as a ''[[lupara]]'']]

A '''short-barrelled shotgun''' (SBS), also called a '''scattergun''', '''shorty''', or '''boom stick''', is a type of [[shotgun]] with a shorter [[gun barrel]]&mdash;typically under {{convert|18|in|cm}}&mdash;and often a [[pistol grip]] instead of a longer shoulder [[stock (firearms)|stock]]. When shortened by cutting with a saw, these are colloquially termed '''sawn-off shotguns''' or '''sawed-off shotguns'''. Barrels can be manufactured at shorter lengths as an alternative to traditional, longer barrels. This makes them easier to transport and conceal due to their smaller profile and lighter weight. The design also makes the weapon more portable when maneuvering in confined spaces and for that reason law enforcement and military personnel find it useful in [[close-quarters combat]] scenarios. As a result of the shorter barrel length, any shotgun with a [[tubular magazine]] will have a reduction in its magazine capacity.

In the 1930s, the United States, United Kingdom and Canada mandated that a permit be required to own these firearms.<ref>{{cite book|author=R. Blake Brown|title=Arming and Disarming: A History of Gun Control in Canada|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2zHo7woTbZsC&pg=PA149|year=2012|publisher=U of Toronto Press|page=149|doi=10.3138/9781442665590 |isbn=9781442646391|jstor=10.3138/9781442665590|s2cid=106987240 }}</ref> They are subject to legal restrictions depending upon jurisdiction. They are used by military forces and police agencies worldwide.

==Description==
Compared to a standard shotgun, the short-barrelled shotgun has a shorter effective range, due to a lower muzzle velocity; however, its reduced length makes it easier to maneuver and conceal. Powerful and compact, the weapon is especially suitable for use in small spaces, such as [[close-quarters combat]] in a military context. Military vehicle crews use short-barrelled combat shotguns as ancillary weapons.{{Cn|date=May 2025}} In urban combat zones, military entry teams often use [[Riot shotgun#Entry and breaching shotguns|entry shotguns]] when breaching and entering doorways.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

Many jurisdictions have a minimum legal length for shotgun barrels<ref name="USC26"/> to make these more concealable shotguns unavailable for criminal purposes. Many gun makers in the U.S. have not offered sawn-off shotguns to the public since 1934, when shotguns with barrel lengths of under 18 inches were restricted, although they had previously been sold. To abide by NFA regulations, anyone may complete a Form&nbsp;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.<ref name="USC26"/><ref name="BATF">{{cite web | title = The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record | work = Evaluation and Inspections Report I-2007-006 | publisher = United States Department of Justice | date = June 2007 | url = http://www.usdoj.gov/oig/reports/ATF/e0706/back.htm#11 | access-date = 10 September 2008 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080915214146/http://www.usdoj.gov/oig/reports/ATF/e0706/back.htm#11 | archive-date = 15 September 2008 }}</ref>

A sawn-off shotgun is often an unofficial [[Firearm modification|modification]] of a standard shotgun. In countries where [[handgun]]s are more costly or difficult to obtain, criminals can convert legally purchased or stolen shotguns into [[Carrying concealed weapon|concealable weapons]].{{cn|date=October 2024}}

The term is often applied to illegal weapons that are created by cutting off the barrel of a standard shotgun. The barrel of a shotgun without a tube magazine can be cut to any length; pump-action or [[semi-automatic shotgun|semi-automatic]] shotguns usually have a [[Magazine (firearms)#Tubular|tube magazine]] attached to the underside of the barrel which limits the practical minimum barrel length to about the length of the magazine tube, unless it also is modified, technically much more challenging than shortening the barrel. Repeating-fire shotguns with [[box magazine]]s do not lose shell capacity when sawn off, but they are far less common than those with tubular magazines. Shotguns manufactured with barrels under the legal minimum length frequently fall into special categories.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

==Legal restrictions==
{{see also|Overview of gun laws by nation}}
Many nations have placed legal restrictions on short-barrelled or sawn-off shotguns due to their concealability. The following are the restrictions for specific nations. Although not listed here, they are also subject to [[Overview of gun laws by nation|laws governing guns in general]].

===Australia===
In the state of [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] a shotgun may not have its barrel shortened so as to change the category under which that shotgun would be classified. In some states, any alteration to the length of the barrel requires permission from the Chief Commissioner of Police.<ref>[http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/consol_act/fa1996102/s134a.html Firearms Act 1996, Victoria, Australia] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112130634/http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/consol_act/fa1996102/s134a.html |date=12 November 2012 }} Accessed 4 March 2009</ref>

===Canada===
Short-barrelled, manually operated shotguns (non-semi-automatics) only require a non-restricted class [[possession and acquisition licence|licence]] as long as the barrel remains unmodified from the original factory length. There is no legal minimum for shotgun barrels as long as they are not handguns; shotguns with barrels as short as 8.5 inches are available in Canada.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20180507023903/https://www.canadaammo.com/product/detail/da-grizzly-12ga-8-5-shotgun-w-bead-sight-dominion-00-buck-combo DA GRIZZLY 12GA 8.5" SHOTGUN W/BEAD SIGHT]}}; retrieved from canadaammo.com</ref><ref>[http://dlaskarms.com/collections/870-shorty/products/remington-870-shorty Remington 870 Shorty 8.5"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818195020/http://dlaskarms.com/collections/870-shorty/products/remington-870-shorty |date=18 August 2016 }}; retrieved from dlaskarms.com</ref>{{Update inline|date=February 2023|reason=SOR/2020-96, as well as more recent gun legislation, may have changed this|?=yes}}

The act of reducing the length of the barrel of a shotgun to less than 457&nbsp;mm (18 inches) by sawing, cutting, or "otherwise", by anyone other than a recognized gun manufacturer, is prohibited.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfa.ca/content/view/95/199/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219004155/http://www.nfa.ca/content/view/95/199/|archive-date=19 February 2009|title=The Lupara or Short Barreled Shotgun|publisher=National Firearms Association}}</ref>

===Czech Republic===
Short-barrelled shotguns are universally category B weapons and therefore require a shall-issue permit and Gun license (zbrojní průkaz), including the self defense category.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

===Germany===
In Germany, the possession of a sawn-off shotgun is legal with a firearms license (Waffenbesitzkarte), just like any other firearm. Restrictions only apply to pump-action shotguns, which require a minimum barrel length of 45&nbsp;cm and a minimum overall length of 90&nbsp;cm to be legal. Other shotguns may be of any length. If the barrel length is less than 30&nbsp;cm or the overall length is less than 60&nbsp;cm, the firearm is considered a handgun, and treated accordingly under the law.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

=== Ireland===
Shortening the barrel of a shotgun or rifle results in a presumptive five-year minimum sentence of imprisonment upon conviction for a first offence, and a mandatory five-year sentence for second or subsequent offences.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

=== Russia ===

On 13 December 1996, president of the Russian Federation, [[Boris Yeltsin]], signed the federal law No. 150, which entered into force on 1 July 1997. In accordance with this law, possession of any firearm with a barrel length of less than 500&nbsp;mm and an overall length of less than 800&nbsp;mm (including sawn-off rifles and sawn-off shotguns) was prohibited.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20230612061027/http://www.kremlin.ru/acts/bank/10364 Федеральный закон № 150-ФЗ от 13 декабря 1996 года "Об оружии"]}}</ref> As a result, since 1 July 1997, sawn-off shotguns and sawn-off rifles were banned on the territory of [[the Russian Federation]] and they had to be handed over to government law enforcement agencies for destruction.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

===United Kingdom===
{{further|Firearms regulation in the United Kingdom}}

Within the United Kingdom, side-by-side, over-under, bolt-action and lever-action shotguns are required to conform to the specification of a 24-inch minimum barrel length if held on a shotgun certificate. If held on a firearms certificate, the applicant having demonstrated 'good reason' for possession, they must comply with the standard configuration of 12-inch minimum barrel length, 24-inch minimum overall length, in common with other Section 1 firearms.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

Shotguns held on a shotgun certificate must either have no magazine, or a non-removable magazine capable of holding no more than two rounds. Shotguns held on firearms certificates are not subject to any magazine restrictions.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

Semi-automatic and pump-action shotguns, whether held on shotgun or firearms certificates, are always required to comply with the specification of 24-inch minimum barrel length, 40-inch minimum overall length.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/27 |title=Firearms Act 1968 |access-date=3 October 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018191502/http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/27 |archive-date=18 October 2014 }}</ref>

Muzzleloading firearms held on firearms certificates are exempt from any restrictions on barrel and overall length. A smoothbore muzzleloader held on a shotgun certificate would be subject to the standard 24-inch minimum barrel length specification.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

===USSR===
Changing the length of the barrel of a firearm was not prohibited. It was possible to buy, sell or own old smooth-bore hunting shotguns with already shortened barrels (if the barrel length is at least 500&nbsp;mm). Owners were allowed to shorten the buttstock or barrel of their hunting shotgun or rifle if they do it in a gun workshop. It was allowed to re-equip shotguns with pistol grip and detachable buttstock.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20230708015154/https://www.booksite.ru/hant/1972/1972_7.pdf Е. Стайченко. Опыт подгонки ружья // журнал «Охота и охотничье хозяйство», № 7, 1972. стр.24]}}</ref> Firearms with a barrel length of less than 500&nbsp;mm were illegal and had to be confiscated.<ref>"{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20230708015400/https://www.booksite.ru/hant/1988/1988_3.pdf ''Ружья со стволами менее 500 мм не регистрируются, считаются обрезами''"<br/>И. Ефремов (ВНИИ МВД СССР). Когда же ружьё перестаёт быть ружьём? // журнал «Охота и охотничье хозяйство», № 3, 1988. стр.28-31]}}</ref>

===United States===
Under the [[National Firearms Act]] (NFA), it is illegal for a private citizen to possess a sawn-off modern [[smokeless powder]] shotgun (a shotgun with a barrel length shorter than {{convert|18|in|cm}} or a minimum overall length of the weapon, total, including the 18-inch minimum barrel, of under {{convert|26|in|cm}}) (under [[Title II weapons|U.S.C. Title II]]), without a tax-paid registration from the [[Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives]], requiring a background check and either a $200 or $5 tax for every transfer, depending upon the specific manufacturing circumstances of the particular sawn-off modern shotgun being transferred. [[Gun Trust|Gun trusts]] have become an increasingly popular means of registering SBSs with the BATFE.<ref>{{cite web|title=Secure Gun Trust|url=https://secureguntrust.com|website=secureguntrust.com|access-date=20 February 2015|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219234617/https://secureguntrust.com/|archive-date=19 February 2015}}</ref> Short-barrelled muzzleloading [[Gunpowder|blackpowder]] shotguns are not illegal under federal law, and require no tax-stamped permit, although they may be illegal under state law. As with all NFA regulated firearms, a new tax stamp must be purchased before every transfer. All transfers must be facilitated through a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL).<ref>[https://www.atf.gov/firearms/docs/atf-national-firearms-act-handbook-chapter-9/download "Transfers of NFA Firearms"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502102651/https://www.atf.gov/firearms/docs/atf-national-firearms-act-handbook-chapter-9/download |date=2 May 2017 }}; "ATF National Firearms Act Handbook"</ref>

In the US, shotguns originally manufactured without shoulder stocks (and thus not legally shotguns), with a total length under 26 inches, are classified as an "[[Any Other Weapon]]" by the BATFE and have a $5 transfer tax, if they are manufactured by a maker possessing the appropriate [[Class 2 Special Occupational Taxpayer Federal Firearms License]]. In order to convert an existing shoulder-stocked shotgun to a short-barrelled shotgun or an existing pistol-grip-only shotgun to an "Any Other Weapon", a private citizen must pay the standard $200 NFA tax.<ref name="USC26">{{cite court |litigants=US Code 26 |vol=26 |reporter=U.S.C. |opinion=5845 |date=1973 |url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/5845- }}</ref>

==Police and military use==
[[File:Shotgun-latrun-exhibition-1.jpg|thumb|right|This short-barrelled shotgun was manufactured with a reduced-length barrel, rather than being modified after its manufacture.]]

Historical military use of sawn-off shotguns includes use as a primary weapon for Confederate cavalry during the [[American Civil War]]. These muzzle-loaded weapons were used primarily for close-range combat and to supplement the availability of more traditional short-range weapons such as the saber or carbine. The availability of the source weapons and the ability to use a single ball, shot, or a mix of both as the situation required were reasons why they were initially desired by those establishing Confederate cavalry units. They were replaced over time as more conventional arms became available and as the tactical use of cavalry shifted towards use as mounted infantry.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

[[File:H&KFabarmFP6entry.jpg|thumb|[[Fabarm FP6]] Entry – features a 14-inch barrel and is classified as a short-barrelled shotgun in the U.S.A.]]
In modern usage, minimum length and barrel length restrictions only apply to civilian use; military and police departments may issue short-barrelled shotguns, and major manufacturers offer special models with barrels in the range of {{convert|10|to|14|in|cm}} as [[riot shotgun]]s or [[combat shotgun]]s for use in areas with restricted space. These are generally referred to as "entry shotguns", because they are often used for forcing entry into buildings, where the short easy handling is more important than the increased ammunition capacity of a longer shotgun. [[Breaching round]]s provide another use for very short shotguns. These rounds are usually made of [[Sintering|sintered]] powdered metal, but a normal [[buckshot]] or [[Shotgun shell#Birdshot|bird shot]] round will also work. A shotgun is used for breaching by placing the gun next to a door lock (0 to 2 inches away, 0 to 5&nbsp;cm), and firing at a 45 degrees downward angle through the door between the lock or latch and the door frame. The impact of the projectile(s) opens a hole through the door, removing the latch or locking bolt. When through the door, the shot or sintered metal disperses quickly, and because it was aimed downwards, the risk of harming occupants on the other side of the breached door is minimized. Breaching guns used by police and the military may have barrels as short as {{convert|10|in|cm}}, and they often have only a pistol grip rather than a full butt stock. Some models use a special cup-like muzzle extension to further minimize the risk of debris injuring the shooter. Because few rounds are fired, any sporting shotgun with a 3-round capacity could be shortened and used as a capable breaching shotgun.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

==Barrel length and shot spread==
It is a common misconception that shortening the length of a shotgun barrel itself significantly affects the pattern or spread of the pellets; this only becomes true when the barrel is reduced to less than 50% of a typical length.<ref>Moreau, T. S., Nickels, M. L., Wray, J. L, Bottemiller, K. W., and Rowe, W. F., [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/268030530_Pellet_Patterns_Fired_by_Sawed-Off_Shotguns "Pellet Patterns Fired by Sawed-Off Shotguns," Journal of Forensic Sciences, JFSCA, Vol. 30, No. 1, January 1985, pp. 137-149. doi: 10.1520/JFS10974J] {{cite journal |url=http://www.astm.org/DIGITAL_LIBRARY/JOURNALS/FORENSIC/PAGES/JFS10974J.htm |title=Pellet Patterns Fired by Sawed-Off Shotguns |year=1985 |doi=10.1520/JFS10974J |access-date=19 June 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619100330/http://www.astm.org/DIGITAL_LIBRARY/JOURNALS/FORENSIC/PAGES/JFS10974J.htm |archive-date=19 June 2015 |last1=Moreau |first1=Terry S. |last2=Nickels |first2=Marvin L. |last3=Wray |first3=Jack L. |last4=Bottemiller |first4=Kenneth W. |last5=Rowe |first5=Walter F. |journal=Journal of Forensic Sciences |volume=30 |pages=137–149 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> A standard-length barrel (e.g. {{convert|30|inch|cm|disp=sqbr}}) is this long to move the center of gravity of the firearm away from the body and give it an ergonomic heft, and in order for the barrel to extend out into the shooter's field of vision right up to the target, as well as to make the weapon safer, as it is difficult to inadvertently point a long gun at one's own body. The pattern is primarily affected by the type of cartridge fired and the [[choke (firearms)|choke]], or constriction normally found at the muzzle of a shotgun barrel.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

The primary reason that the pattern is altered is because cutting off the end of the barrel removes the choke, which generally only extends about {{convert|2|inch|cm|spell=in}} inward from the muzzle. This results in a cylinder bore, which causes the widest spread generally found in shotgun barrels (see [[Shotgun#Pattern and choke|choke]] for more information on the impact of chokes, [[shotgun shell]] for information on spreader loads, and [[Shotgun shell#Spread|details on shot patterning]] for other relevant information). However, many qualified gunsmiths can re-tap and reinstall the choke in the shortened barrel.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

== Civilian use ==
A sawn-off shotgun with exposed, manually cocked [[Hammer (firearm)|hammers]] and dual triggers is known as a ''[[lupara]]'' ("wolf-shot") in Italy and, while associated with [[organized crime]], was originally used by [[Sicily|Sicilian]] [[farmers]] and [[shepherds]] to protect their vineyards and flocks of animals.<ref>{{cite book |last=Chalker |first=Dennis |author-link=Dennis Chalker |title=One Perfect Op: an Insider's Account of the Navy Seal Special Warfare Teams |author2=Dockery |year=2002 |publisher=Morrow |location=New York |pages=[https://archive.org/details/realteam00rich/page/251 251] |isbn=0-671-02465-5 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/realteam00rich/page/251 }}</ref> In rural areas of [[North India]], where it is seen as a weapon of authority and prestige, it is known as a ''dunali'', literally meaning "two pipes". It is especially common in [[Bihar]], [[Purvanchal]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Haryana]] and [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]].{{cn|date=October 2024}}

The light weight of short-barrelled shotguns, particularly in configurations that lack substantial stocks, leads some users to use short "[[Aguila Ammunition|minishells]]" with lower shot and powder loading for comfortable casual use.<ref>{{citation|title=The .72 magnum: the ultimate crew-served handgun|work=American Handgunner|date=July–August 2004|author=Will Dabbs|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTT/is_170_28/ai_n6040331/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080919053221/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTT/is_170_28/ai_n6040331/|archive-date=19 September 2008}}</ref>

== Criminal use ==
In the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, where [[handgun]]s are not easily obtainable, the sawn-off shotgun was a common weapon in [[armed robbery|armed robberies]] during and shortly after the 1960s. This use has become the main association with the weapon.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

The American bank robber [[Clyde Barrow]] modified his [[Browning A-5]] shotgun by cutting the barrel down to the same length as the magazine tube, and shortening the stock by 5 to 6 inches (125 to 150&nbsp;mm) to make it more concealable. A small, {{convert|10|-|12|in|mm|adj=on}} strap was attached to both ends of the butt of the gun, and was looped around his shoulder, concealing the gun between his arm and chest under his jacket in the manner of a shoulder holster. The gun was drawn up quickly and fired from the shoulder under which it was carried. Barrow dubbed it the "Whippit", as he was able to "whip it" out easily.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

[[Randy Weaver]], a central actor in the 1992 [[Ruby Ridge]] standoff, agreed to sell two sawed-off shotguns to an undercover ATF agent in 1989.<ref>{{cite web |title=Agents Deny Weaver Was Set Up Feds Say Separatist Brought Trouble On Himself |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1995/sep/08/agents-deny-weaver-was-set-up-feds-say-separatist/ |website=www.spokesman.com |date=8 September 1995 |access-date=3 November 2023}}</ref>

[[Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold]], the perpetrators of the [[Columbine High School massacre]], had sawn off their [[Savage Arms|Savage Arms 67H]] [[pump action shotgun]] and [[Savage Arms|Stevens 311D]] [[Double-barreled shotgun|double barrel shotgun]] in the months prior to conceal them under their duster coats on the day of the massacre.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

==Derived uses==
[[File:Обрез 7.62-мм винтовки образца 1891 года.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A sawed-off [[Mosin–Nagant|Obrez (Обрез)]] pistol.]]
Outside area weapons such as shotguns, sawed-off barrels have been used on other firearms such as rifles and in some cases even pistols usually for concealment in particular by criminals and insurgents. Although it can reduce the weight of the weapon, it can waste propellant, cause huge muzzle blasts affecting target acquisition, give away position of the user and decrease accuracy of the ranged weapon.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

Familiarity with descriptions and images of sawed-off shotguns via crime reports in the [[public media]] has led to "sawed-off" or "sawn-off" being used sometimes colloquially as "small or stripped version of"; such as the [[Daimler Armoured Car#Variants|Sawn-Off Daimler (SOD)]].{{cn|date=October 2024}}

==See also==
*[[Coach gun]]
*[[H&R Handy-Gun]]
*[[KAC Masterkey]]
*[[M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System]]
*[[Marble Game Getter]]
*[[Serbu Super-Shorty]]
*[[Short-barrelled rifle]]
*[[Title II weapons]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Shotguns]]
[[Category:Guns of the American West]]
[[Category:Hunting equipment]]