Would a hand held sawn-off shotgun really work?
February 24th, 2010 by eranio
Would a hand held sawn-off shotgun like you often see in action movies really work, or would the kick either break your wrist or send the gun into your face? What if you used a smaller shotgun, such as a 20 gauge?
Just so everyone knows, I’m not planning to do this, I just wonder about it every time I see an action movie with one in it.
Posted in used shotguns
February 24th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
First off I should inform you that its illegal to have a shotgun with an overall length less than 26 inches or a barrel under 18 inches, this is a felony unless you pay the $200 to the Feds for a tax stamp weapon. Others here know that legal side much more than me but sawed off shotguns have sent a few folks to prison for not understanding that a sawed off is illegal.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sawed-off_shotgun
“A new tax stamp must be purchased with every transfer of a modern smokeless powder short-barrelled shotgun, and transfers must be made through a Class III Federal Firearms Licensed (FFL) dealer”
Any gun has recoil and the 12 ga has up to 36 lbs, this is equivalent of some large African hunting rifles.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/12gauge.htm
The weight of the gun helps you feel less felt recoil as the recoil has to move that weight. So a 9 pound shotgun will pound you with less felt recoil than a 5 pound gun. But because the short barrel is less efficient for the shot shell charge it will have less recoil than that same round would have in a longer barrel, it will kick similar to a .454 Casull ;
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SawedOffShotgun
Some can not handle such recoil others can, I can shoot a .454 Casull but after a box of ammo my palm is tender the next day and I am over 6 ft tall and over 220 lbs. So yes it can be done.
Accuracy is not near as good as the .454 and the shot pattern will spread out a bit more but will not blow 3 foot holes in doors like Hollywood. It will just leave the number of holes as the number of shot in the shell and the holes will be the size of the shot. At point black it will blow one ragged hole anywhere from the size of the bore to about 3 inches wide depending on distance and what it hits.
During the Mobsters days of the 20’s the sawed off was hidden in a news paper or under the coat to kill people with at very close range;
http://www.goffs.herts.sch.uk/website/history/y9holoaddinfo_files/new%20year%209%20history/gangsters%20in%201920%20two.htm
Here is one in action;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZptrF9e7Bw&NR=1
February 24th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
yes it does
February 24th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
You make a very good point about the recoil on a sawed-off shotgun.
I have never shot one, but I have shot the longer and heavier Mossberg Cruiser shotguns in 12 gauge, the employ a pistolgrip and no shoulder stock. Hold on tight when you fire one!
February 24th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
it can be fired, but it cannot be fired accurately across any sort of distance.
it would work good if you found yourself in a gunfight in an elevator, but beyond that, not terribly useful.
February 24th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
yeah but hold tight and down ward so that it doesn’t go flying up you might want to look away if your at the range for the first shot just to make sure it wont come back at you and use a small 2 3/4 inch shell using 9 shot since the recoil would be long and slow and lighter than a slug and it would be even easier as the gauges go down
February 24th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
Good Question:
Take my Winchester Model 24. It is a SxS 12 ga. The barrels are very thin, and add very little mass to the shotgun. Mass is what will reduce perceived recoil. If you shorten the barrels, you will lose muzzle velocity, and reduce actual recoil. Therefore, at least in theory, a sawed off shotgun could have less perceived recoil than a full 28" barreled one.
Then you would have to consider the choke. If you saw off the barrels, you are effectively giving it an open choke. That would reduce the recoil even more.
If you used low brass shells; You could probably fire the darned thing with one hand, so cut the stock too.
Now: Where did I put that hacksaw?
February 24th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
This (in the link below) shotgun can be held with one hand and fired with "reasonable" accuracy (like getting it "on the silhouette" at 25 feet) But you need to have your wrist locked and your elbow slightly bent to effectively hold it with 3" mag buckshot. it can be done but unless there are 5 or more linebacker sized felons looking to kill you I don’t recommend it as it is not comfortable. This item is considered "any other weapon" or AOW and transfers as a class 3 weapon with a $5.00 tax stamp and all the associated paperwork.
However the ones in the movies with just a cut down stock would put your wrist at an even more uncomfortable angle and I cannot say you may hurt yourself depending on your build, The situation, How you are holding the gun, If you have osteoporosis Etc
February 24th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
Yes.*
February 24th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
So who’s the thumbs down monkey? I have shot shotgun with one hand both full length double barrel and pumps. In the 70s I shot a super short shotgun with one hand. Recoil can be light or severe a slug will kick back like hell and it may fly our of your hand. The movies are never accurate or seldom so anyway. Just fire a double barrel shotgun with one hand and youll get the idea; major recoil!
So there are some folks who can shoot one all day long and others that cant, you need strong arms and hands for a 12 ga now a .410 or 20 ga is not bad at all.
So yes it can be done. Just hang on tight. And Beedsarefunak is right on many accounts especially the law. But I disagree with him about it recoiling like a 454 unless your shooting trap loads.
February 24th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
Yes been there done that almost smacked myself in the head. Be Careful!!