Short-barrelled shotgun
shotgun with a smaller barrel and stock
A short-barrelled shotgun (SBS), also called a scattergun, shorty, or boom stick, is a type of shotgun with a shorter gun barrel—typically under 18 inches (46 cm)—and often a pistol grip instead of a longer shoulder 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. 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.
“Short-barrelled shotgun” enters the record as shotgun with a smaller barrel and stock. Crown Archives preserves that source wording while asking what Short-barrelled, shotgun and smaller can confirm, complicate or overturn.
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