Sawn Off Shotgun vs Shotgun
What are the differences between the tactical use of a Sawn Off Shotgun vs a regular Shotgun?
Shotguns are short range tactical weapons with less penetrating power than a pistol or a rifle round. This is specific to using shot shells and not slugs and this answer is under the assumption we are using some type of shot rather than a slug. Shotguns are used to clear a larger area than a rifle or pistol that only fires one round. A semi auto shotgun is actually every bit as effective as an fully automatic assault rifle at short range and in the hands of someone who knows how to use it. This explanation is required so we can now detail the differences between a conventional shotgun and a sawed off shotgun.
The term sawed off shotgun comes because people used to saw the rear portion of the stock off of a shotgun to make it shorter and/or the front portion of the barrel. Now, in addition to being able to do that, which is actually illegal and can land you in jail if you are caught doing it, shotguns come with folding and retractable stocks, which amount to the same thing. Sawing off the front portion also allows for a greater spread pattern of the shot, thus clearing a larger area per shot… but this reduces the range greatly.
The reason to do this is the environment they are meant for use in. Shotguns of this manner are meant for an urban environment, like clearing a house. When you are in a house with a lot of corners and places you can be ambushed or caught at unawares. You need to be able to move quickly and to react quickly. A longer shotgun could be hard to maneuver with, possibly hitting a wall or something slowing you down and giving your opponent more of an advantage. Whereas, if the shotgun is reduced in size to where it's little bigger than a pistol you can maneuver easier. You can also keep it close to your body, which would make it more difficult for a potential adversary to grab and take away from you.
Any one using a sawn off shot gun are using it for one reason only. To hit as many targets a possible in a short range. IF used at head neck level you can take out a lot of people at close range. This is a mass injury type of weapon and is not used for killing. IF you happen to kill a person so be it but wounding them and taking the fight out of them is the main cause for this weapon. This is also why it is frowned upon as usable in most situations. The fat it is a very short effective ranged weapon you can usually do better with a pistol or two. Otherwise a normal tactical shot gun with more rounds in it is the better choice with double aught buck shot.
Kn,
I don't know, there are many tactical situation in an urban environment where I'd take a sawed off shotgun over a longer shotgun or a pistol. If in a building and clearing rooms a burst or two from a shotgun goes a lot further than a pistol and the fact it's cut down makes it easier to handle and maneuver in cramped indoor settings.