What is true of most shotguns?

  • Most shotguns are designed to be versatile firearms that can be used for a variety of purposes such as hunting, sport shooting, home defense, and law enforcement.

  • Shotguns typically have a smooth bore barrel, which allows them to fire multiple projectiles (shot) rather than a single projectile like rifles or handguns.

  • Shotguns come in various gauges, with 12 gauge being the most popular for general use. Other common gauges include 20 gauge and .410 bore.

  • The most common type of shotgun action is the pump action, where the shooter manually cycles the action to eject spent shell casings and load new shells. Other types of actions include semi-automatic, break action, and lever action.

  • Shotguns are often used for hunting birds, waterfowl, and small game due to their ability to deliver a wider spread of shot, making it easier to hit a moving target.

  • In terms of home defense, shotguns are popular due to their stopping power and ability to quickly neutralize a threat at close range.

  • Shotguns are also commonly used in law enforcement and military applications for crowd control, breaching doors, and as a less-lethal option for less-than-lethal ammunition such as bean bags or rubber bullets.