Shot Guns

Shot guns, commonly referred to as scatterguns or flowing pieces, are bored guns. These firearms are designed in a way as can be fired from the shoulder. The shot guns fire small spherical pellets from a shell. These guns are also known as solid projectile guns.
Types

There are a range of sizes in which the shot guns are available. From 5.5 mm bore guns to the 5 cm bores, there are a number of sizes to choose from. Every shot gun is equipped with its own mechanism including pump action, breech loading, lever action, bolt action and so on. There are also automatic as well as semi automatic types of shot guns that are available and which employ a mechanism totally different from the other guns.
Ammunition
The ammunition that is used is usually known as shot gun shell. In the US these are often referred to as just shells. In UK, these are called cartridges.
Working and advantages of a shot gun
When a shot gun is fired, pellets are released from the shot gun. These pellets after leaving the gun spread. This leads to the power as well as burning charge of every pellet being low. The power of each pellet being low makes it ideal for hunting. The shot gun also has many pellet projectiles which makes it a good combat weapon at close range. These are used at the time of wars as well. Combat shotguns have its uses in the navy as well as in the military units. It also has its uses as a defense weapon. The shot gun is used for target shooting sports including sporting clay, trap, and skeet as well. The sports involve shooting at clay disks usually referred to as clay pigeons. The shotguns are also commonly used during bird hunting as well. The shot gun is also used for law enforcement. Riot shotguns are used at the time of riot control.

Shot guns are generally used while firing at fast and small airborne objects. Since the pellets spread after being fired from the gun, there is a strong possibility of the shooter hitting the objects. This means that he might not fire straight on the target yet be sure of hitting it. The shot gun cannot however be used at the time of extreme combats. As the pellets do not have much power, there is less chance of it penetrating the target and causing damage.

The shot gun has always been preferred by both sports persons as well as soldiers for the versatility that it offers. There is also always a guarantee of the shot hitting the target. This makes it an ideal defensive weapon. The rise in the production and sales of the shotgun is a pointer to the popularity it enjoys.