What is the difference between rifles and shotguns

Pistol vs. Rifle vs. Shotgun: What's the Difference? Richard Douglas. Pistols Pistols are smaller and light weight in comparison to rifles and shotguns. Rifles Rifles are a more powerful self-defense option for your home. Shotguns Of the three types of firearms, shotguns have the most power. Newsletter Sign Up. Differences Between Rifles and Shotguns. The inside of a shotgun barrel the shotgun's bore is smooth. The bore of a rifle has spiraled grooves called rifling. Measuring the barrel diameter the bore.

The diameter of the barrels on handguns and rifles are measured using caliber. Pistols can be easily concealed and used mainly for self-defense; rifles are used for hunting, warfare, self-defense, etc.

A shotgun is a firearm subject to the NFA if the shotgun has a barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches in length. A weapon made from a shotgun is also a firearm subject to the NFA if the weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches or a barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches in length. A rifle has , well, rifling inside the barrel. That is, spiral grooves that cause the projectile fired from it to spin. Rifles fire a single projectile called a bullet while shotguns usually fire a number of pellets, although they can also fire a single projectile called a slug.

The grooves cause a bullet to spin, which makes it shoot out straighter and travel faster. Most shotguns are not rifled inside. With standard ammo like lead or steel shot, a rifled barrel would cause the pieces of shot to bunch up into a tighter pattern, which would defeat the purpose of using a shotgun. Please refer to Penal Code section Please note that it is permissible to shoot a rifled slug from a shotgun, but the bore must be smooth.

Compared to a standard shotgun, the sawn-off shotgun has a shorter effective range, due to a lower muzzle velocity; however, its reduced length makes it easier to maneuver and conceal. Powerful and compact, the weapon is especially suitable for use in small spaces, such as close-quarters combat in a military context. Shotguns are still used in the military but their role has been limited because they have such short range uses.

In WW1 shotguns primarily could only be used at very close range to clear out trenches of enemy soldiers. Recoil is also a major cause for concern when choosing a shotgun as a home defense weapon. Excessive recoil is going to negatively impact performance during training as well as during defensive situations, and as many of us have found out one way or another, shotguns can generate a ton of recoil.

The shotgun is not obsolete, the rifle just usually meets modern requirements better. In other words, defensive rifles and shotguns will probably shoot completely through a typical home. When loaded with specialized jacketed hollow point bullets intended for defensive use, a rifle becomes a little less likely to shoot completely through an attacker and still present a lethal threat to any innocent bystanders.

Since there are many variables and personal considerations that you must take into account when selecting the proper home-defense firearm for you in your unique situation, hopefully this article will be useful in helping you come to the right decision.

Whatever you select, you should make sure to keep it securely stored when it is not under your direct control. If you decide a rifle or shotgun is the right choice for your defensive firearm, keep it safe and protected in a quality safe from Liberty. Click here to find a dealer near you! Share this story. Log in Cart. Shotgun vs. Rifle: Which Is Better? Shotguns vs.