Is a shotgun more powerful than a handgun or submachine gun?

Question

in many video games, the shotgun packs a lot of power, but has short range. but from what i read, a shotgun shot is not powerful because the powerful because it is divided among multiple pellets. are shotguns typically more powerful than handguns and submachine guns? and are there some shotguns that fire a single powerful shot?

Answer 1

Well, this is a big question.  Shotguns have massive stopping power if your using the right shot.  No. 4 could blow a basketball in someone at 25 feet.  But at the same time a .45 pistol is a human killer, it sends a smaller wound but enough of a shock to the nervous system to kill in shot.  SMGs have a variant of calibers but the rate of fire makes them deadly.  Contact me for more firearm info.

Answer 2

It all depends on how you are trying to defend yourself and what from. In Close Quarters Combat you would have a better chance of taking an enemy target out of the fight with one round of buckshot versus a few rounds of 9 mil.

When I was in the Air Force our primary job was working on remote monitoring equipment located way out in the woods in places like Alaska. We didn't mess with M-16's. Our standard weapon of choice was a 12 gauge M870 shotgun loaded with slugs. Made for an excellent bear protection set-up.

Answer 3

Shot guns are for close range.  They can fire pellets in various sizes as well as a slug.  

Also available are sabat rounds:  http://www.polywad-shotgun-shells.com/qu...        http://www.remington.com/products/ammuni...

Flechette rounds;  http://www.antipersonnel.net/sdllc/007.h...

Here is a shotgun that I'd take over a machine gun at close range:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4ebtj1jR...

Answer 4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhstuvzMi...

No need to ask, decide for yourself. I'll take an AA12 over a SAW any day.  

Answer 5

This is very interesting question, the person asking the question is quite young and some of the answers are from adults, the question is comparing video games and real firearms, this is a dangerous analogy, real guns are no toy video game, they are very dangerous.  If you are actually interested take a firearms safety course at your local gun club, after some experience you will be able to answer your own question.  That way you won't be relying on any possible erroneous information you may get here.  There are to many variables to answer your question satisfactorily.

I hope this helps

Good Luck