Shotgun Handguns

Posted Oct 11th 2012 | By:

christophereger

Shotguns have been a favorite for both hunting and defense for centuries. The handgun, with an even longer lineage, is likewise here to stay. With the two above-mentioned facts in mind, naturally there have been several efforts over the years to blend the two concepts.

Ithaca Auto Burglar

One of the classic shotgun builders, Ithaca firearms of New York, produced what many felt was the best purpose-designed shotgun-pistol. The "Auto & Burglar Gun" (meant to keep in one of the first and use against one of the second) was a two-barreled 20-gauge pistol with a beautifully contoured pistol grip. With 10-inch barrels, the handy little whippit gun was but 16-inches overall. These guns were popular on both sides of the law in the 20s but were a victim of the 1934 NFA. If not for that, they would probably still be in production.

AOW builds

Speaking of the NFA, for most of the last century the only way you could get a shotgun-caliber pistol was to build one. Unlike sawn-off or short-barreled shotguns, which are born with a shoulder stock, some manufacturers like Serbu make their own from scratch. As the weapon is originally manufactured without a shoulder stock, it is considered a smoothbore handgun, and thus classified as Any Other Weapon (AOW), under NFA. These are transferable with a $5 tax stamp but the guns themselves usually run pricey. For instance the Serbu Super-Shorty, a 16-inch long three shot 12-gauge will set you back about $800.

The Judge

The Brazilian handgun firm Taurus has long been a player in the revolver market so when they
introduced a new series of them in 2005 it was not a big surprise. The surprise came later when it was pointed out that these 5-shot DA revolvers fired not only the classic .45LC round, but also .410 shotgun shells. The series, known as "The Judge" does not qualify as a "short-barreled shotgun" under the National Firearms Act of 1934 as has a rifled barrel. This rifling and the fact that it cannot be made to take a shoulder stock makes it a regular handgun. No stamps required.

However in California the Judge is illegal due to state laws that still label it as a sawed off shotgun.

Therefore, whether it's a highly collectible (and legally registered) Ithaca AB, an expensive (and legally registered) Super-Shorty, or a $500 Judge, there are a number of options to scratch that itch. Unless you live in California, in which case you can always buy a knife.

Posted in

Technical Article

and Tagged with

Taurus Judge, handgun shotgun, shotgun pistol, short barreled shotgun, AOW, Ithaca Auto Burglar

4 COMMENTS

Leave Comment

OldEagleEars

Posted:

October 21, 2012 • 11:39 PM

I lived in a bungalow in a compound in Udorn, Thailand years ago and the landlord was a neighbor. A jolly fellow, he did not like his tenants disturbed so he ran concertina wire around the top of the compound fence, had a couple
of nasty-tempered "Alsatian" (German Shepherd) dogs, and a couple of sawed-off shotgun pistols. One was made from an ancient side-hammer double in .12-gauge; the other was a semi-automatic .20-gauge with an intricately
carved pistol stock and an miniature anti-aircraft ring sight on a loop brazed around the muzzle. It was the scariest thing I ever saw; obviously dangerous for both the shooter and the target! I never saw him fire either one and I
don't really know if they would even shoot, but they apparently made an impression on the local footpads since we never had any burglary attempts. He really needed a Judge or two!

DunRanull

Posted:

October 24, 2012 • 10:30 PM

The Ithaca looks a lot like the "Howdah Pistol" sold at rediculously high prices. Percussion black powder.. I'm sure it would do the trick.. if the trick was only two rounds!

bigmac

Posted:

October 29, 2012 • 11:25 PM

i bought a s w govener only took it shooting once so far but its really coolben looking at bitter root vally ammo 45 long bear amo need to see if i could shoot 300 grain in the gov.but 300 grn. holow pint woud do some damage ben
thinking about what rod pinks said about gong to goood wil and buying some cheep hard back book to see how much damage differnt ammo will do to a 600 page book sounds like a fun shoot

KeyboardCowboy

Posted:

October 31, 2012 • 11:48 PM

I recently purchased a Taurus Raging Judge Magnum (in SS) which chambers the .45LC, .410 shells and the astronomically fun .454 Casull. It's not quite as sexy or smooth as a Smith and Wesson or Ruger, but it's a well-built beast
of a pistol that ALWAYS turns heads. Couldn't be happier. =) Anyone considering the Judge or Governor for a great HD and/or fun gun, be sure not to overlook the Raging Judge Magnum. =)