3.2 Shotguns

All shotguns have three major parts. These three parts are: Stock, Action, Barrel.

• The stock is the part of the shotgun that you hold. It helps you hold, aim, and fire the gun.
• The action is the part of the shotgun that loads, fires, and unloads the shotshells.
• The barrel is the part of the shotgun that sends the shot pellets to the target.

Why are some shotguns called smoothbores?

The Rifle, Handgun and Shotgun Bores drawing shows the inside of a shotgun barrel, which is smooth. Therefore, some shotguns are called smoothbores. Also, the shotgun barrel is thinner than a rifle barrel. The barrel looks like a piece of thin steel pipe. Shotguns usually shoot pellets, also called shot.