Scattergun vs. Shotgun — What's the Difference?

Used in Casual Context: Often referred to in everyday conversation.

Variety of Types: Includes pump-action, semi-automatic, and more.

Informal Term for Shotgun: Colloquially known as a scattergun.

Technical and Legal Term: Officially recognized in legal contexts.

Synonymous with Shotgun: Another name for a shotgun.

A shotgun (also known as a scattergun, or historically as a fowling piece) is a long-barreled firearm designed to shoot a straight-walled cartridge known as a shotshell, which usually discharges numerous small pellet-like spherical sub-projectiles called shot, or sometimes a single solid projectile called a slug. Shotguns are most commonly smoothbore firearms, meaning that their gun barrels have no rifling on the inner wall, but rifled barrels for shooting slugs (slug barrels) are also available.

Emphasizes Spread of Shot: Known for its spreading shot pattern.

A smooth-bore gun for firing small shot at short range.

Popular in Culture: Frequently appears in movies and games.

The front passenger seat in a vehicle

Another term for scattershot

Aimed at a wide range of things; having no specific target

A shotgun.

Denoting a long, narrow single-storey house whose rooms are arranged one behind another

A shotgun.

Shoot at or kill with a shotgun

Unfocused in approach or topic.

Consume (a canned drink) in one go by puncturing the can, putting one’s mouth over the resulting hole, and then opening the can by means of the ring pull to produce a rapid flow

Firearm that is a double-barreled smoothbore shoulder weapon for firing shot at short ranges

A smoothbore gun that fires shot over short ranges. Also called scattergun.

(Football) An offensive formation, used especially for passing, in which the quarterback receives the snap several yards behind the line of scrimmage.

Of, relating to, or using a shotgun.

Obtained by or involving coercion

Covering a wide range in a haphazard or ineffective manner

Having the rooms joined in a line from front to back

To shoot at with a shotgun.

To drink (a can of beer or other beverage) quickly through a hole punched near the bottom of the can.

Used to claim the front passenger seat of a vehicle before a trip has started.

(firearms) A gun which fires loads typically consisting of small metal balls, called shot, from a cartridge.

(slang) The front passenger seat in a vehicle, next to the driver; so called because the position of the shotgun-armed guard on a horse-drawn stage-coach, wagon train, or gold transport was next to the driver on a forward-mounted bench seat. Can also be used in situations of claiming other resources such as bedrooms.

A one-story dwelling with no hallways or corridors, with the rooms arranged in a straight line.

(American football) An offensive formation in which the quarterback receives the snap at a distance behind the center, often with a running back set to one or both sides of him.

Relating to shotguns, either in a present or past sense.

Relating to the threat of force or dubious means.

Relating to the use of numerous, diverse or indiscriminate means to achieve a particular result.

To inhale from a pipe or other smoking device, followed shortly by an exhalation into someone else’s mouth.

To verbally lay claim to (something)

To hit the ball directly back at the pitcher.

To rapidly drink a beverage from a can by making a hole in the bottom of the can, placing the hole above one's mouth, and opening the top.

To send out many (requests, answers to a question, etc), especially in the hope that one obtains a positive result (i.e. reveals useful information, is correct, etc), in the manner of a shotgun firing many balls of shot such that one may hit a target.

To employ the technique of shotgun debugging.

A light, smooth-bored gun, often double-barreled, especially designed for firing small shot at short range, and killing small game.

Firearm that is a double-barreled smoothbore shoulder weapon for firing shot at short ranges

Firearm with Spread Shot: Designed to shoot a wide spread of pellets.

Used in Hunting and Sports: Popular in various shooting sports.

Long-Barreled Firearm: Characterized by its long barrel.

Yes, a scattergun (shotgun) is often used for home defense.

Yes, but it depends on local laws regarding shotgun ownership.

Shotguns use shells filled with either multiple pellets (shot) or a single slug.

Yes, with proper training and safety measures, beginners can use shotguns for hunting.

Shotguns are very effective for bird hunting due to their spread shot pattern.

No, scattergun is just an informal term for a shotgun.

Yes, shotguns are used in various shooting sports like skeet and trap.

Beginners often start with a basic pump-action or break-action shotgun.

No, scatterguns (shotguns) are more effective at short ranges.

Always handle a shotgun with care, keep it unloaded when not in use, and store it securely.

Regular cleaning and proper storage are essential for maintaining a shotgun.

Yes, shotguns are commonly used by law enforcement for certain tactical situations.

Yes, shotguns can be customized with various accessories, but always ensure compliance with laws.

Shotgun ownership laws vary by location, so a license may be required.

Shotguns can vary in price, often being more affordable than some rifles and handguns.