Shotguns

As with any re-enactment, find some period photos to back it up, and folks will be more likely to agree with it. Personally, it sounds a bit too "Vietnam" for my liking - but I look forward to seeing your research which proves me wrong.

I honestly doubt any would have seen use. From a British point of view, Sawn off shotguns had already been illegal since 1920. Obviously the legality of firearms in a warzone is a bit of a moot point, but specifically adapting a standard firearm to actually make it 'illegal' probably wouldn't have gone down well with one's CO.

There's also the practical point of obtaining ammunition for it once the initial supply's run out, and the bulk of both the gun, and the shells. Most guys lived out of their uniform pockets and small pack, and even a sawn-off wouldn't fit in there.

A captured trophy pistol, whilst equally outlandish as a sidearm, is the *slightly* more realistic option.

*EDIT* Also, lead shot was illegal in warfare under the Hague Convention. Military shotgun ammunition would have to be steel plated, and would be unobtainable to the average Tommy

Fantastic idea, 1960s East End gangland airsoft, think Long Firm, Long Good Friday, Get Carter. Josh, when's the first event? I've already got an idea for a new impression...-- attachment is not available --

Fantastic idea, 1960s East End gangland airsoft, think Long Firm, Long Good Friday, Get Carter. Josh, when's the first event? I've already got an idea for a new impression...-- attachment is not available --

"Quick Ranj, get da Shoota, I'll get the Jag, dem Jerry slaaaags 'ave got us surraanded!"

"Oi, Adolf, you nonce! Shaaaht it!"

😆
"Oi, Adolf, you nonce! Shaaaht it!"

I honestly doubt any would have seen use. From a British point of view, Sawn off shotguns had already been illegal since 1920. Obviously the legality of firearms in a warzone is a bit of a moot point, but specifically adapting a standard firearm to actually make it 'illegal' probably wouldn't have gone down well with one's CO.

There's also the practical point of obtaining ammunition for it once the initial supply's run out, and the bulk of both the gun, and the shells. Most guys lived out of their uniform pockets and small pack, and even a sawn-off wouldn't fit in there.

A captured trophy pistol, whilst equally outlandish as a sidearm, is the *slightly* more realistic option.

*EDIT* Also, lead shot was illegal in warfare under the Hague Convention. Military shotgun ammunition would have to be steel plated, and would be unobtainable to the average Tommy

Guy on the right is holding a pump action shotgun so definitely used by the Americans, more common in the Pacific but in this case clearly here they are herding German POWs.
So ammo would be obtainable by trading with Americans. Cut the barrels short enough and a shotgun isn't a very bulky item.

Guy on the right is holding a pump action shotgun so definitely used by the Americans, more common in the Pacific but in this case clearly here they are herding German POWs.
So ammo would be obtainable by trading with Americans. Cut the barrels short enough and a shotgun isn't a very bulky item.

Sorry, we were talking about the British, I thought? Yes, pump action shotguns were used by the Yanks, mainly in rear areas to guard POW's, and the Pacific during ww2, as you mentioned. They were also used by the Home Guard on occasion, but again, not sawn off.

In reality, Yanks and Brits rarely saw each other at the pointy end on a regular basis, so trade would be infrequent, and the chances of meeting a GI, with spare shotgun ammo, who was actually willing to risk a charge to trade it, would be non-existent to minimal at best.

Also, as far as the British were concerned, merely *having* a sawn off would be grounds for confiscation at the least, and court martial at worst, if caught by your CO.By all means, feel free to shoehorn it into your airsoft impression, but it's in no way realistic. I've got an airsoft sawn-off, they're great fun, but it's not really relevant to a British ww2 impression. As a Partisan, certainly, though.

Above all else, it's also a very *impractical* weapon for anything other than doing over banks. You've got 2 shots, a sten has 32, and both will empty a room equally well, but the sten can go on to do further rooms.

A sawn off is used for threatening, not killing.

Guy on the right is holding a pump action shotgun so definitely used by the Americans, more common in the Pacific but in this case clearly here they are herding German POWs.
So ammo would be obtainable by trading with Americans. Cut the barrels short enough and a shotgun isn't a very bulky item.

Sorry, we were talking about the British, I thought? Yes, pump action shotguns were used by the Yanks, mainly in rear areas to guard POW's, and the Pacific during ww2, as you mentioned. They were also used by the Home Guard on occasion, but again, not sawn off.

In reality, Yanks and Brits rarely saw each other at the pointy end on a regular basis, so trade would be infrequent, and the chances of meeting a GI, with spare shotgun ammo, who was actually willing to risk a charge to trade it, would be non-existent to minimal at best.

Also, as far as the British were concerned, merely *having* a sawn off would be grounds for confiscation at the least, and court martial at worst, if caught by your CO.By all means, feel free to shoehorn it into your airsoft impression, but it's in no way realistic. I've got an airsoft sawn-off, they're great fun, but it's not really relevant to a British ww2 impression. As a Partisan, certainly, though.

Above all else, it's also a very *impractical* weapon for anything other than doing over banks. You've got 2 shots, a sten has 32, and both will empty a room equally well, but the sten can go on to do further rooms.

A sawn off is used for threatening, not killing.

Very good post.

I'd also argue that a shotgun, at least on the 'western front', would fall into the same category as dum-dum bullets. If you were caught with them by the enemy, you were as good as dead. They simply were not tolerated.

I sense another case of "I am going to interpret history to suit my view of re-enacting" coming up... Russe11, if you have clearly already made up your mind about this, why ask us to comment on this?

Next thing, we'll probably have US players arguing for including MP44 Vampirs in their impressions - war booty and all that, y'know.

All true of course, but lets remember this lad has yet to attend his first WW2 Airsoft event, so whilst pointing out inaccuracies for the chosen impression lets keep it encouraging rather than dismissive

Sorry, my previous post was done with more irritation than good intention in mind. My hackles just rise when this type of willful refusal of evidence/logic takes place.

I am not ignoring what you guys say and it is being taken into consideration. I just have a tendency when given such a definite answer to think there must be more to it. Sawn off shotguns were in common useage during WW1 afterall.

(not the best photographic proof but I liked the picture better than the more convincing one )

Anyway, I guess the answer is that if I get a sawn off shotgun, then it's not a realistic enough thing to have for the more serious WW2 events but I may get one anyway because it's going to be a lot of fun for other stuff

The best reference photo ever! :p those shotguns are very fun but not hugely practical...as said it wud b badass for a resistance kit...but wats stopping u using it for brit kit! It'll do in the meantime until u find sumthing more suited :p

I'll bring a Gatling gun to my next ww2 event. We could have liberated it from the local museum, and traded for ammunition with the Paris branch of the American Civil War Society.

Seems legit.

can i bring a phaser , i think they went back in time in some star trek episodes i saw it on telly it must be true.

I'll bring a Gatling gun to my next ww2 event. We could have liberated it from the local museum, and traded for ammunition with the Paris branch of the American Civil War Society.

Seems legit.

Cripes throw in a couple of bows and arrows while ur in ther mate! It is a far fetched sidearm to have for the kit hes pulling off but lets not forget ....its airsoft...plus if he wants to have only 2 shots at u and he misses both times...u get more chance too kill him. Also this is coming from nz....with only a small ww2airsoft community but id b willing to let it slide if it means another enthusiastic ww2 player....

Now that we're done setting about the shotgun idea with fixed bayonets, perhaps we could reccomend a suitable alternative? The gentleman who made the original post is clearly seeking advice, so let's be constructive.

Whilst native sidearm selection for the Tommy is virtually nonexistent Britian did use the M1911 in limited quantities, or Tanaka make a Smith and Wesson M10, it's not the Lend-Lease model but it's certainty a passable stand-in. I know these sidearms were really officer weapons, but it's airsoft after all, and they're still more feasible than a shotgun.

Open to correction on any or all of the above, being a grizzled veteran of but a single game.

can i bring a phaser , i think they went back in time in some star trek episodes i saw it on telly it must be true.

It has been considered - not only for an excuse to get a uniform