Semi-automatic shotgun facts for kids
A semi-automatic shotgun is a type of gun. It fires one shotgun shell every time the trigger is pulled. Unlike many other shotguns, it uses energy from the last fired shell to load the next one. This means a person using a semi-automatic shotgun only has to load the first shell themselves. The gun then loads the rest of the shells automatically.
How Semi-Automatic Shotguns Work
Most shotguns, like pump-action shotguns, lever action shotguns, and break barrel shotguns, need you to manually load each new shell. This means you have to do something, like pump a handle, to get the next shell ready.
A semi-automatic shotgun works differently. When you fire a shell, a small part of the energy from that shot is used by the gun. This energy helps the gun remove the empty shell. Then, it quickly puts a new shell into the firing position. This makes the gun ready for the next shot without you having to do anything extra.
Different Kinds of Shotguns
Some shotguns can do more than just semi-automatic firing. For example, the SPAS-12 shotgun can be used in semi-automatic mode. But it can also be switched to a pump-action mode. Pump action is useful for firing less harmful projectiles, like bean bags or gas canisters. These types of projectiles might not create enough energy to make the semi-automatic system work.
There are also some shotguns, like the AA-12, that can be fully automatic. This means they can keep firing as long as the trigger is held down. However, these guns can often be switched to semi-automatic mode too.
Who Uses Them?
Semi-automatic shotguns are often used by special forces and the military. They are also used for other purposes where shells need to be fired quickly. Because the gun loads itself, a person can shoot much faster than with a shotgun that needs to be reloaded by hand after each shot.
See also
In Spanish: Escopeta semiautomática para niños
