The ballistic characteristics, including penetration, spread, and powder stippling, were studied in a series of test firings to determine their wounding capacity at various ranges and the effect of a modified barrel with the choke removed. The analysis indicates that such weapons, which are relatively easy to obtain, are not as innocuous as they appear, because they can be modified either by changing the barrel or by the removal of the device inside the barrel that is intended to prevent the firing of solid slugs. Figure, tables, photographs, and 5 references (Author abstract modified)