Serbu "Super Shorty"

[ATCDoktor]

Mines not a SERBU, it's a Safety Harbor Firearms KEG 12.

Essentially it's the same gun, 7.5 " barrel, 3 shot capacity, 2.75 and 3' magnum capable.



I carry mine in the holster pictured above and have used it to take small game out to about 50 paces.

Long shots were made with Federal 3 inch magnum #2's using a control flight wad (and a litle bit of luck).







Using buck shot the patterns tend to open fast with mine.

Here's a 5 yard pattern with 2.75" number 4 buck (spead is about 8 inches):



10 yards with the same load:



3 rounds of number 4 buck at 12 yards:



1 ounce slugs at 15 yards firing it with a two hand hold (like a conventional handgun). Holes at the bottom of the target are from the wads.



I like mine and shoot it quite often.

That said, as much as I like it, it's not a replacement for a conventionally stocked shotgun (or a handgun for that matter).

You would be hard pressed to keep all the pellets from a round of buckshot on a silhouette at 15 yards.

That said, inside 10 yards it'll turn a man into a bloody pile of rags with three quick strokes of the VFG.

 

[Southern But Mobile]

Remember, this thing is an AOW

I read here a lot as well as other forums, but haven't posted on THR before today. It seems to me like a really big risk to be traveling state to state with either an AOW or SBS.

Even if you paid the $5 AOW or $200 SBS/SBR fee and got the paper, you may suddenly be carrying an illegal weapon when you cross the state line or city limit. The tax stamp is "federal", but states and municipalities can - and some do - have possession laws that trump the BATFE "permit to have". You have to notify BATFE - within 30 days I think - if you relocate with your AOW or SBS.

If you get stopped driving through or have a wreck in a city where NFA weapons are illegal to possess, then what?

Also, even 000 from a short barrel is a great way to piss off a bear, that's about it. For years and probably still, AK Dept of Fish and Game's official statement was 'no handgun should be considered adequate defense against a bear attack'. A shorty is effectively a handgun in terms of ballistics.

 

[BBroadside]

I've often wondered how short-barrelled shotguns and AOWs would have developed in the total absence of legal interference. Anyone know if there are any countries that don't have special regs for these weapons? I was wondering what home-grown equivalents to the Serbu there were - not for import to the US of course, but to satisfy my own academic curiosity.

 

[ATCDoktor]

I read here a lot as well as other forums, but haven't posted on THR before today. It seems to me like a really big risk to be traveling state to state with either an AOW or SBS.

There's no more risk traveling with properly owned NFA items as there is with Title 1 firearms. It is the Travelers responsibility to determine legality of the items at the end destination.

The advantage of owning an AOW over an SBS (when travelling) is that an ATF form 5330.20 (Application to Transport Interstate or to Temporarily Export Certain National Firearms Act (NFA) Firearms) need not be processed to transport them.

Copied from the ATF Form 4:

Interstate Movement: If the firearm identified in item 4 is a machinegun, short-barreled rifle, short-barreled shotgun, or destructive device, the registrant may be required by 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(4) to obtain permission from ATF prior to any transportation in interstate or foreign commerce.

For Suppressrs and AOW's there's no need to secure permission from ATF to transport them interstate.

If you get stopped driving through or have a wreck in a city where NFA weapons are illegal to possess, then what?

With respect to Federal Law, if your end destination is a Non Ban state your covered by the FOPA of 1986 (Firearms Owners Protection Act).

The act specifically allows bonafide travellers whose end destination is outside a ban State, to transport Title 1 and Title II firearms through Ban States to their destination. If you have wreck in a ban state/city, your covered.

Fedral Law is going to trump state law for the bonifide traveler as long as the weapon is stowed and transported within the spirit of the law.

An example of not following the spirit of the Law would be me transporting my AOW (on my person) in the shoulder holster pictured above (not locked up or similarly secured) through a Ban State and I get in a wreck or similarly interact with law encorcement. The FOPA would not apply in this case and I could be charged for possession of a banned firearm.

Properly stowed and secured you're good for travelling through ban states/cities per the FOPA.

 

[Insayn]

We use those for breaching doors, locks and cages with various frangible rounds. We also have to run through an annual 5 round qualification course at 15 yards. For there size it serves its purpose as we use them for.

 

[TechPrepper]

Thanks for all the great feedback everyone! I feel as though I have a really good idea of the weapons strengths and weaknesses. It may not be the perfect weapon but it is an interesting one. I've placed an order and I'll post back once I've had a chance to use it personally.

 

[dprice3844444]

have the barrel threaded for a choke.that will tighten the pattern.

 

[kd7nqb]

I like the Serbu's as a fun gun but your talking about taking it all over for backpacking, transporting NFA items across state lines is a pain in the ass. I think a large revolver is exactly what you want. I would go with .44mag or even something like the Ruger Alaskan in .454c or .45lc heck go with a .500s&w magnum if you wanted to

 

[TechPrepper]

I like the Serbu's as a fun gun but your talking about taking it all over for backpacking, transporting NFA items across state lines is a pain in the ass. I think a large revolver is exactly what you want. I would go with .44mag or even something like the Ruger Alaskan in .454c or .45lc heck go with a .500s&w magnum if you wanted to

Another great point. I'm a Gun Addict and it doesn't take much to get my interest going in obscure weapons like this. Add to that the fact that the Government doesn't want to make it easy for me to own one makes me want it that much more (sad I know). I've ordered the Super Shorty, and I'll be glad to own one. But given the feed back I certainly won't be taking it on our hikes. Perhaps this is the excuse I needed to go and get a S&W 500 or even more exotic ... a Desert Eagle 50 Cal

 

[MasterSergeantA]

I would recommend the Desert Eagle over the S&W. Much more pleasant (in a relative sense) to shoot.

 

[Strykervet]

The Deagle doesn't compare to the Smith .500. Not even close. Now the .44mag is the same, but the .500 is more comparable to the .50 Beowulf AR rifle than it is the Deagle. In fact, some rounds are more powerful than the Beowulf. That .500 is no joke. At close range, I bet it would do more damage than that Serbu would with slugs, AND you get two extra rounds.

 

[mr.scott]

Have you tried the centurion 2" buck shot in this? It should give you an extra round to fit in it

 

[jmorris]

If you didn't want to pay $700 for one that is an AOW you can build one on a form 1 as an SBS off a base $200 870 but the stamp is $200 at that point. If you have the skills you still are money ahead.

 

[JShirley]

I think you'd have less hassle and more utility with a 4 or 5" barrel stainless revolver in .41 Magnum, .44 Magnum, .45 Colt, or .454 Casull.

You could go with a Ruger Redhawk, a sweet-shooting Ruger Blackhawk (both would be practically indestructible), or you could go with the classic S&W 629.

I have 3 4" N Frames, so you can see which way I'd be inclined to lean.

John

 

[Joe Demko]

I concur with JShirley, but I'd go so far as to say that a even 10mm or .357 would be generally more useful. However, I don't want to derail this into (yet another) discussion of the indestructible nature of bears and other mythical creatures.

 

[jmorris]

[I think you'd have less hassle and more utility with a 4 or 5" barrel stainless revolver in .41 Magnum, .44 Magnum, .45 Colt, or .454 Casull./QUOTE]

Maybe but anyone can do that. Also, if you already have at least one of each of the above, why not?

 

[JShirley]

True, but you have no evidence that's the case here.

 

[Prince Yamato]

I think you'd have less hassle and more utility with a 4 or 5" barrel stainless revolver in .41 Magnum, .44 Magnum, .45 Colt, or .454 Casull.

True, but he wouldn't look as cool.

 

[Cop Bob]

I too think that a pistol or revolver would be more practical. However the Serbu would be a neat novelty... I took a CNC programming class from the guy who does all of Serbu's programming.. we had a great time once we figured out we were both gun guys.... I was my understanding from speaking with him, that it was originally designed or intended as a breaching gun and dignitary protection piece.... Never shot one THAT short, i would imagine that the muzzle blast, especially at night would be a little discerning..

 

[jmorris]

As a rule shotguns use fast pistol powders, not as much blast as you would think. Nothing like a 7" .223.

 

[45-ACP]

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[jmorris]

Exellent right up for your first post but it is the NFA fourm, good or bad its the only time that for $200 under 18 is OK.

 

[45-ACP]

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[45-ACP]

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[subguns69]

Great shooter have a Mossberg model muzzle blast isn't that bad. Every time I take it out people are curious about it let them shoot it and they love it.