Ive been wondering if I want a howdah bad enough to go the NFA route to make Sawed Off shotgun or a Short Barreled Rifle. The thing is here in the States NFA paperwork isnt "that hard", its just a 6+ month wait for approval and a one time $200 tax.

The problem as I see it what gun to start with, without having to have a totally new stock made. There are plenty of guns with a "soft" curved grip but very few that "full" grip, that could easily be cut into a proper Howdah style grip.

IF Im going that route, I think Id opt for a 20 gauge (maybe 28ga) and load full brass shells say in the 2 to 2.5" range with a lead ball exposed (maybe with a slight crimp to hold it in place).

So I fall back to something in the 500 special range

Also I worry less (much less) about accuracy beyond bad breath range. If accuracy is important beyond 10 feet then Im using the wrong gun! Howdahs arent "Hostage Rescue" guns--They are "Get Off Me" guns.