20.5” barrel “killing 3-4” with one shot? I suppose, if they all hugged as if trying to fit a large family into one photo...
Ref. one of a nearly infinite number of shot spread tests, this from an 18.5” barrel and no choke. https://www.guns.com/news/reviews/12-gauge-shotgun-pattern-test
I have a rifled spare barrel for slugs for my shotgun. One time I forgot to switch it and shot buckshot through it. It hit in a donut pattern.
My companion dubbed it the “hostage rescue” gun. Just aim at the hostage and you will hit everyone but what you aim at.
Maybe they were using 4-gauge shotguns:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punt_gun
There’s one on display at our local BassPro shop.
They were made illegal for a reason, they killed too many birds and endangered the population.
yeah, the effectiveness of shotguns for personal defense is largely urban legend, especially the fudds who think birdshot or rock salt is effective.