The Sawn-Off shotgun in Criminality is the cheapest firearm in SECTOR-07, costing only $175 at standard Dealers with no level requirement to unlock. Often called the "DB" (double-barrel) by the community, it serves as an aggressive close-quarters ambush tool capable of dropping unarmored players in a single clean blast to the head. However, its two-shell capacity, extreme damage falloff past 11 studs, and virtually nonexistent armor penetration make it highly punishing if your shots fail to connect.
Sawn-Off Shotgun Stats and Specifications
The Sawn-Off functions as a break-action secondary shotgun that takes up minimal backpack space while providing immediate burst damage.
| Stat Metric | Value / Specification |
|---|---|
| Purchase Price | $175 (Dealer) / $200 (Armory) |
| Unlock Requirement | Level 1 (Automatically unlocked) |
| Inventory Space | 3.5 Slots |
| Capacity | 2 Shells (Break-action) |
| Reserve Ammo | 8 Shells (10 total) |
| Pellets per Shot | 8 Pellets |
| Base Pellet Damage | 12 per pellet (96 total if all land) |
| Headshot Pellet Damage | 17 per pellet (136 total if all land) |
| Leg Pellet Damage | 8 per pellet (64 total if all land) |
| Golden Skin Damage | 12.96 base / 18.36 head / 8.64 leg per pellet (1.08x multiplier) |
| Armor Penetration | 0.15 |
| Reload Duration | Approximately 2.5 seconds |
| Fire Rate | 150 RPM |
| Effective Range | Roughly 5 to 11 studs |
The Golden Sawn-off skin provides a mechanical advantage in addition to cosmetic prestige, boosting overall damage output by 1.08x and granting high knockback properties that can ragdoll or finish off vulnerable targets. Other available weapon skins documented across game builds include Multicam, Gift Wrapped, Rattle, Roostor, and Arrows.
Damage Mechanics and Range Limitations
The Sawn-Off features the lowest base damage per pellet among all shotguns in Criminality, trailing behind both the Ithaca-37 and the Super-Shorty. Because the gun fires eight pellets per blast, landing kills relies entirely on pellet density and proximity:
- Point-Blank Headshots: If all eight pellets hit the head within optimal range, the gun delivers sufficient damage to instantly down a player without high-tier protection.
- Body Shots: Landing every pellet on a target's torso yields 96 base damage. While not an instant down on a full-health player, it leaves them with critical health, allowing you to finish them with a melee strike or quick follow-up shell.
- Damage Falloff: The weapon maintains maximum damage up to roughly 5 to 11 studs. Beyond this threshold, spread dispersion causes pellets to miss, and individual pellet damage falls off steeply. Past 11 to 15 studs, firing the DB deals negligible damage.
- Armor Penalty: With an armor penetration rating of only 0.15, the Sawn-Off performs poorly against armored targets. It is completely ineffective against heavy kits such as Slayer's Armor II, requiring users to reposition or target exposed hitboxes.
Advanced Combat Tactics
The "Double Pump" Dual DB Technique
Dealers stock up to two Sawn-Off shotguns at a time. While the game inventory normally prevents purchasing duplicates directly into your hands, players utilize a specific dealer drop method:
- Approach a standard Dealer and purchase the first Sawn-Off for $175.
- Open your inventory and drop the Sawn-Off on the ground.
- Interact with the Dealer again to buy the second Sawn-Off remaining in stock.
- Pick the first dropped Sawn-Off back up off the ground.
Carrying two double-barrels gives you four immediate shells without waiting through the 2.5-second reload animation between weapons. You can fire two rounds from the first DB, hotkey switch to the second DB, and fire two more rounds instantly. Note that replenishing ammo requires dropping one DB, restocking the active one at a dealer or subway station, and then swapping them to refill the second.
The Blunt Ragdoll Setup
Because the Sawn-Off's wide pellet cone punishes moving targets, pairing it with a blunt melee weapon eliminates aim variance:
- Equip a blunt weapon such as a Baseball Bat, Golf Club, or Wrench.
- Strike the opponent's upper body or head to trigger a concussion or knockdown ragdoll state.
- While the target is immobilized on the ground, swap directly to the Sawn-Off.
- Crouch over the downed target and place the barrel directly on their head before pulling the trigger.
This combination guarantees that all eight pellets register on critical hitboxes before the target can recover their stamina or retaliate.
Economic Value and Bounty Hunting
The Sawn-Off is widely utilized by both new players and experienced bounty hunters due to its minimal economic risk. In Criminality, losing expensive rifles like the M4A1 ($3,100) or AKM ($5,600) upon death severely drains your bank balance. At $175, a single kill or collected player bounty completely covers the Sawn-Off's purchase cost.
When roaming high-traffic zones like Subway, Armory entrances, or scrap spawns, keeping a Sawn-Off in your 3.5-slot secondary inventory lets you execute opportunistic ambushes against geared players. If an enemy overextends around corners or reloads an automatic firearm, closing the distance within 5 studs provides an immediate opportunity to flip the fight and secure high-value kit drops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Sawn-Off one-shot players wearing armor?
No. The weapon has a 0.15 armor penetration stat. While it can down unarmored players with a point-blank headshot, body armor significantly reduces pellet damage, rendering it unable to one-shot high-tier protective gear like T-3 armor or Slayer's Armor II.
Where can I buy the Sawn-Off shotgun?
Standard Dealers sell the Sawn-Off for $175 with two units per stock rotation. It can also be purchased at Armory shops for $200, obtained via Weapon Crates, or retrieved as random loot from scrap piles throughout the map.
What is the reload time of the Sawn-Off?
The break-action reload takes approximately 2.5 seconds to load two fresh shells. Because you cannot fire mid-reload, carrying a secondary firearm, a melee weapon, or a second Sawn-Off is recommended if both shells fail to neutralize the target.
