Shotguns have been getting a lot of hatemail lately, and I don't understand why. Sure they definitely aren't as good as they were in MW2 but they can still hold their own just fine. 
 
Silencers on shotguns really don't even have an effect, so you can run around with a silenced shotgun and still do some damage. 
 
Video of a FFA with a silenced Spaz (and the crossbow).
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r0PHgL03HE     
 
What do you all think of the shotguns in this game?

Shotguns are shotguns. Thread closed.

Well, the reason people are bitching is because the SPAS12 with a silencer actually makes the effective range of a SPAS12 BETTER as well as increasing the damage because it is somehow concentrating the bullets to have little spread.  Essentially, instead of shooting buck shot, it's acting like a slug.  You can run with Steady Aim and just plow through muthafuckers with a bullet or two, while all of the other shotguns are essentially useless as you need at least three to really make it seem worthwhile. 
 
The shotguns are drastically underpowered in the game, to the point that it makes me question why they are PRIMARY weapons.  However, when looking at the way the SPAS12 w/ silencer works, it's clear that something is messed up here in comparison. 
 
I only say this because me and my friends have been rolling four deep with SPAS12 w/ silencer and raping face in matches by nearly 5000 points in TDM.  That's right - we're finishing matches 7500 - 2500 and 7500 - 3000.  In comparison, we usually (as a group) roll about 2000 or 3000 points maximum with our wins. 
 
They need to fix the SPAS12/suppressor combo, as it's right up there with the annoyances of Akimbo 1887s.

If I remember correctly, less than 8000 SPAS 12's were ever manufactured, and the military sure as shit never used them. Why the fuck is the SPAS 12 in every game? Must be cheap to license that piece of shit. Also SPAS 12's are terrible.

The suppressor on the SPAS (which, as far as I can recall, is the only shotgun that can take one) doesn't change the SPAS's stats or all. There is no detriment or benefit to adding the suppressor besides the obvious silencing of the gun.

Gonna go with jakob's thoughts as to why are they a primary now? : /  
 
But on small confined maps i have no problem with them i get some of my best scores with my spas 12 but meh

The video is on Nuketown, the most shotgun friendly map.

My favourite gun to use online is the Stakeout. You just have to know when and where to use it.

Can you even put suppressors on shotguns in real life? It sort of seems like it's defeat the point to me.  
 
Also, the only reason I'd use a shotgun online would be if I could use those fire rounds from that level in the campaign. 

I use the SPAS as my main weapon. But without a suppressor. Maybe because I am bad and the spread will do the aiming for me. I read on wikia the suppressor will reduce the fire rate. I mainly use it because of the clip size. 4 rounds are often not enough.
 
I mean they are ok. Shotguns have clear advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantages (range) are actually more prominent if you do not play a certain way. So they are by no means overpowered. 

I'm not sure I've ever used a shotgun yet (outside of picking up a dropped one when the situation calls for it). Maybe just because the idea of it being primary still seems weird after MW2, but they might actually be a viable weapon after-all :P
 
I remember one of my favourite tactics in MW2 was to combine a SPAS with stun grenades, along with the Scavenger perk equipped. I'm feeling tempted to bring it back.

The silencer on the spas-12 makes it a viable choice in a close range firefight. I would choose it over say the Stakeout. But as of late when I have been playing I haven't seen all that much of any shotgun being used.

  Is the Spaz better with a silencer? I've never been able to 1 shot anyone with a regular Spaz. I've even had to lay 3-4 shots into some people.

i did tests as well and didn't get anything that replicated your results. I do believe that the silencer makes the spas better though, since staying off the radar is always welcome. People should definitely use it with a silencer, by all means, but i don't think it does anything to the power (positive or negative).

I cant really image using a shotgun. But then again i think ive only ever used shotguns in gears of war, because they were effective. Maybe on Havana or Cracked, but ill just stick to my Galil.