[SharpDog]

I have a Mossy Marine pump shotgun with an extended magazine (7+1). It came with both a conventional stock and a pistol grip (no shoulder, just the pistol grip). I have the conventional stock attached.

My question is whether it is legal under current law to attach the pistol grip. This would make the weapon much shorter (have not estimated the actual length). Does anyone know anout length restrictions?

Also I seem to recall a chinese menu of features in older legislation (ie. if you have A then you cannot have both B and C, etc.). Does anyone know if the configuration above (extended magazine + pistol grip) viloates any firearm restriction ?

Intended use is home defense and target practice, not hunting.

[Gunner23]

I believe that after the assault weapon ban expired last year, all of the fruity legalities concerning shotguns and other weapons have been eliminated or significantly reduced.

If you want to put the pistol grip on the gun, go ahead - there isn't anything illegal about that in and of itself. Reducing the BARREL length of a shotgun is where you run into trouble. There is a sticky at the top of this forum on how to make a SBS (short barreled shotgun) legally. The minimum legal barrel length without obtaining a permit should be listed in there. Unless you plan on hacking the barrel down, you're fine with the PG.

[suemarkp]

I thought there were two components to a short barreled shotgun -- a barrel less than 18" OR an OAL of less than 26".

[up_onus]

In my state that is correct, no less than 26 inches....still dang short!

[wdlsguy]

According to the Mossberg website (http://www.mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=5&display=specs), pistol grip only Mossberg 500 variants with 18.5" barrels run 28.75" overall.

[Hoppy590]

as far as assault weapon laws, they dont pertain to pump action or bolt action weapons. if i understand correctly.

[Gunner23]

I was under the impression that it covered the pistol grip shotguns too, but its very possible that I could be wrong.

[RNB65]

Barrel must be at least 18" and AOL at least 26" to be legal. Type of action (auto, pump, break open) is irrelevent. Anything less that 18"/26" requires an NFA tax stamp.

Also, note that using a pistol grip shotgun is a good way to damage your wrist. Shoot too many rounds and you'll be heading to the doctor to find out why your wrist won't stop hurting.

[Fred Fuller]

Some localities have laws more restrictive than Federal rules- check your local laws also just to be safe.

Do your target practice before you count on a PGO (pistol grip only) shotgun for HD, you might decide the full stock is a better idea...

lpl/nc

[RevolvingCylinder]

It was legal under the slick willy ban and it's legal now. It's even legal in NYS. As long as you have at least the 18" barrel. Anything that comes out of the Mossberg factory and onto the general market should be legal.

I'd recommend getting a pistol-gripped forend if you plan on using the PG and no stock. Otherwise you aren't gonna be hitting much. You apply pressure forward on the forend PG and rearward pressure on the rear PG to steady it.

[SharpDog]

Actually I was thinking of using the shorty 12 Ga. shells (I think they are 1 3/4" or so) to get more rnds in the magazine. Distance will be under 15 - 25 yds. Just inside the house. I plan to use fairly small shot not sure about what sizes are available and if the short rnds are widely available either.

[foghornl]

SharpDog...

Try a few of those "Shorty" shells before buying a railroad car full of them. I tried some in both my Mossberg 500A and Maverick 88.

With that short 'skeleton' shell elevator that Mossberg uses, I would sometimes find shells on the ground instead of in the chamber.

Your Mileage Will Vary. Nothing quite like that sinking feeling after hearing "click" when your REALLY needed to hear "BOOM!"

[dfaugh]

Aguila mini-shells won't work in a Mossberg. The best "bang for the buck" is 3" magnum Sellier & Belloit 15 pellet buckshot, althought you lose 1 shell in capacity. But, you're still flinging over 100 pieces of .32 caliber lead. The S&B has no shot cup or buffer, so they tend to spread out VERY rapidly.

And, a PG on a Mossberg is legal (assuming the barrel is at least 18") as the action takes up enough space to maintain the total overall lentgh.

[Dave McCracken]

A PG only shotgun is much less effective than one equipped with a regular stock and fired from the shoulder, as the Diety intended.

Eschew the minishells. These can get the wrong people dead.

After you pitch that PG or sell it to someone you do not like, go shoot until your shotgun feels like a body part. Start off with the lightest loads you can find. End up with a carefully selected 2 3/4" shell with known results.

Congrats, you're ready.....

[DoubleTapDrew]

I had front and rear pistol grips on my 870. It was not fun to shoot. It's very awkward holding your entire bulky weapon out in front of you in an attempt to aim. All loads were unpleasent to shoot and I tried some 3" slugs just for fun. Ouch.
They do look kind of cool, but mine wears the stock furniture now. If I change it at all it'll be to switch to a synthetic youth stock and Surefire forend as it's a HD weapon.

[roo_ster]

Anybody make a quality underfolder stock/pistol grip for the Rem 1100?

That might make it practical for truck carry: short enough to be stuffed behind the seat, but with a stock to make it shootable at a moment's notice.

[SharpDog]

Thanx for all the good info guys, I will go with 2 3/4" high brass and no pistol grip. I am already a passable shot with a standard stocked shotgun as I can usually score at least 17 / 25 on skeet when I take my defense gun.

Not sure what shot to go with for home defense. I would want to minimize penetration of interior walls with deadly effect. I was thinking of xomething between no 2 and BB or T shot.