I am not a lawyer, but I did read Chapter 46 of the Texas Penal Code, and it appears that the Shockwave, and other similar weapons, would not be legal in Texas, as the law is now written. I would be able to possess one, as a Texas Peace Officer, as indicated by 46.15, but PD policy applies 24/7, so it would have to be a mere range toy; my chief specifies 18" to 20" barrels, and stocks, must be on any shotgun I will use to defend myself or others.
Mossberg Shockwave
- Thread starter DPris
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Jeb Stuart
member
Happy with my Mossberg 18" 20ga. Soft recoil, and great ballistics for home defense. Easy to maneuver, Flashlight mounted nicely and have a front end pistol grip which aids me in my wrist. 12ga IMO is over kill. That said I do like the Shockwave.
I keep going back and forth on these stumpy 12 gauge blasters. Part of me (most of me) really wants one to toss in the truck for a camp/cabin gun. The more compact, the better. However, the other part of me asks what a pistol grip 14" gun can offer that I can't do with an 18" version besides being very cool looking and sort of a finger in the eye of officials on a technicality.
Don't get me wrong. I really like the Shockwave and Tac-14. If I had $400 burning a hole in my pocket, I would get one for the heck of it. However, until they really hit the mainstream, it seems to me that just tossing a Shockwave grip on an 18" gun would be a lot easier to explain to an uninformed LEO/DNR officer as to the legality of said gun without having to cart around an ATF letter.
Still, cool as hell. I WANT one, but I'm sub-20" barrel shotgun poor at the moment,and the 18" versions might make a more sensible choice. BUT...rarely do I listen to sense when I got shopping for a new gun
Don't get me wrong. I really like the Shockwave and Tac-14. If I had $400 burning a hole in my pocket, I would get one for the heck of it. However, until they really hit the mainstream, it seems to me that just tossing a Shockwave grip on an 18" gun would be a lot easier to explain to an uninformed LEO/DNR officer as to the legality of said gun without having to cart around an ATF letter.
Still, cool as hell. I WANT one, but I'm sub-20" barrel shotgun poor at the moment,and the 18" versions might make a more sensible choice. BUT...rarely do I listen to sense when I got shopping for a new gun
Acera
Member
So Fiv3r, is this what you trying to say???
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Jeb Stuart
member
You might try and shoot both if possible down the road. It may be possible that you like the feel of the 18" better. It is only 4" difference. When I first got my 18" My wrist just could not adapt. It was later when I added the forearm grip that everything came together. And I use a sling with the gun and it enables me to keep one hand free. I have the Flex which easily converts into a tactical shotgun and a hunter. I have a Hunting stock and a slug barrel and hunting barrel. Plus you might like 20 ga.
This is not to take away from the Shockwave, it looks like a awesome weapon. Just know your choices before you dish out the cash.
This is not to take away from the Shockwave, it looks like a awesome weapon. Just know your choices before you dish out the cash.
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Mainsail
Member
Can you provide a citation for this ...fact?
Blkhrt13
Member
Adding a stock would then make it an sbr as opposed to whatever niche tool they are allowing it to go by. I still don't understand how it's not an aow.
Mainsail
Member
He didn't say "adding a stock", he said "modifying the grip". Fact or opinion?
Blkhrt13
Member
18" barrel and a bird head grip is fine.
Blkhrt13
Member
the oal of the gun must be 26 inches minimum.
Blkhrt13
Member
It's my understanding the reason they are getting away with these is it's more like a manufactured pistol. I'm still trying to find the legal basis. The official verbiage as it's been translated. I've seen a judgement letter. Bu it doesn't list The finding.
Acera
Member
I think I can, read the last page of the BATFE letter. Third paragraph down from the top. Talks about changing it up. Would need to be reviewed again.
So while it might not technically be illegal, it would fall outside whatever protections the letter provides. Might lead to some more trouble with an inquisitive LEO. So if you change the grip, barrel, etc. you need to have it checked again by them to verify your changes are within the limits of what the law allows.
http://www.mossberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Shockwave-Letter-from-ATF-3-2-17.pdf
Personally if you don't make changes that take it outside the legal parameters I would not be too concerned, but others I am sure would be.
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Mainsail
Member
This was my thought as well. While they mention configuration and even materials I doubt changes in either would suddenly make it illegal. Swapping out the birdshead grip with a pistol grip would alter the configuration, but if that grip's dimensions kept it to an OAL of 26" or more it shouldn't change the legality of the gun. Someone on another forum added a rail to the top of his; that changed the configuration, but I seriously doubt it made it an AOW or SBS.
There are a lot of threads on a lot of gun forums talking about this shotgun, and unfortunately there's too much misinformation out there. If we present opinion as opinion and facts as facts, it would help immensely.
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Dokk
Member
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Yes, it's mentioned in the ATF's letter to Mossberg. It does not say that changing grips is forbidden, however it says that the firearm never having had a shoulder stock is one of the criterion that qualifies it as a firearm. You can read their letter here http://www.mossberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Shockwave-Letter-from-ATF-3-2-17.pdf.
If the link doesn't work, just go to the product page on Mossberg's website and you can find the link there.
wally
Member
TSRA comes through!
Texans will be able to buy "firearms" like the Shockwave, as an admendment to make Texas ready if the HPA passes:
"It was brought to our attention by TSRA members that the Mossberg 590 Shockwave cannot be purchased in two states: Texas and Ohio.
With the problem in mind, Senator Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) offered a senate amendment to the House bill which corrects existing state law.
The addition of the senate amendment caused HB1819 to be returned to the House for concurrence and at 8:55 last night HB1819 with the amendment was accepted! The amendment will allow Texans to purchase this defensive shotgun."
But I suspect we'll have to wait until Sept 1 when most new laws take effect.
Texans will be able to buy "firearms" like the Shockwave, as an admendment to make Texas ready if the HPA passes:
"It was brought to our attention by TSRA members that the Mossberg 590 Shockwave cannot be purchased in two states: Texas and Ohio.
With the problem in mind, Senator Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) offered a senate amendment to the House bill which corrects existing state law.
The addition of the senate amendment caused HB1819 to be returned to the House for concurrence and at 8:55 last night HB1819 with the amendment was accepted! The amendment will allow Texans to purchase this defensive shotgun."
But I suspect we'll have to wait until Sept 1 when most new laws take effect.
it's not an AOW because it's overall length is over 26 inches. if you change the grip to a pistol grip and it's length is then less than 26 inches it then becomes an AOW and subject to the $5 tax stamp, if you put a stock on it then you have a SBS and pay the $200 tax/fee and get to fill out lots of paper work and ask pretty please sir may I have it, then wait months before you can get it. Don't modify the Shockwave without completing the paperwork unless you like the federal prison system and want to be their guest for a number of years and lose all of your other guns in the process.
Acera
Member
That $5 stamp is only to transfer one, if you make a AOW you are on the hook for a normal $200 tax.
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Blkhrt13
Member
I think I recall seeing that the shockwave chicken head grip is fixed and non removable.
Dokk
Member
- Joined
- May 6, 2017
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It is removable, the manual provides instructions for doing so. I'll see if I can snap a pic of it to upload a little later, but it's still not advised.
Acera
Member
I got it, directly from the manual. Removal is ok, not advised to do anything else but put it back like you found it.
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gotboostvr
Member
I don't really NEED one of these and heck, I can't even have one in Ohio. I did just send Mossberg an email asking for one of these in 20ga though.
While I don't think it would beat me up too bad in 12ga, I just think a 20ga sounds more manageable. Although reduced recoil loads are plentiful in 12ga...
While I don't think it would beat me up too bad in 12ga, I just think a 20ga sounds more manageable. Although reduced recoil loads are plentiful in 12ga...
Acera
Member
gotboostvr
Member
Yeah, that'll work!
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