Love new shockwave… toy or serious arm?

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vanfunk

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Hi All:

So I got a new Mossberg 590S shockwave yesterday… the 14” 5+1 version. I had kinda wanted one for a while and then there it was, gleaming with factory oil and nice ‘n’ tight. I broke down and bought it, kind of on a lark, along with a mess of Federal 6-pellet 00 buck minishells. With those it’s an 8+1 firearm and noticeably more controllable. Off to the range I went, and had no trouble (actually, a LOT of fun) ventilating zombie targets at 15 yards. So I got to thinking, which is always pretty dangerous. This thing is actually a really good pump gun. 5lbs, 26” total length, pretty smooth action, thumb safety (which I’ll replace with an aluminum one), it shoots straight down the barrel, and it patterns well! Mine will keep all 6 pellets in 7-8 inches at 15 yards, which I think is pretty darn good for a short barreled shotgun, er, “firearm,” with no shoulder stock and minishells.

I already have a Benelli M4, which is my go-to for anybody demonstrating deadly ill-will against the family. BUT it’s a heavy and long SOB. I love it and it does everything I ask, and is Hell-for-stout, bit it’s still an SOB. Am I nuts to consider replacing it with the shockwave with minishells? Weigh in, brothers and sisters!

And now the obligatory photo with whiskey barrels:
IMG_3453.jpeg
 
Nice! I’d imagine the 00 buck minishells to be comparable to the 3” .410 5-ball 000 buck loads. 5-6 .33 to .36 caliber balls at 1200fps for every round would seem to be pretty good medicine. I am on the fence about the #4 buck minishells. I like having 15 pellets but worry about (under)penetration. Maybe my worries are unfounded.
 
I was thinking about a laser but have shied away because of the likelihood of giving one’s position away in a defensive scenario, but again maybe that fear is overplayed? M4 vs shockwave: I kind of feel like the M4 is my “Going to war, and Hell is following me” shotgun while the shockwave is more “Get off my lawn.” ???
 
Dad has a shockwave but he has an older model which isn't factory capable of shooting the mini shells and requires the rubber plug thing to be on the shell carrier flap thingy. (you know what I'm talking about lol) it shoots pretty straight for a 14in barrel cylinder bore 12ga. I wish it was threaded for chokes... But anyway I've shot full power buckshot through it and it's a handful to say the least. I know I wouldn't want to be standing in front of it when it goes off, that's for sure!!
 
Yup, I know what you mean Okie. OPSol makes the rubber insert for non “S” models so they’ll shoot the minishells reliably. The trouble is that you can’t mix and match shell lengths; you have to remove the insert to shoot 2 3/4” shells. I fired some WWB 9-pellet 00 buck and some Federal 12-pellet 00, both 2 3/4” loads, and they were, uh, vigorous. They’re fine in the gas operated, 8 1/2 lb Benelli but they bite in the shockwave, to be sure. I will be putting a rubber sleeve on the bird’s head grip to improve purchase and mitigate recoil some. I also want to try some #4 buck minishells but havent been able to find them yet. I ordered some Aguilla hybrid rounds that should be here tomorrow; they’re 4 #0 and 7 #0 buck pellets, should be a good load. Kinda reminds me of the Road Warrior :).
 
vanfunk said:
I was thinking about a laser but have shied away because of the likelihood of giving one’s position away in a defensive scenario, but again maybe that fear is overplayed? M4 vs shockwave: I kind of feel like the M4 is my “Going to war, and Hell is following me” shotgun while the shockwave is more “Get off my lawn.” ???
Click to expand...
I get where you’re coming from, but I had a low-powered red laser pointed in my eyes a few years ago from about 100m away and it was unbelievably bright (stupid kids :mad:) so having a higher-powered green laser would probably be more disorienting to any possible foes. If it were me I’d keep both the M4 and the Shockwave.
 
vanfunk said:
Yup, I know what you mean Okie. OPSol makes the rubber insert for non “S” models so they’ll shoot the minishells reliably. The trouble is that you can’t mix and match shell lengths; you have to remove the insert to shoot 2 3/4” shells. I fired some WWB 9-pellet 00 buck and some Federal 12-pellet 00, both 2 3/4” loads, and they were, uh, vigorous. They’re fine in the gas operated, 8 1/2 lb Benelli but they bite in the shockwave, to be sure. I will be putting a rubber sleeve on the bird’s head grip to improve purchase and mitigate recoil some. I also want to try some #4 buck minishells but havent been able to find them yet. I ordered some Aguilla hybrid rounds that should be here tomorrow; they’re 4 #0 and 7 #0 buck pellets, should be a good load. Kinda reminds me of the Road Warrior :).
Click to expand...
Yeahhhh I don't like that whole having to swap it out but thankfully dad and I stock up when we find any of the Aguila mini shells to shoot in it. We shoot those seldomly as it's very expensive and it's not often that we get more.... Now we have a stockpile of full power 00 buck, like more than most gunshops in Oklahoma combined, hahaha! Ok maybe not that much but still... And yeah the Winchester stuff really has some power doesn't it... I love their 1oz standard slugs for my fully rifled 870 slug gun. They shoot super well in it.
 
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Thanks Shawn:

I will try that. I played around a little with the “push/pull” technique and it seems to work pretty well. Ideally I’d like to be able to use the Federal 2 3/4” shells with 12 00 buck pellets. It’s a real shredder out to 15-20 yards but it kills at both ends. Hopefully I can get to the point of demonstrable proficiency and even “comfort” with that load as it sure is “comforting.” Meanwhile, despite the smaller payload, those minishells work well and would seem to offer decent effectiveness; 6 00 pellets at 1200 fps ain’t just throwing pebbles and they offer little recoil and fast follow-up.
 
I found a 20 gauge Shockwave on sale for $200 at the LGS and bought it. Thought about using it as a truck gun when traveling. Decided I didn't want to have a roadside discussion with a trooper about sawed off shotguns. So it sits bedside. Fun gun.
 
If you have an "old model" SW with the opsol device...........try defender tactical's updated version..........price is roughly the same and it'll feed any length, mixed or otherwise. Had and have both for my gun flawless function, just a bit more difficult to install.
 
I watched the LuckyGunner video and the #4 buck loads do seem fair to marginal for defense. The X2 00 buck loads seem like a poor idea as well. But 00 and slugs in the shorties still seem to be good choices. I am going to see if I can find some of the “low recoil” or “tactical” 8-pellet 00 loads in the 2 3/4” size as they might offer 90% of the performance of the regular shells with less recoil.
 
The two main uses I see for the Shockwave is a fun toy, and passenger use truck gun, since the driver can't manipulate it with both hands while driving, of course. Definitely a Mad Max gun. Good for tight spaces, but still need two hands to use it. I'm sure it's a great fun thing to shoot, too.
 
They look like fun but I think they will eventually go the way of the AR pistol brace.

Shoot it head to head with your M4 on a shot timer out to 10 yards. I bet you are faster and more accurate with the stocked weapon.
 
I bought one back when they could be had for ~$200. My plan was to keep it on the tractor but that never really panned out. I still have it but I haven’t found (or thought of) a practical purpose for it.

I guess it will turn a frown upside down if you’re into them. I can take it or leave it, almost never shoot it.
 
Great opinions, everyone, thanks for your collective perspective on the highly polarizing Shockwave. @HB, I am sure I’d be faster with my M4, likely considerably so. The M4 is a highly capable shotgun and it even makes me look good. A couple of weeks ago, I decided to unleash 9 (7 in the tube, 1 “ghosted” on the carrier and 1 in the chamber) Federal 1oz slugs offhand at a 13x18” silhouette target at 50 yards. I fired as fast as I could let the sights settle back down on the center of the target. My friend timed me with his watch at a hair over 10 seconds, and all 9 slugs were pretty well centered between my outstretched thumb and pinky on the target. For me, that’s insane shooting (others may not be so impressed, I’m sure!). The thing is just withering with buck and slugs at any reasonable distance. BUT, with a fully loaded magazine tube and a side saddle full of another 6 rounds, the thing is a bit of a beast. The shockwave is just so handy by comparison and would seem to be a decent choice inside of 15 yards and in confined spaces. It won’t replace my M4 by any means as that thing is the thunderbolt of Zeus, but I think it has a place somewhere above “fun toy” in the lineup. Thanks everyone and Merry Christmas!
 
I picked one about a year or 2 ago. Mossberg was the 1st major gun manufacturer to release these to the general public, Remington followed suit. I wanted the original as it's big "screw you" to the ATF.

I believe Black Aces Tactical may have been the 1st small gun company to release them or the braced version to the general public.


Mossberg 590 Shockwave.jpg

Tip don't waste your time / $ on bracing it.
I did and the recoil with normal 2-3/4 shells is brutal!!! When the ATF published their brace rule (before the nationwide injunction) I took it all off.
I could see getting it stamped / SBS'ing it. It would be awesome with a full stock.

I added an Opsol Mini Adapter to mine, then later learned about the other one that allows all sizes of ammo.
defendertactical.com

Universal Minishell Adapter/Mag Follower Kit for Mossberg Pump Shotgun

This kit essentially provides a 590S conversion for your favorite Mossberg Pump-Action in a more robust design. It contains our patent-pending Universal Cartridge Adapter and low-drag no-snag Magazine Follower which allows smooth cycling of 1-3/4" Minishells up to 3" Magnum cartridges in the...
defendertactical.com defendertactical.com

With the Opsol adapter you can still fire standard length shells loaded directly into the chamber.

I did pick up a 590S from Mossberg. I'd grab it before I grabbed my Shockwave.
590s sling2.jpg
 
hso said:
Yep

I just watched Lucky Gunners mini shell field test this week and encourage you to spend a few minutes with it. It convinced me that minis were good up close, but not as primary. https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/are-mini-shotgun-shells-viable-for-self-defense/
Click to expand...

I have some issues with that video.
1. The Aguila 12 gauge slug mini-shell was not tested but readily available at the time of the video.
2. No mention of modified or full chokes when discussing shot patterns.
3. No mention of the FBI's standard for minimum penetration (12 inches?) in ballistic gelatin.
 
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