Shockwaves and the like..... useful?

[Antihero]

Are the shockwave type shotguns at all useful? I fired a 12 gauge with a normal pistol grip before and found it....painful with heavy loads( I tried 3 inch magnum slugs in it lol)

Does the birdshead help recoil considerably?

 

[Hartkopf]

Somebody somewhere is good with a shockwave but I have zero uses for them.

 

[JERRY]

I see people extending the gun out like they had a stock anyway so I don't see the advantage of the pistol grip except for storing in smaller spaces.

 

[40-82]

I don't view them particularly as a general purpose shotgun. Passing ducks at forty yards? Perhaps not.

I imagine this scenario with a shockwave. I'm backpacking with too much load. Exhausted, I slip, and for the moment I'm like a turtle turned over on its back. Before I can come close to controlling my breathing, a grizzly appears.twenty feet away.. A very short twelve gauge with heavy buckshot strikes me as a better weapon than anything else.

And in the dark, and very close, the shockwave is a comfort in my old age.

Perhaps I am over optimistic, but I tend to avoid the three inch magnums, figuring heavy 2.75 loads of buckshot will handle anything I'm likely to encounter. I want something I can run, if I need to.

 

[lemaymiami]

I won't comment on shorty pistol gripped shotguns - there might be kids reading what I'd have to say....

 

[BoBo522]

Useful compared to what? I don't use it for sporting clays or hunting, but it is part of my home defense lineup.

The Shockwave is my first shotshell firearm, so I'm not coming at it with any preconceived notions. I range-tested it out of the box with 2 3/4" 00 buck and while the recoil was appreciable it was manageable, largely thanks to the birdshead grip. I wouldn't shoot magnums through it. When I downshifted to minishells the following week (once my Opsol adapter arrived), I could confidently aim and shoot it at eye level with a push-pull hold; the recoil was very mild.

 

[DeepSouth]

I have one, I don’t use it hardly ever.
It just stays hidden in my house, I haven’t even seen it in at least a year.

But hey it’s cheap, and you can’t have to many guns.

 

[jmr40]

While I've not used one the grip on those is supposed to work a lot better than the pistol grip used on earlier versions. My 1st reaction is that it wouldn't be something I'd use a lot. It sure isn't something high on my priority list, but they aren't terribly expensive and I might end up with one someday. I sorta feel the same about an AR pistol with one of the shorty butt stocks.

 

[<*(((><]

I have a Tac14 and its not bad to shoot at all. I put hockey tape on the birds head for better grip and a canvas strap to the magpul pump. Presenting the birds head grip out away from the body and lining up the sights 12g buck isn't that hard to handle. I'm sure as I get in my seasoned years I probably won't enjoy it, but for those that are young with good strength its not a problem at all. To me its a good HD or truck gun as it's compact and maneuverable and at hallway distances it would be devastating. And for $250 from PSA why not?

 

[WestKentucky]

I shot a coworkers Charles Daly Honcho and found it to be just barely on the good side of worthless. He has a contraption to install a blade tech blade or similar stabilizer but it’s still not useful. Shooting at hand thrown soda cans was brutal with the really thin stabilizer digging in and without that it was hard to get a hit. Not for me, glad I got to try his out before I spent money on a tac14.

 

[rodinal220]

I have both a Remington Tac-14 and a Mossberg Shockwave. I find these extremely handy and very useful. Those that make statements like they are range toys or have no real world application embarrass themselves. First off, they legally are not shotguns, they are "firearms". Yes, the birds head or raptor grip makes a big difference over the traditional PGO shotgun.
You have to learn how to run the gun and IMHO use low recoil type ammo for two legged applications. Firing something like 2.75" TruBall or a Brenneke slug will get your attention. The forearm strap is a must, I added one to the Remington(must have) and you better hang on. For 4 legged big bear application mini shells( definitely not) and low recoil ammo may not be the best choice, although some low recoil 2.75" is still fairly potent.

Adding some friction/sport tape or a piece of inner tube material aides in getting a good grip. The Mossberg has the ability to use mini-shells(1.75") with the addition of the OP-Sol mini clip. Mini shells are plenty potent for home or short range defense in slug or buckshot. Mossberg makes a .410 version that is very lightweight and handy over the 12/20 gauge versions. Plenty of .410 self defense type shells nowadays, the .410 would be viable for someone smaller in stature, older folks maybe with arthritis, people with special needs.

These "firearms" are completely viable for home defense, backwoods defense or those needing a compact short range stopper.

If you have a YouTube account check out Clint Smiths take on these "firearms":

 

[12Bravo20]

I have to agree that they are a viable firearm. I bought the .410 version since I have arthritis and fibromyalgia. I also wanted to make sure my fiancee could comfortably use it. I load mine with Hornady Critical Defense rounds (41 cal FTX slug and 2 000 pellets). I also reload my own 3" 410 shells with 5 pellets of 00 buck. Both rounds perform well out of my standard Mossberg 500 and my Shockwave. I have absolutely no qualms about using a 410 with proper load for SD/HD.

 

[<*(((><]

@rodinal220 not that there's a tremendous difference but which do you like better out of your Tac14 and the Shockwave?

 

[Antihero]

Useful compared to what? I don't use it for sporting clays or hunting, but it is part of my home defense lineup.

The Shockwave is my first shotshell firearm, so I'm not coming at it with any preconceived notions. I range-tested it out of the box with 2 3/4" 00 buck and while the recoil was appreciable it was manageable, largely thanks to the birdshead grip. I wouldn't shoot magnums through it. When I downshifted to minishells the following week (once my Opsol adapter arrived), I could confidently aim and shoot it at eye level with a push-pull hold; the recoil was very mild.

Useful compared to anything really. I handled one and it seemed very awkward, but the video posted above is interesting

 

[hotshot357]

I have a Mossberg ATI 500 Tactical Cruiser with a pistol grip & I just love it. I take it to the range every time I go. It lives under the bed the rest of the time. I shoot mine from the hip but I had to put a laser/flashlight on it. I found out you can miss without the laser.

 

[Koroner]

Got to agree with hotshot357. I have a 20 gauge with a laser. I wrapped a ring of tape to help keep the web of my hand from being cut by the safety, and my 12ga is a Remington so the safety doesn't bite.

To me the bead front sights are like tits on a boar.

 

[Coyote3855]

I was interested when the Shockwave came out but LGS had them at $399 which was too steep for my limited budget. About two months ago, the same shop had them in 20 gauge for $199, so I bought one. Not something I shoot a lot, but am confident enough to have made it my bedside scattergun. It's manageable with 2 3/4" #3 buckshot. I think it fills a narrow self defense niche.

 

[Sappyg2.0]

Possibly useful I suppose. Definitely better than nothing at all but, I have found them to be lacking.

They are LOUD. Very LOUD! Missing is easy even at close range. The novelty wore off for me after the 1st 3 rounds. For me they aren't so painful as much as they are unpleasant. To the point of being discouraging.

Yes the birds head grip helps with recoil but I'd still prefer a short stock over a birds head grip AND and 18" barrel. I figure if I need something smaller than that I'm better off with a pistol.

 

[<*(((><]

I don’t know how people are missing with these at close range. It is very easy to make hits on a silhouette target with my Tac14 even at 10 yards quickly.

Maybe watch the Thunder Ranch video above and see if it helps with handling and aiming?

 

[Fiv3r]

I have wanted one for years but have decided they offer nothing that a full size shotgun doesnt fill better. My shotguns are for HD. Making them super short looks cool and I guess is good if you are clearing your house.

My SOP for a bump in the night that ends up a rustler pillaging downstairs is to post up with a bit of 9 shot Mossberg, call the cops, and hope he knows that one foot on those stairs will result in a very bad last night.

Still might get one for truck duty at some point.

 

[Elkins45]

When you push it out far enough to keep it from breaking your teeth it's effectively as long as a conventional stocked gun with an 18” barrel. While they may be easier to store they are certainly not easier to shoot well.

 

[FL-NC]

I don't see much use in them when comparing them to a shotgun with a stock and a 18 or 20" barrel. We had shotguns similar to the shockwaves and tac-14 in my unit, but they were used exclusively for breaching locks in passageway doors, and loaded with specialty ammunition for that specific purpose. On the rare occasions when shotguns were utilized for "antipersonnel use", the shotguns chosen had.... a buttstock with a 18" or 20" barrel, loaded with 00. On the subject of the "combat shotgun", I believe our Law Enforcement professionals are the subject matter experts- even though they seem to have largely moved away from the scattergun in favor of the AR and other rifles. But it seems that when they do use the combat shotgun, it generally has a stock and that 18-20" barrel. I would like to hear what some of them have to say on this matter.

 

[FAS1]

If I were in the market for a short home defense shotgun I would take a good look at these. Not in the same price category, but under $700.00
Does anyone own one?



Super compact and comfortable design!
12 Gauge
18.5" barrel
Barrel Shroud
Ambidextrous charge handle, safety, and mag release!
Comes with 2 and 5rd magazines and 3 chokes!
28" Overall Length
Comes with Black Synthetic BAT Forward Grip
Mag Fed! Takes 1919 mags and drums
Cycles both light and heavy loads

https://www.blackacestactical.com/bullpup

 

[rodinal220]

@rodinal220 not that there's a tremendous difference but which do you like better out of your Tac14 and the Shockwave?

If I had to pick one, or buy another, and I probably will. I would buy the Mossberg.

I prefer the Mossberg's top mounted safety, not a deal breaker just a preference. I like that the Mossberg comes with a forearm strap (must have on these). The Mossberg uses an aluminum receiver, but Mossberg wisely chose to use the 590A1 barrel that is thicker/heavier so this puts the weight out front where it is needed. I like the lesser weight in the back and more weight out front, works for me. Ammo capacity is 5+1 on the Mossy. I find the Mossberg build quality over all better than the Express based Remington. The Mossberg has the ability to use the OP-Sol clip for mini-shells, with the Mossberg's feed trough the stumpy shells just pop right in, very fast. The only mods I have done to the Mossberg is replacing the plastic safety and thin mag follower with aluminum ones from NDZ.

The Remington is based on their Express line and the exterior finish and machining was less than to be desired, but functional. There were a couple of small machine marks inside the barrel in the throat area. The action was smooth and reliable and will smooth out even more with use.
The Remington is all steel and the weight can benefit those who can handle full power ammo, or want/need less recoil with low recoil type 2.75"shells, although it can take 3" shells(ouch). The Remington cannot use mini-shells (1.75"). I have "a few" Remington 870s from the 1950s onward and none of them will run 1.75" shells or the 2.25" ones Cabela's sold. Ammo capacity is 4+1 on the Remington.
The Remington does not come with a forearm strap, I think Big Green needs to correct this. I found a kit on Ebay and it installed easily and has held up so far.


https://www.ndzperformance.com/

 

[<*(((><]

If I had to pick one, or buy another, and I probably will. I would buy the Mossberg.

I prefer the Mossberg's top mounted safety, not a deal breaker just a preference. I like that the Mossberg comes with a forearm strap (must have on these). The Mossberg uses an aluminum receiver, but Mossberg wisely chose to use the 590A1 barrel that is thicker/heavier so this puts the weight out front where it is needed. I like the lesser weight in the back and more weight out front, works for me. I find the Mossberg build quality over all better than the Express based Remington. The Mossberg has the ability to use the OP-Sol clip for mini-shells, with the Mossberg's feed trough the stumpy shells just pop right in, very fast. The only mods I have done to the Mossberg is replacing the plastic safety and thin mag follower with aluminum ones from NDZ.

The Remington is based on their Express line and the exterior finish and machining was less than to be desired, but functional. There were a couple of small machine marks inside the barrel in the throat area. The action was smooth and reliable and will smooth out even more with use. The Remington is all steel and the weight can benefit those who can handle full power ammo, or want/need less recoil with low recoil type 2.75"shells, although it can take 3" shells(ouch). The Remington cannot use mini=shells (1.75"). I have "a few" Remington 870s from the 1950s onward and none of them will run 1.75" shells or the 2.25" ones Cabela's sold. The Remington does not come with a forearm strap, I think Big Green needs to correct this. I found a kit on Ebay and it installed easily and has held up so far.


https://www.ndzperformance.com/

I too like the build quality of the Mossberg better, but I've never got passed the safety on the Mossbergs, I know I should because Mossberg really does build a better shotgun. I may have to buy a shockwave when I find a good deal on one used.