Shockwave as truck gun?

RMc said:

From a legal aspect, many states prohibit the transport of a loaded rifle or shotgun in a vehicle. Such laws usually don't apply to "handguns" such as arm brace equiped AR15 pistol variants. This along with compact storage constitutes a major advantage for arm brace equiped AR15 pistols.

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Both Mossberg and Remington have models with detachable magazines, which would allow fast loading and be legally compliant

The 870 firearm with Brace.

https://www.remington.com/other-products/model-870-tac-14-arm-brace

I am in the woods every day and carry a 44 or 45. I have never had to kill a snake. It has been a very long time since I have had the need for another firearm but that does not stop the collection from growing. If you like the looks of the shockwave buy it and if later you want something else buy it. You can always get another gun safe.

Its a viable option. I have both the Mossberg and Remington. Big Green still has QC issues.The Remmy while so far reliable and smooth operating, has poor external machining and finish, overall the Mossberg is a better built gun. Since it is classified as a "firearm" jurisdictions may or may not allow it to be kept loaded inside a vehicle. I much prefer my BCM 11.5" Pistol in a "subterfuge case" in cruiser ready mode and a MOLLE II 3 cell bandoleer.
Having said that, nothing wrong having with the Shockwave type firearms in a case and ammo carrier at the ready. They are very compact and once you learn how to run one and correct ammo choices, they are VERY practical.

Sistema1927 said:

The Shockwave become practical once you install a "pistol" brace on it.

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From my understanding, the Shockwave is an AOW and NO modifications are allowed by law. I know installing a brace is done, I saw one in my local gunshop but the legalities are questionable.

Fine Figure of a Man said:

Since the Shockwave was introduced it has been kind of entertaining listening to and reading about people struggling to find it's purpose.

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I agree. They bought one cause it's a low cost, new-ish offering that "looks cool". Shoot a few boxes out of it and the novelty wears off, well now what? They have to justify thier purchase by figuring out ways it's useful and not just a gimmick.

To each thier own. If you want a short shotgun, what I would do (and did), was picked up a used Mossberg 500 Field Grade. Bought an 18.5" barrel, a pistol grip and matching forearm. All said and done, I'm at about $350 on it. But I can put the wood back on and have a bird gun again in under 10 min.

To the OP, stick with your Ruger IMO.

george29 said:

From my understanding, the Shockwave is an AOW and NO modifications are allowed by law. I know installing a brace is done, I saw one in my local gunshop but the legalities are questionable.

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Remington offers a model of their Tac 14 with a brace, so it can be legal as a factory installed part. Idk about after market installation

https://www.remington.com/other-products/model-870-tac-14-arm-brace

george29 said:

From my understanding, the Shockwave is an AOW and NO modifications are allowed by law. I know installing a brace is done, I saw one in my local gunshop but the legalities are questionable.

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You would be wrong. It is not an AOW and subject to the appropriate tax, but instead a "Firearm".

I’ll never own a shotgun without a butt stock if given a choice.

I just saw a video on the Taurus Raging Judge Magnum & it occurred to me that it is more compact, easier to hide in a vehicle, more comfortable to carry in the woods & with a two-handed hold much easier to shoot accurately than the Shockwave. The Judge can be loaded with 3"- 410 shot shells so it would be a much better snake gun than the Ruger in 45 Colt & has the advantage that it can also shoot 410 buckshot, 45 Colt & 45 ACP (or 454 Casull) for other types of self defense issues. Lots of people made fun of the video & the gun but I was positively impressed.

The Mossberg Shockwave and Remington Tac-13/14 are not AOWs and not subject to the NFA. Where some folks get confused about these is that they NEVER were a shotgun in the first place, legally speaking. They never had a stock on them from the get go, the receiver is fitted with a raptor/birds head grip, they are legally classified by BATFE as a FIREARM, not shotgun.

These newer "classifications" like AR-Pistols,AK Pistols ( especially "braced" versions), rifled revolvers firing shot shells, and the Mossberg/Remington "firearm" products bring out all kinds of silly responses from folks not seeing the utility in these products. If its not your cup of tea don't buy it, but don't embarrass yourself saying they are range toys, impractical, "a solution looking for a problem".

I do not own a Taurus Judge or S&W Governor, but I see the utility in them as a snake gun or survival tool, most people are poor pistol shots and its easier to pot Peter rabbit with a .410 load or zap a poisonous snake. I give up nothing with a braced 11.5" AR pistol to a NFA SBR. I can legally carry the AR pistol, not so in most cases with the SBR,much easier to transport the pistol, paper involved with the SBR. The pistol has more things going for it legally (Heller/McDonald), than the NFA SBR.


Learn how to run the gun:

GEM said:

https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/the-mossberg-shockwave-is-mostly-useless/

Take this for what it is worth. If you are a true believer, you will down play the points.

The one thing that gets to me is that if you want to bring it to eye level, you extend it as far as the total length of a normal shotgun using a stock. So, you lack stability for recoil and aiming without a stock. I know if you have one, this is baloney to you. However, having normal pumps, I don't see it as an addition for the truck or Tesla.

Shooting from the hip, forget it.

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For bringing to eye level pistol grip is the way to go
Twelve gauge should be chosen for good selection of low recoil loads. For example, 26g sub 1000fps Winchester AA load will easily kill a snake and 2&1/4" cased OO will handle larger critters. Unfortunately due to our stupid gun laws pistol grip requires 18.5" barrel otherwise there is some kind of $200 charge and extra paperwork.
I did see something compact and suitable for personal protection. It was short-barreled 12ga pump with mag tube that looked like it held two rounds, barrel length about 10" plus real professional grade metal for end that had under-folding grip so that one would not shoot their hand off. The cost second-hand was high $800, but I can honestly say that is the only Mossberg pump I would ever pay more than $400 for. Never seen one before but it was very well put together.

If you're carrying it in your truck a stocked shotgun makes more sense to me.

With that said I used to use a pistol grip 870 with a 14" barrel with low recoil 00 when I was still a LEO for times when the shorter length would make a difference and I knew if I had to use it the range would be short. I could carry it in a short duffel bag or even wrapped in a garbage bag without attracting attention.

I did buy a Shockwave so I could have the same capability if I desired. I found the ideal ammo to use in it is the Herter's Mini Buck in 00. 6 pieces of 00 will get the job done and significantly reduces the recoil enhancing controllability. At 2 1/4" it does not require an adapter like the Aquilla 2" ammo and feeds in every pump I've tried it in.

I'm not trying to insult anyone, but I would have to say that there are a lot of people that have posted in this topic that know very little about what they are talking about. That is, most of y'all have never even fired a Wsockwave or a Tac-14, but have come to the conclusion that they are not worth having.
I am pretty sure that 9 out of 10 snakes would prefer that you didn't have one of these guns when you encounter them.
Now someone posted that they would not want one of these guns stolen from their vehicle, due to them being used by criminals, and they would feel better with a regular shotgun in the vehicle.
Have you ever seen what criminals do with regular shotguns? Don’t worry Matt’ Not a criminal.


I have a Remington Tac-14 next to my bed loaded with low recoil 00 Buck.
I’ve patterned it and know what it can do.
It’s not a gun for hunting, but it’s a great HD gun and would make a great truck gun.

Criminals have been taking hacksaws to shotguns for years. Clyde Barrow took a hacksaw to a BAR to make his "whippit" gun.

In my early years of gun ownership I thought of a sawed off shotgun as a cool but un-useful tool. It was my thought it would be a wall of lead right after leaving the barrel, ineffective at any ranges more than a a few yards.

I've learned over the years they are a valuable tool in the right situation. At any of my interior home distances the pattern would be devastating on a perp. Or as a truck gun with an assortment of ammo, it would a welcome friend in a bad situation. Even with the Tac14's cylinder bore, the patterns are still quite tight at 7-10 yards; 10 yard pattern is 6-8" spread (2-3/4" 00Buck), about the size of vital chest area on a person. A good video by Clint at Thunder Ranch that was posted above also that demonstrates the patterns out of a Mossberg Shockwave, which is the same setup as the Tac14 as far as barrel length and choke.

How about a Howdah pistol?

It may be a gimmick, but it's a 12 ga gimmick which sure beats a .410 gimmick.

Some states outlaw loaded long guns in a vehicle, while allowing loaded handguns. In one such State's statutes, "It is unlawful to carry a loaded rifle or loaded shotgun in or on any vehicle..." [on a public road...] This statute does not apply to a Shockwave which is not a shotgun. It also does not apply to AR pistols which are not rifles. So while I may like an 870 as a truck gun, in that State, I'd have to carry an empty chamber (the statute does permit loaded magazines). I'm not sure I need to have a loaded chamber in a truck gun, but it might be one reason to choose a Shockwave or an AR pistol if I were in that State.

I don't have a dedicated "truck gun". I carry a handgun daily and on road trips I do carry a 12 gauge Mossberg Shockwave in the vehicle in a zipper soft case. Crimson Trace Green Laser makes the gun a game changer for me.

Since taking this photo I've shortened the top rail...no overhang now. I also tossed that annoying sharp melted edge nylon strap on the fore end and made a slightly larger leather one to replace it.

I use the Hornady Critical Defense 410 shells in my Shockwave. A .41 caliber ballistic tip slug followed by 2 pellets of 000 buckshot works quite well at close SD/HD range.

Plus the 410 Shockwave is much easier for my fiancé to handle and shoot proficiently.

I also reload 3” 410 shells with 5 pellets of 00 buckshot. I haven’t tried them out of the Shockwave yet but they do pattern well out of my 500 with a 24” barrel.

I don’t get the choice of .410. 20 gauge represents a big increase of power for about the same sized gun. And the ammo is a lot cheaper. Ammo is going to be a big expense if you plan to practice enough to get proficient with this unique style of firearm.

Balrog said:

I don’t think I need the power of 12 or 20 gauge for its intended purpose. I have other 410 shotguns so keep a good bit of 410 on hand.

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IMHO having a pre existing supply of ammo is the only good reason to get the 410.
I've had 410 Contender and a old O/U 410 and am well aware of the ballistics and capabilities, I have no desire for another one.
The 20 shockwave looks interesting I doubt a guy could tell the recoil between a 3/4 oz 20 and a 11/16 oz 410 and the 20 will pattern better.