Maybe I'm Too Old For The 590 Shockwave

[Phydeaux642]

I know the Shockwave isn't a shotgun, but not sure where else to put this.

I posted earlier about changing the Shockwave to just a regular ol' 590 shotgun but wanted to shoot it again before I decided. When I got the Shockwave, the first thing that I did was put a Mesa Tactical adapter and SBA3 brace on it. I shot it and it was great. Fun, even. But I don't trust ATF any farther than I can throw my truck, so, I decided to put the Raptor grip back on since I am hearing rumblings again about them banning braces (still not sure how they can just change laws and rules on a whim). Anyway, went and shot it today in it's original form and I'm thinking I may be too old for the darn thing.
I put some grip tape on the Raptor grip which did help, but it's still a handful. I shot 25 rounds of target loads and five of 00 buck and when I was done I was only bleeding in two spots. The trigger has a sharp corner on it, so, it poked me and the strap on the forend of all things was sharp enough on the end of it to cut my other index finger. Both of these obviously happened under recoil.
I've almost got it in my mind to try and figure out how to shoot the thing effectively just to be stubborn about it. One of my problems is that I dislocated my left shoulder a few years ago and it doesn't have the range of movement that it once did. The other problem is that my hands have got weak as I've got older.
I figure if I make a shorter forend strap then that will help me keep my grip a bit better by making it tighter with my hand there. Then I have to believe a sling would help give me some leverage at shoulder height. Mine didn't have a sling stud on it, so, I'm waiting for one to get to me to try out this theory.
I'll let my fingers heal up then try it again.

 

[lemaymiami]

I prefer shotguns for any close quarters situation - and that was my practice for many years in law enforcement until I retired out. All I ever wanted, or carried, was a simple riot gun in standard configuration. You couldn't give me a short barreled shotgun with a pistol grip, period. Everyone gets to choose what to buy and use in the way of weapons - they also get to live with the results.

 

[Phydeaux642]

I didn't get to choose, it was a gift.

 

[Rubone]

If it is smoothbore and chambers shotshells, it's a shotgun no matter the configuration. As for the Shockwave, I have never understood the concept personally. But I guess I'm too old for it too! To me it is just a fad driven by dumb movies and wanna be bad guys, not a very practical tool. This works best for me...a police trade in 870 with a two round extension.

 

[Phydeaux642]

Well, according to ATF it's just a "firearm" because of its configuration.

 

[Drifter27]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the class of firearm the shockwave is considered dependant on its dimensions? Will altering the pg or barrel length change that classification?

 

[edwardware]

If it is smoothbore and chambers shotshells, it's a shotgun no matter the configuration. As for the Shockwave, I have never understood the concept personally.

You are qualified to make your second assertion; you're first assertion is wrong.

@phydeaux, have a look at the videos made by @BrobeeBiter over here; they are excellent.

 

[rabid wombat]

I really do not like a pistol grip of any sort on a shotgun, it is especially bad on a Mossberg. It completely defeats having the safety on the tang, as you have to break grip. Conventional stock - pinch the butt between your body and elbow, much shorter and controllable....more difficult to aim. Shoulder it, and aim...yep, aim...do what you have to do.

as far action and gauge go...consider a semi auto 20 ga....”1/2 the recoil and 3/4 the results”....works like champ!

 

[Antihero]

The best idea with these is to hipshoot it and not fight the recoil imo

 

[12Bravo20]

I shoot my Shockwave as it was intended to be shot by holding it up at arms length and sighting down the barrel. I do have a red dot on mine that makes aiming quickly easier. They were not meant to be shot from the hip. The original reason for the short length was so that the US Marshals and others that used them could easily conceal them. There are plenty of Youtube videos showing the correct way to use these types of firearms.

 

[Ernie Bass]

I shoot my Shockwave as it was intended to be shot by holding it up at arms length and sighting down the barrel. I do have a red dot on mine that makes aiming quickly easier. They were not meant to be shot from the hip. The original reason for the short length was so that the US Marshals and others that used them could easily conceal them. There are plenty of Youtube videos showing the correct way to use these types of firearms.

Totally agree, while I do not have a shockwave, I do have a crusier with Pistol grip in 20ga. I really do not understand where shooting from the hip came from. At least not something I do when training. I find the cruiser to be easy to shoot pointing it as you mention, sighting down the barrel and basically point shooting. For myself, I find it like a large pistol where you can get a really firm grip with the off hand. A shotgun that is easy to manage in tight quarters and can be very fast at shooting. If I do not use the Pistol Grip, I have trained with the Tactical stock as well. Gives some versatility to the shotgun.

 

[MuzzleloaderMike]

Yeah, the shockwave is just a dangerous little firearm, I don't let others shoot it anymore, just not worth the risk of them getting hurt. ME I love the thing, I did put grip tape on the Birds head grip and that helps a lot. Put targets at 10 yards and shoot with the gun at your chest (not your face) I bet you can hit all those targets, use light loads at first until you get comfortable with it. It really is a lot of fun and it does it job well. IMHO I'd put the armbrace back on if you were having trouble holding on to it, or it's hurting you, it would still be a small powerhouse.

 

[BoBo522]

Have you considered minishells?

 

[il.bill]

Anyone who thinks shooting a Shockwave 590 is not going to be a handful (or two) is just kidding himself or herself. Firing 12 Gauge Minishells using an OPSol Mini Clip Adaptor (about $15) for Mossberg Pumps tames the Shockwave 590 quite a bit.

YMMV, but what works best for me at eye level, or from the hip, or anywhere in between is pulling the trigger while 'stretching' the firearm - I pull backward on the Raptor grip with my right hand while pushing the corncob forearm forward with my left hand inside the strap. Picture it as firmly STRETCHING the Shockwave while pulling the trigger. This makes the recoil somewhat tolerable for my 67 year old mechanic's hands and wrists, while avoiding having the stupid Mossberg safety placement slice open the web between my thumb and index finger on my shooting hand.

 

[12Bravo20]

Anyone who thinks shooting a Shockwave 590 is not going to be a handful (or two) is just kidding himself or herself. Firing 12 Gauge Minishells using an OPSol Mini Clip Adaptor (about $15) for Mossberg Pumps tames the Shockwave 590 quite a bit.

YMMV, but what works best for me at eye level, or from the hip, or anywhere in between is pulling the trigger while 'stretching' the firearm - I pull backward on the Raptor grip with my right hand while pushing the corncob forearm forward with my left hand inside the strap. Picture it as firmly STRETCHING the Shockwave while pulling the trigger. This makes the recoil somewhat tolerable for my 67 year old mechanic's hands and wrists, while avoiding having the stupid Mossberg safety placement slice open the web between my thumb and index finger on my shooting hand.

You are correct. The preferred method to shoot these types of firearms is to use the push-pull method as you describe. It is no different than how British SAS shoots their HK MP5 pistols by pushing out agains the sling. The method works well.

 

[Phydeaux642]

Have you considered minishells?

Too difficult to come by these days in 00 Buck. Haven't seen any of that for a while. It will probably just morph into a 20" 590, which will be much easier to handle for me.

 

[mnrivrat]

I have the 20 gauge Remington Tac-14 for now. Not a good choice for someone in a wheelchair. I put an armbrace on it and a forearm strap. Shootable now if I shoulder the arm brace, but still not what works best, and legal ? I think for me it just isn't the right gun. It will be going up for sale. I have a 20 gauge standard Remington 1100. I think I will set that up with a 22" barrel.

 

[FFGColorado]

Get one of these and use less painful mini shot shells
https://www.opsolmini-clip.com/

Answered above

 

[Miami_JBT]

I got a Shockwave since I always liked the US Marshals' Witness Protection 870 pattern of shotgun. The idea behind such a gun is to be an extreme close quarters self defense weapon. 10 yards is pushing the original tactical intentions of such a gun. It was thought of being a overpowering belly gun. Literally a point at the bad guy that is a arm's length away and give him a dose of 00 Buck.

 

[Rule3]

I thought they or anything like them were useless when they came out and still do.

Close Quarters? Lets have a show of hands on how many non LEO or Military have ever encounter such a situation.

How many have actually shot one or any 12 gauge, at 2AM awakened from a sound sleep inside a enclosed space like a bedroom,Can you see or hear afterwards.?

 

[lemaymiami]

My definition of "close quarters" is any distance under 15 meters (or yards if you prefer) - and like many serious 'gunners - I still don't have anything good to say about shotguns with pistol grips (and that's all I have to say about that as Mr. Gump would say...).

For many years I always had a shotgun in hand on any hot call (or any time there was even the possiblity of weapons....) and it never let me down... For me a shotgun comes under the heading of serious business and during those years all I ever hunted had two legs... Glad I'm long out of that world.

 

[SterlingBullet]

To avoid getting your hand abraded by sharp ends of the forearm fabric strap, remove the forearm, remove the strap and reinstall with the edge of the strap on outside of the mounting hardware. You may lose some hand space under the strap. If needed, acquire a longer strap and create new holes holes in it further apart to provide more space to accommodate the different mount.

 

[Coyote3855]

I'm 76 and enjoy my 20 gauge Shockwave. Not my first choice as a home defense firearm, but it would suffice. I replaced the factory forend strap with black leather. Softer and just as secure.

 

[Phydeaux642]

Well, here's what the Shockwave has morphed into. Now I just have to contend with "heavy".

 

[Edenwildfood]

The only useful purpose i can see for one would be a truck gun. Otherwise they're largely a sub optimal gimmick