Shockwave with a brace.

[beeenbag]

First things first, I wasn’t sure where to post this, it’s not a shotgun so can’t go there, it’s not a rifle or a handgun so can’t go there, mods move wherever you feel it’s best suited.

So I added a shockwave to my shockwave. Yes, you read that right. After owning my 590 shockwave for about a year and really enjoying it, I decided to put it into a more serious role, home defense. I had no qualms about using it in that role in its factory format, however, Mrs.beeenbag will be using this as well.

After installing an adaptor that allows the use of an AR buffer tube, the options for braces were abundant. I happened to already have this KAK shockwave brace laying around so I put it on. This ERGO adaptor with hogue AR grip, really changed the firearm. The thin profile of the KAK brace is a bit brutal on just a t shirt covered shoulder, so I will definitely swap out to something like the sba3 that’s has a bit more surface area and is softer at the point of contact, but overall, this is something I can’t figure out why people don’t jump all over. Nothing like adding a NFA nut kicker device to a NFA nut kicker firearm for a double whammy.

This firearm will now stay by the master bed, cruiser ready. 14” barrel with approximately 30” overall length is pretty handy indoors.

Anyways, what are your thoughts on why the braced shockwave isn’t more popular? Seems to be a no brainer alternative to a SBS.

 

[Texas10mm]

I'm pretty sure you just broke the law.

 

[Alte Schule]

I believe if you add a pistol grip and brace to your Shockwave you change the ATF designation from "firearm" to "short barrel shotgun" and subject to ATF restrictions.

 

[Sistema1927]

I'm pretty sure you just broke the law.

Says who?

He is not the first, nor the last, and there is nothing stopping this legal modification, at least not at present.

 

[Sistema1927]

I believe if you add a pistol grip and brace to your Shockwave you change the ATF designation from "firearm" to "short barrel shotgun".

Once again, based on what?

Quote the statute or regulation.

 

[badkarmamib]

I'm pretty sure you just broke the law.

Then it seems like these kits would be a hard sell, and not wise to list:

https://www.joeboboutfitters.com/SB...kwave-Stabilizing-Bra-p/sb-590-sbm4-01-sb.htm
https://www.brownells.com/shotgun-p...4-shockwave-stabilizing-brace-prod114415.aspx

I agree it is a grey area, but, at the moment, it appears to be legal.

 

[Rule3]

Sold at fine stores everywhere.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1019785065

 

[badkarmamib]

Now that we have that out of the way, I think the reason it isn't more popular is that it is a "grey area", I believe some locations still limit it, it was designed with the bird's head grip to be hip-fired, and, as you said, the brace is not that comfortable when fired. If it works for you, I say go for it.

 

[herrwalther]

Brace on a Shockwave- Yes According to the ATF at the moment
Brace + Pistol Grip= Illegal?

https://shockwavetechnologies.com/atf-says-that-shouldering-shockwave-blade-is-okay/

https://blog.princelaw.com/2019/07/...ength-when-equipped-with-a-stabilizing-brace/

 

[MTMilitiaman]

That is sketch. It is my understanding that the Shockwave sits in a legal grey area and that modifying it can quickly make it straight illegal. If you intend to use this for home defense, I would consult local and federal law before employing it. Especially if a family member could be the one that ends of getting arrested for using it.

 

[drobs]

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

 

[beeenbag]

Yeah it’s not federally illegal to add a brace to the shockwave, nor is it illegal in my state. The only “grey” area, is when you take the grip off, you are under the 26” overall length. Two quick ways to remedy this is to remove the barrel all together first, making it inoperable, or if that still sounds too close to the fence to you, install a longer barrel before removing the grip. If there comes some form of clarification from the atf claiming this to be illegal, then we will go from there but let’s hope no nim rods ask them.

That being said, if it weren’t for the narrow profile of this particular brace, it wouldn’t be uncomfortable to fire at all. I bet something like the sba3 or sba4 would be very comfortable.

 

[Elkins45]

I'll bet if you put a buttstock on that thing and lengthened the barrel to 18" you'd really have something there.

 

[berettaprofessor]

I'll bet if you put a buttstock on that thing and lengthened the barrel to 18" you'd really have something there.

Might still be a viable home defense weapon and, at the same time, gain a little more control over recoil.

 

[adcoch1]

The reason a shockwave isn't a pistol is the overall length is greater than 26". Making it longer with a non-stock doesn't make it an NFA firearm. And as previously stated, it is legal to, occasionally, shoulder a pistol brace, according to the batfe opinion letter. That could change, but for now it's legal. Uncomfortable, yes. But legal.

 

[Theohazard]

The reason a shockwave isn't a pistol is the overall length is greater than 26".

The reason a Shockwave isn’t a pistol is because — at any length — it doesn’t meet the federal definition of “pistol”:

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/firear...on-firearms-gun-control-act-definition-pistol


If the Shockwave had an OAL shorter than 26” it would be an NFA-regulated AOW, not a pistol:

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/firear...irearms-national-firearms-act-definitions-any

 

[Logwood]

I have a Remington 870 TAC-14 12 gauge. With its 14" barrel it measures right at 26.3" overall length. I usually load it with reduced recoil #00 buck or the mini loads with buckshot. I've fired a few boxes of #02 birdshot through it for an easier handling load. I have a Savage 20 gauge SXS with 18 1/2" barrel that nests on the back of our headboard. I've been considering swapping it out for the TAC-14.

 

[beeenbag]

I'll bet if you put a buttstock on that thing and lengthened the barrel to 18" you'd really have something there.

I bet I can’t tell the difference between a stock and a good brace, and 14” is 4” handier than 18”

 

[adcoch1]

The reason a Shockwave isn’t a pistol is because — at any length — it doesn’t meet the federal definition of “pistol”:

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/firear...on-firearms-gun-control-act-definition-pistol


If the Shockwave had an OAL shorter than 26” it would be an NFA-regulated AOW, not a pistol:

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/firear...irearms-national-firearms-act-definitions-any

Maybe I should have said "...isn't a pistol, or AOW,..." It still breaks the definition due to length, which is considered concealable under 26". Brings up a good point though, a otherwise legal "shockwave" firearm that is concealed on the person just became an illegal "AOW"

 

[BlueHeelerFl]

Remington sells a version of their shockwave with a brace straight from the factory

 

[omcf]

Once upon a time, I heard of service rifle competitors filling the cleaning kit cavity in the M16A2 rifles butt stock with lead weights. In a similar vein, what if one were to fill the buffer tube on a brace with lead shot, sand, or some similar material? Would that help dampen felt recoil thru inertia? Would the extra weight hurt the balance? Or is this a moronic idea?

 

[Theohazard]

In a similar vein, what if one were to fill the buffer tube on a brace with lead shot, sand, or some similar material? Would that help dampen felt recoil thru inertia?

If you filled the buffer tube it wouldn’t cycle and you’d have a single-shot firearm: a “pistol” AR-15 functions the same as a regular rifle AR-15.

How would this effect recoil? Well, with a blocked buffer system there would be more felt recoil but the extra weight in the buffer tube would absorb more recoil. So you’d have to try it to find out.

 

[omcf]

The buffer tube on a brace for a shockwave has no recoil spring or anything else inside it remotely like an AR-15.

 

[Theohazard]

The buffer tube on a brace for a shockwave has no recoil spring or anything else inside it remotely like an AR-15.

Duh. My bad. This thread is a few months old and the last time I looked at it was in September. I totally forgot it wasn’t about AR pistols. I just had a notification about your post so I replied to it. Sorry about that.

Yeah, I guess filling the tube with weight would improve balance and lower recoil. It’s definitely not a dumb idea.

 

[entropy]

Anyways, what are your thoughts on why the braced shockwave isn’t more popular? Seems to be a no brainer alternative to a SBS.

Recoil, plain and simple. Especially with that KAK on there, it can't be fun to shoot. As much as I like pumps for HD, were I to go this route it would be a Remington Tac-13 semi auto with the GG&G brace. That would bring the recoil down to tolerable levels. Finances are what is keeping me from doing so currently. That and I have a perfectly good Ithaca 37 for HD use.