When the Mossberg Shockwave premiered, it was a huge hit. The gun defied the NFA or seemingly defied the NFA because the definition of a shotgun requires a stock. If there is no stock, it’s not a shotgun; therefore, the shorter barrel doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is an overall length of 26 inches or longer. These are non-NFA firearms and are a blast to shoot.
When I first saw the Shockwave, and later the TAC-14, and eventually all the other super short shotgun-like firearms, I thought it was a range toy. Pistol grip shotguns are hard to handle most of the time. The recoil can be intense and even painful to the wrist. How many videos do we see of shooters at the range losing control of a PGO shotgun?
The Shockwave and TAC-14 are admittedly fun guns, but after years of ownership and lots of shooting, my mind has changed. I’m not the only one to come to this conclusion. Rhett Neumayer is a big advocate of stockless shotguns and shockwave-type firearms. Gabe Suarez was teaching stockless shotgun techniques before the Shockwave existed.
Why would one pick a Shockwave or TAC-14 over a standard stocked shotgun?
Advantages of The Shockwave (And Other 12 Gauge Firearms)
Shotguns work best at close quarters; in close quarters, the smaller the gun, the better in most cases. The Mossberg Shockwave and similar platforms are incredibly compact. They lack a stock and are a hair over two feet long. Within that 26 or so lies some real incredible power. A 12-gauge load of buckshot is mighty powerful and tends to end a fight within a single shot.
It’s smaller than a rifle but offers long gun power. The compact nature of the gun makes it easy to maneuver and very capable of self-defense inside home ranges. This type of firearm can also excel in campers and motorhomes, and I bring one camping because it’s small enough to fit in a tent without being a pain.
The Raptor-style pistol grip is different from any other grip. It helps direct the recoil upward rather than rearward, which prevents your wrist from getting the full dose of recoil. While it can be intense, it’s not painful.
These guns also tend to be very common and quite affordable. They tend to cost less than a quality handgun, and Remington and Mossberg can both make reliable pump-action platforms. They also tend to be modular and easy to accessorize, which makes them pretty useful.
Downsides
The most obvious downside is recoil. Shotgun recoil can be intense, and when reduced to a pistol grip-only design, it can be tough to handle. It tends to have a lot of muzzle rise and can be tough to hold onto.
The lack of a stock also makes it difficult to perform a number of shotgun manipulations. It’s Reloading is tougher and slower. Shotguns are difficult to wield with one hand, but it’s way worse with a Shockwave. Even momentary movements like opening a door can be tough while keeping the gun ready to fire.
How to Shoot the Shockwave Effectively
It is possible to handle these guns effectively. They can be very capable weapons for close-quarters shooting, including home defense. For most people, a stocked shotgun is very likely to be the better choice. It takes a lot of practice to wield the shotgun effectively.
Gabe Suarez described the use of pistol grip-only shotguns quite well. He described it as a weapon you take to a fight. It’s not reactive or for defending a position, but a gun you grab and go fight with. It’s unlikely to be a weapon you reload, and in general, the civilian use of a shotgun or 12 gauge firearm doesn’t call for a reload. I say that because I cannot find one civilian use of a shotgun that required a reload.
It’s a personal defense weapon and not much more. If something goes bump in the night and you have to make your way across your house to get to your kids, this is the gun you want to grab. It’s light, easy to maneuver, and powerful. If your home defense plan is to bunker down in your bedroom and aim a gun at the door, then a different weapon might be more viable.
If you choose to use a Shockwave or a TAC-14, you must be capable of successfully wielding the gun. With that in mind, let’s detail the best way to wield the Shockwave and TAC-14. I’m breaking this down into three points that all combine to make these effective weapons.
Technique
First and most importantly, you want to learn the technique now. Shooting a Shockwave isn’t all that different from shooting a standard shotgun. You aren’t firing from the hip. You want the gun up, and nearly in the same position, it would be if you were shooting a stocked shotgun. Shooters need to aim these guns.
The proper technique means bringing the gun up to your cheek and positioning your thumb an inch or so in front of your face. Next, we have to account for recoil. If not, your thumb knuckle will kick you in the face. The right recoil mitigation technique is the push/pull technique.
To accomplish this, you need to push forward with your support hand. Grab the hell out of that pump and push it forward. At the same time, your firing hand will pull rearward on the pistol grip. This creates isometric tension that helps eliminate the tension.
When you combine the proper positioning of the gun with the tension, you can control the weapon quite well. Compared to a normal shotgun, the Shockwave and 12-gauge firearm genre is much less forgiving. If you aren’t applying enough tension or might not be strong enough to apply tension, the gun will run you over.
It’s essential to realize this is not a fair weapon. It’s not built for everyone. Some folks simply won’t have the upper body strength to effectively wield it. You don’t need to be a bodybuilder, but you must be strong to make it work.
Ammo Choice
A big consideration is ammo choice. Too many people advocate for mini shells. I do not. If you need mini shells to shoot the Shockwave, it’s not a good weapon for you. What you want is reduced recoil tactical loads. I’d suggest a load between 1145 and 1200 feet per second. This gives you a manageable amount of recoil for defensive purposes.
Reduced recoil is a concern, but so is a good, tight pattern. We want good patterns at close range and need to be accountable for every pellet that leaves our 12-gauge firearm.
I’d typically suggest the Federal Flitecontrol, a reduced-recoil tactical load with eight pellets. That’s the best patterning buckshot on the market.
If that’s not an option, I’d try several reduced recoil loads and pick the one that patterns the best and lands at the proper point of aim. Proper ammo choice dramatically affects your ability to succeed with the Shockwave and similar firearms.
Accessories
There are a few accessories that can make it easier to use a pump-action shotgun. For home defense, I’d always equip a white light, but that’s not going to help me better control the gun. I would make sure to use a shotgun pump with a very grippy forend. Something like the Magpul SGA pump works nicely with it’s integrated handguard.
The Surefire DSF works as both a white light and an excellent grip for your firearm. There are many options, and the key is to pick one that doesn’t slide in your hand. Make sure you can lock that grip in when you start shooting.
A great accessory to add is a red dot. The bead works, but the position you establish when you aim the gun makes it much easier to use a red dot. In general, a red dot works very well on a defensive firearm. It also works very well on these short guns. The little extra height makes it easier to aim without modifying position.
READ MORE: The Remington TAC 14 Hardwood; Getting Wood
Finally, one excellent optional accessory is a grip strap. Rhett Neumayer designed the strap that attaches to your Shockwave’s grip. This adds a strap that helps you reduce recoil and maintain control of the gun. It’s not 100% necessary, but it is pretty handy and significantly affects your ability to control the weapon.
Riding the Shockwave
A 12-gauge Shockwave isn’t for everyone. It’s not the best weapon for home defense, but it does excel in the niche of power and maneuverability. In many ways, it reminds me of a J-frame revolver. It’s a valid choice with some real strengths, but it takes a lot of training and practice to become useful with the weapon.
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