Among the unique new firearms at SHOT Show 2018 is a shotgun unlike any other. New from American Tactical, or ATI, is their American Tactical AR-15 Shotgun chambered for .410 bore.
American Tactical has been teasing this gun for a while and quietly launched it in 2017. It’s compatible with standard AR-15 parts and receivers and can easily be converted to 5.56 NATO, 300 AAC Blackout and more. Best of all the company is loading their own .410 ammo to ensure a constant supply of reliable, low-cost ammunition.
The American Tactical .410 bore features 18.5-inch barrel. It uses specialized
The shotgun is part of American Tactical’s Omni Hybrid series of ARs. These low-cost, lightweight guns have alloy-reinforced polymer receivers that push the AR design into new territories.
Overview
The American Tactical AR-15 Shotgun is a rifle-styled, smoothbore gun with an 18.5-inch barrel. The barrel is threaded for combination muzzle devices and chokes with additional chokes sold separately.
The shotgun comes with M4 A2-style furniture and a free-floating 13-inch KeyMod forend. The upper receiver and handguard sport a full-length flattop rail for accessories including red dots, lights and laser sights.
The magic lies between the magazines and upper receiver. It uses specialized molded magazines and a balanced short-stroke piston action. This helps ensure reliability with the low-pressure cartridge. The shotgun ships with 5-round magazines with 15-round magazines available through their web store.
It takes more than a gas system to ensure .410 ammo runs well in a self-loading gun like this. The ammo itself is a factor and the company recommends using high-velocity Federal, Hornady, Remington, Winchester and American Tactical ammunition. Due to receiver constraints, the shotgun is limited to 2.5-inch shells.
American Tactical produces buckshot, target and rifled slug .410 ammunition at prices that compete with standard AR rifle cartridge prices. They also make a loading tool to help reduce user-induced rimlock.
The M4-style pistol grip and stock makes the unqiue .410 shotgun easy to manipulate.
Specifications
- .410 bore
- 2.5-inch chamber
- 5-round magazine included, 15-round sold separately
- 18.5-inch threaded barrel
- 6.5 pounds unloaded
- MIL-SPEC compatible receivers
- M4-style pistol grip and stock
- 13-inch free-floating KeyMod handguard
The shotgun ships with 5-round magazines and 15-round magazines can be purchased separately.
Impressions
This shotgun is a neat idea. It’s slightly lighter than an AR rifle but the recoil is minimal thanks to the relatively low-pressure chambering.
It’s capable of taking small and medium game, with the right ammunition, and it can play many of the shotgun games we know an love. If nothing else, you could take it to the skeet field and really raise some eyebrows.
For self-defense, it’s more than adequate with 15-round magazines loaded with buckshot or slugs. Since it’s compatible MIL-SPEC parts it can host a centerfire rifle upper for even better protection. This is a versatile firearm.
Pricing
With a $599 sticker, the American Tactical AR-15 Shotgun is inexpensive even at full price. Extras are sold separately but they’re not bad with extra mags in the $18-29 range and the complete choke kit running $99.
As someone’s first AR-pattern gun or your latest range toy the American Tactical AR-15 Shotgun won’t disappoint.
For more information about these and other American Tactical products visit americantactical.us.