Editors Note: When we first ran this review, the Mossberg Non-NFA Shotgun was brand new and they were not readily available. This is really an interesting concept and it’s worth a second look.
For more information, visit: https://www.mossberg.com/product/590-shockwave-6-shot-50659/.
To purchase a Mossberg Shockwave on GunsAmerica.com, click this link: https://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?T=Mossberg%20590.
Mossberg has managed to disrupt the shotgun market with the introduction of a gun that isn’t even a shotgun! The Shockwave is a 14-inch pump 12-gauge gun, measuring in at just under 26½ inches long. Get this: You can pick it up today, from your local dealer, without any extra government paperwork or waiting on the BATFE to approve the transfer. How can this be?
The new Mossberg Shockwave gives you a street-legal 14-inch barreled 590 for only $455 MSRP. Image courtesy of Mossberg.
When Dumb Rules Give You a Great Gun!
Disclaimer: I am not an attorney, and you should not rely on my advice to make legal decisions. In fact, recommend that you don’t even read this!
Here are the rules in question:
- All shotguns are intended to be fired from the shoulder.
- All shotguns must have an 18-inch barrel. If the gun has a stock and a barrel shorter than 18 inches, it is classified as a “Short Barreled Shotgun” (SBS), requiring a $200.00 transfer tax.
- If the shotgun has a pistol grip and is less than 26 inches in overall length, it is considered an “Any Other Weapon” (AOW). Good news: AOWs only require a $5 transfer tax.
- The Shockwave is created as follows. Start with a shotgun that has NEVER had a stock attached. Add a pistol grip, and the gun is now considered a PGO (Pistol Grip Only). It is NOT a shotgun, as it is not intended to be fired from the shoulder. Next, add a 14-inch barrel so the overall length is just under 26½ inches. The length being greater than 26 inches disqualifies the gun from being an AOW. So, the BATFE declares that you now have a “Non-NFA Firearm.”
- The Shockwave is not a shotgun, nor a handgun, but a firearm. It requires no special paperwork other than the 4473, and the buyer must be 21 years old. Some states may have restrictions on the Shockwave, so check your state and local laws!
The Shockwave is equipped with a Raptor curved pistol grip as well as having a hand-retention strap on the fore end, which is a good idea on a firearm this short.
Unboxing
The Shockwave is certainly a new piece of hardware that is very rewarding to inspect. The gun uses twin action bars, positive steel-to-steel lock-up, anti-jam elevator, dual extractors, and Mossberg’s top-mounted safety. The 590 Shockwave employs a lightweight, anodized aluminum receiver, and features a convenient clean-out tube magazine cap. The barrel sports a bead front sight.
The Shockwave gets its name from Shockwave Technologies, who created the Raptor bird’s head-style polymer pistol grip, which is uniquely shaped and provides a firm grip that minimizes felt recoil. Shockwave Technologies also supplies the Raptor Strap for the fore end of the gun. This keeps your hand on the fore end and away from the muzzle.
The Mosssberg Shockwave (right) is shown here next to the author’s Ithaca 37 AOW.
SPECS
- Chambering: 12 Ga., 3-inch chamber
- Barrel: 14 inches
- OA Length: 26.37 inches
- Weight: 5.25 pounds
- Grip: Shockwave Raptor grip
- Sights: Bead front
- Action: Pump action
- Finish: Matte blued
- Capacity: 5+1
- MSRP: $455
On the Range
While making plans for the range, I had one question at the forefront of my mind: Is the Shockwave a toy, or does it have a true purpose other than generating smiles? In the interest of exploring this question, I selected several different kinds of ammunition. I searched every store in the area for The Aguila mini shells, as those little 1.75-inch shells would double the weapon’s capacity. Unfortunately, testing the Aguilas was not in the cards for me, as every retailer was out of stock. You can get an OpSol Mini-Clip for $15 that fits in the gun and ensures rock-solid function with those little shorty shells.
The Mossberg Shockwave (center) is shown below an 18-inch barelled Remington 870 and above the AOW Ithaca 37 for size comparison.
Upon arriving at the range, I was excited to get the party started with the Shockwave. I loaded five light field loads into the tube magazine and held the little 590 as recommended. One hand went in the Raptor Strap on the fore end, and the other hand on the Raptor bird’s head grip, with the Shockwave held at waist level and the grip pressed to my side. After settling into the grip, I racked the first round into the chamber, pushed the safety off with my thumb, and let loose the first round. Wow! No pain, and the recoil was easy to control. I have an Ithaca Model 37 12 ga. AOW with a 10” barrel and pistol grip, and that sucker can be painful to shoot. The 590 is a sweetheart when compared to my Ithaca 37, even when working with slugs and buckshot. I will confess that I did not shoot any 3” magnum rounds out of the Shockwave, but only because I am not a glutton for punishment. Hey, call me a quitter or something less PC, but I don’t like them out of any shotgun.
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The Raptor grip is curved and proved to help dampen the recoil of the 12 ga.
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The tubular magazine is capped off with a threaded and removable end cap.
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The author was able to get his shots from the Shockwave easily centered on the target while testing at the range.
One clear advantage of the Mossberg pump-action that should be noted is that the ambidextrous top-mounted safety is easily reached and operated by left or right-handed shooters.
Time for Round Two. I reloaded with six rounds this time, and decided to see what kind of speed the demure gun could produce. I compared it to my Vang Comp 870, and found that the winner was always determined by who was running each gun. There was no clear platform-based winner; this was a dead heat.
The Shockwave is a close-range weapon without a doubt, so I wanted to test for a reasonable amount of control. This test was conducted with a standard IPSC target, while firing rifled slugs. I started out at 3 yards and fired one round, then moved back one full step. I ended the 6-round test at 7 yards, and all of the rounds had struck within the A-Zone.
At the end of the day, I was left with the conclusion that the Shockwave is a real gun, and not just a grin machine, although it does bring the smiles uninterrupted. So, where does this gun shine? I would point out that the inspiration for this gun comes from the U.S Marshals service, who developed a very similar gun to be easy to carry while delivering a volume of fire disproportionate to its size. I have used my Model 37 to breach doors, but it’s primarily a snake-killing machine. My little Ithaca has been a great comfort to have within reach when I’m unsure of others’ intentions. The Shockwave can perform these roles quite well, but without a Federal tax stamp, and for less money!
Final Thoughts
I really thought that the Shockwave was just a pleasant range distraction, but I was wrong. This is a gun for serious purposes. I have tried guns that fit through the same aspect of firearms law as this gun, and found them lacking. They were finicky, heavy and hard to use, if you could get them to work at all, with a price well over twice that of the Mossberg.
If you are looking for a lot of power in a small package without all the legal complexities of an AOW or SBS, the Mossberg Shockwave definitely deserves a close look.
Mossberg has several advantages over all others that I have seen thus far. They are factory-built on virgin receivers, so there is no ambiguity as to their status. They are on a proven platform that doesn’t suffer from reliability issues. They are not ammunition sensitive with anything that I tested. Finally, their price is more than fair, and will come well under the MSRP of $455.00, as supply should be abundant with Mossberg’s production capabilities. If you are in the market for a gun of this kind, the Mossberg Shockwave is certainly worthy of your consideration.
For more information, visit: https://www.mossberg.com/product/590-shockwave-6-shot-50659/.
To purchase a Mossberg Shockwave on GunsAmerica.com, click this link: https://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?T=Mossberg%20590.