The Mossberg Shockwave and its clones are based on an ingenious concept: a firearm which is for all intents and purposes a sawed-off shotgun with a 14" barrel is not a sawed-off shotgun because, never being in a configuration to be fired from the shoulder it was never a shotgun in the first place. And it is not a handgun because being over 26" in overall length it is an "Any Other Weapon." Apparently, there is a letter sent by BATFE to Mossberg confirming this interpretation.

Living in New Jersey I would not want to rely on a BATFE letter when explaining to a State Trooper, Prosecutor, Judge or Jury why I should not got to jail for a long a time for possessing something that looks just like a sawed-off shotgun.

For those brave enough to rely on the BATFE letter, there is also the additional problem that because it is not a shotgun it does not fall into the exemption that takes shotguns with a bore greater than 0.5" outside the definition of a destructive device.

Enter the .410 Shockwave with a bore less than 0.5". Not a sawed-off shotgun per BATFE interpretation, not a handgun because it cannot be concealed and not a destructive device because it has a bore less than 0.5".

Some pretty clever people at Mossberg!

From the Internet:

__________________
Buy American
Vote Responsibly

If I am not mistaken, the Shockwave models and the similar Remington guns are labeled right on the box as "firearms". They do not fit any other ATF definition except "firearms".

If those guns are legally sold in NJ then you can bet the cops and prosecutors know what they are. Weird rules = weird results.

__________________
Come and take it!!

It might not be a sawed off shotgun. But with a bore greater than .5” how is a non-shotgun 12 gauge shockwave not a destructive device?

__________________
Buy American
Vote Responsibly

It's not a destructive device because it's a "firearm" under the ATF definitions.

__________________
Come and take it!!

I have the Remington version, Tac 14 - best $279 I’ve spent on a “firearm.” I think a 20 gauge and 410 would be worth consideration. Should be interesting to see what the future holds for them. Seatbelt fastened. Eyes open.

__________________
213th FBINA

First of all, don't run around the internet questioning the legality of something that has been deemed legal by the regulating authority. "let sleeping dogs lie" "don't look a gift horse in the mouth"

The Mossberg-ATF letter is available online. In summary, the shockwave falls in a gap between the GCA68 and the NFA.

I understand 12 and 20 gauge Shockwaves and TAC’s. A short non-NFA shot-not-gun with some serious defensive presence.

Why bother with a 26+” .410, when pistols are available?

Amazing how things go sideways when they attempt to define common sense...
Shockwave/TAC - OK
Street Sweeper - “No sporting purpose” NFA
Arm brace - OK (for now)
Vertical fore-grip on pistol - “No longer a pistol” NFA

__________________
"I also cook."

I have a couple of Charles Daly Honchos in 410, very easy for non firearms people to manage. Almost no recoil with spring return to chamber a round, and with #6 shot more tan enough power ta take care of an intruder in a small house or apartment.

I've had a Mossberg .410 Shockwave for at least a year . . .

__________________
Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

A shockwave In .410 and along with some of the new self defense ammo developed for .410/45 Colt revolvers ... I have always thought it would be a decent home defense weapon for us older folks . Not near the recoil , muzzle flash and muzzle blast of a 12 or 20 gauge .
Lighter weight would be easier to handle ... I would buy one and keep it next to the night stand... in place of that 12 ga. pump that is there now...
Gary

__________________
Certified Cajun
NRA Member

Do you like it ... pro's / con's ?
Gary

__________________
Certified Cajun
NRA Member

I like it. But you have to remember I like the S&W Governor as well, so my gun tastes tend to the obscure and obtuse. I have all three Shockwaves, in 12 and 20 gauge, and the .410.

I carried around one of the old Remington Witness Protection shotguns back in the day, and remember thinking it would be much better in 20 gauge.

A bird's head grip shotgun takes a little talent and practice to fire accurately, and you have to remember that they are hallway/close quarters guns at best. The .410 still has a noticeable recoil, especially with high brass loads, but it's very manageable with a good two hand hold. People forget that a .410 is really an expert's shotgun, since it's oft mistaken for what Junior should get for his first gun. Junior is better served by a 20 gauge, in my not all that humble opinion.

They're great bedroom guns. Mine is loaded with the Winchester PDX rounds that I load in my Governor, and that will handle anything coming down my hallway short of a bear, and it will at least make the bear think he's got something better to do somewhere else . . .

__________________
Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Add the Henry Lever Action Axe .410 to this list of "firearms". I kinda want one....
Lever Action Axe .410 | Henry Repeating Arms

Since it is not a handgun or a shotgun it might be an "Any Other Weapon"

__________________
Buy American
Vote Responsibly

It’s legally classified as a “firearm.” Mossberg sold a pistol grip only .410 500 that was classified as a “firearm.” Have to be 21 to buy it.

__________________
Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Here’s a very fresh state ruling in regards to this topic.

NY Judge Says Mossberg Shockwave Not A Firearm Under State Law

The headline is misleading. The ruling is exactly what has been stated earlier about the Shockwave. It’s a “firearm” as defined by ATFE, but the manner in which it was charged in NY was incorrect, and NY gun laws don’t consider it. It’ll get fixed . . .

__________________
Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Agreed which is why I posted it

Nobody knew your interpretation until now. I would have explained that . . .

__________________
Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

I’ll remember that next time Muss🤣

I have the 12 gauge Shockwave.

I bought a Taurus Judge I thought would be good for grouse, it wasn't, it stank. I bought the 410 bore defensive rounds with the discs and BB's. Fired at a range of six feet, always, always less than 1/3 of the projectiles would be on a 4' x 8' sheet of plywood. The Judge was traded away, this was my one and only stroll down Taurus arms lane.

A 410 bore Shockwave would be an excellent defensive item if 12 and 20 gauge were too robust, another plus would be the longer barrel compacting the pattern.

My heartburn with 410 bore is the lack of selection of shells and the prices for the shells.

__________________
U.S. Coast Guard, retired CPO

Well, the rules kinda mention that we should have a pretty good idea of why you think we should click on a link before we do, so there’s that . . .

__________________
Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

You brought a handgun to a bird hunt?

__________________
Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Quite simple, If it’s a violation of the rules feel free to flag the post.

Your reputation of being “that guy” precedes you so I won’t engage your keyboard commando ways and steer this thread off topic any further by bickering about what you think or would have done.

Have a great evening😊

Nah. Imagine trying to hit bad guys when they are shooting at you. Same for "cruiser" pistol grip shotguns. Get a stock or go home.

These things are all toys.

Awesome ...
Now there is another gun on my "will buy when found " list !
I had a hunch the .410 S Wave would be a decent inside the house self defense arm . The thought of Pulling the trigger on a short bbl. 12 gauge inside a room never did excite me !
Thanks for the post .
Instead of a 22 LR single shot rifle that I wanted for Christmas my Dad got me a single shot .410 ... you are so right about beginners and the .410 ... get them a 20 or at least a 28 gauge.
Gary

__________________
Certified Cajun
NRA Member

Duly noted. Feel free to deploy the "ignore list" feature . . .

__________________
Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Love my 410 Shockwave as a partner to my Governor. Load it with 3” Federal 000 buck.

Meh, I've got the 12 Gauge version and I'm not at all worried about incompetent/ignorant policemen or lawyers. If they want to display to everyone just how incompetent they are by arresting me over it, then I can simply prove that it is indeed legal for me to own, then sue them for wasting my time/money on a frivolous charge, and ultimately everyone will benefit from it since there will be a case on record of the one time somebody actually got arrested for ownership of a Mossberg 590 Shockwave.



That being said, I'm EXTREMELY doubtful that will ever happen. The Mossberg 590 Shockwave has been around for a good 4 years now, so I imagine that if it were going to happen, then it would have already happened by now.
People really need to stop living their lives and making decisions on what-if scenarios which have actually occurred and start living their lives and making decisions on stuff that literally happens all the time. Seriously, imagine how life would be if humanity stopped being paranoid and making the same idiotic decisions generation after generation that they've been making practically forever? Imagine a world in which folks were smart enough to think things like; "You know, I've seen enough horrible stories about alcoholism, so instead of binge-drinking at the first available opportunity on my 21st birthday like a complete idiot, maybe I'll have a nice regular party that I'll actually be able to remember in the morning." for example. I could give a million others too, just think of all the stupid decisions people make in spite of the age-old evidence that it's a terrible idea.
Just saying, there are more than enough things in life to worry about, more than enough obvious mistakes to avoid making without worrying about what-ifs with theoretical consequences.

As for the .410, I already have a short-barreled firearm that shoots .410, and it also can shoot .45 Long Colt too!

__________________
Shooting Comfort is bilateral.

I suspect those are pretty hard to come by in any gauge now....

__________________
Forum consigliere

Haven't seen either a Mossberg Shockwave or a Remington Tac 14 for sale around here in six-eight months or better . . .

__________________
Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Yup. They beat a sharp stick, but just about any stocked shotgun would make a better HD gun.

If these 3 are a concern for you, you can use aquila shells.

Same blast, etc as 410 with way better patterning.

Downside...most Mossbergs need an adapter to use them properly.

__________________
aka "Mooncat"

The adapter works well and allows use of the “short” shells, increases capacity and reduces felt recoil. I have not, and have no plans, to ever shoot a 3” magnum, even though the 12 gauge will accept 3”!