I was considering picking up a Mossberg Shockwave, which, like just about anything else capable of launching a projectile, I believe was (and to my knowledge is still) legal here. But the Sportsman's Warhouse website says it's "restricted" in Arizona. They sell it elsewhere. Did I miss something, or is this just a misunderstanding of the law on SW's part? Thoughts?

It should still be legal. Some stores choose not to sell them, which includes to SW, Cabelas/BPS in Nevada. Got mine at the Reno Scheels 4 years ago. I think they're gimmicky, but snagged one before someone tells me I can't have one.

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213th FBINA

I find it odd that the same chain would sell it in New Mexico, but not here. It may be The Land of Enchantment, but but I'm in The Land of (Almost) Anything Goes.

I am in Nevada, but same thing

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213th FBINA

I'm in Oregon and the website says "only available in our Idaho locations at this time". No idea why.

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The best I can with what I got

I got mine when I lived in NM thinking "get one before they're illegal".
Not exactly practical but if you're camping or out in the boonies, it tucks away nicely in the truck or whatever. I put a side saddle on it JIC.

I saw a number of shockwave type shotguns at a gunshow this weekend. From .410 to 12 gauge. I think .410 was the most prevalent flavor. I also think several companies are making them now too.

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No school like the old school.

"Restricted" means it has the same rules as handguns. At least that's what I've been told. Joe

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Behavior Creates Destiny

Well, I just answered my own question, sort of. I had a doctor's appointment near Sportsman's so I went in and asked. The guy said, "We don't sell them HERE," which I took to mean that some of their other Arizona locations might, but I think he's wrong. As far as why, he said because they are (cue scary music) "OTHER." By which I assume he meant AOW. Which they are not -- BATFE classifies them as "firearms." When I asked why they would sell them in other states, he just kept saying they are "OTHER," and thus they didn't even want to mess with them. He compared them to the AR pistols they had displayed behind him (which I presume are available for purchase), and made some comment about people taking off the stocks and throwing them away, which of course made no sense.

Worry not. There are plenty of other vendors around town than SW. If you'r e in Metro Phoenix area, PM me with your location and I will provide some suggested vendors.

you buy a Shockwave, throw away the birdshead grip, and put on a regular shoulder stock, it is a SBS. You need a tax stamp for that. Or you buy a Maverick 88 and cut the barrel. Both options are illegal without federal paperwork.

I have an 18" parkerized Mossberg 500 Cruiser Breacher and it looks badass.

All true, but none of it explains why they won't sell the Shockwave. Somebody could cut down any shotgun they sell, and they wouldn't be responsible.

They are likely just idiots that don't understand the ATF designation or their own company's rules for what firearms to order from the warehouse. Keep in mind, most of those big-box type stores have gun departments with few, if any, sales clerks who've held a gun before. You'll get one of those stuffed bears at Cabela's to dance for you before you'll get an educated answer.
There are no restrictions on any of the Shockwave-style firearms in Arizona. None. Just keep in mind it's only legal in the condition it's sold: bird's head grip, no pistol grip (the ATF rule is it must be at least 26" long; pistol grip makes it too short) or shotgun stock.

Most retailers have gone full weinie-mode these days and won't sell anything that looks "evil" which they believe carries any risk of leading to bad press or lawsuits.

As per the ATF designation, the Mossberg 590 Shockwave is not an "AOW" it's simply classified as a "Firearm" and as such can be sold anywhere in the United States as long as there are no local laws/restrictions which prevent it, and Arizona isn't among them.

Get one, enjoy it, use it, and don't let the insipid Keyboard Commandos rain on your parade with all their rhetoric about how it's worthless without a shoulder stock, the recoil is too harsh, or you can't hit anything with it as they hypocritically caress their ultra practical AR Pistol with 5 different peripheral attachments which they totally didn't get because it looks cool or is fun to shoot and is definitely 100% the extra most bestest tactical home defense platform ever.
Just say; Okay, G.I. Joe, I'll just be over here "playing" with my 590 Shockwave in my lane, while you "train" with your Tactical Pterodactyl J7-Oscar-Mike-Alpha 556 complete with a Colonel Copperhead Brace, Holofoil Fyre-Dragun Optic, Solar Eclipse Taclite X-Treem Duty Flashlight, Lazer-Tag Laser Sight, Winnipeg Warrior Bayonet, M203 Mockup with Bird Bombs, a compass and this thing which tells time in your lane. Fair enough?

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Shooting Comfort is bilateral.

Yes it is



I am a shotgun guy. I am also a Mossberg over a Remington guy. I love mine.

Some chain stores have store policies based on the most restrictive state where they have a store. They value consistency in policy, over more permissive state laws.

For example, Dunhams won’t honor a concealed carry permit in lieu of a NICS check in states like NC where the concealed carry permit meets the Brady requirement.

I vote with my wallet and don’t shop in stores with those kinds of polices. Just like I don’t buy from Midway or other vendors who price gouge.

I doubt that it is a coincidence that the states where the stores are funny about the Shockwave all border California. I tried to buy a Czech Mauser at a pawn chain store in AZ a few years back. All legal according to BATFE, long gun in neighboring state. However, the store would not sell it to me because of "corporate policy" laid down in Texas, of all places. Then it clicked, and I asked the clerk point blank if they had branches in CA and if that was the issue. He wouldn't look me in the eye. Case closed.

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Release the Kraken

Exactly. Big 5 sporting good stores are like that in spades. I asked about why they had such a limited selection of firearms at one of their Colorado stores a few years back. The answer: their HQ is in California. It all made sense after hearing that.

Oh, and I forgot to mention, I have the 20 gauge version of the Charles Daly Honcho "firearm." It doesn't kick like a 12 and in a pinch I can fire it one-handed. I keep it near the door in case the local coyote pack get to coveting our flock of chickens.

Have both, and for me, and the 500 cruiser is easier to point shoot with control and actually hit some thing.

Just reminded me to get a laser for the shock wave.

There's lots of other gs in Az. that will be glad to sell you one. Just find a REAL gun shop that offers them and is more concerned about you rather than their corporate policy that most likely originated in commiefornia. Spend your $$ where it's appreciated.

Buckshot Bill

I would think one in .410 might be a pretty good SD gun. What was the asking price for them at the show?
Larry

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Miss Buddies crsides & fat tom

they made the cruiser breacher on a 590a1 platform. I REALLY want that version. mine is a hybrid. It can take a 590 mag extension. choate makes some nice ones, and parked too.

Personally, I would sooner recommend a 12 Gauge with Mini Shells over a .410. 12 Gauge Mini Shells have roughly equivalent performance/recoil to .410 Bore, but their shorter OAL allows more of them to fit into the magazine tube.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that five .410 Shotshells in the magazine aren't enough... Heck, this used to be my Home Defense Firearm...



I'm just saying that you get more shells of roughly equal performance out of a 12 Gauge Shockwave loaded with Mini Shells than you do out of a .410 Shockwave loaded to capacity.

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Shooting Comfort is bilateral.

But,but,but...it starts with 4!

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I need ammo, not a ride.

That might be worth checking out, but I might be a little worried about their reliability, not something to worry about in a SD situation.
Larry

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Miss Buddies crsides & fat tom

The Mossberg 590S Series Shotguns feature a redesigned elevator which will reliably 1.75" Mini Shells right out of the box, so as long as you get a 590S Shockwave, it will feed 12 Gauge Mini Shells without a hitch.

Still, it's merely a suggestion, if you feel more confident with a .410 Shockwave, then by all means get it. After all, there aren't very many Home Defense scenarios which cannot be settled with 5 shots of .410 000 Buckshot.

Like I said, I used to rely on a 5-Shot .410 Revolver for Home Defense, and to this very day it sits at my bedside at the ready.
I trust .410 out of a 3" Barrel Judge, ergo I'm not about to poo-poo it out of a 14" Barrel Shockwave which is inherently more reliable, more accurate, and has substantially less recoil.

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Shooting Comfort is bilateral.

Yes sir they are legal

Did y'all ever see one of this variation in action?
Larry

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Miss Buddies crsides & fat tom