Whatever happened to the shockwave and other like shotguns

[Screwball]

From what I've read the arm braces cover short barreled rifles and pistols. I've never seen anything that addresses the Shockwave or TAC 14.

If you look at the recent ruling, there are a few examples posted. A lot of the images of firearms in the ruling… they were from prior ATF approvals. They state as much on page 6484 (if you download the 98 page PDF… end of 7). As of 2014… ATF approved the setup and plenty were sold with braces.

Micro Black Aces Shotgun! Is it Legal?

Black Aces would include a copy of the ATF approval letter with their firearms.

And when ATF first changed their mind…

ATF: Some Black Aces Tactical Guns Are Unregistered NFA Weapons

I'm sure if you look hard enough, you can find the original letters online. I never owned one of those Black Aces guns, but had a brace on my TAC-14 for years until they changed the rules.

 

[6string]

For a while they were all the rage and then suddenly....crickets. Did people finally realize thet these were nothing but a short lived fad???

While the utility of these pistol grip shotguns is entirely subjective, you nail it with the use of the word "fad".
I don't disparage anyone who feels the need or use for one.
The basic idea has been around a long time and it works.

But, the advertising campaign that we saw for these when they first hit is a very good indicator of the firearms market in general.
Clearly this is a market driven by a surge of new gun owners.
Lacking in general firearms experience (and sadly all too often lacking in basic range, marksmanship, and safety training!!!), many of these folks often make choices that aren't all that different than kids buying toys.
And, kids quickly get bored with their toys...

 

[Oscar Zulu]

I bought a Tac 13 not to long ago......... because I sometimes make foolish and impulsive purchases.
It is actually more fun than it probably should be. I think it would be a decent tractor gun, quad or side by side gun or road trip companion. easy enough to hit stuff with at birdshot/buckshot ranges and maneuverable in tight confines.
Gonna have to look up Erich's recommended videos.
That being said, I think it would be much better with a stock.

OZ

 

[Rpg]

I can't imagine having a use for those things.

I doubt most people would put in the time and energy learning to hit the target with any hope of making a useful hit.

Most people will shoot faster and more accurately with a shoulder length stock.

If you're playing " Bonnie and Clyde " or " John Dillinger" and need it as prop then you might buy one.

 

[Sistema1927]

I have a Shockwave. When allowed, I put a "brace" on it, but then found that didn't work well with the top mounted safety, so the "brace" went away and the Raptor grip went back on. The Raptor grip is far superior to the traditional pistol grip, with superior ergonomics.

I put a Center Mass shotgun laser on mine, and also equipped it with the adapter to shoot mini-shells. I can shoot it accurately from either the hip with the laser on, or held out from my face with the laser on or off.

It isn't a gimmick, but in this configuration is a decent defensive weapon.

 

[Fishinfool]

I looked hard at them when they first came out. But, for me personally, I could not see a use. Here in PA, you cant hunt with one unless you plug the tube to two shots, and you can't carry one loaded in a vehicle, negating the "Truck Gun" concept.

For in the house SD use, I am very comfortable with my 18 inch barreled 870 riot gun, so no real use, for me.

That is not to say you NEED a reason to buy a gun, and that these shotguns are useless toys, because they are not. I have seen them used at the range by folks who take the time to learn their weapon, and practice with it. No, certainly not a useless toy...

Larry

 

[demkofour]

During the buying frenzy that was a result of the China Virus, the shop I help at couldn't keep the Shockwave in stock ( when they could even get them… ). We sold every one that got logged in, and when we were forced to buy them at crazy high prices, the demand did not dry up.
Then one day, unelected governor Hochul decided that they were illegal and made no provisions for the thousands that were purchased legally… ( meaning they were not grandfathered in )
Now, the only legal purchaser in NYS for one is an active duty LEO.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I got a 12 gauge for a dedicated bean bag gun. Fired it in anger three or four times, and found it serviceable. The recipients clearly wished I had fired something else. I have a 20 gauge in the nightstand corner with frangible slugs. Haven't fired it in anger yet, but I'm sure any recipient will wish I'd fired something else . . .

 

[jtcarm]

Because people realized they were pretty worthless for most purposes.
Surprise, surprise!!

I must be dense. Besides shorter OAL, I have never grasped how removing the butt from a shotgun is an "improvement".

Everyone I know who has shot a stockless 12-gauge while sighting down the barrel has ended ended up with a fat lip or worse.

 

[jtcarm]

Not a Shockwave but I bought a similar 'firearm' when they were popular. I guess I kinda figured it was made for easy SBS'ing. Shoots heavy slugs and buck so comfortably I sold my KSG 12. Still enjoying it.

What is it?

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

I have shot a mares leg in 45colt using factory ammo and the muzzle flip was truly dangerous. I built this Marlin and shoot it occasionally but with cas loads. Shoots fine.

 

[A10]

I found one at a local gun shop for a reasonable price, an 870 Tac-14. They kinda looked like a range toy to me, a little gimmicky. I asked an fb friend about their utility (the late Ed Head) and he told me they were a serious home defense gun and very functional as long as you took the time to learn how to shoot one. He was a much smarter guy than me, so I picked it up.

He was right.

 

[rwsmith]

I couldn't shoot it enough......

I'd have to shoot it a good bit to be any good with it, but I don't think I could hold up for more than few rounds at a time, so I'd probably never really good enough with it to depend on it.

 

[Bald1]

I must be dense. Besides shorter OAL, I have never grasped how removing the butt from a shotgun is an "improvement".

Everyone I know who has shot a stockless 12-gauge while sighting down the barrel has ended ended up with a fat lip or worse.

The problem is not with the gun. It's with everyone you know shooting it.

 

[jay72]

I think it is a great HD or truck gun. Very maneuverable. I don't know how any of the firearm 'experts' on here could call it worthless or even a fad. It's not hard to shoot once you get used to it. 5 rounds of any shot shell is no joke. I own the nightstick version in 12 gauge and find it easy to shoot with some practice.

For me, I like it better than a pistol grip shotgun. The ergonomics of the raptor grip is more comfortable and natural feeling.

 

[Telecaster]

My guess is, the manufacturers earned enough profit to cover startup and advertising costs, and to make the bean counters happy, so they didn't need to keep sending free products to Youtube and magazine reviewers, which is why we don't see them.

The Judge/Governor revolvers are just as "useless," but they keep making them and people keep buying them.

 

[BSA1]

A reoccurring comment is they are useful "with practice". This comment begs the question of where "with practice" this is to happen at. How many indoor shooting ranges allow hip or unsupported shooting? Perhaps this is not much of a issue on outdoor ranges.

 

[10Mad]

The curmudgeon is strong in this thread. I find that terms like useless and gimmick are often used by those who've never tried one.
Both the shockwave and Governor are very useful for a variety of purposes if the proper mix of ammunition is used. I just think at this point anyone who wants one has it. My first shockwave was bought cheap from a guy who bopped himself in the nose

 

[Echo40]

Everyone I know who has shot a stockless 12-gauge while sighting down the barrel has ended ended up with a fat lip or worse.

Predictable results from someone without experience, using improper technique, and inadequate grip strength. Unfortunately, most men who suffer such a humiliating and humbling injury cannot find it in themselves to admit that it was their own fault for overestimating their own capabilities, so they blame it on the weapon rather than begin incorporating grip strengthening exercises into their daily workout routine (assuming they even have one) learning how to handle the firearm better, or simply accepting their own limitations and admiting that it simply has too much recoil for them.

Also, the Shockwave comes chambered in 12 Gauge, 20 Gauge, and .410 Bore so if 12 Gauge is too much to handle, you can scale it down to a chambering which still packs enough of a punch to serve as an effective compact Home Defense, Truck Gun, or Trail Gun without generating so much recoil that it exceeds the grip strength of the individual.

 

[BE Mike]

If you look at the recent ruling, there are a few examples posted. A lot of the images of firearms in the ruling… they were from prior ATF approvals. They state as much on page 6484 (if you download the 98 page PDF… end of 7). As of 2014… ATF approved the setup and plenty were sold with braces.

Micro Black Aces Shotgun! Is it Legal?

Black Aces would include a copy of the ATF approval letter with their firearms.

And when ATF first changed their mind…

ATF: Some Black Aces Tactical Guns Are Unregistered NFA Weapons

I'm sure if you look hard enough, you can find the original letters online. I never owned one of those Black Aces guns, but had a brace on my TAC-14 for years until they changed the rules.

I don't intend this to be argumentative. The letters you posted both involve side folding arm braces. It appears that they both involve barrel lengths less (some much less) than 14 inches. I would like to see something addressing the TAC 14 or Shockwave with a non-folding arm brace like you had.