The tree is known as the “bird`s head” style. It looks unsightly, but is actually quite comfortable to carry and pull. I think it was probably modeled on someone`s illegal sawed-off shotgun, but it works surprisingly well and there are legal models. It also includes a single sling at the end, although you should refrain from hiding the weapon under a cape or other cover, as this would bring things into the realm of the “NFA weapon”. This is possible through construction work, in particular the “bird`s head” handle, which is specifically intended to operate within the existing legal framework. It`s (legally) impossible to discover due to its length and it`s not designed for shoulder shooting, so it`s not technically a shotgun. In other words, the government couldn`t come up with an existing legal definition to cover it, so it`s simply considered a generic “gun.” Overall, the 590S is a short shotgun, federally legal, easy to handle, easier to manage, more controllable, perfect for close defense. You give up some energy from the muzzle, but you won`t really miss it within 20 meters. Mossberg created a winner, which is why I not only tested the 590S Shockwave for this item, but I also became a buyer! Aside from more restrictive state or local laws, the BATF has officially decided – at least for now – that the Shockwave is a “gun,” nothing more, nothing less. Note that we didn`t say “shotgun,” “NFA gun,” “gun with pistol grip,” or any other legal “thing.” Therefore, the shock wave is not subject to the restrictions of these categories.

At least at the federal level, if you are eligible to own a modern firearm under the Gun Control Act of 1968, you can own a shockwave. Keep in mind that there are a few things you could do with a shockwave or such a scatter gun to get yourself in trouble under federal law – you can`t wear it hidden and you can`t put another type of handle or shaft on it. You also can`t pull it off your shoulder, although it would be almost physically impossible and incredibly painful if you tried. Either way, one of these things puts an end to legal design features and invites trouble with the authorities. I`m in MI. It seems legal to buy here, but some transportation, transportation, and use laws could come into play as this is a firearm, but not a pistol, rifle, or shotgun for which various laws or exemptions to the laws have been written. For example, only firearms can be carried concealed (and only with CPL). The 590S`s Bird`s Head handle is short, but officially legal. It may sound strange, but it`s comfortable enough to hold and keeps perceived recoil within decent limits. Before we get to the funny stuff, we need to look at the big problem that many people have trouble understanding: how is this thing not considered an illegally sawed-off shotgun? I admit that it has more than a passing resemblance.

When the Shockwave was first introduced, it appeared to be an illegal firearm under Texas law. Texas law defines a “shotgun” without requiring it to be designed to be pulled from the shoulder. Ironically, Mossberg is sending shockwaves through Texas. Needless to say, the citizens of this pro-gun state were not happy with this outcome. How could it be legal under federal law but illegal under Texas law? Because the Texas definition of a shotgun is broader, the shockwave was likely considered a short-barrelled firearm under state law. Section 46.05 of the Texas Penal Code criminalizes possession of an unregistered short-barrelled weapon. This result was absurd, since Texas law required the registration of the Shockwave with the ATF, but the ATF did not require federal registration. The legislator corrected this curious result with H.B. 1819. It clarified the section of the Penal Code dealing with NFA elements by adding language that excludes articles that are not subject to registration with the ATF. Therefore, the Mossberg shockwave is exempt from Section 46.05 under the new Texas rules and is now legal in Texas.

In New York, it`s a 50/50 split between merchants who will order and sell the shockwave and those who refuse. This is mainly because the New York Penal Code is grossly ambiguous in most things and New York is full of fudds (so the smart button for AR doesn`t sell like crazy here). Traders who refuse to sell it rarely have the opportunity to argue why they won`t sell it, except to cover their own backends. That said, I don`t blame Bud`s for not shipping it to New York. My favorite retailer won`t sell it either, but they respect your decision to go somewhere else to buy it, refreshing considering the arrogance of New Yorkers about their own opinions. With a 14-inch barrel and an overall length of just over 26 inches, many wonder if this is a short-barreled shotgun in the NFA sense? To answer the question of the legality of this weapon, we must look at the federal definition of a short-barreled shotgun. So there you have it. The Mossberg Shockwave is a legal firearm in Texas. Note that modifying the Shockwave is not a good idea. When you buy the Shockwave, make sure you don`t saw the back and replace it with a shoulder rest.

Such a change would make your Shockwave an NFA object. Without a tax stamp and proper documentation, possession of this altered shockwave would be illegal. Also note: If you`re looking for a 26-inch 12-gauge pistol and you`re not in Texas, check your state`s laws before buying one. Every state is different, and even in Texas, the shockwave wasn`t legal until the law was changed. Just because you find it for sale doesn`t mean it`s legal. Take the time to learn about the law! Does anyone know if there is a state-to-state list of places where the Mossberg shockwave is legal and where it is not? I`m pretty sure it`s good to go here to Missouri (I`ve seen them advertised), but I wanted to know more about the other states before deciding to get one. This improvement is the added ability to power short shotgun cartridges, a change that many Shockwave users have already made by adding spare parts. Now, right out of the box, you can throw away more than half a pound of lead faster than President Biden can produce anti-gun executive orders. Federal law defines a shotgun as a weapon designed and intended to be fired from the shoulder and use the energy of the explosive in a solid shotgun cartridge to fire projectiles. 26 United States Code, § 5845(d). A shotgun must have a total length of at least 26 inches and a barrel length of at least 18 inches. The Shockwave has a 14-inch barrel, four inches less than the federal requirement.

But Mossberg was careful in designing this weapon. The handle is permanently attached to the action and barrel and has no shoulder rest. This means that it is not designed to be pulled off the shoulder. While it is certainly possible to pull this weapon off the shoulder, it would likely result in injury to the user. It is clearly not intended or intended to be pulled off the shoulder. Therefore, it cannot be a shotgun according to the federal definition. If it`s not a shotgun, what is? We received many questions about the Mossberg 590 Shockwave. This firearm fires shotgun ammunition but has a new type of pistol grip and a barrel length of only 14 inches. It is marketed as a non-NFA weapon that does not require a tax stamp. The question: IS IT LEGAL? Very few people could imagine shooting with one hand with a 12-gauge shotgun safely. But the Shockwave is not a “shotgun.” The grip is designed to be held in one hand, and while most people would use a second hand to stabilize the weapon, the shock wave can be fired with one hand.