"Other"?

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Joined
May 1, 2022
Messages
914
Location
New Jersey
So I recently acquired a 20 gauge Shockwave. I love the thing. I can use it as a scatter gun or a .615 cal slug shooter ( which I can buy rifled.). OK terrific. But huh?

Slightly longer than 26" so not a pistol.
Not rifled, so not a rifle
Not a shotgun ( yup, fact) because it's not designed to be shot from the shoulder
It's not an AOW because it doesn't match specs for that category
It's not a machine gun.
It's not a "Destructive device" because it doesn't shoot rockets or mortars, or grenades.

The tag just says "other"

I love the thing, but what a weird deal it is.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Messages
10,206
Location
missouri
"other' saves a lot of ink and paper.
Considering the language and difficulty of explaining something no one seems to understand, it would take volumes to describe the inferences of the firearms lumped into 'other'. It's an open ended category.
 
Joined
Mar 29, 2017
Messages
1,812
Location
Idaho
As hard as it may seem, to hit human size targets at beyond 10-12 yards its takes practice. Yes, I was an instructor. Bird shot was used to start newbies. Then on to 00 buckshot. I am talking 12 gauge, 18 inch barrel with pistol grip.
When I was issued a Remington 870 with a 14 inch barrel and pistol grip. Boy that sounds like a great entry weapon. The first practice, I changed out the pistol grip for a full size stock. Yes, you can't but I could and did. Then I had a weapon I could shoot from any distance up to 25 yards and put all 9 pellets on a human size target through a 25 shot course. Fired from the hip until 15 yards. 15 and 25 yards from the shoulder. It takes practice. At close range everyone shoots those weapons high, many completely miss a human size target until they get it in their head point low, really low.
Forget shooting slugs from a short barrel pistol grip 12 ga.
I kind of cringe every time someone says go towards the threat or possible threat and pump the action. That's stupid. 1st have the gun, any firearm ready before you approach a threat. You might just not have time to chamber a round, switch safety to fire and are giving up any chance of surprise by the sound. 2nd if the threat is armed and is willing to shoot, pumping that shotgun may be the last thing you do in ear shot of the threat. Chambering a round in any gun just before facing the threat is TV and movie crap. Yea, it looks cool.
 
Joined
Jan 26, 2008
Messages
809
Location
north carolina
So I recently acquired a 20 gauge Shockwave. I love the thing. I can use it as a scatter gun or a .615 cal slug shooter ( which I can buy rifled.). OK terrific. But huh?

Slightly longer than 26" so not a pistol.
Not rifled, so not a rifle
Not a shotgun ( yup, fact) because it's not designed to be shot from the shoulder
It's not an AOW because it doesn't match specs for that category
It's not a machine gun.
It's not a "Destructive device" because it doesn't shoot rockets or mortars, or grenades.

The tag just says "other"

I love the thing, but what a weird deal it is.
Like you, I also love those "other guns".
20230202_145928.jpg
 
Joined
Mar 5, 2015
Messages
2,086
Location
the Great State of Wide-open (WY)
"other' saves a lot of ink and paper.
Considering the language and difficulty of explaining something no one seems to understand, it would take volumes to describe the inferences of the firearms lumped into 'other'. It's an open ended category.

I was talking with an FFL, back when these Shockwave-type things first hit the market. Because he didn't know how to list/describe it on the official paperwork he had to fill out, he asked his local (Colorado) ATF folks. Apparently they told him to list it as a "firearm".

As always FWIW, IIRC, YMMV, IMHO, etc.
:)
 

Busterswoodshop

Buckeye
Joined
Jun 20, 2009
Messages
1,469
Location
Sonoran Desert Az.
How many were turned in?
Regardless of how many were turned in , they still made them illegal , even after they sent out letters that said they were legal.
Then after millions of them were sold , they decided they should be illegal.
What makes you think they won't do the same for these shotguns , if they ever get a chance.
I have nothing against these guns , I just don't trust the ATF especially with the administration they are working for.
 

Gopher

Single-Sixer
Joined
Apr 9, 2010
Messages
395
I agree. I thought that when the bump stocks first came out and these shotguns. They were/are just one ATF agent waking up with a hangover and an ink pen away from being ruled illegal. The only problem is they don't really have that power.
 

eveled

Hawkeye
Joined
Apr 3, 2012
Messages
5,610
Absolutely no interest in a shotgun with a pistol grip. @kmoore had the right idea with his short barrel 870 with a shoulder stock. For obvious reasons that was not an option for me.

I did buy a Mossberg 12 gauge bullpup, thinking I would use it deer hunting but it is too clunky. It made a dandy truck gun for a while though. Before that became illegal here.

I don't have a picture of mine, but it looks like this.
IMG_5506.jpeg
 
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