Pistol Gripped Shotguns

This year, the Mossberg 590 Shockwave got some attention in North Carolina because there was some question as to whether its 14 inch barrel classified it as a weapon of mass destruction. This has since been resolved and the Shockwave, as well as the new Remincton 870 TAC 14, appear to be selling pretty well. While 14 inch barreled pump shotguns with pistol grips are relatively new to the general market, shotguns like the Mossberg 500 Cruiser and the Maverick 88 Special Purpose with 18.5 and 20 inch barrels have long been available so equipped.  

A pistol grip makes a pump shotgun compact, even with a 20 inch barrel, and reducing the length another 6 inches makes it even handier, but is this really desirable? In close quarters, such as inside a vehicle or bedroom, perhaps. In cramped spaces, the added length of a buttstock might impede movement enough to impair defensive action. Consequently, those who desire a lot of power in a fast handling package for close range might find a pistol gripped shotgun useful.

Compact, pistol gripped shotguns can also be attractive as part of an emergency kit to keep in a boat or vehicle where storage space is limited.  Mossberg seems to have picked up on this, offering the 500 JIC (Just in Case) with a water resistant storage tube.  The JIC Cruiser comes with an OD green storage tube and survival kit while the JIC Mariner comes with an orange storage tube, knife, and multi-tool. While this does not seem to be a bad idea, much of the shotgun's versatility is lost by sacrificing the buttstock, which adversely affects control, accuracy, and effective range.  

A shotgun with a pistol grip is a special purpose weapon that compromises control and accuracy to achieve tremendous short range power in a compact package. It is not a tool for those who believe that a shotgun requires little skill to operate and most will find it quite limited beyond an average defensive range. In reality, a pistol gripped shotgun requires significant practice because it is best fired from the hip: there is no butt to help manage recoil or provide a cheek weld to orient the eye, muzzle, and target for optimum accuracy. While useful for specific purposes, a handgun, conventionally stocked shotgun, or rifle are better choices for most situations.