By R.K. Campbell | Contributing Editor
This feature report contains a mix of the most proven shotgun in the world, less proven munitions, and mindset I don’t agree with on principle.
It also shows that specialization is sometimes a great thing.
As a speaker at the Highland Games, a fellow from Ireland, ruefully told the crowd ‘enjoy your freedom.’ Freedom to choose is important. I know what works and what doesn’t and how some ridiculous notions are foisted on the buying public. I really don’t care what you use for bird hunting or which .22 rifle you use. But personal defense is serious business.
When it comes to shotguns many folks- and a lot of writers apparently- don’t understand shotguns. Shotguns are handled primarily by feel. They move quickly in trained hands. Hit probability is excellent.
Modifying an AK or AR type firearm into a shotgun requires different training and that the firearm be aimed like a rifle. Magazine fed pump action shotguns are a big step backwards in my opinion. But wait, isn’t capacity important? In the shotgun, per my research, capacity isn’t important if you are not clearing houses or taking on insurgents.
In more than thirty years of researching interpersonal combat and home defense #00 buckshot has proven effective with one hit in the great majority of incidents. In an incident in which the defender panicked he fired four shots from the hip and struck a robber. Thank God no bystanders were hit.
In another, a fellow used a Browning Automatic shotgun to stop three men intent on killing him. Five shells, one attacker DOA and two stopped.
In police service and home defense one shot is the rule. Both wound potential and hit potential are excellent. I am not likely to recommend any other loading than #00 or #1 buckshot. And please don’t seriously consider birdshot. These tiny pellets are intended to humanely kill a small animal you may hold in your hand. Penetration testing in tissue simulations give poor results with birdshot. Buckshot is intended for a large animal about the size of a man and about as hard to put down. So that’s the story.
Quickly loading a tubular magazine is easy enough while the shotgun is shouldered. Grasp a shell or two and thumb them into the magazine topping the magazine off in the highly unlikely even such a thing is needed. But then people have drowned in creeks of average three feet depth. We wish to be prepared for this unlikely event requiring more ammunition.
This brings us to the topic of mini shells. These little shorties measure 1.5 to 1.75 inch tall compared to a standard 2 ¾ inch shell. Magazine capacity is increased by two to three shells as a result. Recoil is light. I can understand the need for light recoil for small statured or elderly shooters. But then reduced recoil standard shells also work well in reducing recoil.
A real concern is that mini shells do not feed in any repeater shotgun save a modified Mossberg 500 or 590 or Maverick 88. A feed modifier is inserted into the magazine well modifying the shotgun to feed mini shells. Even so feed isn’t always 100 per cent. Since I cannot use my Remington 870 shotguns at all with these loads I have never seriously considered them. Another concern is payload. Mini shell loads range from a payload or 15 #4 buckshot to 6 #00 buckshot or a mix of #4 and #1 shot. As expected the hybrid load with two sizes of shot will throw two patterns at 10 yards. Patterns are poor. While rated at 1,200 fps most loads clock closer to 1,150 fps. Some break 1,000 fps in the 14 inch barrel Shockwave.
Any rational look at the Shockwave/mini shell combination will confirm that this firearm and load offers a fraction of the hit probability of a shotgun and poor comparative wound ballistics. As an example I have tested the Hornady Critical Defense 12 gauge buckshot load to 25 yards with excellent results in a standard 18-inch barrel ‘riot gun.’ Mini shells are spread widely about the paper.
I am all for the ability to purchase a Shockwave type. It may be useful in some narrow niche. It is your hide. With a 14-inch barrel and Raptor grip these are difficult firearms to manage. Hits are difficult at 5 to 7 yards.
If you hold the Shockwave/Tac 14 to eye level you may well need a trip to the dentist. Firing from the chest or hip level a slight movement of either hand throws the shot off. You cannot manage a locked wrist. Quickly reloading is difficult. Quickly reloading with mini shells is especially fumble prone. Shells are easily dropped. Neither the Shockwave nor the mini shell are anything I have house room for. And please note the Shockwave types are not legal everywhere.
This brings us to a friend who wished to find a universal home and field defense shotgun for he and his wife. They are well up in years but enjoy shooting for its own sake. That is a great advantage in mastering any firearm. They considered moving to a 20-gauge but preferred the 12-gauge.
First we found a Mossberg 590 shotgun. With a heavy barrel and 7-shot magazine this is a rugged and reliable pump action shotgun. With dual extractors and easy maintenance requirements there are valid reasons for choosing this shotgun over the Remington 870.
Next I ordered a Mason Munitions mini shell adaptor. This is a rubberized unit that easily slips into the magazine port. It is a snug fit. Yet, when you wish to use standard shells it is easily pulled away. I fired the Mossberg with 12-gauge birdshot and buckshot for familiarization. All went well.
Next I fitted the Mini shell adaptor. The Mossberg magazine accepts ten Mason brand mini shells. A shell carries on the receiver designed for four shells accepts eight Mason minishells. To cut to the chase- I fired the shells as quickly as possible and all ten shells fed, fired, and ejected normally. Next I worked the action slowly with the same reliability, the average pattern for the eight #1 buckshot balls was 7 x 7 inch at ten yards- about twice as wide as Hornady Critical Defense #00 full power but above average to good for minishells. I had two or three each of Federal, Aquila and Firequest mini shells. These fed as well. The litmus test was my friends- both of whom have a long life of honest work behind them and carry scars and arthritis with dignity- firing the shotgun. They were pleasantly surprised with the light bump from the minishells. Despite the diminutive statue of the shells they have nearly 1,000 foot pounds of energy. They are more effective than any handgun load and hit probability is much higher. In the end they have a viable defense option that offers good defense at moderate range against burglars feral dogs and coyote. By removing the mini shell adaptor they may use standard shells.
As for myself no thanks. I will continue to deploy reduced recoil #00 buckshot. I practice hard with the shotgun. I find 2 ¾ shells much easier to load and handle. The effect is proven. Just the same- minishells are not as worthless as I imagined and certainly fit my friends lifestyle well. Just because injury or age is catching up with you need not be helpless. Dropping the load to a lower power level or trading a .45 for a 9mm is a reputable answer to a real concern. As for the Shockwave concept- I find it makes matters worse and isn’t something I recommend.
