The Mossberg Shockwave is Mostly Useless 

I’m convinced that this is the most useless gimmick ever made. I just ordered one.

Bold of you to assume I’m using this shotgun for it’s effectiveness and not because it’s cool as hell

Some of your examples given in the video are relevant to using this weapon, however the gun is far from useless. As a retired police officer with the last decade of service as a firearms' instructor, I fell in love with it on first sight. I was in the local gun shop purchasing some ammo when I spotted this on the wall. I could see that for the gun to be accurate it had to be held up and away from the face, as you demonstrated. In practice, firing a gun from the hip is extremely inaccurate unless continuous practice is used. I passed on purchasing it and sometime later was reading about the Crimson side mounted laser sight. I order the Crimson and the next day purchased a shockwave in 20ga (I am 74 and have no business messing with a 12ga "handgun"). I mounted the Crimson and took the shockwave to the range. It worked fantastic. Point and shoot, on target every time. The farthest distance I have to shoot in my house is 25 feet, at that distance the spread is about chest wide with No.3 Buck. It is my go-to gun for defending my house now. One caveat; if someone feels like repeating this, get the green laser if you want to fire the weapon in outside in full sunlight, as the red while perfect inside or on cloudy days will wash out in sunlight. Thanks for your videos, I find them informative and interesting.

Honestly I think the right thing to do with one of these is to mount a laser on them.

I watched this video from beginning to end and I still want this shotgun.

I was on the fence but you’ve totally talked me into buying one of these.

Got one and shooting it is probably the most fun I have ever had with my clothes on. It’s purpose is home defense for me.

As i respect your opinion, i have alot of experience with shot guns, and found the shockwave is a very fun, dependable weapon, and will HIGHLY recommend!!

I got a laser on mine. The hip fire accuracy is at 100% now.

Everyone needs to watch Hickock 45 concerning the shockwave.

I just bought one of these. Thank you for demonstrating how awesome these are.

No clue why you had issues. This is a great weapon choice and easy/safe to operate. Zero challenge hitting a torso target at distance appropriate for this weapon. Like across a room, length of car, etc…

Gotta disagree on this one. It could be very handy in very tight spaces for example. And also a nice packaging to put in the back of a backpack when fly fishing in bear country for another example.

I personally own this gun in .12 gauge. It's awesome.

I’ve had my Shockwave for 2 years and love it!

You can add a Crimson Trace laser sight. It is a saddle type laser that will turn this into a deadly accurate self defense weapon.

I would rather have this as a backup gun than a pistol in a combat situation

Sounds to me like you just aren’t effective with it

"This gun is useless because I suck at aiming it." - This Guy

The push-pull method is my preferred technique for all shotguns. Even with a stock, I barely make contact with my shoulder and cheek. True that it does require a little strength, but I imagine someone who lacks the strength to do it would lack the strength to wield a 12 gauge anyway.

I've had the 12 gauge model for a couple of years now and never had a single issue with the safety or any kind of feeding problems. I have had a couple of less experienced shooters whack themselves in the face on occasion while shooting it eye level, but overall i have been very successful with overall accuracy with this weapon and can fully endorse the mossberg.

Yes but if you hold it sideways like "gangster style" it adds +15 accuracy and +10 damage

The shockwave provides more mobility and ergonomics in CQC, also it is worth considering that longer shotguns make it earlier for the opposition to reach the gun faster and misdirect the barrel or disarm you completely. The shotgun clearly is not intended for long-range shooting, so I think you misjudged the weapon. It is a good truck gun, compact for survival/bear protection for hikers or those living in certain areas, and even an affective option in the case of home defense.

This literally was an extended PSA on why learning and drilling proper technique is important.

I put a laser on it solved the aiming issue real easy

Not every gun has to be a tool. Nothing wrong with having a gun just to have a good time at the range.

I appreciate his review and I didn’t read all 4500 comments so I might be repeating, but I would love to see an update after he uses/tries both a green and a red laser to see if his personal grading improves above “mostly useless”.

This will work with full size shells, but, as some others may have stated, the opsol adapter and Aguila mini shells make this a lot easier to control and use.

The big problem with long barrel shotguns is they're tough to use in hallways & small rooms & porches.

Shot over 500 rounds through it. I never had a problem this sounds like operator error. Its a great car gun.

I have a regular Mossberg 500 changed the stock into a tactical one to fit my small frame and it works awesome. I have it in the bedroom next to my bed. Then I saw the Mossberg Shockwave 12ga. that's small fits my body shape perfectly and shoots awesomely. Bought it. Now I got 2 of ems. Wish I had a third one.

Alternate title: "lucky gunner has weak wrists"

Ok you convinced me..Im going buy one.

I put a green laser on mine, clearly visible in all lighting conditions, hip shot accuracy is not a problem that way.

“You’re gonna punch yourself in the nose. Don’t do that.” Funny, that’s almost verbatim what my older brothers would say right before I punched myself in the nose. Repeatedly. With their help. 😂🤣

I mounted the Nightstick laser/light combo forend and can now shot it accurately, 8+1 rds of minishell buckshot in a compact little package much more maneuverable in my home than any other long arm. Crimson Trace makes a laser 'saddle' mount that's nice too (I have no affiliation with either).

I've been effectively shooting from the hip for decades. If he can't shoot from the hip, it's on him, not the weapon's fault.

Based on this I'm buying one tonight...buds here I come!

The price was right, and it makes a good hiking partner with a proper sling or back mounted carry case. Fits in a ruck easily enough to draw with the raptor grip out of the ruck pouch on either side. I haven't had ANY issues with mine, acquiring, or hitting targets. Maybe a green laser, or Hickock45 can help you out?

I definitely think the shoulder stock is super helpful in shotguns. I'm relatively inexperienced as a shooter, but feel a lot more comfortable with shotguns than with handguns.

If you can't accurately hipfire a shotgun at 10-15 yards, then you're not very good at shooting.

I literally watched this... ordered one... & then seen that many people in the comments did the same. Lol

With Crimson Trace its a great home defense/truck gun option and a lot of fun to practice with.

Thanks for this honest review. RU-vid needs more of this.

Works great for robberies. Especially at liquor store ranges 🤷🏻‍♂️ Dear FBI/ATF that was a joke. Please don’t raid my house or kill my dog.

I've seen too many people master this gun and shoot that thing like Annie Oakley to take this guy seriously. Its not for him. Simple.

I had a Mossberg Mariner 12 gauge with a pistol grip. I too found firing it to the side from shoulder level was best, and it took some practice to become proficient with it. I later modified it for home defense with tritium sights and a short stock. The 3-point control of a rifle makes a shotgun a much more effective weapon, hands down.

What is goofy is you slick. This is a awesome home self defense weapon. I have no problem shooting from hip ,chest and eye level.

I couldn't do anything with mine when shooting from the hip, every shot went into the targets torso or head.

I carried a Mossberg in Vietnam. Though modified there, it was very similar to the shockwave. A friend that was with the 173rd carried one too when walking point. His was a Remington.

It would probably be more accurate to say the Mossberg Shockwave is "mostly useless for the Lucky Gunner guy." As with all guns, not every gun will suit every person. Lucky Gunner's level of training and personal requirements don't match up with the Shockwave, but that's not to say nobody will find it useful or unworkable. Your mileage may vary, as always.

Hickok45 was able to make hits on target at 80yds. Experience counts.

This isn’t for the weak. so maybe change your title to: “The mossberg shockwave is mostly useless for Me”

Bad guys dont usually like any kind of shotgun pointed at them!

Just cuz ur a big softie doesnt mean this amazing weapon is useless

I chose the Remington 870 mainly because of the safety and partly because of the magpul forend. But for my regular more functional shotgun, I use the Mossberg 500 with a magpul stock where the safety isn't an issue.

A man has to know his limitations.

I think I'd rather have this in my truck instead of a full shotgun... which I think is one of the primary niches of these things, yes we all know not having a stock makes it much less effective. But what you lose in usability, you gain in ease of storage and concealability, and sometimes that's the priority

I don't know, I'm starting to come around to these things more and more, especially the Remington Tac13 which is a semi auto. I think It'd be good on the side of your pack for a backwoods defense gun or bear gun. It'd also be a great compact survival gun for procuring small game or even big game with the added benefit of being an adequate self defense gun. Five rounds of 12 gauge buckshot is never useless for self defense.

I added an Olight with a laser and use mini shells with the cycling adapter. Doing these things make it absolutely awesome to use and accurate. Is one of my favorite firearms that I own now.

I have to strongly disagree. The Shockwave is an excellent choice for home defense. Mine is crazy accurate and has very fast target acquisition; once you figure out how to shoot it properly, it becomes a pleasure to put rounds through. Its size is also better suited for maneuvering inside a house; I would definitely grab it before I grabbed my full-size 870.

sounds like a TRAINING ISSUE

No one has ever tried to say the Shockwave is a “do it all” shotgun. Its Niche...

Great review....I'm putting the 14" barrel conversion kit on my Mossberg 590A1 and was thinking about adding the short handle with the Flex system. I need something shorter for camping/hiking but might not be worth it for the trade-offs.

I've got one word for you LASER. Very simple to mount a rail on top and add a laser. I did. Takes all the guess work out of the equation.

The reason I was considering one of these is my house is small, with some tight doorways and corners. My 870 is not at all maneuverable coming from the bedroom without pointing it straight up or down coming around corners. Still have the pistols, but was hoping this would be an option as well.

Thank you that was helpful. I just purchased one of these recently.

I kind of figured that too. But with the pistol grips and after market stocks,the flashlight and sights would improve it. All of the mentioned were added to my 590S, and it is NOT useless.

Never been happier with my 12 gauge Shockwave. Mastery is the key, as with any other kind of firearm.

I love my Shockwave!! I’m not a big dude and when I first got this gun I was a little intimidated cause I was thinking of recoil, but after I got to know my shockwave and applied technique I have no problem and can get my own personal training in with and the fun of just blowing shit up with it all day and all night. After showing my girlfriend how to shoot it she can shoot it just fine too. Straight out of the box no problems 🤘🏽👍🏽 it’s a big kick in the pants!!!!

Chris as always you did a great job on the review. As one who owns several shotguns this is a awful choice for your main tactic of self defense. However in those times we’re size and conceal ability are paramount this is a good option. With practice you can use this well not great but we’ll.

It is very useful as host for a efile Form 1 short barrel shotgun. Once you do that you can put a more practical pistol grip or even better a shoulder stock.

I hardly ever shoot any firearms, and I found it easy to put rounds on target with this at 35 feet immediately. This guy has an agenda.

At ranges of 3-10 feet -like Inside my house--the shockwave is awesome!!! It’s the very size shotgun I always wanted for my home....when I saw it I had to have it, plus I wanted to support the freedom of being able to choose short weapons without NFA....I love it

The push, pull technique is very effective.

Crimson Trace makes what they call the Laser Saddle for Mossberg, and Remington shotguns, in your choice of red or green. I chose the green for my home made shockwave. They are amazing. Look it up. Perfect for hip shooting.

I think it's safe to say that it's primarily aimed at people looking for a home defence or truck gun. ie. something good for close quarters that can be easily stashed away. You wouldn't want it as an everyday shooter and it's certainly no replacement for a full sized shotgun, but honestly I've heard a lot of good things about the Shockwave.

So because it doesn't fit your philosophy of use that means it's useless? Useless for you sure , but for people who know how and what to use it for it's great.

Works perfect for home defense with a laser light combo. Also you gotta know how to use it for it to be useful

Bought one, put an SBA3 "brace" on it and now it's mostly useful.

First time I fired my 12ga shockwave I was stacking slugs through the same hole at 5 yards firing from the hip. Maybe I got a bit more gangster in me but I didn’t miss a single round out of the 25 i shot

Imo its a replacement for a front door baseball bat, put a laser on it and call it good.

As stated previously, I have a Mossberg M500CRUISER. I has a smooth bore and not rifled. As of lately, I've been using 12 ga slugs and double and triple ought buck shot.

Have one and love it !! Great close quarters gun.

This firearm is not useless or mostly useless by any stretch of the imagination; it's just not a beginner's pump shotgun. Just because you can't shoot the gun accurately doesn't mean that other people can't either. With a bit of practice and proper technique, this firearm can be perfectly accurate at the distances you'd be defending yourself at (15 or so yards).

Wrong... it's a perfect backpack bear gun. It's a perfect truck gun.

I love mine. Looks badass, lots of fun and nice to have around the house.

To me, my shockwave Spx works great. One needs to get used to it; like someone needs to be used to driving a sports car. It has quirks, but, it’s a great experience.

Not useless. It would make a great truck gun.

Useless but cool. That's reason enough to buy it.

I HAVE this gun and can shoot clays with it all day long, so it's not exactly "hard to aim". I've had zero problems with it yet.

This is my secondary for inside my vehicle. Perfect size to stash, and it's a one hitter with the new choke.

I’ve never fired a gun in my life and I want one of these(nightstick version)

You can respond to literally every point by saying "who cares? It's cool"

My ability to hip fire clay pigeons makes me think I could hip fire this too.

Thanks for the review, pretty good points about how handling this beauty!!!

Clint Smith figured out how to use a Shockwave effectively within the bounds it was designed for.

The video and assessment are appreciated. I've owned the Mossberg for a few months now--I've had it at the range a number of times now, and I'm pretty comfortable with it at this point, both shooting "from the hip" and aiming it from chest/neck height. I think everything you say is valid, but as I've stated elsewhere, having grown up in the venerable city of Detroit, where I've lived in mostly old buildings with small rooms, tight corners, and short hallways (such as the beautiful old building I've been living in for the past 5 years), it's hard not to view the Shockwave as the most practical home defense option for my particular situation (compared to something like the full-size 590)...

This was absolutely ridiculous… so ridiculous that I now have one sitting in my closet ready for home defense.

I'm new gun owner and this was my first purchase. I went to the range for a lesson and at 15 yards (longest distance in my house) I had no trouble aiming this firearm at all. And when I turned on the laser saddle I added it was almost pinpoint accurate shooting slugs...not sure how anyone could think this is useless....