12 Gauge AOW

In 12 gauge, the AOW is the compact pump that looks like a sawed off but was never a shotgun to begin with. The Serbu Super-Shorty is the best-known example.

What is an AOW?

AOW stands for “any other weapon,” a catch-all category in the National Firearms Act for concealable guns that are not regular pistols, revolvers, rifles or shotguns. For 12 gauge, it usually means:

• A smoothbore gun that fires shotgun shells,
• built from a receiver that never had a shoulder stock, usually with a pistol grip from the factory, and
• short enough to conceal, meaning under 26 inches overall.

The Serbu Super-Shorty

• Built by Serbu Firearms in Tampa, Florida, from Mossberg 500, Maverick 88 or Remington 870 receivers that left the factory with a pistol grip.
• A tiny pump with a folding front grip and a short magazine tube. Longer versions hold more shells.
• Mini-shells add capacity. See Short Shotgun Ammo.

What is not an AOW

• A pistol-grip firearm 26 inches or longer, like the Shockwave or Tac-14. See 14-Inch Firearms.
• A short shotgun with a shoulder stock. That is an SBS.
• .410 revolvers and derringers with rifled barrels, which are handguns.

AOW law in 2026

• AOWs used to carry a $5 transfer tax and a $200 making tax. Both dropped to $0 on January 1, 2026.
• Since October 9, 2026, ATF is not enforcing NFA approval or registration for AOWs. ATF still accepts voluntary registration.
• Serbu still registers new Super-Shortys so they can ship to states that require registration.
• State law still applies. Some states treat AOWs differently from short-barreled shotguns.

Check your state law before you build, buy or modify. Federal rules changed fast in 2026 and states have not all caught up. This page is a plain-English overview, not legal advice. See the Short Shotgun F.A.Q. for the details.

Super-Shortys on video

More on short shotguns: Sawed Off Shotgun overview, SBS, 12 Gauge AOW, 14-Inch Firearms, Short Shotgun Ammo and the Short Shotgun F.A.Q.