14-Inch Firearms

They look like sawed off shotguns, but under federal law they are not shotguns at all. The Mossberg 590 Shockwave and Remington Tac-14 opened a new category in 2017, and they remain some of the most popular short 12 gauges you can buy.

Short pump shotgun with a bird-head grip and sling at the range
Short pump with bird’s head grip
Diagram of a 14-inch pistol-grip firearm and how a shorter grip or a stock changes its classification
How the 26-inch rule works

Why they are not shotguns

  • A shotgun, legally, is made to be fired from the shoulder. These are built on receivers that never had a shoulder stock, so they are not shotguns.
  • They are 26 inches or longer overall, so they are not concealable AOWs.
  • They have smooth bores and are not made as pistols, so they are not handguns.
  • That leaves them in the plain “firearm” category, outside the NFA under federal law. ATF confirmed this in letters to the makers.

The numbers

  • Mossberg 590 Shockwave: 14-inch barrel, 26.37 inches overall, cylinder bore, Raptor bird’s head grip. Also made in 20 gauge and .410.
  • Remington Tac-14: a 14-inch barrel 870 with a bird’s head grip, also kept over 26 inches overall.
Chart comparing a standard shotgun, short-barreled shotgun, AOW and pistol-grip firearm, drawn to scale
Where a 14-inch firearm fits among short shotguns
Remington pump shotgun with sling next to a compact Serbu pump at the range
A full-size pump next to a compact

Changes that change the category

  • Add a shoulder stock: it becomes a short-barreled shotgun.
  • Swap to a shorter grip that drops it under 26 inches: it becomes an AOW.
  • Federal enforcement for both categories is paused as of October 2026, but state laws and any future change in federal enforcement still matter. Check before you modify.

Shooting tips

  • Hold it at chest height with a firm push-pull grip. It is not meant to be fired from the shoulder.
  • A hand strap on the forend keeps your support hand clear of the muzzle.
  • Practice with mini-shells or low-recoil loads. See Short Shotgun Ammo.

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.

The platforms on video

Mossberg 590A1, the action behind the Shockwave

Assembling a Remington 870, the action behind the Tac-14

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.

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