Why do I want a sawed-off shotgun, a tiger skin rug, and a moonshine still? Mostly because the government tells me I can’t have them. At least not without some serious hoop jumping. After all, anything is an option if the price is right. But for us mortals, we don’t have thousands of dollars and lawyers on call. Good news. Remington solved one of those problems for us this week. At least in a new gauge, they did.
SPECS
- Chambering: 20 Ga. (3-inch chamber)
- Barrel: 14 inches
- OA Length: 26.3 inches
- Grip: Shockwave Raptor Grip
- Sights: Bead front
- Action: Pump
- Finish: Black oxide
- Capacity: 4+1 rds.
- MSRP: $443
Earlier this year, the release of the Model 870 TAC-14 helped further illustrate the mass stupidity that is the National Firearms Act of 1934. I am no lawyer, but somehow a Remington 870 that has never had a buttstock on it, and possessing a 14-inch barrel, that shoots shotgun shells, is not a short-barreled shotgun. Nor is it a short barreled rifle, a pistol, or an “ Any Other Weapon.” Which apparently classifies it as a firearm. Period. No tax stamp, no registration, just a normal 4473 like you would fill out for a new deer rifle. Awesome sauce. This year the TAC-14 was originally released in 12 gauge, and it sold like hotcakes.
Design Improvements
Now a few problems presented with the original model. Not a design flaw, but problems for the end users, nonetheless. Many people lack the hand and wrist strength necessary to handle 12 gauge recoil in such a compact package. Imagine if all pistols were released in 10mm first. It might be fine for most, but it’s not a flavor for everyone. Having shot a metric grip of doorknobs off with a breaching shotgun, I assure you 12 gauge gets old even if you are conditioned to it.
The Raptor Grip on the TAC-14 ( ie, the pistol grip) is a massive improvement over a true 90-degree pistol grip. Not only does it get the firearm to a magic non-NFA length, it positions your wrist to better handle the recoil. One of the dumbest things I have witnessed involved a pistol grip shotgun. I was working private security for a woman in her 70s. My company had just replaced a bunch of chuckleheads, and I was doing my walkthroughh/inventory of firearms. Underneath the woman’s bed was a full pistol grip shotgun, in 12 gauge, loaded with high brass slugs. I am confident it would have shattered her wrist if she ever sparked it off. The Raptor grip is very reminiscent of the old witness protection special, used by U.S. Marshalls. It creates a very different recoil path since your wrist is already locked in a strong position as you grab it. If you’re in the market for a short shotgun, I would absolutely recommend you check out the TAC-14, especially in its new chambering. Big Green implemented this grip that it a major improvement over most short shotguns on the market.
It is entirely possible to let your hand slide in front of the muzzle since it is less than 2 inches from the end of the pump. The good news is, the pump furniture is Magpul. For $24.95, you can free yourself from any worry about this. Just put it on backward from the Magpul picture, and you have a perfect M-LOK handstop. I am kind of amazed Remington didn’t install one from the factory, all of our breaching shotguns in the Army had one. It adds very little to the overall height of the gun, and it is a feature I would highly recommend.
Range Time
How about the gun jumping out of your hand under recoil? Happily, this is not much of a problem with the 20 gauge. But I have a couple of rounds under my belt with these. The question is, under recoil, can your hand get in front of the barrel before the shot column passes the crown? I, for one, kind of doubt it. My degree in physics hasn’t shown up in the mail yet, but let’s think that through. Recoil starts after the gunpowder in the shell are already burning, which means the projectile is already moving. Recoil also tends to push the muzzle up, not down. Is there any human speed that can beat a shot column out of a 14-inch barrel? Highly unlikely. Also, this is a pump gun. You can’t fire another shot until you run the pump. Either way, a Magpul hand stop alleviates any doubt.
Article Continues Below
During my time on the range, I fired it from multiple distances with slugs, birdshot and buckshot to see how the TAC-14 in 20 gauge handled. I’m happy to report it functioned flawlessly in regards to feeding and the patterns were impressive in the shorter distances. As we stretched it out to longer distances, it became more challenging to hit the target and the pattern opened up quite a bit. When people consider a compact shotgun such as the TAC-14 for home defense or a truck gun, there’s some planning that goes into selecting it for home defense. Off the top of your head, rattle off the farthest distance you could shoot in your home? Many people can’t. For this testing, I took a rangefinder and surveyed my home — the farthest range I could shoot is 10 yards, which the TAC-14 performed impressive pattern at 10 yards. For our first round of shooting, I tested Remington’s No. 3 Buck 2 3/4 inch shells. It had an 8-inch spread at 5 yards, at 7 yards it was 11 inches across and 1 foot tall, and 13 inches by 13 inches at 10 yards. I also shot Hornady slugs at 25 meters. It’s not the load you’d want to select for home defense. The recoil was quite substantial, but they did hit their intended targets.
Contrary to what many may think, there is quite a bit of skill that goes into shooting a compact shotgun. Arguably the most stable position and easiest to maintain recoil is from the hip. However, it also increases your chances of missing. Those who are interested in the TAC-14 as a truck gun or home-defense gun should take it to the range and practice with it. It takes a bit to get used to.
Lasting Impressions
So, all that being said, what is the point of this gun? Is it the most useful gun? No. It is not. But it is cool. Like a Desert Eagle, a two barrel 1911, and a Smith and Wesson 500, it is not the most practical thing around. But the price is right. Those other toys cost thousands. The TAC-14 has an MSRP of $443. It is fun, and for certain defensive situations, it is useful. The 14-inch barrel throws a pattern that surprised me, opening up to almost a foot square by 7 meters. Even the 5-meter pattern was respectable.
There is a limit to the range it is viable, right around 20 meters. But inside of that, it is hell on wheels.
For a truck gun or a bump in the night firearm, this is going to be hard to beat. It is small enough to conceal in places a regular shotgun would be silly. The overall length makes it easy to maneuver for those not versed in CQB. For an across the room gun, there is nothing like it.
So far, this is the best invention in shotguns I have seen in several years. Now I just need to decide what gauge I want. And at this price, one of each isn’t out of the question.
For more information about the TAC-14, click here.
To purchase a Remington shotgun on GunsAmerica, click here.
Little late to the party but here goes.
My Tac 14 is easy to shoot in the position I take.
Hold the gun chest high and sideways and trap the rear of the grip between your firing hand and your ribs.
(Not in that cavity where the Red Cross tells you you can cause damage)
The recoil isn’t bad at all that way. I can shoot 00 Buck and even slugs.
The ATF calls it a PGF, a pistol grip firearm. It is not a rifle, shotgun, or pistol, It is a PGF. On the 4473 it is listed as Other. In the bound book it is a PGF.
Regretfully still a short barreled shotgun in California (and probably others). Regretfully many don’t realize state restriction are often more stringent than federal laws.
Just FYI
Defined in Penal Code §12020; a short-barreled shotgun is defined as a firearm (designed, redesigned, or altered) to fire a fixed shotgun shell and has **a barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches** *or* (not ‘and’) an overall length of less than 26 inches.
Same reason no Judges in CA.
What are the chances the tax will come in a DM version?
Should’ve been tac14, not tax.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm – couple things, same useless shotgun different chambering, (for what – ? we don’t know) –
and Mr. Martin after looking at that profile I would suggest you: “put down the pie – pick up the phone” it’s time for a winter diet Lean Cuisine anyone…?
Zorro, I’ll bet Clay can still carve a Z on your ass. Lol
It would be much more stylish on your forehead.
OK, I bought the 12 Ga TAC-14… its heavy… I’m an old Paratrooper… I can handle it, but I don’t know if I want to…. The 20 Ga sounds like a good idea… But it looks like they are using the same rear grip as the 12 Ga and I can see that it doesn’t fit right on the 20 Ga receiver…. I won’t buy one until that is corrected…
So how do you legally carry this in your car?
Is it a “hand gun” and then you have to carry it in a locked box that’s not in range of reach (as some states require?).?
The beauty of this weapon is that it”s legally a “new thing” under the National Firearms Act, but that doesn’t mean individual states don’t have stricter legislation against short-barreled shotguns. Your local police department are your best resource for the overall legality of one of these shorguns under local law, and legality of carrying them in your vehicle or the local troop of your state police.
Actually, and no offense to LEOs but, you will most often get FUD at the departments. Not all LEOs are gun type people and actually know all the laws. A quick google search of your state/county/city codes will usually help, but also NRA’s guide to state and local gun laws can help.
Like for California:
Defined in Penal Code §12020; a short-barreled shotgun is defined as a firearm (designed, redesigned, or altered) to fire a fixed shotgun shell and has a barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches or an overall length of less than 26 inches.
Move.
I grew up duck, dove and quail hunting with 20ga shotguns. Quail hunting in eastern n.c. frequently required shooting in briar thickets in 1-2 seconds or the bird was gone. I still own a Browning A 5 and a Franchi 20 guage with 20 “cylinder bore barrels.
I have patterned both with 2 3/4 inch # 4 buckshot and for home defense they would be devastating. In a confined location it is easy to place the stock in the armpit to shorten the gun and it is absolutely stable and easy to shoot. As in quail hunting, you don’t aim the gun. The gun is an extension of you where you focus on the target and fire. If your gun fits and you practice, shooting is a reflex. If you have to aim in quail hunting in a swamp, the bird is gone. Self defense has similar requirements. One has to fire rapidly and accurately. My advice, get a 20ga short barrel shotgun and practice rapid, instincive shooting both with the gun shouldered and with the stock under the armpit clamped to your side. If you practice, it can save your life.
Looks like fun …….. but NOT in Ohio , so I can never have one ….. bummer !
I remember back in the early 1970’s , I had a High Standard Model 10 -BULLPUP with built in flashlight . This was a BLAST TO SHOOT ( And LEGAL)
Make one the USA available we can talk,California ya can’t fart without a cataletic convertor..Not much good during winter if the bad guy is wearing alot of clothes such as jacket and whatever.45 with snake shot in the face is where I go.
Possibly looking at getting into seriously legal problems doing that – shooting without intent to kill can get YOU arrested for assault as if you aren’t afraid for your safety enough to want to stop them, you could be painted as the attacker, and the other the poor victim. Like the people that get arrested for having fired a warning shot.
And if a .45 shot load to the face will work, THIS will work better, as it throws more shot and faster. So a bit of lack of logic there that a full shotgun cartridge won’t work, but a pistol shot capsule will…
You are correct. Ohio law does not follow Federal law so we are stuck with “any shotgun with a barrel less than 18” is a no-no. Hopefully this will be corrected (support Buckeye Firearms Association; they can get this done) just like the stupid Ohio definition of “any semi-auto (long or hand gun) with a magazine capacity of more than 30 rounds is a machinegun! That dumb-ass law is gone now since 2015. BFA can work on this too law too, with member support.
I’ve always wanted a Hi-Standard 10B. I’d give a thousand bucks for one right now (even if the flashlight didn’t work). Never could figure out why is was discontinued. It would have been a good seller continually to today.
That “legal” depends on who one asks.
One local shop only sells them with a “dangerous ordnance” permit.
Others point out it’s not a “shotgun” and it’s a “firearm”…
And one guy will sell the gun with the barrel not attached and says “that’s the only way you can have it legally unless you buy a longer barrel”.
Gun laws are ridiculous, but I’m not risking jail to have one of those.
A moonshine still ,really ? The first NFA charge on a short barreled shotgun was in ARKANSAS in 1934. The treasury agent was after moonshiners. They escaped ,never showed in court and were convicted of a NFA crime of a illegal short barreled shotgun. Anyway I like the 20 gauge version NOW how about a .410 !!
Stick with 20 ga, much cheaper to buy 20 ga ammo then 410 surprisingly.
20 gauge, if I remember right, was what the original US Marshals Service short-barrelled witness protection shotguns were chambered in. So this is a good idea come full citcle!
Just heard that these are not in production yet. This is apparently an article that jumps the gun, so to speak. If this is not correct, please comment with a correction.
I don’t see the 20 gauge option when I follow the link to the Remington site.
Ted, I haven’t seen one in person yet.
I would like one but I am well aware of the History of the dreaded ATF and I bet these guns will all be confiscated and very soon. Remember the ATF does not have to follow any Firearms Acts as they have proven many times before. Its called a new regulation and it does not need to pass Congress as a legal law.
You Are Correct Sir ! They will no doubt outlaw these and demand every buyer RETURN THEM .
They could fix this problem by installing a RIFLED BARREL like a Slug Gun for deer ( which they sell in a 20 inch version for deer ) so a 14 inch rifled slug barrel would pass the test ……. and you could shoot ANY shot shell in it .
Just Saying
Please do us all a favor. Post a list of legally bought guns that the ATF “forced” owners to turn in.
Thanks.
There have been many that the BATF decided had to be NFA registered (or turned in) mainly because it was found that it was too easy to convert to full-auto. Virtually any semi-auto can be converted but most (per BATF scrutiny) take a high-level of machine shop skills. Some of the ones that were “tagged” that I can remember are: the Spitfire carbine, the Street Sweeper shotgun, RPB SM-10 pistol, Mac-10. The Sendra Ar-15 lower was looked at with raised eyebrows but not quite banned. It’s fairly easy to convert so you had better not have the sear hole drilled because then it’s just drop-in M-16 parts to Rock & Roll.
Nice review.
That will be a purchase for sure. Nothing is more intimidating than hearing the rack of that slide in the middle of the night. Nothing concentrates more firepower in a short distance than the shotgun. For anything up to 10 yards, it will do just fine.
??? “For a truck gun or a bump in the night firearm, this is going to be hard to beat.” ??? I am waiting for the double barrel version in a 20 gauge.
Yes but does it come with a chainsaw?
LOL!
LOL!
Like a over and under chainsaw/20ga? I like it! Ahh the smell of spent shotgun shell and wood in the mourning.
I thought the key component of these short offerings from Mossberg and Remington was that they could not be altered or added to…which seem to eliminate the addition of a hand stop.
it don’t look like much of a “man-stopper”???? wow, no comment.
Mossberg has had a model out for years, the Mossberg 500SP “Chainsaw” in 12 ga. Comes as 18″ plus a pistol grip with a breecher barrel and the “chainsaw” handle on the pump slide. I put a raptor on instead of the pistol grip. It does take a little practice to get accurate with the natural shot from the hip but quite doable. The chainsaw grip takes all recoil and hand-in-front-of-the-muzzle problems out of the picture. The wife can handle the 12 ga with this setup. Put a LaserLyte Center Mass laser on it and you have a great home defense / CQC weapon. And yeah, it’s a man-stopper.
I don’t usually chime in to these sort of things but……….Really? “Man stopper”? Just like in real estate, the key is location, location, location. Well placed shots come with practice and training. I think that’s how it works. Shooting from the hip with a “chainsaw”………wow.
I have the 12 ga. Mossberg version of this firearm. Shooting the LE reduced recoil buckshot was easy and controllable. My small girlfriend shot it too and found it easy to handle. I do like the strap on the Mossberg better than just the regular grip on this one. Probably will be an accessory soon…and I like that it came out quickly in 20 ga.
I bought a Mossberg Cruiser back in the mid-1980’s. It’s a short 12 gauge and has only a pistol grip. I put a vertical fore end on it. I was working in an undercover unit at the time and wanted something that I could carry, hide and handle from my car. It proved to be the most intimidating firearm I ever carried.
What? so what?
TAC-14? Not for me, thanks. All I need is a 20 gauge shotgun for hunting and a handgun for home and family protection, not some weird mutation of both. If you have any new or used for sale at a low price let me know. If not, I can find them on the web for pennies on the dollar. OK?
For home defense….not sure, it don’t look like much of a “man-stopper”
I’m confident of this. Even a .410 loaded with defensive rounds will stop a villain dead in their tracks.
What?
Brainless comment. Let’s test it on you!
This can be a man stopper, no problem. It’ll shoot 3″ 20 Gauge shells. Those are available in loads that were once considered standard in 12 ga… 1.25 oz of 00 buck from a 20 ga isn’t much different than the same load from a 12ga for those on the receiving end. The recoil for the sender will be a bit stouter than that same load from the 12 due to the weight difference but this 20 sure gives me the option of going with stout or mild loads depending on what job I intend to use it for. I’m getting this 20 gauge for sure.
With buck shot or slugs it is!!
Semi auto not good???
Action in home defense would oviously be close range shooting, and I guess that was Mossbergs’s thinking when they introduced their .410 home defense pump action shotgun. In my opinion, for home defense, the contents of the shell used in a shotgun is more important than the gauge. Before deciding on the gauge, one should do some research on the “man-stopper” shells available for the preferred gauge. The .410 will certainly do the job when properly fed, so there should be no concern about the stopping power of this new 20 gauge.
If you put solid slugs in a 20 gauge shotgun it will definitely be a man stopper weapon.