The 12-gauge shotgun genre isn’t large but has left a lasting impression on the firearm industry. Since day one of the Shockwave, people have wanted a semi-auto model. A precious few TAC-13s leaked out from Remington before their bankruptcy, but that well is dry. Well, it was dry. Mossberg is now introducing the 990 Aftershock. We got to put a ton of lead down range with one at the Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous, and it was a total blast.
If you’re anything like me, you ask one question right away: Is it a chopped 940? It turns out they couldn’t chop the 940 because a portion of the operating system extended into the stock. They had to create a new gun with the gas system fully upfront and tucked under the forend. This gives us a super-short 12-gauge firearm with a dependable gas-operated action.
The 990 Aftershock – Banging Around
At the rear end, we notice the bootlegger-style grip, but it’s a bit different than the original Shockwave. This new grip is a little longer, with strategically placed pads to help reduce hand fatigue. It’s also seemingly thinner and, in the end, features a sharper angle that does two things. First, it helps keep your hand from slipping. Next, it allows you to pull back harder and establish a good push-pull.
What’s cool is that you can file a Form 1 and add stock, specifically a Mossberg 500 series stock. An approved Form 1 would allow you to mount any 500/590 stock you want. I’d personally toss a Magpul SGA there. I like the micro-sized design of the PGO-only setup, but I understand that these guns make great stamp fodder.
In keeping with Mossberg tradition, the Aftershock features a tang-mounted safety and is optics-ready. Up front, we get a radically different forend. It’s thin or thick at the right points and features a very aggressive texture. An included hand strap keeps you from drifting off the gun’s forend. Right in front of the grip are a pair of M-LOK slots.
Back on the receiver, we have a charging handle and bolt closure pulled directly off the Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical series. They are large, easy to engage, and ready to rock and roll. It’s a nice touch, and the 990 Aftershock is a great blend of 590 and 940 features.
Blasting Away
This isn’t a full review of the gun because we simply didn’t have that much time with it. However, I got to shoot 50 rounds of birdshot through it and got a fairly good first impression. First, recoil is tame, and the gun is easy to control if you know what you’re doing. It’s not a beginner’s gun by any means, and you should have a solid grasp on the push/pull technique to handle the 990 Aftershock.
The Aftershock’s furniture design makes pushing and pulling easy, increasing control. The tight strap also helps reinforce your grip. The recoil impulse is upward rather than rearward, making it fine on the wrist, but the upward muzzle rise needs to be tamed. It’s really not bad, and it’s easier to shoot than a standard Shockwave.
It’s super easy to transition between targets, and I blasted three steel targets in quick succession. I was begging for a shot timer to measure my skill. Blasting through a five-round tube of 12-gauge is utterly addictive. It’s challenging but fun.
I’m insanely excited about the Aftershock. As a guy who loves shotguns and 12-gauge PGO firearms even more, this thing has captured me. I can’t wait to run drills with one and see what I can achieve.
