In January, the tax price goes from $200 to $0, and I imagine we’ll see a flood of Form 1 and Form 4s. Suppressors and SBRs will explode in popularity, and we’ll see shortages of both. Sadly, one group of NFA weapons will likely be ignored, and that’s the humble SBS, or short-barreled shotgun.
Only men and women of the refined class will appreciate the short shotgun and what it can do for them. From home defense to just having fun, a short-barreled shotgun is great for everyone. Which guns make for solid short-barreled shotguns? Well, I have five candidates primed for your next Form 1 or Form 4.
SBS Options for Your Free Tax Stamp
990 Aftershock
First on the list is the 990 Aftershock, released early this year, and I’m an instant fan. The 990 Aftershock comes as a firearm, meaning it’s not a shotgun. You can buy it now and enjoy it until your stamp comes back. Mossberg wisely made it compatible with 590 stocks, meaning once that stamp comes back, you have tons of stock options. You have stuff like the Magpul SGA, folding stocks, and more.
Finding a short-barreled semi-auto shotgun is tough. The 990 Aftershock gives us an affordable, easy-to-find platform that’s Form 1 ready. It’s the most drama-free and affordable semi-auto SBS option on the market. Plus, it’s reliable, fun to shoot, and comes from a beloved shotgun company. The 990 Aftershock will be the first free stamp I hit the file button for.
Mossberg Shockwave
If semi-autos aren’t for you, the natural option for most people will be the Mossberg Shockwave. The Shockwave is likely responsible for the majority of Form 1 SBS guns on the market. It’s a firearm with a 14-inch barrel and a pistol-grip-only design. The Shockwave gives us an incredibly affordable SBS candidate that also comes in .410 and 20 gauge.
Mossberg also makes a variety of Shockwave variants. This includes hardwood models, SPX models, magazine-fed models, and more. The Shockwave is nothing more than a 590 with a short barrel. This makes it easy to customize and turn it into whatever type of short-barreled shotgun you want it to be.
Remington TAC-14
The Remington TAC-14 gives you the same treatment as the Shockwave, but for the 870 platform. The 870 tends to be the more refined shotgun compared to the Mossberg. It’s slicker, a little more of a tank, and is just as customizable. The TAC-14 series has a 14-inch barrel and makes it easy to mount any standard 870 stock.
My dream TAC-14 SBS would feature all wood furniture, and that’s a possibility. I’m not sure if the current incarnation of Remington is putting new TAC-14s out, but tons are floating around the used market. There tends to be a distinct line between Mossberg and Remington fans, so it’s nice that the Remington guys and gals have options.
Genesis Arms GEN-12
This takes us into Form 4 and Form 1 territory. The Genesis Arms shotguns are one of the very few magazine-fed shotguns I’d ever suggest. These are AR-like in shape and size, but they use a recoil-operated design. Genesis Arms produces both short-barreled shotgun variants and firearm variants you can make your own SBS.
The PDS, or Personal Defense Shotgun, variant even pairs an uber-short five-inch barrel with a 12-gauge suppressor. The GEN-12 comes in other barrel lengths, including 7, 10.5, and 14.5 inches. They also have a stockless AOW version, which isn’t an SBS, but close enough. These are mag-fed guns with AR-like controls and handling. They are reliable, fun, and Genesis Arms gets credit for their creative SBS and firearm designs.
Heritage Badlander
Last, but not least, is the Heritage Badlander. This one will take some effort and a gunsmith to do it right. The Heritage Badlander series is a traditional western-style side-by-side shotgun that is a ton of fun. The only way they could be more fun is to cut the barrels short. A short-barreled side-by-side shotgun is old-school cool, and you get bonus points for cutting off the stock for a Lupara.
The Badlander comes in 12 gauge, 20 gauge, and .410 bore. We get different wood finish options as well as black or stainless steel for the barrel and receiver. A short, light, and easily maneuverable double-barreled shotgun is the best home defense option of 1877, but these days it’s a fun and classic design. Plus, how else will I play El Mariachi?
The Small World of the SBS
Short-barreled shotguns are a total blast. They are underrated and can be an effective defensive weapon. I’m not sure why a couple of inches make such a difference, but it truly does. The shorter the better is my general attitude towards shotguns, and I can’t wait to flood the ATF with my Form 1 shotgun contraptions.
