Have you ever gotten an email that makes you think, I don’t need a retirement account? Or maybe, do all of my kids have to go to college? That’s how I felt when Vang Comp sent out an email showing that their new TAC-14 Deluxe had dropped. To be fair, it’s not that out of financial reach at $1,350. Admittedly, that’s pricey, especially for a pump-action shotgun. We are getting into a high-quality Italian-made semi-auto at that price point.
A lot of folks also assume the TAC-14 and similar firearms are novelties and range toys. If that’s your view, then it’s a hell of a lot of money. I would counter and say the general attitude around these firearms has changed. Pistol grip-only shotguns are tough to handle, but the Raptor grips do wonders for recoil reduction, and they don’t bang your wrist up. With a proper push/pull technique, you can mitigate recoil and have a very powerful and capable tool for close-quarter fights.
The Vang Comp TAC-14 Deluxe radicalizes the TAC-14. While the PGO TAC-14 can be a capable weapon, Vang Comp produced the weapon with the clear intention of creating a short-barreled shotgun. They even refer to it as the Form 1EZ. A number of the features also point more to shouldered use than pistol grip use. Speaking of features, let’s break down what makes the TAC-14 Deluxe oh so deluxe.
The TAC-14 Deluxe – In Living Color
A few features make the Deluxe a bit better as a shouldered gun. First, the rear ghost sight points more to shouldered use. Ghost rings can work for PGOs, but a bead is better. The rear sight is a two-in-one deal. Not only does it serve as a rear sight, but it also serves as a red dot mount.
It mounts RMR-patterned optics at 1/3rd co-witness height. The front sight is a big ramp topped with an adjustable and replaceable AR-15 post. It’s easy to install your choice of front sight, opening you up to a night sight option. A pair of wings protect the front sight post.
Behind the front sight sits the Vang Comp porting system to reduce recoil and muzzle rise. On a PGO, that would make the weapon very soft handling and easy to control. The Vang Comp TAC-14 Deluxe features the famed VCS barrel mod to increase the tightness of your buckshot patterns.
The gun has a +1 magazine cap to increase the total capacity to five rounds. A stainless steel follower allows for smooth movement, especially with the extended magazine cap installed. A Wolff magazine spring also ensures total reliability and is one of the first upgrades any shotgun should make.
The TAC-14 Deluxe has a VCS dome head safety, a forward sling plate, and a Magpul MOE forend. Vang Comp doesn’t just stock the gun with tacked-on upgrades but also deburrs the receiver and reduces edges for easier, pain-free reloads that don’t take a DNA sample. It also gets the VCS express reliability service and inspection.
Reviving Remington
It’s no secret that Remington has fallen out of favor with a lot of shotgun enthusiasts. They are trying to make a comeback, but it’s slow going. With the Vang Comp treatment, we are getting a Remington 870 worthy of the Remington name. Each and every feature was put together by a group of dedicated shotgun enthusiasts.
The gun is designed to offer 12-gauge firepower with less recoil and tiger patterns. Qualms with ergonomics have been solved, and the TAC-14 Deluxe model delivers a slick action with unbeatable reliability. This isn’t the first shotgun Vang Comp has given the treatment to, and it likely won’t be the last. It is the first PGO-only gun they’ve taken to town and developed into a very capable platform.
While many PDWs are semi-auto, pistol-caliber guns or maybe uber-short .300 Blackouts, the Vang Comp TAC-14 Deluxe might be the first that fits the role. I’d love to see Vang Comp do the same treatment but designed to remain a pistol grip-only shotgun. I’m talking out loud at this point, so let’s cut it short.
If you want a TAC-14 Deluxe, they’re for sale now in three different colors. Check it out on Vang Comp’s website, and if you buy one, let us know how it is handled.
