Shotguns

12 Gauge Federal Flightcontrol Review

June 3, 2019 By Travis Pike Leave a Comment

Shotguns … I do love them and I’m always on the lookout to find new ammo. The versatility of shotgun ammo is one of the best things about this platform. You can swap between buckshot, slugs, and bird, as well as specialty ammo that’s both effective and fun. I always like to experiment with different types to serve different purposes.

Today we are looking at Federal Tactical 12 gauge, with their flight control wad.

This particular ammo is designed to have a tight pattern. The purpose for tight patterning buckshot, at least for me, is to get a round that can reach out and touch a target beyond normal buckshot range. In certain roles I want the effectiveness of buckshot without the risks of slugs.

Slugs tend to penetrate quite a bit, and sometimes I want lower penetration along with the spread buckshot offers. Will the Federal Tactical 12 gauge with Flightcontrol be that round? Let’s find out —

The Federal Tactical 12 Gauge Specs

There are several Federal Tactical 12 gauge rounds, but this particular load is the affordable and easy to find 00 buckshot. I understand they also produce a Number 1 buck that I’d love to try. The 00 Buckshot is 2 ¾ inches, and packs nine pellets and has a velocity of 1145 feet per second. In bulk I can purchase the ammo for a little over 50 cents a round, so for shotgun ammo, it is affordable.

The idea behind this ammo is simple: Increase the effective range of buckshot without the need for chokes. Most police and tactical shotguns come with a cylinder bore choke and barrels from 14 to 20 inches in length.

This is an affordable alternative for Law enforcement, especially if slugs are not permitted for duty use. The Federal Tactical 12 gauge line is widely available and from a trusted ammunition company.

Patterning

To keep things simple I used a Cobra Tac 2 with an 18.5-inch barrel and a cylinder bore choke. I moved from 10 to 15 to 20, and finally 25 yards with the ammo to see how it patterned. I can tell you about it, but I’d rather show you.

At 10 Yards

What a Punch to the Mouth

At 15 Yards

Still a nice, tight and devastating pattern.

At 20 Yards.

We are starting to open up a bit, and the wad did a lot of damage to the target, but the pellets landed.

At 25 Yards

We are finally starting to see the ammo open up, but the pattern is still impressive.

At 50 Yards!

So I didn’t pattern the Federal Tactical 12 gauge at 50 yards. Instead, I used a steel target and shot a little video. 2 out of 3 rounds struck the tiny steel popper at 50 yards.

Are you Not Impressed?

I am very impressed by the Federal Tactical 12 gauge. It certainly fulfills my requirement for a mid-range round for my shotgun. Outside of patterning well, they are also very pleasant to shoot. The reduced recoil design makes them very easy to use and handle.

When it comes to rapid fire, the rounds make the shotgun very easy and downright pleasant to shoot. The muzzle rise is insignificant as well, and even after firing dozens of shots it was still comfortable. I remained unbruised and unbeaten.

The Federal Tactical 12 gauge with Flitecontrol wad is an impressive 12 gauge load and delivers what it promises. I have confidence that I could hit a man sized target out to 50 yards with at least a few pellets.

Remington Model 870 Tac 14 Review: Is It Just A “Short Shotgun?”

March 4, 2018 By Travis Pike Leave a Comment

The ‘other firearm’ category on a 4473 has likely never been checked to the degree it was in 2017 with the Mossberg Shockwave and Remington Tac 14 making massive waves in the industry. Anytime anything defies the NFA, you can bet it’s going to be popular. There is a reason so many Pistol Brace companies exist today. The Tac 14 is a 12 gauge, pump action weapon with a 14-inch barrel that is not subject to NFA regulations.

So How Is the Tac 14 Legal?

The Tac 14 is a Remington 870, but it’s not a shotgun. By US Law a shotgun must have or have had a stock at some point in its life. The Tac 14 has never had a stock so technically it isn’t a shotgun. It is a Firearm, and therefore it can have a barrel shorter than 18 inches. However, the overall length (OAL) cannot dip below 26 inches. If the OAL dips below 26 inches it becomes an Any Other Weapon (AOW). An AOW is another class of NFA firearm.

The Tac 14 sports the KAK Shockwave Raptor grip, this unique birds head grip is a bit longer than your normal pistol grip. The added inches is what results in the 26 inch OAL with the 14-inch barrel. As long as it stays over 26 inches, and doesn’t have a stock you aren’t violating the law.

There is one last NFA conversion to be aware of. That 26 inch OAL is required because if it was under 26 inches it would be considered “concealable” under the law. That being said if you conceal this weapon on your body it may become an AOW. So don’t tuck it under a trench coat.

Specs, Fit, and Finish

It’s no secret that in the last decade Remington has seen a decline in certain aspects of their weapon’s quality. This can most noticeably be seen in their fit and finish. One running joke at my local gun store is to see how long it takes a Remington to rust in Florida weather. I was certainly surprised to see the Tac 14 actually has a nice finish that’s evenly applied, smooth, and, nearly a year later, without rust.

The Remington Tac 14 is the Express model and sports a 4-round tube. Unfortunately, the tube is dimpled so you can’t add a plus 1 extension. Not a major deal, but the dimpling seems excessive. The gun rocks the fantastic Magpul pump so you have customization options through the M-Lok attachments. The gun is topped off with a simple bead sight that’s functional, but nothing fancy.

On the Range

The thing about these guns is that they are a blast to shoot … if you enjoy a wild, bucking gun. It takes some practice and control to really get a handle on, buts it’s fun the whole time. Part of the fun is the challenge of controlling the recoil and keeping the gun on target.

Birdshot isn’t bad at all, and should certainly be where you start. Get some practice in before you move into the much more fun, not to mention heavier recoiling, buckshot. The trick to controlling the gun is to grip the rearmost portion of the Magpul pump and push the forward. At the same time, you need to pull the Raptor grip rearward. It should feel like you are stretching the gun. I’m not sure what this technique is called, but I first heard about it from Gabe Suarez. It works well and really helps if you are shooting buckshot and shooting it fast.

Having said all that, the recoil isn’t as bad as most people assume. The Raptor grip really does its job and mitigates recoil well. There is more upward muzzle rise than rearward push. I put a few slugs through it at 25 yards and grouped them all into the head of a man-sized target. They all landed a little to the left.

Even with full powered slugs, I could control the Remington 870 Tac 14. I will say I have nearly a year worth of practice with these guns so I don’t recommend rushing into slugs.

The Remington pump is exceptionally smooth. It glides rearward with little force and throws shells outward with some real force. The pump is so smooth I can charge it with one hand and a bit of inertia. I wouldn’t recommend it at home, buts it is possible.

Safety Issues

There is an issue I found when I first started handling this gun. The gun likes to jump out of your hands and the Magpul pump is hard to hang onto. With proper technique, it isn’t an issue. When you first start shooting I don’t recommend going fast or your hand may find its way in front of the barrel. Mossberg uses a strap, but the Magpul pump is perfectly suited to mount a hand stop or foregrip on. Both will help in controlling the gun.

Reliability

It’s a pump action shotgun so very little can go wrong. I haven’t run into issues with any standard ammunition. Those little Mini Shells function about 75% of the time. The gun cycles great, ejects consistently, and runs buck, bird, and slugs without issue.

The Remington Tac 14 is a fun little “not a shotgun” firearm. It’s a challenging gun to control, and even more so to master. This is a limited use weapon, and it takes a lot of practice to run effectively enough to be used as a weapon. It fills very niche roles, and you may be better served with a standard stocked 870. If it becomes your home defense scattergun you best get out and get some practice with it. If you are looking to have some fun, and challenge yourself the Tac 14 is a fantastic way to do so.

New guns of SHOT Show 2018

February 9, 2018 By Terry Nelson Leave a Comment

Say hello to the Ruger Security 9. Photo by Terry Nelson.

Every year, the National Shooting Sports Foundation hosts the annual Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trades (SHOT) Show. The show allows the gun industry to showcase the newest firearms and related gear. SHOT Show just ended last month in Las Vegas, Nevada, where it’s been held for several years. The following is just a few of the appealing new firearms entering the market in 2018.

Ruger’s PC (pistol caliber) carbine in 9mm, has been around for a number or years. The PC now accepts Glock magazines, in addition to Ruger pistol magazines. What’s so appealing to me about this carbine is its takedown ability. It comes apart just like the Ruger 10/22 takedown.

Another Ruger offering is the “Security 9″ pistol, a low-cost version of the G19. It comes standard with a manual safety lever, which I would recommend leaving in the “off” position anyway. Nice trigger at five pounds with a crisp reset. For a serious carry pistol, it’s not bad, and pricing is very reasonable.

The Glock 19X is essentially a G19 slide on a G17 frame. Some are advocates of this idea, others not so much. Reports are that the trigger has been much improved. Glock will most likely do well with this new offering.

Walther’s well known PPQ pistol now has a smaller version, the “SC.” Short grip and short slide, in 9mm, it’s an 11-shooter. A bit small for some, but many will like it. The PPQ trigger is hard to beat.

Springfield Armory’s hammer-fired XDE is another pistol on its way to gathering a unique following as a hammer fired system. New for 2018 is the 45ACP, but it’s been offered in 9mm last year. It is very flat (single column) and easy to carry. Slide manipulation is reported to be very easy although the double to single action trigger can be challenging.

Springfield Armory’s XD-E9, now in 45 ACP. Terry Nelson photo.

Honor Defense is making a polymer-framed, single-column 9mm (8-shooter) with modular grip components, and comes apart exactly like a SIG 320.

Beretta’s APX pistol is a G17-sized, double-column carry pistol. Reports are that it surpasses all their other models. Many Beretta fans are recommending it.

Also from Beretta is the model 1301 shotgun, at the top of the list of defensive purposes. Folks are saying it has much less recoil than the model 1201. The model 1301 will be a good option for those looking for a 12ga shotgun for serious applications.

Sig Sauer has a new model, P365. It’s a striker-fired, flat, 9mm concealment pistol, designed to compete with the S&W Shield, Kahr PM9, Walther PPS/M2, and G43. The 365 comes from the factory with night-sights, a nice addition. The magazine is basically single stack that makes the 365 an 11 or 12-shooter depending on which magazine you use.

SIG P365 — SIG Sauer’s P365 from their Premier Media Day

Kahr Arms now makes a nice AR selling in the $750.00 range. Kahr pistols are now available in the “C,” “S,” and “P” series, “P” being the nicest-finished and most expensive. All are reported to run well.

DSArms, well known makers of FALs, is making the CTC, a folding stock with magazine-release near the front of the trigger-guard. If you are looking for a serious 308 rifle, take a look at what DSA has to offer.

POF (Patriot Ordinance Factory) is producing the “Revolution” gas-piston AR rifle in 308 caliber. For those who love 308 rifles, this is another great choice in a defensive rifle. It’s about the same weight and size as a typical AR in 5.56×45.

Late breaking … although it did not debut at SHOT Show, Smith and Wesson has come out with the M&P 380 Shield EZ, comparable to their M&P Shield line of pistols. This 380 ACP pistol comes with a grip safety, tactile chamber indicator and adjustable rear sight. The EZ will be available at retailers in February 2018 according to Smith and Wesson.

There is no doubt that the industry is putting much effort into compact and flat pistols of all calibers with the concealed carry market in mind and with good cause … more and more folks are serious about providing for their everyday defense.

For the rest of our SHOT Show 2018 coverage, make sure you check out and subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Your Guide To The Best Home Defense Shotgun, Gauges, And Action Types

October 27, 2017 By Terry Nelson 2 Comments

Without a doubt, the shotgun is one of the most versatile firearms on the planet. For hunting small game, to game birds, up to big game, a shotgun will do the job. The home defense shotgun is more than intimidating and very capable. Need a survival gun? The shotgun can cover it all in the most adverse conditions.

The choices of action types, gauges, barrel lengths, and stock configurations are an added incentive for owning a shotgun. Choose pump action, semi auto, single or double barrel, or even lever action. The 12 gauge is the most common today, with the 20 gauge being a close second.

There are others; the ole 16 gauge seems to have lost its popularity. Another, the 28 gauge, is primarily used by upland game bird hunters, while the 10 gauge is a rarity in today’s times. Then there is the 410 which is correctly designated as .410 bore (slug diameter of the .410) rather than gauge.

Of the above gauges mentioned 10ga is the largest, then 12, 16, 20, 28, and 410 in descending order based on the amount of shot or the weight of an individual slug (projectile) the hull/shell contains. On average shell lengths are 2 ½ to 3 inches in length.

What are the best shotguns for home defense? Here are some, but this isn’t an exhaustive list:

Mossberg 500
Remington 870
Cimarron Model 1878 Coach Gun
Winchester Defender
Ithaca Model 37
Mossberg Shockwave
Remington Tac-14

Shotgun Action Types

Your choice of action type will be driven by the intended use of the shotgun, whether it’s hunting, trap or skeet competition, as a home defense shotgun, or your young child’s first gun. Let’s first take a look at the action types found on the market today.

Single Shot

Generally this action is a hinged, break-open type that employs a lever to open the action. It is designed to load one round and then unload the spent hull before reloading another live round. Companies such as Harrington and Richardson, Iver Johnson, and Chiappa are but a few that produce a single shot, break open shotgun.

Double Barrel (side by side or over and under)

Double barreled shotguns are loaded in a similar fashion as the single shot break opens via a hinged connection between the barrels/forend and the action itself. The Double comes in both a side by side, where the barrels are left and right of each other, and the over and under, wherein the name denotes one barrel being directly above the other.

Many classic names are associated with this category such as, Parker, Winchester, Browning, Ruger, and others. While these guns are most often considered for competitive or sporting purposes, there are applications and models that lend themselves to serve as a home defense gun as well. Some of the short-barreled side by sides are a good example, like the Cimarron model 1878 coach gun.

Speaking of home defense, have you ever thought about whether or not you’d need legal protection after the defensive use of a gun ether in your home or out? Check out our USCCA Review, here.

Pump Action

Probably the most widely used and popular action type today, the pump action has been around for decades. The pump action is just that: by pumping the forend back towards the receiver, you cycle the action. This motion extracts a fired round and reloads another in the blink of an eye. This style of shotgun is very popular with hunters and has been used extensively in police and military applications. Remington model 870 and the Mossberg model 500 are two of the most widely recognized, not to mention some of the best pump action shotguns today.

Semi Auto

Gaining much interest and use in the last several years is the semi auto shotgun. Not unlike a pistol or carbine, the semi auto shotgun fires, extracts, and reloads a new round with every press of the trigger. Semi-auto shotguns are heavily used in many venues including hunting, sport competition, and law enforcement. Remington, Benelli, Saiga, and Browning are just a few companies that offer them.

Lever Action

Lever action shotguns are mostly out of the picture today, but do have their following. They operate similar to a lever action rifle such as the classic Winchester 30-30. Every pull of the lever down and up unloads and reloads the chamber. Henry and Chiappa are the mainstays of producing these guns.

Bolt Action

For the most part, bolt action shotguns have become obsolete and are no longer produced. You may find one around from days gone by that was marketed by Sears, Westernfield, Stevens, or Mossberg. While they may hold some nostalgic interest there are too many other shotgun action types that are more practical.

And now what gauge fits your needs?

Let’s stick with easily available shotgun gauges and ammunition for them. Yes, you can still get 10 and 16 gauge via online ammunition warehouses … but you generally cannot walk into a Walmart or other local retailer and easily find these gauges. And I won’t even get into European shotguns like the 24 and 32 gauge.

12 gauge

It’s the most common and everyday available gauge, although the 20 is a close second. Having been around since at least the 1870s, it is still the everyday staple around the farm, ranch, and for law enforcement and military use. I have personally taken plains game in Africa with 12 gauge slug and buckshot. The most common configuration includes 2 ¾ to 3 inch shells holding anywhere from 1 to 1¾ oz of shot. Buckshot and slugs are also readily available in the 12 gauge. This is also the go-to gauge for many home defense shotguns.

20 gauge

A mainstay in the shotgun world for decades, the 20 gauge is still going strong today and may have even outpaced the larger 12 gauge for certain applications. It is a popular hunting choice and offers a wide variety of shot options to include buckshot and slug offerings. The most common loads for 20 gauge are 7/8 oz to 1 ½ oz of shot.

28 gauge

Most often associated with upland game bird hunting, the 28 gauge has also been around for decades but in my experience is probably one of the least used gauges today as compared to the 12 and 20. Shot shells in this gauge are most common in ¾ oz of shot. When I hear 28 gauge, I visualize walking behind a fine bird dog and taking shots at bobwhite quail or grouse.

.410 Bore

The .410 is in fact a shot shell, but as described earlier is designated by bore diameter rather than gauge. The diminutive .410 has been a farm, ranch, and household favorite for years when it comes to dealing with pests. It’s often the first gun (aside from the 22 rimfire) many kids are introduced to. In .410 ½ oz to 11/16 oz of shot are common. Today, there are revolver offerings such as the Taurus Judge and Smith & Wesson Governor that utilize the 410 as a defensive round. There are several derringer offerings in .410 as well; Bond Arms Derringers is a popular example.

All of the above shotgun ammunition can also be found in various types of buckshot, slug and defensive round offerings.

10 and 16 Gauge

No gauge discussion is complete without the 10 and 16. Both are a decades-old staple in many parts of the country and are in fact still used today. My intent is not to minimize these two, but rather point out that these gauges aren’t commonly found at your local sporting goods dealer on a daily basis, much less the ammo … but they are available if desired.

Home defense shotgun

Everyone has their own idea as to what works best for them in a self-defense shotgun. Because I carried and used one extensively during my career in law enforcement and for more years than I care to remember in the field hunting, the pump action in 12 gauge has to be my top pick. A primary reason for me is that the pump action is fairly simple and rugged, making it generally reliable and easy to use. As I mentioned earlier, 12 gauge ammunition is the most readily available of all the gauges listed.

As to the makes and models I like and have used extensively over the years, I find the best home defense shotguns to be the Remington Model 870, Mossberg 500, Winchester Defender, and Ithaca Model 37. There have been others and several variations of these, but this list comprises most. Overall, I have utilized the Remington 870 more than any other to include extensive application in the law enforcement world.

If you are in the market for an exclusive home defense shotgun, the simplicity of a side by side double barrel may also be worth a look. Cimarron, CZ, and Stoeger all make a version of the short barreled “coach gun,” that can be ideal for a quick home defense gun. And, there’s the added charm of owning a model whose very type is named after its historical use as a security tool for overland horse-and-wagon travel.

Also readily on the market today are pistol grip style shotguns. Here I’m speaking of a hand grip only, with no shoulder stock. The new Mossberg Shockwave and the Remington Tac-14 both come in a 14-inch barrel and are considered to be a shotgun pistol therefore sidestepping NFA (National Firearms Act) requirements. The Mossberg 500 series also has a true pistol grip shotgun, offered in both 12 and 20 gauges.

As you might imagine, there are a myriad of other add-ons for a shotgun, like ammo carriers, a variety of sights, lasers, slings, and probably even a can opener if you look hard enough! My philosophy is to keep it simple and usable based on your needs.

I like a ghost ring sight or just a plain old front sight bead, even for a defensive shotgun. However, there is a following for the use of red dot style sights for self defense shotguns. Red dots have gained much popularity in both the carbine and handgun world, why not shotgun–if it fits your needs. I also like a simple sling and ammo carrier on the buttstock or the receiver. Essentially that is as far as I would go for add-ons.

In today’s world of short-barreled rifles and high capacity magazines, the shotgun is often overlooked. Its diversity of uses make it a top contender for a must-have and it would certainly be in my personal “if I could only have three guns” list. Even many police agencies have eliminated it from their armory–a mistake, in my estimation. Don’t have a shotgun? Get one!

What’s your pick for your shotgun?