GUNS Magazine Mossberg Nightstick

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The Mossberg Nightstick is only slightly longer than this standard 24" nightstick.

Mossberg introduced the 590 Shockwave in 2017. Featuring a 14″ barrel and a Raptor bird’s-head pistol grip, the 12-gauge pump gun skirted BATFE regulations.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives has confirmed the 590 Shockwave as a “firearm” per the Gun Control Act (GCA) but it is not a Class 3/NFA firearm. This only speaks to its Federal status. There could be local/state laws prohibiting the sale or possession of this gun in your state. Consult the laws of your state for clarification. Just as with any other pistol grip firearm, it’s legal to own for anyone over 21 years of age who can legally buy a gun.

The Shockwave’s Raptor bird’s head pistol grip is uniquely shaped to minimize felt recoil. The shotgun includes all the features making Mossberg pump-actions the choice for millions worldwide — ambidextrous safety, dual extractors, positive steel-to-steel lockup, twin action bars and a smooth operating anti-jam elevator.

Mossberg offers several variants, including 20 gauge. One of the latest renditions is the Nightstick. It varies from the standard version in having wood furniture instead of polymer while the hand strap on the forend is leather instead of nylon.

It shares the following features with the original Shockwave.

• 5+1 capacity
• 3″ chamber
• Heavy-wall barrel
• 14.375″ cylinder-bore barrel
• 26.37″ overall length
• Bead front sight
• Matte blue finish
• Sling swivel stud on rear of Raptor grip and end of magazine cap.

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Thanks to the Raptor bird’s-head pistol grip the BATFE classifies the Nightstick
as a “Firearm” and not a Class 3/NFA firearm. Sling stud is standard.

Safety on all Mossberg shotguns is perfectly placed for easy manipulation and
is fully ambidextrous (right).

Shooting The ’Stick

I appreciate the good looks of the traditional wood and leather instead of the black polymer and nylon.

Most people new to the Shockwave will have the urge to shoot it from the hip. Sure, it can be done but requires quite a bit of practice to become proficient using this method. When hip shooting, the normal tendency is to shoot high.
If the Raptor grip is held against the front of the hip, the sling stud will recoil (painfully) into the shooter. Unless the shooter rode the extra-short bus, this is a self-correcting problem.

A better technique is to bring the Nightstick to shoulder height, holding it away from the face and fire. A good practice is to extend it roughly as far as you would as if shooting a handgun. The Raptor grip soaks up recoil much better than a standard pistol grip such as found on the Mossberg Cruiser shotguns.

The strap on the forend is not there for looks. It’s important to use as it keeps your hand from wandering in front of the short barrel. It is also an aid to recoil management, especially with heavy loads such as buckshot or slugs.

Recoil can be further mitigated using isometric tension by pushing forward on the forend and pulling the Raptor grip rearward. The pump-action can be easily manipulated while at full extension.

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Leather forend strap is aesthetically pleasing and functional.

Feeding The Nightstick

The Nightstick will handle any 2-¾" or 3" 12-gauge round.

A longstanding theory is birdshot is best for home defense as it will not penetrate the sheetrock used in common construction. Newsflash — yes, it will, as proved in many tests over the years. While it will not penetrate a 2X4 stud, buckshot will not likely either.

With this said, I believe #4 birdshot is an excellent home defense round in the Nightstick for several reasons. First, it is readily available for practice at a reasonable cost. Second, it is easier to shoot for people sensitive to recoil and is much easier to control than buckshot. Lastly, at distances encountered in the average home, it is effective. At these ranges Major General Julian Hatcher described the results as “a bloody rathole.”

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Removing the magazine cap allows for easy the magazine cleaning.
Sling stud is standard.

So, What’s it Good For?

I have some acquaintances who view the Shockwave/Nightstick as a novelty. I couldn’t disagree more. The variants of the Shockwave really come into their own where space is at a premium. A few of these would include an RV or camping trailer, an aircraft and a boat.

It could also be a handy anti-carjacking device in the front of a passenger vehicle; quick to come into action and easy to manipulate in close confines.

Finally, with a Mossberg Nightstick you will be the coolest kid on the block.

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