Category: Lifestyle

Lifestyle

Freedom for All from the ATF Pistol Brace Rule

Texas judge rules the ATF pistol brace rule is void. 

Happy Independence Day!

As our American founding fathers began laying the foundation for our country, they laid out every American’s inalienable rights. One of the basic fundamental rights came in the form of the 2nd Amendment. 

 

Throughout history, our basic foundational rights to bear arms have been threatened in and out of our government system. The most recent has come in the form of the ATF’s Factoring Criteria for Firearms With Attached “Stabilizing Braces.” 

 

Although the government is working hard to limit our rights there is one critical win that came on June 13th from Federal District Judge Reed O’Connor of the North District of Texas. He held that the ATF’s pistol brace rule is void and that the ATF’s conduct violated “[Administrative Procedures Act]’s procedural requirements because it was arbitrary and capricious and was not a logical outgrowth of the Proposed Rule…” See, Mock, et al., v. Merrick Garland, et al, No: 4:23CV00095-O, Northern District Texas, June 13, 2024, at p. 12.

 

Judge O’Connor concluded that “the Final Rule violated the APA’s procedural requirements because it was not a logical outgrowth of the Proposed Rule.” Id., at p. 6. 

 

Thank you Judge O’Connor for upholding our foundational rights to own and operate our firearms in the way that we choose. 

 

Shockwave supports your choices and gives you four different options for pistol braces. Each option creates a customized and comfortable look and feel. Whether it’s the original Blade, or the Blade 2M, Blade Stealth or Blade Classic we know it will be exactly what you are looking for to create the perfect fit. 

 

Celebrate Independence Day and this huge victory for gun rights!

The Heat Is On

The debate regarding the necessity of a shotgun heat shield isn’t new. One side argues that it’s an accessory that only adds weight, claiming you will never find yourself shooting enough rounds for the barrel to heat up to the point that subsequently, gripping it leaves you with a nasty burn. 

On the flip side, whether you are shooting at the range or in a defensive situation it is better to be safe than sorry. Yes, adhering to the best safety protocols, protecting yourself and creating peace of mind will always be worth it. 

So, let’s say you have read all the pro-s and con-s and decided that you want to join Team Heat Shield. Many of the heat shields on the market right now are made from metal and therefore still get hot despite being marketed to protect from that.  They also tend to be fairly hefty in weight.

Shockwave has crafted a heat shield that doesn’t heat up, is lightweight, and is extremely durable through the heating expansion and cooling cycle. 

Our heat shield is made of a fiberglass-infused nylon and is unlike anything else on the market. It’s also just badass looking, allowing you to create a truly customized look for your shotgun as well as added safety with this one-of-a-kind product. 

You can find more about our forends, heatshields and products here.

ATF Appeals (Most Likely in Vain) Texas Federal Judge’s Ruling

 

 

So what’s new on the legal front with regard to pistol stabilizing braces? Well, as we anticipated in an earlier blog, the Department of Justice did in fact appeal Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk’s ruling in Britto v. ATF to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. One of the ATF’s main arguments is that the Northern District of Texas Court shouldn’t have applied the ruling from Judge Reed O’Connor (also of the Northern District of Texas Court) in the Mock v. Garland case in determining issuance of the nationwide injunction that’s currently in place. You may remember that relief in the Mock v. Garland case included an injunction for members of the Firearms Policy Coalition, Second Amendment Foundation, Gun Owners of America, and others.

Now if that all sounds a bit like legalese word salad, that’s because it kinda is. NGL The short and sweet of it all is that we gun owners still enjoy a nationwide injunction on the pistol stabilizer brace ban that the ATF tried to put in place. The ATF is appealing the injunction at the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. Do they stand a chance of winning? Doubtful. The ATF has lost two big cases at the 5th Circuit in recent years: the bumpstock ban and the ghost gun ban. And those cases weren’t nearly the clear-cut violation of the 2nd Amendment that this overreach is.

So what’s next, you ask? As we wrote before, the consensus within the legal community is that the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals will support the injunctive relief and issue a permanent injunction in the coming months. The various lawsuits against the ATF will continue for some years. No doubt that the issue will find itself in front of the U.S. Supreme Court at some point. In the meantime, Americans will be protected by the injunctions

The Importance of Being Frugal: The Packaging Edition

How many times have you ordered something absolutely miniscule from, say, Amazon—and it arrives in a huge, unnecessary box? Just last week, I ordered a micro SD card for my digital camera (yes, I still use one of those LOL). The box it showed up in was comparatively enormous. Nearly the size of a shoebox. For something that’s literally smaller than my thumbnail? Yes, companies like Amazon are getting better about this and now often ship smaller, more durable products in bubble-padded envelopes. Why? Because frugal packaging benefits everybody.

I don’t need to tell you about wasteful packaging in the firearm industry. Sometimes the box is almost more impressive than the product itself. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve unboxed one of my own firearm accessory purchases and thought: “How much did just this box cost? And all the various layers of laser-cut foam? How much extra in shipping did this cost me due to the increased shipping size? Seriously, how much am I into this silly box alone? I almost can’t bring myself to throw this thing in the trash.” Cue hoarder memes.

Whether we like to think about it or not, who ultimately pays for all the designing, manufacturing, printing, and labeling of the fancy packaging–and the additional shipping costs? The consumer does. And what do you do with that fancy little box you may have just inadvertently paid five dollars for? Discard it immediately? Or squirrel it away with all of your sundry smartphone and tablet boxes for the next 40 years—until you or someone else decides to finally get rid of it?

Shockwave does things differently. As you can tell from our retail prices, we believe in providing top-quality products all while keeping costs down. We accomplish this through myriad ways—in-house design, material selection, bulk purchasing agreements with vendors, frugal packaging, and more. But frugal packaging is perhaps one of the more obvious to our customers. Our products are made of high-strength polymer and don’t require over-the-top, wasteful packaging. Many times, we can package and ship our accessories in little more than a branded poly bag. As this costs us less to package and ship, we pass those savings directly onto you. What’s more, I don’t believe any of our customers are ever conflicted about whether or not to toss an opened poly bag.

Win-win.

Also, though we may not want to admit it to the liberals, we all live on planet Earth. And it’s our providence to take care of it for our children and our children’s children. I mean, isn’t Taylor Swift and her private jet doing enough damage on their own? LOL

Pistol Stabilizers are BACK! | Federal Judge Blocks Nationwide Enforcement of the Pistol Brace Rule

Last Wednesday, Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk of the United States District Court in the Northern District of Texas granted injunction relief (an injunction) to prevent the ATF from enforcing the ATF’s Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached Stabilizing Braces rule-nationwide. What does this mean? In short, as far as pistol braces go, we’re back to 2021.

To obtain this injunction, the plaintiffs needed to satisfy four rules:

  1. They must be likely to prevail on the merits.
  2. They would suffer irreparable harm if denied.
  3. The injury outweighs any harm that would be caused if the injunction is granted.
  4. The public interest supports relief.

Judge Kacsmaryk also noted that the rule would cause horrendous strain on companies who produce stabilizing braces. “Additionally, ATF admits the 10-year cost of the Rule is over one billion dollars,” he wrote. “And because of the Rule, certain manufacturers that obtain most of their sales from stabilizing braces risk having to close their doors for good.” Here at Shockwave, we are very thankful for all the support our customers and 2nd amendment organizations have provided to help keep the fight going. We wouldn’t still be here without you.

In the ruling Judge Kacsmaryk stated,“[T]he Court is certainly sympathetic to ATF’s concerns over public safety in the wake of tragic mass shootings. The Rule ’embodies salutary policy goals meant to protect vulnerable people in our society,’” Judge Kacsmaryk wrote in Britto v. ATF. “But public safety concerns must be addressed in ways that are lawful. This Rule is not.”

There are two main items he noted in his ruling for injunctive relief:

  1. The ATF did not follow the Administrative Procedures Act (APA).  

He wrote, ‘[t]he controlling law of this case is that the Government Defendants’ promulgation of the Final Rule ‘fails the logical-outgrowth test and violates the APA’ and ‘therefore must be set aside as unlawful’ under the APA,’”

  • The ATF is violating the 2nd Amendment.

He added,“Absent injunctive relief, the Final Rule will impair and threaten to deprive them of their fundamental right to keep and bear commonly used arms as a means of achieving the inherently lawful ends of self-defense. See U.S. CONST. AMEND. II (providing that the ‘right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.’).”

Here at Shockwave we worked tirelessly with U.S. Congressman Bilirakis, U.S. Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna, and U.S. Senator Rick Scott to help overturn this rule through the power of the vote. While it won in the House, it did fail in the Senate.  So, it was back to the courts to help stop this overreach. Throughout the recent months there have been many injunctions set in place for Gun Owners of America, Second Amendment Foundation, FPC, and more. However, in order to be protected you would have needed to be named plaintiff or a member of one of these originations. With this new nationwide injunction from Judge Kasmaryk, that is no longer the case. All Americans are protected.

 

We are very thankful for all the hard work these 2nd amendment organizations do to help support companies like us and law abiding citizens who enjoy their 2nd amendment rights. So where do we go from here? Most certainly the Justice Department will appeal this ruling to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. The consensus among the legal community is that they will support the injunction relief and issue a permanent injunction in the coming months. As to the various lawsuits themselves? These will be a long endeavor and will likely take years to work through the legal system. Eventually, the U.S. Supreme Court will probably hear them. In the meantime, Americans will be protected by the injunctions.

Shockwave offers four different pistol stabilizers.

Pistol stabilizers improve the shooter’s safety and accuracy as the AR pistol is stabilized on their forearm for support.

Blade Stealth

Blade Classic

Blade 2M

Blade Pistol Stabilizer 

Take Me Home, Country Roads…

After seven years of sun and fun—and a whole lot of hard work—it was time to head on back to where it all started: home. Back to Utah.

Sure, we’ll miss the oppressive heat and humidity, alligators crawling across the Publix parking lot, sinkholes swallowing up entire neighborhoods, the hurricanes, the tropical storms, the tornadoes, being eaten alive by mosquitoes and noseeums, and arguably America’s worst drivers. LOL

But seriously, we’ll miss being able to eat a Pub Sub, killer sunsets over the Gulf, spotting manatees in Crystal River, fishing Honeymoon Island, exploring the sandy beaches for shells, enjoying rich cultural experiences in most every city we visited, and wondering why there are so many chickens just walking around Key West.

Family obligations necessitated a return, so we moved Shockwave this August. And honestly, it feels so good to be home. Clean air, mountains all around, the changing seasons. We missed it all.

As they say, it’s good to be home.

How to Build an AR-15 & What You Need to Know

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and not intended to provide legal advice. You are responsible for your own actions, and we advise you to seek guidance from a legal professional in your area before building a custom AR-15 pistol.

 

Should you be afraid to build your own AR pistol?

 

Lions, tigers, and custom-built AR pistols. Oh my!

 

As a law-abiding citizen, we understand that building your own AR pistol can feel like walking on eggshells. It’s one thing to learn how to safely make a firearm that will work great for your needs—and quite another when it comes to building it according to all the convoluted rules in place. 

 

Have no fear. We will walk you through the steps of what you need to get started.

 

What you need to know before building an AR-15 pistol

 

The fears behind building a custom AR-15 pistol are not primarily focused on preventing yourself from getting caught in the act of using an illegally configured firearm at the range—but more about protecting yourself in case you ever need to use it in a personal defense situation, where your firearm can be seized and used as evidence against you in court. 


For rest assurance (and to remain the law-abiding citizen we know you are), building a firearm legally is truly a “cover your ass” action that calls for getting it done right the first time. It’s not worth cutting corners that could cost you a whole lot of issues in unexpected circumstances. 

 

Before we get into the nitty gritty, let’s cover our bases.

 

The first thing you want to do is familiarize yourself with both your local and state gun regulations, or contact your local FFL dealer for guidance. They can help answer questions and provide suggestions as well.

 

Now let’s define what a pistol is on a federal level.

 

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) defines a pistol as “a weapon originally designed, made and intended to fire a projectile from one or more barrels when held in one hand and having: a chamber as an integral part of, or permanently aligned with, the bore; and a short stock designed to be gripped by one hand and at an angle to and extending below the line of the bore.”

 

While an AR-15 pistol has a similar makeup as an AR-15 rifle, there are a few differences that classify it a “pistol”: 

  • The barrel is typically shorter than 16 inches (and overall length is shorter than 26 inches).
  • You can’t put a vertical forend grip on it (angled grips are okay).
  • You can optionally have a pistol brace on your firearm.
  • It cannot have a stock.

 

Also, the NFA (National Firearms Act) doesn’t regulate pistol barrel length. So as long as it doesn’t have a stock, which would classify it as a rifle, you should be good to go without having to deal with the tax stamps, paperwork, and other rules from the NFA.



How to build an AR-15 pistol

how to build an ar-15 pistol

Now let’s get to the good stuff: building a custom AR-15 pistol. 

 

The benefit of building an AR-15 pistol is that you get exactly what you want–sometimes at a fraction of the cost. As long as you have the time on your hands, it can be a great alternative to buying one from a firearms dealer. 

 

First things first, you need to define your budget and what you want from your firearm.

 

Now it’s time to get a lower and upper receiver from your FFL. Ensure the 4473 form is marked “Other receiver, other firearm and receiver (not rifle).” You must know how the lower receiver part was purchased. If it was originally built as a rifle, it can’t be built into a pistol without getting a tax stamp and registering it with the ATF. But if you bought a stripped lower receiver and built it into a pistol from scratch (and it’s not designated as a rifle on the 4473 form), you’re gravy.

 

Here are some other items you’ll need:



  • Handguard
    • A handguard (also known as a forend or forearm) is a shroud that covers the barrel, preventing accidental burns and allowing a second surface for gripping the firearm. There are free-floating and drop-in handguards available based on your needs.



  • Bolt Carrier Group (BCG)
    • This is something you don’t want to go cheap on. It’s the part of the rifle or pistol that allows for safe semi-automatic action.


  • Barrel
    • You need to determine which caliber you want: .223/5.56mm, .300 Blackout, 9mm, .45 ACP, etc.
    • You will want to ensure the barrel’s gas port is in the desired location: carbine or rifle. Carbine-length gas systems are the de facto standard for most pistol builds these days.
    • An AR-15 pistol also usually has a barrel shorter than 16” (the minimum legal length for a rifle barrel).



  • Trigger
    • You can stick with a standard mil-spec trigger or consider an aftermarket trigger. The sky’s the limit when it comes to function and features of the myriad aftermarket triggers.





  • Pistol buffer
    • A pistol buffer is another piece designed to help make your AR semi automatic. Example of an AR-15 carbine buffer:



  • Buffer spring
  • Castle nut
    • A castle nut (or buffer tube nut) screws into the buffer tube and keeps the buffer tube/receiver extension and lower receiver end plate secured. Example of an AR-15 castle nut:
  • Endplate
    • An endplate is designed for an AR-15 with a carbine buffer tube, aligning the buffer tube with the lower receiver. Example of an AR-15 endplate:



 

Other add-ons we suggest:



  • Optics
    • We could write an entire book on optics and sights. Suffice it to say, do some independent research, ask others, and try out different options for yourself. First and foremost, you will need to determine whether open sights, a red-dot-type, a telescopic optic—or a combination thereof is what you’re looking for.



  • Flashlight for home defense
    • A flashlight mounted to your firearm will help you see where you’re going during the night and see your target, but a bright light can also stun your intruder, making it difficult for them to see you. 

How to Remove the Forend Nut on a Mossberg 500 or Remington 870

Say Goodbye to Stuck Nuts!

 

How many times has this happened to you? You want to clean your Mossberg 500 or Remington 870, but as you’re stripping it down, you find your forend nut is stuck? Or you don’t have the right tool? 

You end up making do with a hammer and punch, or other unsuitable combination of devices. But as you’re wailing away on your nut and trying to get it off, you end up doing some real damage to your gun. 

Next thing you know, you’ve now got to spend the cash to go see a professional for gun repair — and see if they can clean up the mess you’ve created.

Fret no more. 

Shockwave has you covered. Remove and replace your forend in under two minutes with the Shockwave Raptor Forend Nut Tool. Full 304 stainless steel construction, this handy dandy device is proudly made in the U.S.A. 

Being double-ended, one tool fits both Mossberg 500 and Remington 870 guns.

Extra long, the Shockwave Raptor Forend Nut Tool can reach the deepest of nuts on the longest of magazine tubes. Being stainless, it won’t rust like a carbon-steel tool or deform like a nylon or aluminum tool. That means you’re always assured of being able to get off the most stubborn nuts.

Just grasp the tool with your dominant hand, work it over the magazine tube and into your nut. Then just a twist to the left. Voila, your nut’s off. Reassembly is simply the reverse.

Need more leverage? A thin metal bar or even a screwdriver can be inserted through the hole in the end. On exceedingly long magazine tubes, a rubber strap wrench can often be employed with great success.

The Shockwave Raptor Forend Nut Tool features include:

  • Precision-machined in Dunedin, Florida
  • Manufactured from 304 stainless steel
  • Won’t rust like a carbon steel tool
  • Won’t deform like a nylon or aluminum tool
  • Remove the most stubborn forend nuts
  • Insert a bar or screwdriver through one of the provided holes for extra leverage
  • Over 4? long for reaching the deepest recessed nuts on the longest magazine tubes
  • No need to remove the magazine tube from your firearm
  • One side fits Mossberg 500 guns and the other Remington 870 and Hawk 982 guns
  • Fits 12-gauge guns with short, medium, long or even extra long magazine tubes 
  • Compatible with the Streamlight tactical forend.


Of course, safety first. Whenever cleaning your Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 (or any gun for that matter), you always want to make sure your chamber’s empty, as you wouldn’t want your gun to go off accidentally.

Why You Should Choose an AR-15 Pistol for a Home Defense Firearm

Let’s cut to the chase: The AR-15 pistol is one of the best firearms for home defense. 

 

Why? They’re affordable, reliable, accurate, and found everywhere. It’s no wonder the AR-15 is informally known as America’s 21st Century musket. And for good reason. 

 

When an intruder sees the easily recognized AR in your hands, they know you mean business. 

 

Learn about the evolution of the AR and AR pistol. 

 

But first, let’s dive into the benefits of using an AR-15 pistol for home defense. Each benefit is like a ripple effect — they all go hand in hand to make this firearm perfect for defense purposes. 



Benefits of an AR-15 Pistol for Home Defense

 

shockwave blade stealth ar-15 pistol

Affordable

 

You can find an AR-15 pistol to fit every budget: from just a few hundred dollars to the “sky is the limit.” The typical .223 ammunition is easily found in stores (when there’s not a global pandemic unfolding daily or nightly riots) and one of the least expensive ammos, with prices averaging about 32 cents per round. 

 

 

Low Recoiling

 

A low recoil makes the AR-15 pistol easy to shoot and a good option for beginners — even younger members of the family.

 

 

Accuracy

 

Because of such low recoil, accuracy is improved for most shooters.

 

 

Lightweight

 

At a mere 6 pounds — with ammo! — the AR-15 pistol is light enough for shooters of all ages and experiences. Because it has such a lightweight body, you can easily customize and add accessories to your firearm without making it too heavy to handle safely and accurately — especially in a home defense scenario. 

 

 

Ergonomically Designed

 

Many features of the AR-15 pistol are designed with ergonomics in mind, making this firearm comfortable and safe to shoot: pistol grip, trigger reach, safety location, forward handguard, sights, etc.

 

 

Ammo Capacity

 

A typical AR-15 pistol magazine holds 30 rounds of ammo. 

 

Many experts recommend using the .223 cartridge because it’s typically easy to find in stores,  inexpensive, and provides lower recoil. Some recommend using a 55-grain soft-point load that minimizes bullet penetration, which can be beneficial to protect your family in other parts of the home (or surrounding neighbors) in case the bullet misses the intended target. However, as you may know, the AR-15 is available in a multitude of calibers.

 

 

Size

 

During a home invasion, you don’t want to be turning corners and allow the intruder to discover your location before you know theirs. The AR-15 pistol is a great option for home defense due to its relatively short length, allowing you to turn corners discreetly and avoid disclosing your location that can put your defense game at risk. 

 

 

Customizable

 

From function to ergonomics to aesthetics, there are simply too many types of firearm accessories for customizing your AR-15 pistol than we can possibly cover here: grips, forearms, slings, sights, lights, lasers, scopes, red dot sights, triggers, muzzle devices, and so on. 

 

For home defense purposes, however, we recommend keeping it simple. Focus on the following accessories:

  • Brace, grip and/or sling: for better and safer control of your firearm
  • Flashlight: for better visibility in low-light conditions and stunning any intruders with the bright illumination
  • Red dot sight: for accuracy



A note about pistol braces:

 

Whether you’re building a custom AR-15 pistol or bought an AR-15 pistol without a brace, adding a brace can improve control and accuracy.

 

An AR-15 pistol cannot have a stock but it can have a brace, such as the Shockwave Blade and Shockwave Blade 2M. 





Shockwave AR-15 Pistol Accessories

 

Shockwave Technologies offers products to enhance your home defense use (and enjoyment) of your AR-15 firearms. Check out these Shockwave products compatible with AR-15 pistols.

 

 

Blade®

 

Made from high-strength glass-reinforced polymer, the Blade® is manufactured to exacting tolerances and fits all pistols equipped with a standard AR-15 pistol buffer tube (up to 1.25? in diameter). Just slip it on and tighten the large set screw for a rock-solid installation.

 

Blade® fits all pistols equipped with a standard AR-15 pistol buffer tube (up to 1.25? in diameter) AR pattern, Glock, CZ Scorpion Evo 3, HK9X pattern, etc.

 

Features include:

 

  • Available in black, flat dark earth, OD green, and stealth gray
  • Quick and easy to install.
  • Provides additional support during firing.
  • Weighs a scant 5.0 ounces.
  • ATF approved for pistol use 

 

 

Blade® 2M

 

Made from high-strength glass-reinforced polymer, the adjustable Blade® 2M pistol stabilizer is manufactured to exacting tolerances and fits all pistols equipped with a Mil-spec buffer tube. Just slip it on and lock in place.  Adjusts with a simple finger lever.

 

Compatible with all pistols equipped with a Mil-spec buffer tube: 

 

  • AR-15 pattern
  • MPX
  • Glock
  • CZ Scorpion Evo 3
  • HK9X pattern
  • etc.

 

Features include:

 

  • Available in black, flat dark earth, OD green, and stealth gray
  • Quick and easy to install.
  • Provides additional support during firing.
  • Weighs a scant 4.0 ounces.
  • ATF approved for pistol use 

Firearm Shortage 2020: How Dealers Can Quickly Restock Shelves

shockwave model

Pandemics. Economic Crises. Presidential Elections. Riots. Prisoner releases. These are just a few ingredients to the recipe for panic, causing the firearm shortage 2020 across the nation. Any form of civil unrest can lead many to fear for their families and homes, and they’ll do anything to protect and preserve it. 

 

There has been a record-breaking surge in firearm sales and new gun owners in 2020. In fact, according to NSSF, there was a 135.7% increase in background checks in June 2020 compared to June 2019 for folks to purchase or possess firearms — that’s nearly 5 million new gun owners so far this year. With Mossberg 590 Shockwave at the top of the Pump action shotgun sales, it’s clear that gun owners are gearing up for home defense. 

 

Much like the toilet paper demand in the Spring of 2020 with the coronavirus outbreak, gun stores have been selling out of supplies like hot cakes and forced to put a limit inventory sales to “slow the curve” of shortages for local gun owners. Due to the shortage of firearm supplies, local stores are struggling to stay afloat because they have nothing on their shelves to sell. The national shortage of firearms, firearm accessories and ammo affects everyone.

 

However, while there is low supply and high demand for dealers and stores selling supplies, there is still hope for restocking those shelves quickly.

 

Need help restocking your shelves? Fill it with Shockwave products. 

 

Contact Shockwave Technologies to restock your shelves quickly with reputable firearm products. We’ve ramped up staffing and production to ensure we can provide products in a timely manner. We currently have no supply issues and ship the following business day. 

 

Restock your shelves during the firearm shortage 2020 with some of our most popular firearm accessories:

 

  • Raptor™ Grip
  • Raptor™ F1 Forend
  • Raptor™ Forend Tool
  • Raptor™ Strap Kit
  • Blade®
  • Blade® 2M
  • 30 Round ZMAG™ and 50 Round ZMAG™



Find out which firearms are compatible with Shockwave.

5 Questions To Ask Before Buying A Gun

When it comes to buying a gun, there are a few key questions you need to ask yourself before walking into a gun store and letting your emotions drive your purchase. It’s crucial to do your research and prepare ahead of time with questions you want to ask the gun dealer before you pull out your wallet and walk out as a new gun owner. 

5 Questions To Ask Before Buying A New Gun

 

1) Why are you interested in buying a gun? 

 

Whether you’re interested in buying a gun for sport, hunting, or personal defense, it’s important to know why you plan to buy a gun and the type of gun you need, so you can prepare the right questions to guide your purchase. 

 

Once you determine the type of gun you want to buy, don’t skip out on doing your research. If you want a firearm for home defense, you’ll want to consider what makes the best home defense firearm and accessories. Is it an AR? Is it a shotgun? If you can’t decide which one you need after doing your research, have your questions ready to ask the gun dealer to help you determine which firearm will work best for you.

 

As Off The Grid News puts it, you first “identify the purpose, and choose a [firearm] to fill that purpose.”



2) Is it the right fit?

 

After determining why you need a gun and the type of gun you need, it’s time to test out the ergonomics. When you go to your local firearm dealer, handling the gun and making sure it’s a good fit for your hands is very important for safety, comfort, and accuracy. You’ll also want to find out how much the gun recoils when fired, which is important to know depending on the firearm’s purpose and how often you plan to use it. 

 

If you’re not sure the gun is a good fit, there are a couple of options you can consider:

 

  1. Find out if there is a local shooting range nearby that will let you test out the gun or rent the gun, so you can determine if it’s going to be worth purchasing. 
  2. Ask the gun dealer if they can help you find a gun that fits your hand properly. A gun that’s too big is hard to hold onto. One that’s too small may be harder to shoot accurately.


Check out our blog about Shockwave Raptor™ Grips and why ergonomics are important for firearm design. 



3) What’s your budget?

 

Firearms can get quite expensive, so it’s important to stick to a budget and choose one that will fit your purpose before buying a gun. Regardless of the price range of the firearm you’re interested in, it’s important to do your due diligence to know the right price for a specific model, know when someone is trying to oversell you, and know when a great deal comes along.

 

Don’t forget to budget for other things that come along with buying a gun — from taxes, to background checks, to accessories, to ammunition, to permits, and more. Ask the gun dealer if there are any extra costs and fees involved. 

 

If you’re pinching pennies to budget for a new gun or not confident about the gun you are considering, again, you might want to ask the gun retailer (or do your research) to see if there are any nearby shooting ranges that allow you to try before you buy.

 

If you are a veteran or first time buyer, you might even ask the gun dealer if there are any discounts, rebates, or sales going on that would benefit your purchase of the firearm. 

 

Lastly, check out the required firearm transaction record form to see if anything might disqualify you from purchasing a firearm. Focus on questions 11a-11i, 12, and 13 to determine this.



4) Which firearm accessories can you add on?

 

Whether you need home defense firearm accessories, want to accessorize for aesthetic purposes, or need maintenance kit items to keep your gun clean, don’t forget to include these in your budget. The main accessories you want to consider are those that will enhance the experience, accuracy, and comfort of your firearm for its intended purpose. 

 

You’ll also want to consider how you plan to store your gun. Firearm storage can be expensive, but an important way to keep your loved ones safe and keep it from being easily stolen. 

 

Lastly, for training purposes, it’s important to have the accessories you need to protect yourself from misuse that could cause injury or worse. Find out where you can get basic safety training or safely practice shooting your gun to get used to it. You can even watch tutorials online to show you how to use the gun, what each function means, how it shoots, and so forth to prepare you for your training phase after purchase. 

 

Do your research and determine which accessories are important for your firearm of choice.

 

Examples of Shockwave Technologies and partner firearm accessories include:

 

 

View https://shockwavetechnologies.com to view all firearm accessories.



5) What are the firearm’s capabilities and performance?

 

Knowing the performance and capabilities of your firearm are also important before purchasing. A few things you might want to know include:

 

  • Bullet drop
  • Bullet or shot grouping
  • Magazine capacity

 

The bullet drop is the distance that a bullet drops after being fired over a certain distance — and largely a function of the cartridge the firearm is chambered for. Bullet drop is an important and potentially complex component of ballistics for gun owners for a variety of reasons, whether hunting, target shooting, etc. Discuss this aspect with your dealer. 

 

Bullet or shot grouping relates to the accuracy of the firearm. In short, it indicates how closely each round will hit in relation to each other. Tightness of shot groupings are measured based on the distance between each bullet hole on the target. Accuracy is not only important for target shooters and hunters, it’s also important for self protection and other firearm uses.

 

Magazine capacity lets you know how many rounds of ammunition you have “on tap” in each magazine. Whether you are target practicing or firing your gun in self defense, it’s important to know how many shots you have available before you need to reload.



What other questions do you like to ask yourself or the gun dealer before purchasing a new firearm? Leave a comment below. 

Top 5 Firearm Accessories for Home Defense

There’s nothing more intimidating than the sound of a shotgun pumping and gearing up for fire. For this reason, we’re all about using a shotgun in general for home defense — and that pump action can be scary enough to ward off an intruder before you have to take any necessary action to protect your household. But more specifically, we vouch for the Mossberg 590 Shockwave for the purpose of this topic.

 

The Mossberg 590 is considered a top home defense firearm across the web and we couldn’t agree more. With a shorter barrel than a traditional shotgun (which is typically used for hunting and clay shooting), you can get around corners and down the stairs more easily with a Mossberg 590 Shockwave. 

 

But the shotgun itself isn’t the only element needed to be prepared with the best home defense kit. Check out our top firearm accessories that you need for home and personal defense:

 

Shorty Shotshells

shorty shells with opsol mini clip

What is a shorty shotshell? A shorty shell (or mini shell) is a shotgun shell about half the length of a traditional shell, typically running at 1.75-inches long. They don’t blow a huge hole in the wall because they have a more narrow and targeted area of penetration. They also have less power and velocity (but enough of it to be a perfect fit for home defense). And lastly, you can fit more shorty shotshells in a tube meaning more rounds to ensure you don’t run out of ammo when a home intruder attempts to attack. 

 

When it comes to Shockwave, we believe buckshot shorty shells are the way to go.



Raptor Grip

Shockwave raptor grip

With the enhanced texture and ergonomic design of the Raptor™ Grip, you’ve never held onto your firearm with as much confidence and control for both safety and comfort. Its unique angle minimizes felt recoil, allowing for maximum control shot after shot. It’s also constructed with a glass-filled polymer, making it virtually indestructible. 

 

With less recoil, mini shells work great with the ergonomic design of the Raptor™ Grip. This is especially important for those who may be more recoil sensitive.

 

There are also new Raptor™ Grip colors available: black, FDE, OD green, and gray. 

 

Learn more about the Raptor™ Grip R870 and Raptor™ Grip M500/590.

 

OPSol Mini Clip

shockwave opsol mini clip

The OPSol Mini Clip only goes on Mossberg firearms and is specifically designed so that you can use short shells without jams. It allows you to easily install and uninstall in seconds to allow use of 1.75?, 2.75?, or 3? shells (as desired) with lower recoil for safe, easy, and comfortable aiming and discharging.





Flashlight Mount

shockwave flashlight mount

A GG&G flashlight mount for your Mossberg allows you to install a bright flashlight that will not only allow you to easily see where you’re going during the night and see your target, but the strong light can also stun your intruder, making it difficult for them to see you. Being in the bright spotlight will also make them feel exposed and more likely to run than to continue with their intrusion, knowing that they are a clear target of your shotgun. 

 

GG&G developed the Shockwave Flashlight Mount specifically for the Mossberg 590 Shockwave because its forend is a reconfigured version of Mossberg’s 590 foregrip. Our 590 flashlight mount which is similar, is a hair too close to the foregrip, so if you own one of the new Mossberg’s and need a flashlight mount, this is the one to get.

 

The GG&G Flashlight Mount for Mossberg 590 Shockwave:

 

  • Installs easily and is perfect for mounting a tactical flashlight to your Mossberg 590 Shockwave shotgun.
  • Manufactured specifically for the 12-gauge Shockwave (will not fit the 20-gauge Shockwave).
  • Designed, tested, and manufactured to withstand the rigors associated with professional use. It’s also been manufactured from bullet proof AS-35 Geneva steel and 6061-T6 billet aluminum.
  • Features an ambidextrous design that can be mounted on either side of the Mossberg Shockwave to accommodate both right- handed or left- handed shooters.
  • Offers dehorned edges (rounded, smoothed, and beveled) to protect the shooter.
  • Includes a Lifetime Warranty
  • Made in America by men and women proud to be Americans! 



Forend Strap

shockwave forend strapEnsuring you have a secure forend strap is an important safety feature that will protect yourself when in the heat of the moment of a surprise home invasion. A forend strap will keep a nervous, sweaty hand from slipping in front of your Mossberg 590 Shockwave shotgun and give you better control of your firearm to protect your loved ones. 

The Raptor Strap kit for the Mossberg 500 and 590 forends is designed for the tactical forearm image shown here, but will also fit the standard handguard. It will also fit other shotgun models from other manufacturers.

 

The Raptor Strap kit includes the strap, attachment hardware, and detailed instructions with full-size template. You can easily install this within 10 minutes using a drill, an 1/8” drill bit, and a Phillips-head screwdriver for installation.