Pistol Grips

Pistol Grip Shotguns

A pistol grip shotgun is a shotgun that replaces or supplements the traditional buttstock with a vertical or angled pistol-style grip, and pistol grip shotguns come in 3 configurations: pistol grip only (PGO) with no stock, pistol grip with full buttstock, and pistol grip with collapsible or folding stock. Pistol grip shotguns offer 4 advantages over traditional stock shotguns: shorter overall length for home defense maneuverability, compact storage in vehicles and small safes, faster target transitions at close range, and Picatinny rail support for red dot sights, lasers, and flashlights. Pistol grip shotguns are available in 12 gauge, 20 gauge, and .410 bore from manufacturers including Mossberg, Remington, Benelli, Savage, JTS Group, and Kel-Tec, with prices ranging from $290 to $1,928. This guide covers pistol grip shotgun types and legal classifications, pros and cons of pistol grip configurations, key buying features including action type and barrel length, product reviews of 6 tactical shotguns with prices and ratings, ammunition considerations for pistol grip shotguns, and related recoil pads for managing felt recoil.

Types of Pistol Grip Shotguns

There are 3 types of pistol grip shotgun configurations that differ in stock design, legal classification, and intended use:

• Pistol Grip Only (PGO): a shotgun with a vertical pistol grip and no buttstock — the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) classifies PGO shotguns as "firearms" or "other" rather than shotguns, which allows manufacturers to offer 14-inch (355.6 mm) barrels without a National Firearms Act (NFA) tax stamp provided the overall length remains at least 26 inches (660.4 mm)
• Pistol Grip with Full Buttstock: a shotgun with both a traditional shouldering stock and a pistol grip integrated into the stock design — the Benelli M4 Tactical Shotgun and Savage 320 Security use this configuration for shouldered shooting with improved grip ergonomics
• Pistol Grip with Collapsible or Folding Stock: a shotgun with an adjustable-length stock and pistol grip that collapses for storage and extends for shouldered firing — the JTS M12AK and military-pattern shotguns use collapsible stocks to adjust length of pull (LOP) for different shooters and body armor configurations

PGO Legal Classification

True PGO shotguns fall under the ATF "other" category rather than the shotgun classification, and the "other" designation requires a minimum overall length of 26 inches (660.4 mm) and prohibits adding a buttstock without NFA paperwork. The Mossberg 590 Shockwave and the Remington TAC-14 are classified as "firearms" under this category. PGO shotguns with bird's head grips (the Mossberg Shockwave uses a Raptor bird's head grip) are not Short-Barreled Shotguns (SBS) under federal law, but state and local laws vary — verify PGO legality in your state before purchase.

Pistol Grip Shotgun Pros and Cons

There are 4 advantages and 5 disadvantages of pistol grip shotguns compared to traditional buttstock shotguns.

Pistol Grip Shotgun Advantages

• Compact maneuverability: pistol grip shotguns with 14-inch (355.6 mm) to 18.5-inch (469.9 mm) barrels navigate hallways, doorways, and vehicle interiors more easily than full-length shotguns with 26-inch (660.4 mm) or 28-inch (711.2 mm) barrels
• Storage flexibility: PGO and folding-stock pistol grip shotguns fit under vehicle seats, in boat lockers, and in compact gun safes that cannot accommodate full-length shotguns
• Accessory mounting: Picatinny rail-equipped pistol grip shotguns accept red dot sights, laser aiming devices, and weapon-mounted flashlights for low-light home defense use
• Faster target transitions: the reduced weight and shorter overall length of pistol grip shotguns allow faster point-to-point movement between targets at close quarters distances under 15 yards (13.7 meters or m)

Pistol Grip Shotgun Disadvantages

• Increased felt recoil: a 12 gauge shotgun with 00 buckshot generates approximately 25 to 30 foot-pounds (33.9 to 40.7 joules or J) of free recoil energy, and PGO shotguns transmit all recoil force directly to the shooter's hands and wrists instead of distributing recoil across the shoulder
• Reduced accuracy: PGO shotguns fired from the hip position lack a consistent cheek weld and sight alignment, and a 12 gauge shotgun patterns approximately 3 inches (76.2 mm) at 5 yards (4.6 m) — too tight for unaimed hip-fire hits at defensive distances
• Steep learning curve: PGO shooting technique requires different stance, grip pressure, and recoil management compared to shouldered shotgun shooting
• Limited effective range: PGO shotguns without a stock are practical only inside 10 to 15 yards (9.1 to 13.7 m), while shouldered shotguns are effective to 50 yards (45.7 m) or more with slugs
• Ammunition sensitivity: semi-automatic pistol grip shotguns require standard-velocity loads at 1,200 feet per second (fps) or 365.8 meters per second (m/s) or higher to reliably cycle the action — reduced recoil loads at 1,000 to 1,100 fps (304.8 to 335.3 m/s) often fail to cycle semi-automatic actions

Key Features for Buying a Pistol Grip Shotgun

Action Type

Pistol grip shotguns use 3 action types that differ in cycling speed, ammunition compatibility, and mechanical complexity:

• Pump-action: manually cycles by sliding the forend rearward and forward — the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500 pump-action shotguns feed all ammunition types including reduced recoil loads, mini shells (with an adapter), and magnum loads without cycling failures
• Semi-automatic: gas-operated or inertia-driven actions that automatically cycle the next round — the Benelli M4 uses the Auto-Regulating Gas-Operated (ARGO) system and the JTS M12AK uses a gas piston system for faster follow-up shots than pump-action shotguns
• Bullpup: the action and magazine tube sit behind the trigger group — the Kel-Tec Kel-Tec Shotgun (KSG) places 2 magazine tubes behind the pistol grip for 12+1 or 14+1 capacity in a 26.1-inch (662.9 mm) overall length

Barrel Length and Gauge

Most pistol grip shotguns ship with 18.5-inch (469.9 mm) barrels — the minimum barrel length for non-NFA firearms — and 12 gauge is the standard chambering for tactical pistol grip shotguns. The 20 gauge produces 40% to 50% less felt recoil than the 12 gauge and is a practical choice for smaller-framed shooters. The .410 bore (the Mossberg 590 Shockwave .410 at $592) offers the lowest recoil of the 3 gauges and patterns tightly enough for home defense use inside 10 yards (9.1 m). Barrel lengths of 14 inches (355.6 mm) to 14.75 inches (374.7 mm) are available on PGO and "other" classified firearms, including the Mossberg 590 Shockwave and Mossberg 990 AfterShock SPX.

Receiver Material and Sights

Pistol grip shotgun receivers use 2 materials: steel receivers (Remington 870, Benelli M4) provide higher strength and durability, and aluminum receivers (Mossberg 500, Savage 320) provide lighter weight and better corrosion resistance. Sight options range from basic bead sights (Remington 870, Mossberg 500) to ghost ring aperture sights (Benelli M4) to full-length Picatinny rails (Kel-Tec KSG) for mounting red dot optics. Ghost ring sights provide faster target acquisition than bead sights in defensive scenarios. Mossberg's tang-mounted safety operates without changing the shooting grip, and Remington's trigger guard safety requires the trigger finger to move to the safety button.

Pistol Grip Shotgun Reviews

Remington 870 Express Tactical

The Remington 870 Express Tactical costs $517.99 and is a pump-action 12 gauge pistol grip shotgun with a 6+1 capacity, 18.5-inch (469.9 mm) barrel, steel receiver, and bead sight. The 870 Express Tactical ranks as the #1 Most Popular Remington Shotgun and #14 Most Popular Shotgun overall based on 28 ratings with an average score. Remington has manufactured the 870 platform for over 70 years, and the 870 achieved the status of best-selling shotgun in history. The synthetic pistol grip stock features finger grooves for a secure grip. Navy-modified 870s with top-folding stocks serve in Marine embassy arms rooms and warship small arms lockers.

Mossberg 500 Tactical

The Mossberg 500 Tactical costs $643.99 and is a pump-action 12 gauge pistol grip shotgun available in a 6+1 capacity 18.5-inch (469.9 mm) barrel or 8+1 capacity 20-inch (508 mm) barrel configuration with an aluminum receiver and tang-mounted safety. The 500 Tactical ranks #22 among Most Popular Mossberg Shotguns based on 9 ratings. Mossberg has manufactured shotguns since 1919. An optional top-mounted barrel heat shield protects hands from barrel heat after sustained firing. The Maverick 88 Cruiser ($290) uses the same internal action as the Mossberg 590A1 in a more affordable package and is available in 12 gauge (18.5-inch or 20-inch barrel) and 20 gauge (18.5-inch barrel).

Benelli M4 Tactical Shotgun

The Benelli M4 Tactical Shotgun costs $1,927.99 and is a semi-automatic 12 gauge pistol grip shotgun with a 5+1 capacity (7+1 with magazine tube extension), 18.5-inch (469.9 mm) barrel, steel receiver, ghost ring sights with fiber optic front sight, and Picatinny rail for optics mounting. The M4 Tactical ranks #18 among Most Popular Benelli Shotguns based on 4 ratings. The Benelli M4 uses a pistol grip integrated into the collapsible buttstock rather than a PGO configuration, combining shouldered accuracy with pistol grip control. The ARGO gas system cycles 2.75-inch (70 mm) and 3-inch (76 mm) shells reliably. The M4 is designated the M1014 Joint Service Combat Shotgun for the United States military.

Savage 320 Security

The Savage 320 Security costs $399 and is a pump-action 12 gauge pistol grip shotgun with a 5+1 capacity, 18.5-inch (469.9 mm) barrel, aluminum receiver, bead sight, and Picatinny rail. The 320 Security uses a pistol grip with a traditional buttstock and recoil pad for shouldered firing. The Savage 320 is the lowest-priced full-feature tactical pistol grip shotgun in this lineup and serves as an entry-level home defense or varmint shotgun.

JTS M12AK Tactical Shotgun

The JTS M12AK costs $499.99 and is a semi-automatic 12 gauge magazine-fed pistol grip shotgun with a 5+1 capacity (detachable box magazines), 18.5-inch (469.9 mm) barrel, steel receiver, adjustable sights, and collapsible stock. The M12AK ranks #5 among Most Popular JTS Group Shotguns based on 4 ratings. The detachable magazine system accepts aftermarket magazines including drum magazines for extended capacity. The gas-operated action cycles both 2.75-inch (70 mm) and 3-inch (76 mm) magnum shells and reduces felt recoil compared to pump-action shotguns.

Kel-Tec KSG Bullpup Shotgun

The Kel-Tec KSG costs $1,500.99 and is a pump-action 12 gauge bullpup pistol grip shotgun with dual magazine tubes holding 6+6+1 rounds (or 7+7+1 with shorter shells), 18.5-inch (469.9 mm) barrel, polymer and steel construction, full-length Picatinny rail, and a metal trigger guard. The KSG measures 26.1 inches (662.9 mm) overall — just over the ATF 26-inch minimum — making the KSG one of the shortest legal pump-action shotguns available. The bullpup design places the action behind the pistol grip, and the dual magazine tubes allow loading 2 different ammunition types (buckshot in one tube, slugs in the other) with tube selection during firing. The KSG is available with different forend grip options based on model variant.

Ammunition for Pistol Grip Shotguns

Standard and Reduced Recoil Loads

Pistol grip shotguns perform best with standard-velocity 12 gauge loads at 1,200 fps (365.8 m/s) or higher that reliably cycle semi-automatic actions and deliver consistent terminal performance. There are 3 ammunition velocity categories for pistol grip shotguns:

• Standard velocity (1,200+ fps or 365.8+ m/s): reliable cycling in all action types — the standard choice for home defense and range use
• Reduced recoil (1,000 to 1,100 fps or 304.8 to 335.3 m/s): lower felt recoil but may not cycle semi-automatic actions reliably — suitable only for pump-action pistol grip shotguns
• High velocity and magnum (1,300+ fps or 396.2+ m/s): guaranteed semi-automatic cycling with increased felt recoil — reserve high-velocity loads for situations requiring maximum penetration

Mini Shells for Pistol Grip Shotguns

Aguila Minishell ammunition uses 1.75-inch (44.5 mm) shells loaded with 7 pellets of #4 buckshot that produce less recoil than standard 2.75-inch (70 mm) shells and increase magazine capacity by fitting 8 rounds in a standard 5-round magazine tube. Mini shells require an adapter (the OPSol Mini-Clip costs approximately $20) for reliable feeding in most pump-action shotguns. The Kel-Tec KSG feeds mini shells without an adapter. Mini shells generate less muzzle velocity and pellet energy than standard shells but deliver adequate terminal performance inside 10 yards (9.1 m) for home defense.

Mossberg Pistol Grip Shotgun Product Lines

Mossberg manufactures 24 pistol grip shotgun models across 7 product families: the 990 AfterShock, 590 Shockwave, 590 Bliksem, 590M Standoff, 590 Cruiser, 500 Tactical JIC (Just In Case), and Maverick 88 Cruiser. The 990 AfterShock SPX in Cerakote finish ($1,260) is Mossberg's premium semi-automatic pistol grip shotgun with a 14.75-inch (374.7 mm) barrel, 5+1 capacity, and Cerakote corrosion-resistant coating. The 990 AfterShock 18.5-inch ($1,204) and 990 AfterShock Lasersaddle ($1,302) provide longer barrel and laser sight options. The 590 Shockwave line ranges from the base model at $592 to the Shockwave SPX at $728 and Shockwave Laser Saddle at $750, with variants in 12 gauge, 20 gauge, and .410 bore. The 590 Nightstick ($700) adds a forend strap for improved grip during firing.