Not sure if this helps, but I just spoke with my ATF inspector about this. Evidently the Shockwave and TAC-14 are not defined as short barreled shotguns. They are transferred the same as a receiver (no pistol registry involved), BUT the buyer must be 21 or older.

Yes, I know- ATF is federal. But try getting anything out of the dimwitted fools in Olympia.

No, because you still have a "weapon made from a rifle", so it never becomes a pistol. Plus, what you've done is actually redesign the rifle. But that's a moot point; it's still a rifle.


We're in agreement that the RCW pistol definition was not well thought out. They never should have written it to say "any firearm", nor should it used the word "or". It's so broad that SBRs and SBSs fall into the "pistol" definition (though they don't cease being SBRs and SBSs, which is important to note). But my point is that we can only operate off the letter of the RCWs, which in my view is crystal clear. I understand not everyone agrees, but I have a hard time seeing how the RCWs can be construed to mean something other than what they actually say.

Clearly, the Mossberg Shockwave satisfies the definition of "firearm", and also satisfies the first half of the definition of "pistol". The use of the word "or" in between the two halves of the pistol definition is important; just because the Shockwave is designed to be held and fired by the use of two hands does not disqualify it from being classified as a pistol, because it is still a firearm with a barrel less than sixteen inches in length (with pistols, it's an either/or).

I finally held one of these earlier this week. It was heavier than I expected.

This particular one had a set of sling swivels. Counter guy said something about it being illegal to put a sling on one in WA. Thoughts?