I found a surprise under the tree

[ChugiakTinkerer]

The light of my life added to the firearm collection by giving me a Garaysar FEAR-118. It's a pistol-grip semi-automatic that shoots 12 ga up to 3".

https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/gara...012235934.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4MCDaOFQEQ

Anyone fire something like this? It's a bit of a novelty to me, and I'd appreciate any insight on whether it would be suitable for bear defense. Or is its role limited to target shooting and zombie control?

 

[Daveinthebush]

Since you really can't aim it, I would think that slugs might be out. 00 might be best.

Isn't that going to require registration with the barrel shorter than 18"? Or does that qualify as a pistol? With that on your back someone might mistake you for the Terminator. :grin4: Great gift though.

 

[ChugiakTinkerer]

Isn't that going to require registration with the barrel shorter than 18"? Or does that qualify as a pistol? With that on your back someone might mistake you for the Terminator. :grin4: Great gift though.

Going by what I saw on the web, because it's not fitted with a shoulder stock it doesn't meet the legal description for a shotgun. It's instead a firearm that shoots shot.

 

[NRick]

I had a gun like that but with an 18" barrel. That style pistol grip is pretty hard to hold onto if you are shooting a 3" shell with big slug in it.

I eventually replaced it with a Mossberg 500 with a more pistol grip shaped pistol grip (18.5" barrel). Easier to shoot. However, I shoot it from the hip. Holding it anywhere near your face is asking to look like you lost a boxing match.

I carry mine for bear protection. Pretty much always with me outside of Anchorage. Practice using target loads so you don’t wrench your wrist. I’m not shooting a bear in self defense 50 yards out. It’s much more likely to be 15 feet away when can get the gun out to shoot. With some practice you can get good at hitting targets a close range from the hip and it’s fun once you get the hang of it.

 

[AKBEE]

Chugiak:
People sometimes get confused about the pistol grip and barrel length. Some think that an added pistol grip scattergun can have the shorter than 18” barrel without additional paperwork, versus the ‘bird beak’ styles designed to never have a shoulder stock and meet minimal overall length. I find the grip on my Mossberg Shockwave much more comfortable to shoot than the standard pistol grip style on my 870’s. I have a green laser on the shockwave that can be activated by trigger finger. Super convenient in truck cab, or in it’s quick draw scabbard strapped within reach on atv or snowmachine. I am not familiar with the gun she got you but it looks fun! Enjoy it.

 

[ChugiakTinkerer]

Chugiak:
People sometimes get confused about the pistol grip and barrel length. Some think that an added pistol grip scattergun can have the shorter than 18” barrel without additional paperwork, versus the ‘bird beak’ styles designed to never have a shoulder stock and meet minimal overall length. I find the grip on my Mossberg Shockwave much more comfortable to shoot than the standard pistol grip style on my 870’s. I have a green laser on the shockwave that can be activated by trigger finger. Super convenient in truck cab, or in it’s quick draw scabbard strapped within reach on atv or snowmachine. I am not familiar with the gun she got you but it looks fun! Enjoy it.

It seems the term I should have used is "birdshead pistol grip". I did find the letter that Mossberg has on their web site from the BATF stating that the Shockwave does not meet the specifications for a firearm under the National Firearms Act. I'll do a little more digging before I ever take this bad boy out in public, just to be sure I know what the law requires.

Watching the videos I have seen of the short barrel not-a-shotguns, it will indeed be a lot of fun!

 

[AKBEE]

It is legal as is. I read some reviews and it appears they may like some loads over others, and the semi-auto combined with heft makes it much less of a kicker than the Mossberg. I hope you have some fun with it.