The Remington 870 Tac-14 is a powerful defensive weapon that works around NFA regulations. It can be used as a home defense weapon, a truck gun, or just for fun. Gun owners often name the 870 as their favorite model from Big Green. It seems that more shooters own or have owned the pump shotgun than others. The real question was how to make it better. Since 1951, the model has been sold more than 11,000,000 times. There are dozens of configurations available. The Remington 870 Tac-14 is a non-NFA shotgun that has a 14-inch barrel with pistol grip. Since 1934, the National Firearms Act (NFA), has required that certain firearms be purchased. This involved a lot of paperwork, including a long wait. According to 26 U.S. Code, shotguns of a particular type fall under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the federal agency responsible in enforcing NFA. 26 U.S. Code? A shotgun is considered a firearm subject the NFA if it has a barrel (or barrels) less than 18 inches. A weapon made from shotguns is also subject to the NFA if its overall length or barrel length are less than 26 inches. So how is Remington’s Tac-14 considered a non-NFA firearm?” It has a pistol grip, rather than a shotgun-stock stock, and an overall length 26.3 inches. This makes it a “firearm” that is not subject to regulation. Translation: no tax stamp, no NFA registration, no worries. (State and local laws apply, but most states are Tac-14-friendly. I have a confession to make. I love all things NFA, SBRs, SBSs and full-auto. I also have a soft spot for firearms that can create bigger booms in my gun-loving heart. A non-NFA 12-gauge pistol grip with a 14-inch barrel and a pistol grip was met with unabashed curiosity. I treated the selection of test ammunition as a sacred task, with reverence that is reserved for religious leaders. I was thrilled to receive the firearm and sat down to examine it from grip to muzzle.
Remington 870 Tac-14 has a Raptor pistolgrip. It is made from glass-filled polymer. This composite has a greater strength and rigidity that straight polymer. Shockwave Technologies manufactures the Raptor. It features a bird’s-head grip that maximizes recoil control. The Magpul MOE MLok Forend promises improved control. The Magpul MOE M-Lok Forend promises improved control. It is slightly longer than the standard forend. The barrel measures 14 inches and is a cylinder bore. It has no choke and is topped with a bead sight. Capacity is 4+1 if the 12-gauge shotshells are of the standard 2 3/4-inch length. Again, the overall length is 26.3 in.
I decided to bow to the 870 Tac-14’s dimensions and most likely use by firing it at 10, 25 and 10 yards. However, it was mostly fired at 10 or less. While most of my shooting was done standing, I did some kneeling and bench shooting. I fed the gun everything from Fiocchi Exacta target load 2 3/4-inch 7/8-ounce No. 7 1/2 shot, Remington’s Managed recoil buckshot, and Federal’s 3-inch magnum $00 buckshot were all fed to the gun. The first dozen shotshells through 870 Tac-14 were the Fiocchi Exacta target loads. Although recoil is a term that is often used casually, it was minimal in this case. The Raptor grip provided a firm grip, even in wet conditions, and the trigger was light and clean. I then loaded it with Federal 3-inch TruBall rifled Slugs and blew up a row of Birchwood Casey Shoot-N-C targets. Recoil remained well within my control, which was a pleasant surprise following the sometimes-significant recoil of the half-dozen 12-gauge shotguns I’ve reviewed in the past few months. Even better, I was able to hit the targets exactly where I was aiming. This was a pleasant surprise after the sometimes-significant recoil of the dozen 12-gauge shotguns I’ve reviewed in the past few months. It was easy to learn the correct angle for a precise shot. The gun can be raised to eye level and held out so that the bead sight could be used. I tried this several times before I decided to shoot from the hip. It ate every standard-sized shotshell that I gave it. The Remington’s Ultimate Defense00 buckshot performed well in standard and Managed Recoil loads. It also ate every standard-sized shotshell I gave it. Hornady’s Critical Defense 2 3/4-inch 00 Buckshot was the clear winner. This load, packed into black hulls, recoiled slightly more than other 00s, but with less muzzle rise. It was also patterned very well considering its cylinder bore. Critical Defense consistently hit the bull’s eye at 10 yards with an average spread 2.75 inches. There are many options if recoil is a concern. This is the first time I have mentioned that there was one load with recoil that caught my attention. It was No. 4 buckshot across the board, but that wasn’t a problem. Remington’s Ultimate Defense buckshot with managed recoil — eight 00buck pellets instead of nine — met all requirements for a lower-recoiling, 00buck pellet. The shotshells that the gun didn’t like cycling were Aguila Minishells. It would fire them without hesitation but it didn’t seem like the pump action could consistently chamber the next Minishell. Real-Life Use
Remington officially unveiled the 870 Tac-14 at NRA Annual Meetings 2017. The prominent tagline, “The shortest distance between powerless & prepared,” was prominently displayed on the Remington 870 Tac-14. This brings up a crucial point: Is it for fun or self-defense, the 870 Tac-14? It’s also an option for home defense. It has one advantage that the full-size 870 does not have: greater maneuverability. This is a key benefit when it comes to close-quarter shots like those you would find in a home with furniture. The gun’s small size makes it easier to use for threat-focused shooting, also known as point shooting. It is also more accurate with one hand, as long as it is supported. Despite this, the recoil can cause a tremendous muzzle rise even without your other hand. It is heavy and difficult to aim with, but it can be used if the forearm rests on a surface. You can cycle the pump by using a sharp motion against a surface. It’s amazing to see 00 buck utterly annihilate a Watermelon. But it’s also eye-opening to watch it tear through multiple sheets of drywall. Our service members use 12-gauge shotguns for breaking doors and walls. This is because it’s capable of amazing destruction and doesn’t care about what lies beyond. Use loads that are less likely to penetrate, such as No. 4 buckshot, which did indeed recoil more distinctly, and practice. Bottom Line
Overall, the Remington870 Tac-14 appears to be a solid, well-made firearm. It brought a smile on my face and, I’m proud to say, more than one exclamation “Sweet!” It brought a smile to my face and a smirk to my lips. It ate every 2-inch and 3-inch shotshell I gave it. The pile of spent shotshells that I left behind was quite large. It was able to accurately fire a wide range of loads, even firing the Federal Black Cloud 3-inch 1 1/2-ounce BBs that I fired just for fun. It was fun and reliable. It was fun, but it was also reliable. Target grids and bullseye sizes can be downloaded in MOA. Perfect for long-range shooting! Get free targets
