C
Clarity News Hub

Is a pistol grip shotgun legal in Texas?

Author

Daniel Moore

Published Jan 16, 2026

Texans Can Legally Purchase Shockwave-Style Firearms Starting Sept 1. It will soon be legal for non-National Firearms Act, short-barreled firearms with pistol grips to be sold in Texas, which,...Texans Can Legally Purchase Shockwave-Style Firearms Starting Sept 1. It will soon be legal for non-National Firearms Act, short-barreled

short-barreled

Short-barreled rifle (SBR) is a legal designation in the United States, referring to a shoulder-fired, rifled firearm, made from a rifle, with a barrel length of less than 16 in (41 cm) or overall length of less than 26 in (66 cm), or a handgun fitted with a buttstock and a barrel of less than 16 inches length.

wiki › Short-barreled_rifle

firearms with pistol grips to be sold in Texas, which,...

What shotgun is illegal in Texas?

Texas' criminal code and federal law prohibit rifles with a barrel length of less than 16 inches and shotguns with a barrel length of less than 18 inches.

Are pistol grip short barrel shotguns legal?

The key here is that the Shockwave is manufactured with a pistol grip and therefore is not intended to be fired from the shoulder. Due to this distinction, the firearm cannot be classified as a shotgun and therefore cannot legally be a short-barreled shotgun.

Is it legal to carry a Mossberg shockwave in Texas?

Thanks to efforts by members of the Texas House of Representatives and Texas Senate, House Bill (HB) 1819 passed in May 2017, the Mossberg 590 Shockwave will be legal in the state of Texas, beginning September 1, 2017.

Can you ride around with a shotgun in Texas?

Texas has no laws regarding the carrying of long guns (rifles or shotguns) in motor vehicles.

43 related questions found

Is self defense legal in Texas?

Scenarios of Self-Defense in Texas

Texas Penal Code states that you are justified in using force against another person when you believe it is necessary to protect yourself. Specifically, you are entitled to use force to the same degree as the other party's use or attempted use of unlawful force.

Can I carry a gun that is not registered to me in Texas?

Being a state that allows open carry and constitutional carry without a license makes Texas one of the most gun-friendly states in America. As for whether or not you can have an unregistered gun in Texas, no statutes are currently on the books that prohibit or require firearms in the Lone Star State to be registered.

Is a Mossberg 590 legal?

The Mossberg Shockwave

Short barreled shotguns without shoulder stocks and less than 26 inches in length are regulated under the NFA because they are easily concealed, and were favored by criminals at the time of the law's passage. The product debuted to press explaining that yes, it is indeed legal.

Is Mossberg 590 Shockwave legal?

While the barrel length doesn't really matter, there is a measurement that does. The Shockwave has to be over 26 inches in overall length. If the overall length of a gun is below 26 inches, it legally becomes an Any Other Weapon (AOW).

Where are Mossberg 590 made?

Made in Texas: The story behind Mossberg & Sons, the oldest family-owned firearm manufacturer in the US. HOUSTON – Welcome to Made in Texas, where we write about products made in the Lone Star State.

What's the legal length of a shotgun barrel in Texas?

Under Texas law, most types of weapons can be purchased and possessed with few exceptions. Under federal law, and reiterated in Texas criminal code, rifles with a barrel length of less than 16 inches and shotguns with a barrel length of less than 18 inches are generally prohibited.

Is a pistol grip shotgun considered a handgun?

A pistol-grip firearm is a firearm that was not manufactured with a buttstock and is not intended to be fired from the shoulder. It fires shotgun shells and is more than 26 inches in overall length. It doesn't fit the ATF's definition of a shotgun or a handgun, hence the name.

What is the advantage of a pistol grip shotgun?

The Pistol Grip Stock

The discrete, nearly vertical pistol grip allows for a little better leverage on the gun compared to the traditional stock as well as a more rifle-like feel overall. If you're used to shooting an AR or similar rifle then you may feel more comfortable with a pistol grip stock configuration.

Can you own fully auto guns in Texas?

The National Rifle Association says people in Texas and New Mexico can buy a full-auto weapons made 1986 and earlier as long as they are federally registered. Texas prohibits the sale of fully automatic weapons but, if the gun is properly registered under federal law, it's legal to have. Nevada's laws are similar.

How many shells are allowed in a shotgun in Texas?

Shotguns must not be larger than 10-gauge, must be fired from the shoulder, and must be incapable of holding more than three shells.

Can you shoot someone for trespassing in Texas?

Texas law states that property owners are able to use force to terminate trespassing or theft if they deem it is necessary; however, force and deadly force are two different actions. Shooting the trespasser is considered deadly force since the bullet can easily end the person's life.

Is a 14 barrel shotgun legal?

There are two reasons why you shouldn't attach a stock to your firearm. First, if you attach a stock while the weapon has a 14 inch barrel, it becomes an unregistered short barreled shotgun. Doing this without the proper NFA paperwork is a Federal felony, and carries with it heavy fines and a lengthy prison sentence.

Are binary triggers legal in Texas?

Most mechanical modifications of internal parts are allowed in Texas. But be careful with binary triggers, and definitely stay away from auto sears. While binary triggers are not illegal as of right now, some law enforcement agencies view them as machinegun parts.

What is the difference between Mossberg 590 and 590a1?

The only difference between the 590 and 590a1 is that the 590a1 has a thicker barrel, metal trigger group, and metal safety button.

What's the difference between a Mossberg 500 and 590?

The major difference between the 500 and the 590 is the magazine tube. The design of the 590 makes it significantly more difficult to switch to different length barrels quickly, whereas the 500's design allows for easy barrel switching.

Is a shockwave a shotgun?

But the Shockwave is not a “shotgun.” The grip is designed to be held in one hand, and while most people would use a second hand to stabilize the firearm, the Shockwave can be fired with just the one hand.

What is a non-NFA firearm?

Simply put, it's just a firearm — one not subject to the NFA tax stamp requirements.

Can I carry a loaded gun in my car?

Generally, carrying a loaded rifle or shotgun in a motor vehicle is illegal. If you do have this license and are carrying a loaded handgun in your car, you must also comply with the following rules. You must carry the handgun on your person. You must be in the vehicle at all times that the handgun is present.

Is it illegal to own a ghost gun in Texas?

“Gun laws in Texas are less restrictive.” While owning a ghost gun is perfectly legal, it's not legal to sell one unless you add a serial number. Any business that sells a ghost gun must have a federal firearms license.

Can I carry a handgun in my car in Texas without a permit?

The Simple Answer for Most Gun Owners

According to the Texas Motorist Protection Act, all law-abiding Texas residents are permitted to legally carry handguns in their vehicles, and there's no requirement to have a license to carry or any other permit to do this.