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Black Aces Tactical (BAT) is one of those companies with nearly no reputation looking to make huge strides this year. The up-and-coming gunmaker is still in their early stages of development but their catalog certainly tells a different story. Although they produce many sweet guns and accessories, most people are finding their way to BAT thanks to their Shockwave-type non-NFA Pro Series shotguns. Like the original Mossberg, these scatterguns are becoming a market favorite, especially among those looking to boost their home defense.
However impressive they may be, they’ve become so valuable partially due to their non-NFA status. Nevertheless, the short barrel shotguns are still illegal in some states, including Ohio, California (no surprise there), and Massachusetts. Oh, and they’re cheaper than the name-brand Mossbergs, making them truly hard to pass up.
Black Aces Tactical
Black Aces
The Black Aces Tactical Pro Series Shockwave-type shotguns are sexy and that’s just where the fun starts. The American gunmaker produces these Mossberg-style scatterguns in-house, ultimately keeping price down and dependability up. Likewise, they offer a nice variety of options, including synthetic or walnut furniture, a sweet selection of stippled grips, and the ability to fire both light and heavy loads.
Like the Mossberg Shockwave, the Pro Series shotguns are non-NFA, which means it’s never been easier to get your hands on a short barrel tactical shotgun. I want to make it clear that you shouldn’t let its affordable price tag lead you into thinking that they cut down on its durability or reliability. In reality, these are capable of handling plenty of abuse and are not known to experience any functionality problems. In fact, their 6061 T6 aluminum receiver is well-built and plenty reliable. It’s also worth noting that they incorporated a cross-bolt safety behind the trigger guard and a bolt release on the right of the aluminum receiver.
Model: BAT Shockwave Pro Series
Action: Semi-auto
Gauge: 12 Gauge
Capacity: 4+1
Chamber: 3”
Barrel Length: 14”
Overall Length: 26.5”
Weight: Approximately 5 lbs.
Sights: N/A
Stock: Walnut
MSRP: $574
Black Aces Accessories
Besides for these shotguns, Black Aces Tactical is quickly becoming the go-to place for high-quality and affordable accessories. First and foremost. BAT has a truly impressive collection of rifle suppressors that are user-serviceable, full-auto rated, and still somehow under $200. Next, you’ll notice their options of bird’s head pistol grips with a variety of different stippling patterns. However, it’s hard to pass up on the Shockwave Quad Rail / Side Shell Holder, which provides users with countless more accessory options and space for more rounds. Last but not least is the Mossberg Magazine Spike, which helps make this one of the most intimidating shotguns in the industry. The 1-inch black anodized spike is a small but menacing attachment definitely worth checking out.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, Black Aces Tactical still has a long way to go but they’ve already proven themselves to be a formidable American gunmaker. I look forward to seeing more of these
I ordered a tac pump from Palmetto they where clearancing some…hope its worth a darn!!
I’ve also had a horrible experience with my Black Aces Tactical Bullpup. The plastic lower is warped so badly that the upper doesn’t line up correctly. I need to DRIVE the takedown pins out with a hammer and punch. The safety lever is hard to move because the lower warpage creates binding. One of the trigger pin retaining clips popped off. It doesn’t reliably cycle target loads. Lower warpage creates binding with the trigger link bar. Overall it’s a very heavy trigger pull. It took me months of repeated emails to get a response. Eric, the CEO sent me a one-line response saying, “Sir, it seems the gun functions proper, are we correct in that?” Clearly he and I have a different opinion of how a proper firearm should function. I bought this for our local 3-gun competitions, and it’s going to take a lot of work for me to get it up to where it needs to be. If the company was better about working with customers to fix problems I’d be totally understanding, but these are not the kind of people I will choose to do business with again.
I purchased a bull pup a few days ago. I have sent several emails to two different emails asking for a delivery date. No answer. My FFL said this seems SOP for this company. Does not resonate honesty. Recommend looking elsewhere.
Sorry to hear about that, that’s totally unacceptable. Please let me know if you would like a recommendation for another bullpup.
I’m suprised their isn’t more negative feedback on these guns:
I was interested in a mag fed shotgun and resold my 870dm because remington appears to have stopped making mags for them, and never made hi cap…
Mossberg’s mags are expensive and bulky.
So I bought a black aces based on their description:
“While our patent covers every shotgun ever created, we for now have chosen a Mossberg 500 base as the Mossberg 500 has lent itself very well to being mag fed.” which suggested that the the gun was based on the 500….
What I received has the following issues:
1. the receiver bares no similarity to my 590.
2. the plastic stock set was the cheapest I’d ever seen (which is fine because I had intended to replace it). The fit is Very poor- there is ~16″ overlap of the stock @ the receiver and is a sharp edge. The butt pad is kept on with a machine screw in plastic.
3 The barrel is made in Turkey, it is unclear whether the receiver is- but there is no consistency between the finishes between the parts- the barrel is matte, the receiver is anodized and the tube is blued(?).
4 The safety is the roughest I’ve ever operated and where is it located on the left side of the receiver it requires repositioning the hand to operate- no good for a tactical SG- the mossberg one is operable with the thumb, If it had been placed in the same location on the right, or ambi, it could be operated with the index finger.
5 The Mag release is wide- which allows good purchase, however, like the safety is not ergonomic, can catch on clothing, and has sharp edges.
6 The finish is noticeably marred on the moving parts out of the box- much more so than I have seen on other shotguns; maybe because of parts tolerances?
7 The sighting consists of a low blade in the front and a traditional weaver style rail on the receiver in stark contrast to the Mossberg 590 beefy sights, or receiver tapped for a rail… who makes a tactical shotgun in 2020 not ready for a rail?!
What I’d rather see: I would gladly have paid $500+ for the 590 modified for the saiga mags… Otherwise, BA needs to:
1. drop the reference to mossberg.
2. better describe and provide clear images of what they are selling.
3. provide a bead or blade and receiver tapped for a rail.
4. sell the important parts alone: the receiver, and not bother with the junk stocks and barrel/chokes.
5. provide a decent, ergonomic safety.
6. narrow and lengthen the mag release.
7. brake more edges machining.
I’m a designer, but not a firearms designer- some of this seems like common sense stuff and others quality issues.
Overall- I’ll run it (they don’t accept returns and are so ambiguous about what they sell that it seems like a lot of people just end up stuck with them), but it’s not going to be a favorite gun.
I have the s series and I braced it with the sba3 and let me tell you…this thing is a hell of a firearm/shotgun. No cycling issues broke her in with some 25 slugs or so and it works immaculately. Minimal muzzle rise with tamable recoil even during rapid fire. I have a custom built AR, an AKM, and a 9mm hi point carbine. This underrated and low priced bad boy is my favorite by far. Was skeptical bc of reviews but def worth buying but please break the shit in first before writing bad reviews. Works exactly as it should and better
Sent me a broken shotgun contacted them with no reply took three weeks to ship out and they are not noligable about there own product just import from turkey and resell them
Which one is from TURKEY?
I live in PA. Do I need a permit to buy and ship or do you ship to an FFL for pickup. I am looking for home defense.
Hi Shawn,
Thanks for reaching out. We don’t currently sell any firearms or ammunition – we only provide our opinions.
Best of luck
I would love to see the new tactical BAT double barrel 12g double feed in a semi auto. Feeding 16 rounds as fast as you can pull the trigger. As a home defense pistol
Didn’t have a good experience with these people. Ordered a shotgun didn’t have it in stock they said it would be couple weeks. Long story short waited 2 months no shotgun. Canceled the order then they still billed my credit card after 2 1/2 months. Tried talking to them no answer still haven’t got my money back and no shotgun either. Think they’re tryin to RIP me off.
Wow, that’s not acceptable. Thank you so much for sharing. I rely on readers like you to share personal experiences, particularly when it comes to first-hand accounts of dealing with customer service. Sucks to hear about that, I hope it gets resolved soon!
HELLO, IM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM RIGHT NOW,3 MONTHS,NO PRODUCT,WHICH I NOW CANCELLED,NO REFUND,I CALL AND E MAIL, NO RETURN REPLYS. THEY LOOK LIKE THEY HAVE SOME NICE STUFF,IS WHY IM SURPRISED THEY ACT LIKE THIS,THOUGHT THEY WERE BETTER THEN THIS