This is the Mossberg Maverick HS-12 Over Under "Tactical" Shotgun. It's a bit on the odd side and I happened upon it on a whim back in January 2011 at a distributor's show in Dallas, TX. There were long lines all over to shoot the then new LCP, S&W Bodyguards, H&K 416, etc. I hate lines, so I started looking for something not so... crowded and I ended up walking over to the trap and skeet fields at the range that was hosting us. I see some folks shooting what looked to be a stubby shotgun at some clays and missing more than hitting, and there's no line. So, I mosey on up and wait my turn all the while trying to figure out what is being shot. 

Finally, my turn comes around and this is what I see:

It's a short over/under with two sections of rail, fiber optic front sight, and a selector switch that allows one to choose between barrels. I pick it up and I notice that it's light, mounts right to my shoulder, and I can pick up the fiber optic front sight beautifully.  

Technical stats are below:

- Gauge: 12
- Chamber: 3"
- Barrel Length: 18 1/2"
- Rear Sight: Slot
- Front Sight: Fiber Optic
- Choke: Cylinder Bore
- Overall Length : 36 1/2"
- LOP: 14 1/4"

- Finish: Matte, blued

- Stock: Black Synthetic

- Trigger: Single, selectable barrel. 

I got to shoot this at a Trap stand of all places with Double Aught buck shot in 2 3/4 inch shells. Yeah, it's strange, but it's what they had setup for this little shotgun. I hit 3 of 6 clays which I consider well for a shotgun with Fixed chokes shooting buckshot at a moving target. Felt recoil was light and it was a delight to shoot. I ordered 4 for the shop based on that range trip alone. 

When I finally received my shipment of these 2 months later, I was at the range the same night with a variety of slugs, buckshot, and birdshot. The Low recoil birdshot was a delight to shoot, but there is no real pattern to discern at 22 meters, the target was riddled with holes all OVER the target. Buckshot was a little "thumpier" but not unmanageable. It did the typical double fist sized group at 22 meters. Slugs had some "thump" but went where I pointed and as long as I did my part, made neat big holes in the paper target. 

Where I feel this shotgun really shines is the picatinney rails on top of the receiver and under the bottom barrel. This can easily accomodate a light / laser, oven a pistol bayonet if one so chooses (I don't, but then even I realize that a bayonet on a home defense shotgun isn't the brightest idea in the world). 

Rails:

Here is the one over the receiver:

Here is the right side view of the HS-12. 

I am not sure if this shotgun would ever fully replace my Remington 870 Tactical 8+1 capacity pump shotgun, but I do think this is a neat home defense gun. The real limiting factors is the capacity of 2 rounds. That's why I have a butt cuff with a total of five rounds to be selected. Another advantage this gun has is the ability to select barrels, so one can have a round of Buckshot, or a slug to switch to depending on the situation as there is a selector switch for the barrels. 

All in all, this is a solid shotgun that is no longer available in its current configuration. Mossberg decided in about August 2011 to stop importing this variant with the Picatinney rail. The reason we were given was that the ATF determined that little piece of rail made it a non-sporting firearm. So, it looks as if I might have a bit of a collector's piece. 

Thanks!