The new-for-this-year Mossberg 990 AfterShock occupies the same strange yet wildly interesting corner of the firearms market known as “non-NFA firearms.”
We’re not going to get into the complexities of it, but shorty “shotguns” like this only exist because of the National Firearms Act, its restrictions on “short-barreled shotguns,” and how those restrictions are worded.
From that, we got the pump-action Mossberg 590 Shockwave and now, the semi-auto Mossberg 990 AfterShock.
SummaryMossberg 990 aftershock at a glance
- Legal Loophole: The firearm occupies a unique "non-NFA" legal category, offering short-barrel maneuverability without tax-stamp delays.
- Upgraded Control: It builds upon Mossberg's reliable 940 semi-auto platform, utilizing an ergonomic rubberized grip and strapped forend.
- Manageable Recoil: The gas-operated semi-auto action absorbs significantly more harsh recoil than pump-action alternatives.
- Flawless Feeding: Real-world field testing proved the action reliably cycles a diverse variety of 12-gauge shells.
- Optic Recommendation: The factory bead sight aims high, necessitating an aftermarket red-dot or laser sight upgrade.
Mossberg 990 Aftershock Review
But those origins hardly mean these firearms don’t have their place, and the AfterShock does what this kind of gun is meant to do extremely well.
Besides, it’s a great way to get an excellent semi-auto SBS without having to leave your shotgun in NFA jail.
As the name betrays, this firearm is built on the gunmaker’s semi-auto 12-gauge 940 action outfitted with a 14.75-inch barrel and an AfterShock grip, which differs slightly from the Raptor grip on the Shockwave by including a rubberized palm area.
Overall, it measures just over 27 inches, making this an extremely compact gun that can dump a payload of six 12-gauge shells at inside-the-room distances fast.
Pump Action Shockwave vs. Semi-auto Aftershock
Compared to its pump-action counterparts, the 990 is actually easier to handle in terms of recoil and follow-up shots. There are a few ways to shoot guns like this, and I’ve been experimenting with them for years.
Lots of people like to shoot these guns from the hip, and the 99 is extremely comfortable to shoot from that position, which is why the gun is available with a Crimson Trace Laser Saddle sight from the factory.
I prefer a higher shooting stance that allows me to aim, and the recoil the semi-auto action soaks up makes the 990 more comfortable to shoot with 00 Buck loads.
The action is flawless. This gun will eat anything and everything you feed it with a 12-gauge headstamp. The oversized bolt handle makes it easy to operate, even without a shoulder stock, and the rubberized grip and support-hand strap on the forend make the 990 easy to control.
| Feature Category | Design & Operational Details |
|---|---|
| Ergonomics & Handling | Features a padded AfterShock grip with a rubberized palm area, a top-tang safety, and an oversized bolt handle for fast, nimble manipulation. |
| Recoil Mitigation | Uses a gas-operated semi-auto system that absorbs more recoil than a pump-action, optimizing control when shooting low-recoil 2 ¾-inch loads. |
| Action & Reloading | Built on Mossberg's reliable 940 action with a spacious loading port that flawlessly cycles mixed shell brands, lengths, and brass heights. |
| Control System | Outfitted with a supportive hand strap on the forend to prevent slipping and maximize retention during rapid strings of fire. |
| Sighting & Mounting | Includes a front fiber-optic bead sight and comes factory drilled and tapped on the receiver to easily accept aftermarket optic rails or red dots. |
This isn’t the first semi-auto non-NFA firearm from a major gun manufacturer. A former iteration of Remington produced the similar TAC-14, which was interesting, but suffered from some reliability issues. The 990, however, has no such issues.
However, the TAC-14 featured a rib, which raised the bead sight even with the top of the receiver. Without a rib, because of the barrel’s contour, the bead sight on the 990 is pretty low and will have you hitting rather high.
This isn’t new—the Shockwave has the same issue, which is easily solved by adding a red-dot sight to the 990 receiver that comes drilled and tapped for an optic rail.
With low-recoil 00 Buck loads and a little practice, the 990 AfterShock is a beast at close range, and many shooters will find it surprisingly accurate.
If you go the SBS route and add a stock (it will accept most stocks made for Model 500/590 shotguns) it’s a formidable and rugged defensive shotgun.
Specs: Mossberg 990 Aftershock 12 Gauge
| Feature / Dimension | Product Specification |
|---|---|
| Gauge | 12 |
| Action | Semi-auto |
| Barrel | 14.75 inches |
| Overall Length (OA) | 27.125 inches |
| Weight | 6.04 pounds |
| Grip / Forend | AfterShock Grip / Strapped Forend |
| Sights | Front fiber-optic bead |
| Finish | Matte blue |
| Capacity | 5+1 rounds |
| MSRP | $1,120 |
The Bottom Line On Mossberg’s 990 Aftershock
The “H&B Bottom Line” is a rating system based on seven criteria. Each category is worth five points (or ampersands) for a maximum score of 35.
Ergos & Handling &&&&&
With its top-tang safety, oversized bolt handle and padded AfterShock grip, this “cutdown” scattergun couldn’t be more nimble or easier to handle.
Recoil &&
With no stock, it takes some practice to shoot this gun and handle the recoil of a 12-gauge, but it kicks less than a pump gun. Stay away from 3-inch shells. Stick to low-recoil 2 3/4s; shoot target loads if you just want to have fun at the range.
Action & Reloading &&&&&
It eats anything you give it—high or low brass, any shell length, mixed lengths and loads in the tube, random shells rattling around in the bottom of a range bag. The loading port is spacious and easy to feed.
Sight Mounting Ease &&&&
The receiver is drilled and tapped for an optic-rail section, but the AfterShock doesn’t include one, which is a miss on Mossberg’s part. But once you get one, attaching it and mounting a red-dot is a cinch.
Intended Purpose &&&&&
The purpose of the 990 AfterShock is the same as any “sawed-off” shotgun—heavy firepower expended at short distances from a gun that’s easy to maneuver. Once you learn to handle it, it excels at this purpose in every way.
Overall Versatility &&&
The window of the AfterShock’s usefulness as it comes from the factory is admittedly narrow. It gets three points here because, if you go through the NFA rigmarole to put a stock on it and make it an SBS, it can be an incredibly versatile firearm.
Value-Price Point &&&&
The AfterShock is a semi-auto shotgun with an excellent action, regardless of the barrel and stock it comes with, so it will set you back a few more ducats than a pump gun. But it’s still extremely affordable for its feature set.
Final Score: 28/35
An EOTech HWS XPS2 Pairs Greatly With The Mossberg 990 Aftershock
The AfterShock works best with an optic rather than the factory bead sight that sits too low on this short of a barrel, and the EOTech HWS XPS2 is a top choice.
It’s the company’s shortest and lightest holographic sight and doesn’t need any more rail space than the receiver can accommodate.
It’s rugged, water-resistant, compact and the perfect sighting solution for the Mossberg 990 AfterShock. MSRP: $649 (eotechinc.com)
