Completely Different: Remington’s V3 TAC-13

Gun Reviews Mark Miller Semi-Autos Shotguns

Don’t let appearances fool you, this is not a shotgun. It is something completely different. The 12 gauge Remington V3 Tac-13 is a 26.5-inch long semi-automatic firearm with a Raptor grip. Built on an aluminum receiver, it weighs under 6 pounds and holds up to five 2 3/4 inch shells in the tube magazine with one more in the chamber.

Those of you who are aware of NFA restrictions on shotguns may wonder why this doesn’t require a tax stamp, fingerprints, and six-month wait.  The short answer is with an overall length over 26 inches, a smooth bore and no shoulder stock, the V3 TAC-13 is classified as a firearm, not a shotgun.

Completely Different: Remington's V3 TAC-13

TAC-13 Specifications:

  • Chamber: 3″
  • Overall Length: 26.5″
  • Barrel Length: 13″
  • Overall Weight: Approx 6 lbs.
  • Capacity (2.75″ shells): 5 rounds
  • Gauge/Bore: 12 Gauge
  • Magazine Capacity: 5 Rounds
  • Barrel Length: 13 inches
  • Barrel Type: Cylinder Bore Barrel with a 3-inch chamber
  • Sights: Bead and vent rib
  • Receiver Finish: Black Oxide
  • Overall Length: 26.5″

TAC-13 FEATURES:

  • BIRDSHEAD PISTOL GRIP
    Allows for a more ergonomic hold to help control the firearm and reduce recoil for the shooter.
  • HAND STRAP
    User adjustable to help control muzzle flip and improve handling characteristics.
  • LIGHTWEIGHT ALUMINUM RECEIVER
    For easy, comfortable transport anywhere.
  • 13″ LIGHT CONTOUR BARREL
    Cylimber Bore with a Vent Rib sight.
  • RELIABLE FEEDING
    VersaPort gas system can run common light field loads or full power buck and slug and anything in between.
  • LOW RECOIL
    Self-regulating VersaPort gas system offers very manageable recoil in a compact package.

When you pick up the Tac-13, you want to bring it to your eye to aim. We tend to go with what we know: shotguns and handguns. The TAC-13 is a whole different thing.

The best way of making this work fast is to hold it low and near your hip. The trigger is very fast. There is a little pre-travel but no over travel with a short reset. The video below was shot with Remington Reduced Recoil 00 buck.

In close-quarter engagements this is fast, but you need a sighting method.  The Raptor grip and forward hand strap give you a solid grip and good handling. To make this a really useful gun for home defense, you need to add a light to the forward rails. Now you can identify a threat in darkness and have aimed fire.

The receiver is drilled and tapped, and a newly redesigned barrel clamp at the muzzle provides two rail sections for a light, a laser or both. This is the key to accurate fire with the TAC-13.

I found that trying to hold the gun in front of my eye was slow and awkward. With a laser, I was able to straighten my arm out and look over the gun at the laser. This made all the difference, keeping my head up and stabilizing the TAC-13.

Completely Different: Remington's V3 TAC-13

The Streamlight TLR-8 Weapons Mounted Light is a small yet super bright 500 lumen tactical light designed to fit a broad array of weapons. A red laser gives the TRL-8 an edge over other lights for a wide variety of situations. The low-profile design prevents snagging and a “safe off” feature prevents accidental activation, saving batteries.

Completely Different: Remington's V3 TAC-13

I also used a Holosun LS221R dual laser sight with a class IIIa 5mw visible red laser and an IR laser. You probably aren’t using night vision in the bedroom, but the bright red laser is easy to see in daylight.

Both the Streamlight TLR-8 and the Holosun LS221R held up fine under over 100 rounds of 12 gauge recoil. The addition of an aiming device made all the difference in making the TAC-13 a practical firearm. Trying to point from the hip is very difficult, I found many rounds going high. Trying to hold the gun in front of your eye is very difficult and finding the sights again in recoil can be slow.

TAC-13 controls are what Remington shooters expect. There is an oversized button safety located on the trigger guard that can be reversed for lefties. The bolt locks open when retracted and is released by a button on the right side of the receiver. The V3 also has a magazine cutoff switch where the floor plate meets the trigger guard. This can make shell selection easier without dumping the rounds out of the magazine.

With fewer moving parts than traditional semi-auto gas actions and a rugged extractor and ejector, the V3 system is highly reliable and versatile. The TAC-13 is all that and more.

The V3’s VersaPort gas system reliably feeds everything from light field loads to magnum buck and slugs. This is not a phrase I throw around. I was unable to experience any kind of stoppage with this gun using the cheapest bargain field loads or 3-inch magnums.

The recoil was also a lot lighter than I expected. The gas system reduces recoil making it smoother shooting than a pump gun. Remington claims the V3 is “the softest-recoiling auto in the field.”

The VersaPort system reduces pressure over a longer time span reducing felt recoil.  It has a single gas block beneath the chamber that houses two short pistons. When a shell is fired, the gas depresses the pistons just  0.481″, precisely enough to unlock the rotating bolt head and shove the heavy bolt rearward with the momentum needed to eject the spent hull.  

There are eight ports in the barrel near the breech. It is a very simple system, a longer shell size covers gas ports reducing the number of gas ports exposed when there is more gas available; a 2¾-inch shell exposes all eight ports in the V3 while a 3-inch cartridge only exposes four of the ports.

This equalizes the effect of the gas in cycling the action and also to equalize the amount of recoil delivered to the shooter regardless of the load fired. The valves in the pistons open, venting the remaining gas into the forearm, eliminating carbon buildup inside the receiver.

Another unique feature of the V3 is the placement of the return springs inside the receiver. Tandem recoil springs are located on guide rails along the receiver walls. They compress as the pistons retract the action, then expand to bring the bolt with a new round into battery. This eliminates a push rod and plunger assembly which sticks into the stock of traditional gas guns and makes the V3 the perfect building block for the TAC-13 with its unique configuration.

Completely Different: Remington's V3 TAC-13

I shot over 300 rounds in the TAC-13 so far, field loads, buckshot and slugs (both full power and reduced recoil) and even an old box of 3-inch magnums my uncle found in the back of his gun safe. I have not seen a single misfeed.

The process of loading and operating the TAC 13 is like a shotgun, but I found that trying to weak hand load, the way I would with a shotgun, was awkward because I couldn’t tuck the stock under my arm to support the gun. It was all wrist and not very stable.

Keeping my support hand in the sling kept the weapon balanced and under control, making loading a snap. In the video below, I do a slug select drill, shooting 00 buck first and then slugs. The gun runs with no surprises.

Even though it has a Cylinder Bore Barrel, the TAC13 holds useful patterns out to 25 yards. At 15 and in, you can easily put all of your pellets on target. I tried many different home defense loads. I found the Remington Reduced Recoil controllable and easy to shoot while maintaining effective results.

Completely Different: Remington's V3 TAC-13

Slugs have very manageable recoil and can be aimed very accurately. From 15 yards I had no problems engaging small targets. The penetration of a 12 gauge slug makes cars concealment, not cover.

V3 TAC-13 ventilated rib provides a solid sighting system if you are looking for a platform to convert your firearm into a Form One Short-Barrelled Shotgun by adding a compatible stock.

Completely Different: Remington's V3 TAC-13

There is a sling attachment point at the end of the grip to mount a single point sling. This is the only practical way to put a sling on. It hangs pretty low and smaller shooters may not find this a good option.

Completely Different: Remington's V3 TAC-13

The V3 TAC-13 is an impressive and versatile combination of power and portability. The VersaPort system is a simple and elegant design with fewer moving parts than other semi-automatics. This allows you to run longer and more reliably. I found reliability and accuracy to be very good, even with an assortment of ammunition of varying power and quality.

This isn’t a firearm for everyone, but it provides a lot of protection in a compact form. With the quality and power of the V-3 system in a firearm chassis, the TAC-13 is a highly effective weapon, suitable for serious applications.

STARTING AT $91500 MSR

Completely Different: Remington's V3 TAC-13
To learn more about Remington’s V3 Tac 13 visit Remington by clicking HERE.

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  • jeff September 15, 2020, 10:31 pm

    where did you get the swivel plug for your sling? what is the model please? Thanks.

  • Paul Stephen May 10, 2020, 10:13 pm

    I would like to purchase and add a sb tactical brace. One article suggest that if you hold it near your face the versa 3 gas system vents through the hand guard and will pepper your face with hot debris. Has anyone else had that experience?

  • Dale Parker January 18, 2020, 11:17 am

    My Tac 13 won’t cycle low recoil 00 buck
    Got about 50 rounds through it
    Any suggestions would be appreciated
    Thanks

  • Shane December 15, 2019, 12:33 am

    Like the laser idea, but seems too far far to reach when hand is in strap. How did you manage? Have a remote switch?

  • Bill vassell May 11, 2019, 5:29 am

    Mark

    Where did you find the carry case
    For yout tac ?

  • John Rowland April 11, 2019, 6:32 am

    Mark,

    To mount TRL 8 on Tac-13, what mount did you use? Thank you

    • Mark Miller May 11, 2019, 7:08 pm

      The Tac 13 comes with that mount included.

  • Ejharb January 31, 2019, 11:22 pm

    This with slugs would be my go to gun for areas where folks get ate by bears.mount a compact green laser on 1 of the rails

  • Pumkinballer January 27, 2019, 3:07 pm

    Will we see this in 20ga?

  • Arod January 12, 2019, 7:28 pm

    Is there a spring inside the grip like some other gas guns? Can a brace be outfitted to it like the TAC-14?

    Thanks

    • Mark Miller January 24, 2019, 12:03 am

      One of the special things about the V3 design is that the springs are inside the receiver.

    • Mark Miller March 14, 2019, 7:14 pm

      The springs on the V3 are inside the receiver.

  • Bah January 7, 2019, 7:08 pm

    People talk about the sound of racking a pump gun being a deterrent.
    Who wants to chance racking a shell in the chamber to see if the bad guy runs away? The first and last thing they’ll hear at my place is boom!

  • Joseph R. Santos January 7, 2019, 6:28 pm

    Sweet were do I get one, in R.I. they are still legal.

    • Mark Miller January 8, 2019, 9:30 pm

      Any Remington dealer should be able order one for you. You can also check on Guns America.

  • srsquidizen January 7, 2019, 5:31 pm

    Similar guns are available in pump action, which may have a little more felt recoil, but IMO are preferable for home defense. The unmistakable sound of a pump gun racking a shell into the chamber will usually put to flight any would-be intruder who realizes the next sound he hears will be considerably more unpleasant.

    • Mark Miller January 8, 2019, 9:32 pm

      The sounds of a 12 gauge firing and buck shot hitting meat are also pretty unmistakable and much more likely to stop a violent intruder.

      • Justin March 28, 2020, 5:13 am

        Absolutely agree …the heck with giving em a chance to take flight while also giving away my position racking a pump ..i want every advantage i can get lol…when one knowingly breaks into a home thats not their own,,,no mercy is what they’ll find.

  • Nate January 7, 2019, 3:36 pm

    What bag/scabbard is that? Seems to fit well. Would like to get one for mine.

  • MikeRoss January 7, 2019, 2:31 pm

    Will it feed mini-shells?

    • Tom January 8, 2019, 11:55 pm

      My guess would be absolutely not. Here’s why: Mini shells work in an 870 and the TAC-12, but won’t work in an 1100/1187. In fact, the mini shells don’t work in any gas-operated auto-loader that I know of (or recoil operated either for that matter), because they don’t create the chamber pressures needed to cycle the bolt all the way back for proper ejection. This leads to stove piping of the short shells, and the bolt closing on a half-ejected hull. I have even tried Eley 2″ HV and they wouldn’t cycle in any of my auto-loaders. The other problem I found was that with a pump, the bolt stays in lock up while the gun is recoiling, at which point you then pump it and it releases a shell quite gently by depressing the shell catch at the mouth of the magazine. In an auto-loader, the bolt comes back hard, and it violently depresses the shell catch, which keeps it open longer…just long enough to miss catching the next round, and it releases 2 mini shells–every time. I have tried Aguila and Eley in a Beretta 391, 1100, Saiga (wouldn’t even feed), Benelli M1-Super 90, and 11-87. not one would cycle a mini even a single time. So my long-ass answer to your question is…no. They won’t work.

  • Mark M January 7, 2019, 12:04 pm

    Semantics aside, this is a sawed-off shotgun.

    • Mark Miller January 8, 2019, 9:45 pm

      The ATFE works within a system of federal laws which, among other things, define various types of guns. Under U.S. federal law, the TAC 13 is not defined as a shotgun. Those are the only semantics which are relevant. I, for one, agree with the ATFE and am happy to have this legal firearm available without a tax stamp.

  • Rangemaster11B January 7, 2019, 9:33 am

    Still a short barreled shotgun here in the Democratic People’s Republic of Kalifornia.

    • Adam February 25, 2019, 4:32 am

      I’m in California too. My understanding is shotguns with barrels shorter than 18″ are illegal in The Golden State. Just thought I’d mention: Remington’s website sells an 18.5″ V3 barrel (cylinder bore) for $300, and a V3 magazine extension tube (adds three rounds) for $80. Stick those on a black synthetic stock “field sport” — and you’d have an excellent Home Defense setup. Personally, I think the shouldering of the stock is an important part of controlling and aiming a shotgun.

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