March 08, 2019
By Brad Fitzpatrick
Remington’s V3 Tac-13 is a unique exception. To start, the V3’s dual-piston gas block is mounted in front of the receiver. According to Remington, positioning the gas block directly ahead of the receiver helps to improve reliability. Gas pressures close to the chamber are consistent and the gas burns cleanly. With the gas block mounted so close to the receiver, shortening the barrel of the V3 didn’t require a complete overhaul of the gas system.
The second feature that made the V3 ideally-suited as a non-NFA shotgun platform is the positioning of the recoil springs and guide rods within the receiver. This design divides the work load between the two springs so that the bolt stroke is very even and consistent. Having those springs inside the receiver allows Remington to replace the stock with a bird’s head grip. While most gas guns would require a ground-up redesign to function as a non-NFA gun, the V3 required nothing more than cosmetic changes.
With its 13-inch, light-contour barrel, the V3 Tac-13 measures just 26.5-inches long and weighs about 6 pounds. The barrel comes with a vent rib with a single bead, and its cylinder bore is suitable for shooting slugs.
The heart of this gun is the exclusive Versaport gas system, which is a patented self-regulating system where the length of the shell dictates how many gas ports are open. With a 3-inch shell chambered, four gas ports are uncovered. With a shorter, milder 2¾-inch shells, all eight gas ports are left uncovered to channel more gas into the system for reliable cycling. It’s simple and works well.
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Upon ignition, ported gas pushes two pistons rearward, which drives the bolt rearward. Rings within the piston act as carbon scrubbers to keep the gun clean and functioning properly, thereby minimizing maintenance.
What’s it like to pull the trigger on the short shotgun for the first time? Most people ease into this gun the first time, which is never a bad idea. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the recoil. If you have some steel plates, shoot those and see how fast you can get back on target.
I attached an Aimpoint Micro S-1 red-dot optic to the ventilated rib and would recommend doing the same to anyone. The front bead sight is functional, but the Aimpoint makes it much simpler to pull the Tac-13 up while maintaining target focus to deliver rapid shots.
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Starting with Remington Gun Club loads firing 1.125-ounces of 7½ shot at 1,200 feet per second (fps), I was quite impressed by how manageable this gun is. The hand strap helped me control the muzzle and functions best when drawn down tight against the hand. The oversized bird’s head grip also offered a secure hold point.
It’s easier to control the Tac-13 if you cant the gun slightly inboard. For right-handed shooters, that means tilting the gun slightly to the left, which changes the angle of the wrist and allows the gun’s recoil to be absorbed by the arm and shoulder. The more comfortable I became with the gun, the faster I emptied the magazine tube.
There was a single malfunction in the 50-round test with Gun Club loads. Otherwise, the the Tac-13 ran smoothly. I switched to Remington’s 1-ounce Managed Recoil slugs and found that they were every bit as easy to fire quickly as the Gun Club load. Using a shot timer, I started cataloging how quickly I could deliver six rounds on target. On average, I could hit six targets from 10 yards in about 6½ seconds, with my fastest time being 6.11.
It’s worth noting that the Tac-13’s short barrel didn’t reduce muzzle velocity significantly. Remington’s Managed Recoil slugs promised 1,200 fps, and, at 10 feet, the average velocity for 10 shots with that load was 1,039 fps. That means you aren’t losing a great deal of energy despite the short barrel profile.
I think this gun has merit as a personal-defense firearm. The Tac-13 offers six rounds of 12-gauge ammo in a compact, lightweight package. The Remington’s short overall length could make it an ideal truck gun, and it’s suitable for small spaces such as tents and campers. This gun is indeed relevant and a lot of fun to shoot.
Remington V3 Tac-13 remington.com
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