AOW

Impact Guns is a licensed Class III/SOT dealer and stocks AOW (Any Other Weapon) items — NFA-regulated firearms that occupy their own unique category. AOWs include short-barreled shotguns designed to be fired from one hand, disguised firearms, and other unusual configurations. The $5 transfer tax makes AOWs one of the most accessible NFA items to own.

About AOW Firearms ↓

What Is an AOW?

Under the National Firearms Act, “Any Other Weapon” is a catch-all category for NFA-regulated firearms that don’t fit neatly into other categories. The most common AOWs are pistol-grip-only shotguns — shotguns with barrels under 18 inches that were never designed to be fired from the shoulder. The Mossberg 590 Cruiser and PTR Jack are well-known examples. Unlike SBRs and SBSs, AOWs carry only a $5 NFA transfer tax rather than $200 — making them the most affordable NFA item to transfer.

AOW vs. Short Barrel Shotgun (SBS)

The distinction between an AOW and an SBS comes down to how the firearm was manufactured. A shotgun that was originally made with a stock and later had the stock removed becomes an SBS (requiring $200 tax stamp). A firearm manufactured from the beginning without a stock as a pistol-grip-only design is classified as an AOW ($5 tax stamp). Both require ATF Form 4 and the standard NFA wait time.

The NFA Transfer Process for AOWs

  • Purchase through a licensed Class III dealer (us) and submit ATF Form 4.
  • Pay the $5 transfer tax (not $200 like most NFA items).
  • Submit fingerprints and CLEO notification.
  • Wait for ATF approval — same timeline as other NFA items (6–12 months).

Questions about AOWs or the NFA process? We’ve been processing NFA transfers since the market opened. Call 800-917-7137 or use our live chat.