Serbu Firearms
Serbu Firearms is a small American manufacturer based in Tampa, Florida, producing a focused lineup of specialty firearms: the Super Shorty AOW (a 12 gauge pump shotgun in under 17” overall length), and the RN-50, a single-shot .50 BMG bolt-action rifle. Serbu’s products occupy specific niches that no major manufacturer addresses—the Super Shorty is the most compact production pump shotgun available, and the RN-50 is among the most affordable .50 BMG platforms on the market. Both are made in the United States.
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Super Shorty: The Compact AOW Shotgun
The Serbu Super Shorty is a 12 gauge pump-action shotgun built on Remington 870 and Mossberg 500 receivers with a 6.5” or 9” barrel and pistol grip, classified as an Any Other Weapon (AOW) under the NFA. The AOW classification means a $5 transfer tax rather than the $200 SBS rate—and since January 1, 2026, the NFA tax stamp has been eliminated entirely. The Super Shorty is the most compact production shotgun available, fitting in spaces no standard shotgun will. The 9” barrel version holds one extra round versus the 6.5” version.
RN-50: Single-Shot .50 BMG
The Serbu RN-50 is a manually operated single-shot bolt-action rifle chambered in .50 BMG—one of the most affordable .50 BMG platforms available from any manufacturer. The simple break-open design keeps the mechanism minimal and the price accessible relative to semi-automatic .50 BMG alternatives like the Barrett M82. For long-range shooters and collectors who want .50 BMG capability without the expense of a semi-auto platform, the RN-50 delivers that capability in a purpose-built American-made package.
American Manufacture and Niche Focus
Serbu operates as a small-batch American manufacturer producing low volumes of specialty firearms rather than competing in high-volume commercial categories. This focus means their products are consistently available but not in unlimited supply. Both the Super Shorty and RN-50 have been in continuous production for years, reflecting sustained demand from buyers who specifically want what these firearms offer and can’t find equivalents elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions: Serbu Firearms
What is Serbu Firearms known for?
Serbu Firearms is a Tampa, Florida manufacturer best known for two distinctive products: the Super Shorty — a pump-action shotgun configuration based on the Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 cut to its absolute minimum legal length as an AOW (Any Other Weapon) under the NFA — and the RN-50, a single-shot .50 BMG rifle with a threaded barrel extension system that allows a legal 29-inch overall barrel length to break down for transport. Both products occupy unique niches in the NFA and precision rifle markets.
What is the Serbu Super Shorty?
The Super Shorty is a Mossberg 500 or Remington 870-based AOW (Any Other Weapon) with a 6.5-inch barrel and an overall length of approximately 16 inches — the most compact pump-action shotgun available. As an AOW rather than an SBR, the NFA tax stamp is $5 rather than $200 (historically; the tax stamp fee was eliminated January 2026). The Super Shorty is a collector’s item and novelty more than a practical defensive tool — its extremely short sight radius, limited capacity (2+1), and violent recoil make it challenging to shoot accurately.
Is a Serbu Super Shorty practical for home defense?
It is not the optimal home defense choice — the extremely short barrel produces excessive recoil and a deafening report indoors, and 2+1 capacity is minimal. A standard-length Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 is a far more practical home defense shotgun. The Super Shorty’s appeal is its uniqueness as a legal ultra-compact NFA item, not its practical defensive utility.
See Also: Short Barrel Shotguns • AOW • Suppressors & NFA • Mossberg 500 • Pump Shotguns