BY: NICK JACOBELLIS
After field testing three SDS Imports/Tisas Brand 1911s (two in 9mm and one in .45 ACP) and
being incredibly impressed, I decided to evaluate a Turkish made Military Arms Corporation Tactical
Marine Shotgun. Even though I now live in the desert and will likely never again be near salt water
while armed with a 12 gauge shotgun, I opted to evaluate the MAC Tactical Marine Model, that has a
corrosive resistant electroless nickel finish. I decided to evaluate the MAC Tactical Model with the 18.5
inch barrel and the five round ammo capacity (six rounds if one round is loaded in the chamber),
because this model weighs 6.5 pounds unloaded. This is a critically important point, because you need
to select a shotgun that has the right weight and balance, especially when it’s loaded to capacity with
heavy shotgun ammunition.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
The moment I opened the box and I had the opportunity to examine the MAC Tactical Marine Model Shotgun I was incredibly impressed. I had this reaction because over the years I have had the
opportunity to evaluate a number of shotguns, including a few semi autos. The first feature that you
notice is the smooth as glass electroless nickel finish that is applied to the MAC Tactical Marine. As
someone who once owned a Remington 870 Special Purpose Marine Magnum Shotgun, I am familiar
with this finish that protects against corrosion. Between the Remington Marine Shotgun and the MAC
Tactical Marine, I prefer the smooth as glass electroless nickel finish that is applied to the Tactical
Marine.
The sights on the Tactical Marine are also worth noting and are some of the absolute best in the firearms industry. The ghost ring rear sight is windage and elevation adjustable, while the high profile
bladed and protected front post is also adjustable for windage. In addition, the front blade is fitted with
a very easy to acquire “contrasting” white dot. Even the top of the receiver is drilled and tapped from
the factory and includes a Picatinny rail to accommodate the installation of an optic.
By the way, the Military Arms Corporation bars no expense when it comes to packing their
shotguns. This became evident, when I spotted the plastic orange colored protective covers that were
positioned over the sights, to protect these features during shipping. I was even more impressed when I
removed the MAC Tactical Model from the protective clear plastic bag that it was shipped in and I
noticed that this shotgun is fitted with a rather robust looking rubber pad on the polymer stock.
The next features that impressed me to no end, was the retractable bolt assembly and the trigger. Even though I had plans to field test this shotgun in a few days, I couldn’t resist and I retracted the bolt,
that is positioned on the right side of the receiver. Incredible!!! is the only word to describe the ease in
which this super smooth and very easy to retract bolt can be manually cycled. As soon as I made sure
that the MAC Marine Tactical was safe to dry fire, I was further impressed when I pulled the trigger.
Bear in mind, that while I am admiring the heck out of this shotgun, I keep seeing the $389 full retail
price for the MAC Tactical Marine flashing on and off in my mind. The more I handled this extremely
well executed shotgun, the more I kept saying to myself, there is no way that this incredibly well made
semi auto 12 gauge can sell for under $400 dollars.
FIELD TEST
While ignoring the fact that the temperature outdoors was a sunny bone dry 100 degrees, I ventured out into the desert to field test the Military Arms Corporation Tactical Marine 12 gauge
shotgun. Accompanying me, was my best friend Rick Batory. Rick is a retired school district patrol
sergeant, who also served as a law enforcement armorer and firearms instructor.
We began our evaluation by examining the three screw in stainless steel Benelli choke tubes, that are supplied with each MAC Tactical Marine Shotgun. Since the full choke was already secured in
the barrel, this shotgun came from the factory ready to be used with every type of shotgun ammo,
including rifled slugs. The two extra chokes are secured in a compact plastic box, so they can be easily
carried with you in the field.
The good news about this shotgun is that it is very easy to load. To load a round into the chamber you retract the bolt to the rear, which will lock the bolt into the proper position. After placing
a round of ammunition into the chamber, you press the bolt release button that is positioned on the left
side of the receiver. Doing so will send the bolt forward to load the round of ammunition into the
chamber.
If you’re a fan of John Wick movies, you’ll see Mr. Wick execute an exceptionally fast combat reload of an empty semi auto shotgun. Mr. Wick executes this combat reload very quickly, by dropping
a shotgun shell into the locked open chamber of his otherwise empty Benelli, at which point he
depresses the bolt release button to load the chamber. The second the chamber is loaded, Mr. Wick
pulls the trigger and effectively eliminates the threat.
With the proper training, this technique can be used to quickly load a round of ammunition into the chamber of an otherwise empty semi auto shotgun. It is also possible to load the ammo tube that is
positioned under the barrel in between engaging threats. This reloading tactic is called a Tactical
Reload and involves adding ammunition to a firearm, that contains at least one round of ammunition.
As long as you have a round loaded in the chamber, you can add up to five rounds of shotgun
ammunition into the ammo tube on the MAC Tactical Marine. The circumstances involving an armed
engagement will determine how often you need to add ammunition into the ammo tube to remain in the
fight.
SHOTS FIRED
In order to conduct this test and evaluation, I assembled an assortment of Federal 12 gauge law enforcement tactical 00 buckshot and standard velocity Remington 00 Buckshot. We began testing
by firing full strength 00 Buckshot at a law enforcement TQ19 humanoid firearms qualification target,
at a distance of some 20 yards. From the first shot fired to the last, both of us took turns pulverizing this
target.
After engaging the TQ19 target at 20 yards, we turned our attentions to much smaller targets at longer distances. While firing the MAC Marine Tactical from a standing unsupported position, I
effectively engaged discarded soda cans in the desert at a distance of 30 yards. Consistently being able
to do so, while using standard velocity 00 Buckshot, was further proof that the MAC Tactical Marine is
one very accurate shotgun. This also means that the sights on this shotgun came from the factory
“dialed in” to provide accurate shot placement.
Throughout this field test, I was also surprised how well this relatively lightweight shotgun handled under recoil, when I fired full strength Remington 00 Buckshot ammunition. In fact, we used a
lot more full power Remington 00 Buckshot in this field test, than reduced recoil 00 Buckshot.
After Rick Batory effectively engaged a relatively small target at a distance of some 30 yards, he also agreed that the MAC Marine Tactical is a very easy semi auto shotgun to shoot with precision.
CLOSING REMARKS
Even though I currently own two pump action premium brand defensive shotguns, I decided to purchase a Military Arms Corporation Tactical Marine 12 gauge shotgun. The decision to do so was
based on this shotgun’s fit, finish and performance. In fact, I plan to continue field testing the MAC
Tactical Marine in a few days, when I venture back out into the desert in 100 plus degree dry heat, to
evaluate another firearm for another magazine. Only a crazy person, or someone who is beyond
impressed with a particular firearm would voluntarily do so in such weather. Rest assure I’m not crazy,
but I do know a Top Gun among shotguns, when I have the chance to send 00 Buckshot down range
with such precision.
About the author: Nick Jacobellis is a Medically Retired U.S. Customs Service Senior Special Agent and a former NY police officer who was physically disabled in the line of duty while working undercover as a federal agent. To date the author has published 243 magazine articles in various law enforcement, firearms, survival and military history magazines, as well as 14 action packed non-fiction, historical military and police procedural fiction books of the following titles: Tactical Survival 101, Controlled Delivery Book One and Book Two, The Front Line Fugitives Books I, II, III, and IV, Buck Banderas U.S. Marshal Books One, Two and Three, A Special Kind of Hero, The K9 Academy-The Second Edition and Guns South. A number of 5 Star reviews have been posted on Amazon.com (US) and (UK) as well as on ARGunners.com. The author’s 14th book is a Christmas story titled: Santa’s Christmas Tree Convoy. The author was born and raised in Flatbush section of Brooklyn New York and has an BS Degree in Police Science from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
