Wilson Combat Rob Haught Special Shotgun Review

When it comes to tactical self-defense shotguns, Wilson Combat is a name that comes to mind. Known for their precision engineering and high-quality firearms, Wilson Combat has a reputation for creating some of the most reliable and effective firearms on the market. One model that grabbed my attention is the Rob Haught Special Shotgun. Developed in collaboration with legendary tactical trainer Rob Haught, hence the name, this 870 pump-action shotgun was designed as a starting point for his ideal defensive shotgun. In this review, we’ll explore if the Wilson Combat Rob Haught Special Shotgun is an exceptional choice for those seeking a defensive shotgun.

About Wilson Combat & Who is Rob Haught?

Wilson Combat is synonymous with high-quality firearms and exceptional craftsmanship. Founded by Bill Wilson, a pioneering figure in the custom gun industry, the company has built a reputation known for producing precision-engineered firearms that deliver unmatched performance and reliability. Wilson Combat’s extensive product lineup includes handguns, rifles, and shotguns, all designed to meet the demands of professionals, enthusiasts, and discerning civilian shooters. With a commitment to innovation and excellence, Wilson Combat continues to set the standard in the firearms industry, offering products that are trusted by professionals and enthusiasts worldwide.

Rob Haught is a veteran law enforcement officer with over 20 years of distinguished service, including roles as a Patrol Officer, Chief of Police, and Chief Deputy Sheriff in West Virginia. Beyond his law enforcement career, Haught is celebrated as one of the foremost tactical shotgun instructors in the world. His expertise extends to being an accomplished national champion shooter and a respected instructor for federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Known for his innovative approach to tactical shotgun training, Haught has significantly influenced the design and effectiveness of shotgun accessories and training programs. His collaboration with Wilson Combat on the Rob Haught Special Shotgun reflects his deep understanding of tactical needs and firearm performance.

Rob Haught Special Overview

The Wilson Combat Rob Haught Special Shotgun is a purpose-built tactical 870 pump-action shotgun designed to excel in defensive situations. Developed in conjunction with Rob Haught, this shotgun features a blend of Wilson Combat’s tried-and-true enhancements and innovative new features. Key highlights include an adjustable Trak-Lok® “U” notch rear sight, a fiber optic front sight, and Magpul furniture for ergonomic handling. The Mesa Tactical Aluminum shell carrier increases ammo capacity, while the high-visibility follower and extra-power magazine tube spring ensure reliable performance. Available in a variety of Armor-Tuff® colors, the Rob Haught Special Shotgun is the ideal choice for home, vehicle, or ranch defense, offering unmatched reliability and tactical efficiency.

Tech Specs

Specification	Details
Base Price	$1,505
Available Calibers	12 Gauge
Capacity	5+1
Barrel Length	18.4″ Cylinder Bore
Overall Length	36″
Weight (Empty)	8 lbs, 4 oz
Sights	Adjustable Trak-Lok® “U” notch rear sight, Ramp-type front sight with fiber optic insert
Barrel	18.4″ Cylinder Bore barrel with 3″ Magnum chamber
Magazine Tube	Extended
Stock	Magpul SGA
Forend	Magpul MOE M-LOK
Shell Carrier	Mesa Tactical Aluminum, additional capacity of 4 rounds
Follower	High-visibility, non-binding
Magazine Tube Spring	Extra-power heavy-duty Stainless
Safety	Jumbo head
Sling Mount	Rigid magazine tube
Finish	Armor-Tuff®

Key Features

Barrel

The Wilson Combat Rob Haught Special Shotgun features an 18.4″ cylinder bore barrel with a 3″ Magnum chamber. This barrel length strikes an excellent balance between maneuverability and accuracy, making it ideal for close-quarters engagements. The barrel is finished with Wilson Combats Armor-Tuff® for enhanced durability and corrosion resistance.

Magpul Furniture

Equipped with a Magpul SGA stock and MOE M-LOK forend, the shotgun offers exceptional ergonomics and modularity. The SGA stock features a very comfortable and recoil absorbing butt pad. The MOE M-LOK forend provides a secure grip and features M-LOK slots for attaching accessories like lights and lasers, enhancing the shotgun’s versatility and personalization.

Sights

The adjustable Trak-Lok® “U” notch rear sight and ramp-type front sight with a fiber optic insert ensure quick and accurate target acquisition. These sights provide a clear and visible sight picture that enhances shooting accuracy and confidence.

Magazine Tube, Spring and Follower

Featuring an extended magazine tube with the ability to hold 5 shells. The extra-power heavy-duty stainless magazine tube spring and high-visibility, non-binding follower are critical components that enhance the shotgun’s reliability. These features ensure smooth and consistent feeding of rounds, reducing the likelihood of malfunctions and ensuring that your shotgun performs flawlessly.

Mesa Tactical Shell Carrier

The Mesa Tactical Aluminum shell carrier is a practical addition that increases the shotgun’s ammunition capacity by four rounds. Mounted on the side of the shotgun, it ensures that extra ammo is always within easy reach, enhancing your ability to reload quickly and efficiently in high-stress situations.

Wilson Combat Rifle Bag

The shotgun comes with a soft, branded Wilson Combat rifle bag, providing secure and protective storage. This bag is durable and convenient for transport, ensuring that your shotgun remains protected and ready for action at all times.

Unboxing & First Impressions

The shotgun came securely packaged in a soft, branded rifle bag, which is not only protective but also convenient for transport. Along with the shotgun, the package included a manual, and an action lock.

The first thing that caught my eye was the Coyote Brown Armor-Tuff finish. The Magpul furniture was another highlight, perfectly complementing the shotgun’s aesthetic. The Mesa Tactical shell carrier, or quiver, mounted on the side was a practical addition that I knew would come in handy. The sights, featuring an adjustable Trak-Lok® “U” notch rear sight and a fiber optic front sight, appeared highly visible and well-designed for quick target acquisition. Overall, the build of the shotgun seemed simple yet incredibly functional. I was eager to see how it would perform in the field, knowing that its design promised both reliability and effectiveness.

Overall Appearance and Build Quality

I must say, the Wilson Combat Rob Haught Special Shotgun is an extremely well-built firearm, featuring high-quality parts that stand out from the first glance. Starting with the Magpul foregrip and SGA stock, the foregrip feels excellent in hand, offering a nice ledge on both ends to aid with the pump action. The buttstock features a very comfortable butt pad, which is a huge plus for a 12-gauge shotgun. The grip of the buttstock is well-angled and feels comfortable to hold, making it a pleasure to handle.

The Armor-Tuff® finish I chose was Coyote Brown, which looks fantastic on this shotgun. It is complemented beautifully by the black sights, quiver, and Magpul furniture. The finish is smooth, without any imperfections. The sights are particularly impressive in well-lit areas, where the front fiber optic sight truly shines. However, in low-light conditions, the fiber optic front sight can be a bit harder to see, but it is still manageable. The rear “U” sight is excellent, providing a clear sight picture.

At the end of the magazine tube, there’s a heavy-duty sling mount that we attached a Blue Force Gear Vickers sling. The quiver is a great touch that I truly appreciate; you can never have too much ammo at hand, and more is always better. The only thing I wish this shotgun came with is a Picatinny rail mounted on it for optics. It would be great to have the option to throw a red dot on it.

Overall, the build of this shotgun is very simple but done right and laid out very well. I think Rob Haught and Wilson Combat hit the nail on the head. This shotgun embodies the perfect balance of functionality and simplicity, making it an excellent choice for a reliable defensive firearm.

Live Fire Performance

My first range day with the Wilson Combat Rob Haught Special Shotgun was quite the experience. Initially, the action and pump were very stiff, likely due to the finish and the shotgun also being brand new. It definitely needed some breaking in. After lubing it up and cycling around 100 rounds through it—being intentionally rough with the action—it began to break in and show its true potential. The action became smoother and easier to rack, and its performance started to come to life.

I found the sights to be particularly effective. The front fiber optic sight is excellent for quick target acquisition, making aiming intuitive and fast. The trigger has that rolling feel typical of shotguns, rather than a crisp break, which is expected given its intended uses.

After about 250 rounds in one day, I must say that the Magpul butt pad on the SGA stock is fantastic. It does an excellent job of absorbing the recoil from the 12-gauge rounds, making extended shooting sessions more comfortable. The shotgun feels light and easy to maneuver, which is crucial for a defensive firearm.

Even after putting 400-500 rounds through it, I didn’t experience any malfunctions or feeding issues, which speaks volumes about its reliability. Thanks to that upgraded spring and follower. The only thing I found myself wishing for was a Picatinny rail. I would have loved the option to mount a red dot sight. But Overall, the performance of the Rob Haught Special Shotgun definitely was in par or just above my expectations, proving itself to be a reliable and effective home defense shotgun.

Aftermarket Accessories

One of the significant advantages of the Wilson Combat Rob Haught Special Shotgun is that it’s built on the Remington 870 platform. This means it benefits from the vast array of aftermarket parts and accessories available for the 870, providing endless customization possibilities.

• Picatinny Rails: These can be mounted on the receiver to allow the attachment of red dot sights, scopes, or other optics, giving you improved accuracy and target acquisition capabilities.
• Extended Magazine Tubes: While the Rob Haught Special already comes with an extended tube, there are other configurations available that might suit your specific needs.
• Tactical Lights and Lasers: M-LOK slots on the Magpul forend make it easy to attach tactical lights or lasers, improving visibility and target identification in low-light conditions.
• Enhanced Triggers: Although the stock trigger performs well, there are aftermarket options that can provide a different feel or reduce pull weight, depending on your preference.
• Recoil Pads: Upgrading to different types or brands of recoil pads can further reduce felt recoil and enhance shooting comfort.
• Custom Stocks and Forends: While the shotgun already features high-quality Magpul furniture, there are numerous other options available that offer different ergonomics, materials, and features.

Overall Rating

Performance & Reliability: 4.5/5

The Rob Haught Special Shotgun shines in terms of reliability, despite needing a break-in period out of the box which isn’t abnormal. Initially, the action was stiff and exhibited some rough feeding, which is typical for many new shotguns. However, once broken in, it showed consistent and dependable operation with smooth cycling and reliable performance.

Build Quality & Design: 4.6/5

Wilson Combat’s commitment to quality is evident in this shotgun. The Coyote Brown Armor-Tuff finish and Magpul furniture ensure its durability and resilience. Every part feels solid and well-engineered, contributing to a robust and high-quality build. The design is practical and effective, combining ergonomic furniture, high-visibility sights, and functional accessories.

Ergonomics and Handling: 4.5/5

The shotgun is designed for comfort and ease of use. The Magpul SGA stock and MOE M-LOK forend provide excellent ergonomics. The comfortable butt pad absorbs recoil effectively, and the overall handling is intuitive and balanced.

Customization: 5/5

Built on the Remington 870 platform, the Rob Haught Special Shotgun offers extensive customization options. It’s compatible with a wide range of aftermarket parts, allowing users to tailor the shotgun to their specific needs. This versatility makes it a highly adaptable firearm.

Value: 4/5

With a base price of $1,505, some may find this shotgun expensive for a “starting point” firearm. However, its advanced features and robust build make it much more complex than a basic starter shotgun. It requires very few modifications to reach peak performance, which can justify the investment for many users.

Overall Rating 4.5/5

Final Thoughts

The Wilson Combat Rob Haught Special Shotgun is definitely a great starting point, but it won’t take much to be the ultimate, be-all, end-all defensive shotgun. Its high-quality build, reliable performance, and thoughtful design make it an excellent choice for anyone in need of a dependable defensive firearm. While the value can be steep for some, the investment is justified by the shotgun’s exceptional durability and functionality. With minor additions like a Picatinny rail, this shotgun could become the ultimate defensive tool.

To see our last Review Click Here: MePro MMX4 Magnifier Review: Extend Your Red-dot’s Effective Range

We Want to Hear From You!

Have you had a chance to try the Wilson Combat Rob Haught Special? What are your thoughts on its performance and features? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below to help others in the community make informed decisions.

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