Venom FAQ

The Sidewinder has served us well for many years. There have been several iterations of the patented system dating back to the 1990’s. Adaptive Tactical has offered the Kit since 2011, with a long list of loyal customers using Sidewinder Kits around the world.

It was a difficult decision, but the Adaptive leadership and engineering team have decided to discontinue the Sidewinder product line. With current market conditions drastically impacting our vendor supply chain’s ability to consistently supply raw components and the complete depletion of our existing Sidewinder inventory, we felt it best to phase out production of the Sidewinder product line.

While it is sad to see the Sidewinder lifecycle come to an end, we are excited about the opportunity to aggressively pursue product development for new Adaptive product releases in 2021 and beyond. We look forward to serving our customers in all our existing firearm accessory categories.

We will continue to support Sidewinder warranty requests and offer common replacement parts and magazines on this website until inventory is depleted. Thank you again for your continued business – please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any Sidewinder related questions or comments at info@adaptivetactical.com

Venom kits are compatible with Mossberg 500, 590 and Maverick 88s with 5/6 shot tube configurations and 18.5” barrel. Please reference the Venom Kit Compatibility page for a complete listing of compatible shotgun models.

Due to the longer length of the 535 and 835 action bars to accommodate the travel necessary for 3.5" shells, the action bars supplied with the Sidewinder Venom kits are not compatible. Please reference the Venom Kit Compatibility page for a complete listing of compatible shotgun models.

With the soldered and press fit mag tubes, installing the kits on a Remington is definitely more challenging and complicated for offering through retail dealers. The volume and popularity of the Remington 870 is without question, but at this time our current R&D schedule does not include an 870 model.

Sidewinder Venom Forends (Standard and Wraptor) are specifically designed for use with Sidewinder Venom Kits. The forend's dimensions are customized to allow fitting of the magazine well located on the rear portion of the magazine tube. The features and shape of the forend allow for structural support of the action bars and prevention of the operator’s hand getting pinched between the magwell and the rear of the forend.

Either the cartridge interrupter (shell stop) has not been removed or the cartridge stop (on the opposite side of the ejector port) has been removed and not re-installed.

The Follower Assembly Key is either not inserted or inserted improperly.

1) The forend is not being actuated hard enough to properly cycle the shotgun, or 2) the wrong ammo is being used.

Imported (i.e. European, Russian, Brazilian, etc.), non-traditional, home defense or bargain ammo can and often does cause issues due to dimensional and length inconsistencies. We recommend major domestic 2.75" brands (Winchester, Remington, Federal, Hornady). SAAMI Spec Ammo MUST be used in the Sidewinder Venom.

No. In order to utilize Venom magazines in conjunction with a Mossberg Pump Shotgun you must have the entire kit installed on the desired shotgun. Magazines require all of the Sidewinder components to function and feed rounds into the receiver.

Yes; the 5 round box, 10 round box and 10 round rotary magazines are compatible with all Sidewinder Venom Kits.

No -- new Sidewinder Venom magazines and related components are not compatible or interchangeable with the original Sidewinder magazines and conversion kits. We recommend looking on eBay or other online merchants for old Sidewinder products.

Sidewinder magazines and their associated Mag-fed Shotgun Systems and/or Kits are designed to integrate exclusively with 590 series, 88* and 500 Mossberg 12 gauge pump shotguns configured with 5/6 shot magazine tubes.
*Sidewinder Venom Kits are not compatible with Single Action Bar Maverick 88 Shotguns.

Adaptive is unable to ship 10 Rnd Kits and Magazines to the states of Colorado and New York. We recommend the purchase of 5 Rnd Kits and Magazines as an alternative.

Pre-configured Sidewinder Venom Shotgun Systems are available through your licensed firearms dealer. Visit our dealer page for a list of FFLs that carry Adaptive Tactical products, or ask your local dealer about availability.

You may also purchase a Venom Kit and bring it to a certified firearm technician or gunsmith for installation.

A wire brush or car battery terminal brush should be used to remove any excess powder coating that is on the threads. You can also use a little acetone & a red Scotch Brite pad. (Be careful with the acetone and don’t go above the threads.) Screw and unscrew the tube numerous times into the receiver to clear the threads and make a better fit.

If available, Adaptive product instructions may be downloaded in PDF format. Menu/Support/Instructions

Many Venom replacement parts are available for purchase online. Please visit the Venom Components section of this website. Menu/Products/Venom Components.