The Umarex T4E TB 68 Gen2 shotgun is literally tailor-made for serious home defense. Thanks to the semi-automatic firing mode, more than sufficient magazine capacity and the quick activation system, you will reliably deter any potential aggressor from mischief.
AMMUNITION & SEMI-AUTO MODE
The TB 68 is designed for firing rubber, pepper or marking balls in .68 caliber, where the tube magazine beneath the barrel can hold up to 16 rounds. Due to semi-auto mode, the shotgun does not need to be reloaded between shots - just repeatedly pull the trigger. Due to the high number of internal moving parts due to the semi-automatic firing mode, the Double-Action trigger is rather stiff, which on the other hand prevents accidental discharge. There is of course a push-button safety located directly inside the trigger blade. To ease cleaning or dealing with jammed ammunition, there's a sliding hatch on the right side of the shotgun that allows you to access the ammo chamber directly.
PROPULSION & QUICK ACTIVATION SYSTEM
The shotgun is powered by a single 12g CO2 cartridge that is inserted inside the grip after unscrewing the valve. That way you can store the gun indefinitely without the risk of degradation of the sealing rings. To activate it, simply strike the valve with your palm to pierce the cartridge and your gun is ready to fire. Once activated, an indicator will pop up above the grip, signaling that the shotgun is pressurized and ready to fire. The manufacturer states that one 12g cartridge is sufficient for 16 shots, thus an entire magazine.
CONSTRUCTION
The design of the TB 68 is heavily based on one of the most iconic semi-automatic shotguns, the SPAS-12. The internal components are made of metal and further covered with a durable polymer body. You can either aim using the fixed metal sights or you can mount a collimator on the Picatinny top rail. A second 22mm rail is located on the left side of the forearm and can be removed with two screws if necessary. And if you want to equip the shotgun with a shoulder strap, it features 2 slots on the sides above the grip and one below the muzzle.
T4E 2ND GENERATION
Just like the other Umarex T4E 2nd generation products, this model also received the new CO2 cartridge quick activation valve. It no longer requires any tools to depressurize the gun. Other innovations include the M22x1.5 muzzle thread, allowing you to replace the metal muzzle brake with, for example, the X-Tracer .68 device. The last change also includes a new grip texture for a more secure handling.
Maintenance
Since the gun is powered by CO2 cartridges, the sealing rings can become brittle and crack when exposed to the freezing carbon dioxide over time. This can be prevented by occasional application of silicone oil 1) by a spray bottle, where you simply coat the internal mechanism, 2) by applying a few drops of silicone oil to the nozzle of the inserted cartridge 3) by using an oil cartridge (easiest). It’s also not recommended to leave the activated cartridge in the gun for longer than necessary. If you know you won't be shooting for a while, release the pressure by loosening the valve.