| Manufacturer | Umarex (Germany) |
| Launcher Type | Shotgun — semi-automatic, tube-fed |
| Power Source | CO₂ — 12g cartridge (Quick-Piercing System 2.0) |
| Barrel Diameter | .7414″ |
| Caliber | .68 caliber round ball |
| Projectiles | Rubber ball, Pepper (OC), Paintball, Chalk ball |
| Weight | 3.5 lbs (1,600 g) |
| Overall Length | 25 in. (638 mm) |
| Barrel Length | 13 in. (330 mm) |
| Trigger | Double Action Only |
| Safety | Push-button |
| Effective Range | ~60 ft |
| Rail System | Picatinny — M22×1.5 muzzle thread with metal muzzle brake |
| Best Suited For | Home defense — high-capacity semi-auto shotgun format with easy one-tap CO₂ activation |
Design & Build Quality
The TB 68 is Umarex’s answer to the capacity question in the .68 cal less lethal space. Where the HDS 68 fires two rounds from a double-barrel break-action, and the HDX 68 fires one at a time from a 6-round rotary magazine, the TB 68 loads 16 rounds into an integrated tube magazine running beneath the 13-inch barrel — the same layout as a traditional pump-action shotgun, but driven semi-automatically by CO₂.
The Gen2 redesign refines the grip texture for better purchase under stress, and introduces the Quick-Piercing System 2.0 with tool-free pressure release — a meaningful improvement over the original that required a tool to safely vent residual CO₂. The muzzle is threaded at M22×1.5 and ships with a metal muzzle brake; accessory muzzle devices designed for this thread pattern are available. The Picatinny rail along the top allows mounting of optics or a red dot, and the trigger guard is sized for use with or without gloves.
At 25 inches overall and 3.5 lbs, the TB 68 handles well with two hands. It is too long to holster but short enough for room-clearing or bedside storage without the footprint of a full carbine.
Power System — 12g CO₂
The TB 68 runs on a single 12g CO₂ cartridge, pierced by a light tap at the grip base using the Quick-Piercing System 2.0. Umarex rates velocity at ±340 FPS and energy at <16 joules — performance broadly consistent with the HDS 68 and HDX 68 at this power level. Defense Innovation independently confirms the 340 FPS / 16 joule figures.
With 16 rounds per magazine and a 12g cartridge, expect approximately 16–20 shots before CO₂ pressure drops enough to affect velocity noticeably. The Gen2 QPS 2.0 pressure release means you can safely vent residual CO₂ without tools when storing between uses. As with all 12g CO₂ platforms, cold weather below ~60°F degrades both velocity and available shots per cartridge.
Projectile Compatibility
The TB 68 accepts the full range of standard .68 caliber round-ball ammunition:
- Rubber balls — kinetic impact rounds, no chemical payload
- Pepper balls (OC) — frangible shells with OC powder payload; highly effective for chemical deterrence at range
- Paintballs — marking rounds for training or identification
- Chalk balls — dry-marking rounds for training scenarios
The 16-round tube magazine feeds rounds via a spring-follower system. Semi-automatic cycling means each trigger pull chambers and fires one round without manual intervention — a significant tactical advantage over the HDS 68’s breach-load format.
Known Issues & Limitations
- Single CO₂ per magazine: One 12g cartridge per tube load — replacing it mid-tube requires venting remaining gas first.
- Tube loading: Loading 16 rounds into a tube magazine is slower than swapping a detachable magazine. Practice helps.
- Cold weather: CO₂ velocity and shot count degrade meaningfully below ~60°F.
- No rifling: Smoothbore barrel; reliable accurate range is approximately 30–40 ft for consistent hits on a human-sized target.
- Double Action Only trigger: Long, staged trigger pull — heavier than single-action competitors. Manageable but noticeable for new users.
Accessories & Features
- Picatinny top rail for optics or red dot
- M22×1.5 muzzle thread with included metal muzzle brake
- Quick-Piercing System 2.0 — tool-free CO₂ activation and pressure release
- Push-button safety
- Optimized Gen2 grip texture
- Compatible with all standard .68 caliber round-ball ammunition
- High-output upgrade versions available from Defense Innovation
Verdict
The TB 68 fills a real gap in the Umarex T4E lineup: a high-capacity semi-automatic .68 cal launcher in a shotgun form factor. Sixteen rounds of semi-auto .68 cal fire — whether rubber, OC, or a mix — gives the TB 68 a meaningful edge in sustained deterrence capability over any other Umarex .68 platform.
The tradeoffs are real: tube-loading is slower than swapping a detachable mag, CO₂ is still limited to one 12g cartridge, and the DAO trigger takes some adjustment. But for home defense use where the TB 68 stays loaded and ready, these are minor concerns. If you want the highest round count available in a .68 cal CO₂ platform without stepping up to HPA, the TB 68 is the answer. The Gen2 QPS 2.0 makes CO₂ management noticeably easier than the original.
Where to Buy
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