[sonny]

What are the ups and downs to them?....do they just look cool or are they useless?....what do you think?

[Smoke]

I don't care for them myself. Doesn't feel natural. Just me, I guess. IF it feels good go for it:)

Disadvantage is: one more protrusion to get caught on things.

[Badger Arms]

NO, NO, No! Absolutely worthless and a bit of a liability too. You cannot shoot well from the shoulder with it there. You NEED to shoot from the shoulder in order to be the least bit effective. It might look cool and feel passable when shooting from the hip but the pumping action is unnatural. When shucking the foreend, you push the barrel towards the assailant. It's much more natural to do this if the weak hand holds the barrel like you are spraying a hose at the guy. On my Ithaca, I hold the trigger and shove the slide forward. When it locks, it goes off. I can empty a mag pretty quick and all shots are in the torso.

[Dave McCracken]

I don't see any ups. Besides snagging, changing the pumping cycle, and costing a few bucks, it may also contribute to losing the solid interface between stock and shoulder.

A standard forestock works fine. What's that Rule of Pramatic Engineering that Starts," If it ain't broke"....

[2nd Amendment]

I had one once on a 590. I haven't bought another. The feel is all wrong, though I've always thought if one were produced with an angle out instead of straight down it might not be too bad. Would still be one more projection to get snagged on things, though.

[InternationalShotgun.com]

They look kinda cool on movie props. Other than that, they aren't of much use.

Personally, I advise against rear pistol grips and speed stocks as well.

[2nd Amendment]

And that would be why...?

[Hkmp5sd]

On a SBS/AOW, they are very usefull in controlling the gun and keeping things such as fingers from finding their way in front of the muzzle.

When a shotgun with a stock is being used from the shoulder (which just happens to be where it was designed to be fired from), the angle your arm and wrist must be in to hold it is uncomfortable and in my opinion, decreases the overall accuracy.

[Kahr carrier]

I dont like them they make the shotgun more cumbersome . But they look cool.:)

[Robby from Long Island]

I feel like the Lone Ranger here as I guess I'm the only one who likes a pistol grip.

Ten years ago purchased a Benelli M1 Super 90 tactical with it's 18" barrel, ghost ring sights and combo pistol grip and shoulder stock and 8 round capacity.

The fact that it's a semi-auto and not a pump might be why I find it so comfortable.

It's identical in feel to my pre-ban Colt HBAR. The pistol grip on that is almost identical to the Benelli. If you find shouldering an AR-15 comfortable, then you'd feel the same about this shotgun.

Gotta admit though, just bought my second shotgun and made sure it didn't have a pistol grip. It's a Winchester Defender 1300, black composite stock, 8 round capacity and a pump. I agree with you guys on that issue. A PG on a pump gun feels totally out sync for me and obviously a lot of other guys.

Still got to love my Benelli though, you'd be surprised how fast you can crank out 8 rounds.:D

Safe shooting.

[InternationalShotgun.com]

2nd A-

Rear pistol grips are just silly, IMHO. It is far more difficult to shoot accurately and a good way to break your hand. I suppose they have some legitimate use in rare circumstances when you need a shotgun that is very compact ("camper's combo" type applications) but I will never own one.

As for speed stocks (combined pistol grip and rear stock), my distaste for them is not as strong. However, they interfere with a natural mounting position and restrict your flexibility in shooting positions as well.

A majority of the "tactical" shotgun add-ons are little more than a waste of money, to be frank.

My home defense shotgun is an off-the-shelf 870 with a 26" barrel. The only modification I would even think of making to it is a magazine extension, but I have never felt the need. I practice with it in my home, in the dark, periodically and have been to two tactical shotgun classes with it. I also shoot skeet, and occasionally sporting clays, with it several times a year.

[2nd Amendment]

OK, I assume you mean *just* a rear pistol grip. On that I'd have to agree with you. I was thinking full stock with PG, or folder and PG.

[ruger357]

Nope.

[InternationalShotgun.com]

2nd A-

Yes. I refer to the rear stock/pistol grip combo as a "speed stock" (which I think is a actually a brand name). I'm not sure if there is an official industry designation for such a stock and what it is called if there is.

[COHIBA]

shotguns are great for home DEFENSE. ie sitting in place and waiting for the cops.
shotguns are dangerous for home OFFENSE. leaving the safe room and seeking out the "bump". they are unwieldy and hard to navigate w/.
the first thing you must do is determine what your plan of action will be.
ask yourself...
do i HAVE to leave the safe room?
i do because i have 2 daughters in another part of the house. a pistol will be in my hand if that day ever comes.
the second thing to ask yourself is...
if i do stay put and wait for the cops what type of gun would be best. a shotgun of the pump nature will suffice. bells whistles lasers aside only a good flashlight would be on mine. and at that a simple c cell maglight ducttaped to the mag tube.
save your money for ammo.
speaking of which birdshot will be quite sufficiant at room distance.

[Badger Arms]

Shotguns are easy to maneuver and SAFER for home defense. You know exactly what you are pointing at, you have two hands on them, they are VERY LARGE and intimidating, they don't penetrate walls as readily, they are more likely to incapacitate, they also make a loud, intimidating sound when operated.

For children in the house, the shotgun is less likely to be picked up by an inquisitive child and pointed at themselves or another. It is also something that women and younger children can operate when they come of age to defend themselves.

Pistols are difficult to get proficient with and very difficult to hit anything with without experience and practice. Walk around your house with an empty shotgun and try to find places that you can't reasonably maneuver them. I've practiced clearing drills myslef and I greatly prefer the shotgun.