What is the benefit to a pistol-grip shotgun?

[SolaScriptura139]

I see a lot of shotguns with a pistol grip, and I've seen a lot of people mention them around here. What's the benefit of the pistol-grip?

[SolaScriptura139]

I see a lot of shotguns with a pistol grip, and I've seen a lot of people mention them around here. What's the benefit of the pistol-grip?

[SolaScriptura139]

I'm really sorry about all the messages. I had some computer problems, and it kept asking me to resend the information, when I looked at the main part of the shotgun forum, there were a bunch of the same message.

[ArmedBear]

You mean JUST a pistol grip, or a stock sort of like an AK or AR (buttstock separate from a pistol grip) or a pistol-grip stock, as opposed to an "English" or straight stock?

Depends what kind of shotgun you're talking about.

[SolaScriptura139]

like an AK or AR, with the buttstock separate.

[ArmedBear]

Generally, a regular shotgun stock is designed to be shot with the shooter's arm sticking out perpendicular to the stock. You don't have to, but that's the natural position and it works well for quick acquisition of a moving target, which is what shotguns are generally designed for.

This isn't a particularly good body position for CQB (close quarters battle) or even in your hallway. The AR-style grip lets you have a good grip on the gun for multiple shots and quick acquisition, but with your arm in a much better position than the standard stock that's just like a field gun.

Note the Benelli turkey gun with the same design. It's there for the same reason: turkey hunting usually involves crouching behind or in something for concealment. It can be cramped, and you don't want your arm up there flapping around to give you away to the dumb but visually-gifted bird.

http://www.benelliusa.com/firearms/m2m1.tpl

There are some oddball trap guns that have pistol grips, too, but generally you'll find the design on guns made for close-range defense in tight spaces, and on hunting guns made for tight spaces in the woods.

[Devonai]

Some people find it gives them a better cheek weld, or lowers felt recoil, or eases carrying the weapon in the low ready for extended periods.

[ArmedBear]

Good point...

It's also easier to carry and deploy quickly, though not at high-flying birds, which is why a lot of upland hunters like the exact opposite kind of stock, which has no pistol grip at all. They're easier to carry then shoulder pointing high in the air.

The standard "pistol grip" stock on a shotgun is really a compromise between these two extremes.

[Lee Lapin]

Pistol grip WITH a shoulder stock? People accustomed to rifles with pistol grips seem to like them better.

Pistol grip WITHOUT a shoulder stock (aka PGO or pistol grip only)- you get

MASSIVE KEWL POINTS!!!!!!!!!!

but you can't hit anything much with 'em. Most kewl people don't care 'cause they only style and profile, they don't actually shoot.

lpl/nc

[MagnumCaliber357]

PGO will help will make the shotgun smaller= easier to put in tight spaces

PGO also is more concelable, say if you want to rob a bank, this only really helps the bad guys

In a stocked pistol grip you get better ergonamics ( for me anyway, other peopel would beg to differ) and you get controlablity (again personal)

Its also easier transition when you go from rifle to shotgun and getting one with a pistol grip

Personally i like a "suspisiouly protruding pistol grip" :evil: :evil:

I bought a mossberg cruiser which had a PGO when i bought it and have since upgraded it http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=193000.

BTW TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK OF IT!!!!!!

[SolaScriptura139]

Wouldn't a pistol grip only hurt when you shoot it? Or at least screw with your accuracy big-time?

[ArmedBear]

Yes, and yes.

You can practice with it, though.

[Mooseman]

I really like shooting my shotgun with just a pistol grip. I find that at 10 yards I can pretty easily hit what I'm aiming for. Of course this is for home defense not hunting. I've seen a few shotguns that come with a standard stock and a pistol grip. You can try them both and see what you like better.:)

[beerslurpy]

Shot the saiga 12 with english style skeet furniture and AK style PG and folder furniture and the PG/folder wins hands down. Way more pleasant to shoot.

The pistol grip lets you press the gun very hard against your shoulder, while the traditional stock will sort of ride up in your hand if you pull back on it too hard. Similar with vertical foreends vs straight forends. The vertical is easier to hold on to. This is good when you are rapid firing the gun into a berm or a burglar.

[Aikibiker]

They also help you keep your weapon oriented in the right direction if you have to use your support hand for something. Say opening a door.

Pistol grip only makes it easier to store your shotgun I suppose.

[azflyman]

No benefit for me. I can clamp the stock under my arm and have better "point of aim" and fire control. I guess they look OK but I use my guns for other things. I have shot alot of food critters but never shot an intruder once with a shotgun. That's why I have .45's.:evil:

az