[musky hunter]

Hi, shot the 870 today. Nice and smooth. I need to change the facotry recoil pad. Some hunters/members told me that i would get beat up from the factory pad if i shoot alot of slug or buckshot. They recommended pachmyers decelorator pads. Can i install myslef or a gunsmith has to do it for me? Any experience with decelorator pad. Any recommendations or advice?

[Erick Gelhaus]

I've had Pachmyer Decellerators on my shotguns since late '94. I really like them. Can they be self-installed? I believe so, if you have a factory standard (stock) stock. Mine have had to go to the 'smith because all of my stocks have been shortened and I don't have a large grinder.

[Preacherman]

Even better than the Decelerators are the Kick-Eez products (see http://www.kickeez.net/). I put one on an 870, and have another 870 with a Decelerator, and have to guess that the Kick-Eez pad is probably 50% softer than anything else I've used. Really soaks up the kick. Highly recommended.

[Dave McCracken]

The factory pad isn't a bad choice, providing form and fit are good. The other two pads mentioned are excellent. I've had and have some Decellerators, I recommend them highly.

The Decellerator comes in what Pachmyer claims is a pre fit to the 870 stocks. Do not believe them. There's always a difference.

Unless you're "Handy", a smith to install a pad is a good idea. Or,just screw the thing on and leave it untrimmed. This will look a bit odd but the extra surface area will spread out the push very well.

[musky hunter]

ic, so my gunsmith is gonna do it. Damn, i wanted to use it this weekend.