Are sidesaddles any good?

[The Deer Hunter]

What I have now: A box of 5 buckshot on my bedside table along with the gun that is next to it.

Sometimes when I go away or I clean things get moved around and the 870 gets separated from its ammo which could lead to bad things in the case of a bump in the night. So I kind of want a side saddle.

I know most hold 6 but I don't want to alter my forearm so I could cut it down to 4, which is also the mag. capacity. I wouldn't practice shooting it with ammo in it because those shells would be in the mag so it wouldn't add that much weight. The cost like $20 OTD at a local place, so its not a big loss.


Any thoughts?

[Sir Aardvark]

I like them and use them on a couple of my shotguns.

The gentleman who I took my shotgun class with, Bill Murphy, runs the shotgun course at Gunsite.

He recommends the Side Saddle available from Adventurer's Outpost:

Adventurer's Outpost PO BOX 70, Cottonwood, AZ 86326 (800)762-7471

He states that this side saddle is made out of polymer and handles the recoil better than the ones that are made out of metal. He said that during the 5-day shotgun course at Gunsite, he has seen the metal ones sheer off the bolts that hold them to the action - he reports that this will not occur with the ones available from Adventurer's Outpost.

Have I got the cool polymer ones on my shotgun, you ask?
No, not yet - I have been real lazy lately, and quite frankly I have not put 1000's of rounds through my shotguns since I installed the Tacstar ones, but, I thought this would be some good info to throw out there and no one can say that Bill doesn't know his stuff.

Another neat thing that I do is keep all of my Buckshot in my Sidesaddle on the Left side of the gun, while I keep my Slugs in the Buttstock ammo holder on the Right side on my gun - this way it makes it more difficult to fudge things up and accidentally load a slug by mistake.

Buckshot/Birdshot Left - Slugs Right

[DAVIDSDIVAD]

I bought a nylon butt cuff for mine that held 5 shells.

It fits nicely, doesn't get in the way, and only cost 4 bucks.


Get a butt cuff.

Those side saddles just look ridiculous

[Striker]

When I use them, I prefer the 4 round hunter style over the 6 round tactical model.

(Click on the sidesaddle tab at the top of this link, then scroll down a bit to the "hunter" style ): http://lymanproducts.com/tacstar/

If you're going the buttcuff route, I recommend you get a lace up type or the Uncle Mikes neoprene style, as the elastic stretch type tend to shift under recoil.

As always, YMMV.

[Titan6]

I like them. Depending upon your situation they make sense and offer a lot more ammo (in your case 100% more) for very little compromise. Although it makes sense to have a BUG if you use them as dissassembly now requires real tools for most side saddles instead of just a pocket knife.

[Rustynuts]

Get a Saiga and tape two mags together (5 or 10 rounders)!

[SpookyPistolero]

I've had one on my 870 for years, but have recently decided to change my setup a bit. The extra rounds are nice to have, just like the longer magazine tube is nice to have, but they really affect the handling and weight of the gun. It takes the 'carryability' out of the shotgun and makes snap-shooting harder, in my eyes. The surefire forend I have makes it feel the same. I'm now thinking that a plain-jane, dressed down shotgun is the best bet for me.

If the shotgun is to be used seldom and will be sitting for a rainy day, it might not be so bad. You can keep a second one that is for more practical use. I'm still debating whether to change mine or just get a new one.

I guess my main point was just to consider if this is a shotgun you use for any other tasks, and to think about how much the weight of an extra 4-6 rounds on the receiver would affect the balance of the piece.

[The Deer Hunter]

I have a Remington 870 Wingmaster and a Benelli M1 Super 90. Maybe when I have wads of cash to wipe my butt with but right now I have two really good guns that don't need replacing.

I have one of those butt stock cuffs and for some reason I just don't like it. Maybe I will like it more than the side saddle but theres only one way to tell-using one. The ones at the gun shop look to be the polymer kind but I think they are made by Tacstar.

[sinistr]

i have tried a couple of different methods of carrying extra rounds on my twelve.the one that suits my needs overall is one that mounts to the stock by spector gear.it has the individual holders inside a pouch, not the fastest but the holder will not work itself loose and you won't lose any rounds.if you want something faster or one that mounts on the receiver,try 3gungear.com

[The Deer Hunter]

twelve

Is that a shotgun or mag. capacity or something?

[SwampWolf]

On some shotguns (certainly on a Nova pump that I own), tightening the bolts holding the sidesaddle to the receiver too much will distort the frame enough to cause malfunctions. The cure is to back the bolts off a turn or two and try again for functioning. This problem might not occur on steel-actioned receivers as found on 870s, BPSs, 37s and model 12s, to name a few.

[Robert Hairless]

Tacstar sidesaddles work nicely on the Remington 870, not on the Benelli M1 Super 90.

That said, this month I don't like a sidesaddle on my 870. Next month I might. I've been putting them on and taking them off every couple of months or so for the past several years. It's the one thing about my 870 I can't decide permanently.

The reasons for my indecisiveness are about the same as identified by Spooky Pistolero, above. For me a "tactical" (Argh! I said the T word) shotgun needs to be fast and easily maneuverable: sort of a magic wand that goes "Boom!" It's a pointing device except for relatively long (75 yards or so) shots with slugs. The sidesaddle slows me down and makes the 870 just a bit more awkward than I like.

What I've figured out about myself is that after I've spent time with the Benelli M1S90 and away from the 870, when I return to the 870 the slowness and awkwardness of the 870 with the sidesaddle is immediately obvious. So I remove the sidesaddle and all is right with the world. But after I've worked with the 870 exclusively for a while I miss having the extra rounds (always slugs) and reinstall the sidesaddle.

I'll be interested to see your feedback after you've installed one and had the opportunity to go through this same sequence.

[Zach S]

I bought a nylon butt cuff for mine that held 5 shells.

It fits nicely, doesn't get in the way, and only cost 4 bucks.
I had one, then had to fire weak-handed. I cut it off on the spot and got a side-saddle next time I went to the range.

Like Robert Hairless, I keep changing my mind on wether or not i like it. But unlike him, I dont take it off when I dont like it, I just deal with it. Actually, I just dont want to go through the trouble of taking it off. Same thing with the light on my AR.

[PJR]

I use a sidesaddle because for domestic reasons a loaded shotgun isn't practical. With a little practice, shells can be loaded from the gun into the sidesaddle very quickly. I don't feel the sidesaddle changes the weight balance of the gun because the shells are around the midpoint and not at either end.

I have used the butt slings but am less enthused about them because with the weight in the rear they really affect the gun's balance and should circumstances require you shoot from your off side the shells get in the way.

Paul

[Jeff F]

That box of rounds needs to be in the magazine then they won't get separated from the shotgun.

[MCgunner]

Me, I just have a butt cuff on my coach gun. Cheap, effective. I take the danged thing off to hunt, not necessary and any ammo on the stock throws the balance of the gun off. A side saddle is probably superior on a repeater for that reason. Just guessing, never tried one. But, on a coach gun, the thing is already whippy as hell, don't swing real smooth. Any extra rearward weight is a hinderence.

BTW, if you wanna keep the gun unloaded, how's about one of those speed loader tubes?

[thebaldguy]

The nylon/elastic buttshotck shell holder works well.

[4v50 Gary]

It's not about looks, its about having spare ammunition ready at hand. I also use the Speed-feed stock that holds four extra rounds. That gives me ten additional rounds for the gun. I can grab my gun and not worry about having to grab a box of extra shells and trying to find a place to stuff it.

[rantingredneck]

I like sidesaddles. I have a six shot on one of my 870's and a four shot on another. Also have a six shot on my Mossberg 500. The one with the four shot sidesaddle has a 2 shot extension and 20 inch riflesighted IC barrel. It is my main HD gun and one of my deer hunting guns. Weight isn't too bad, but the extra ammo certainly adds some. I don't like the elastic buttcuff's for the same reasons others have mentioned (tend to slip, throws off balance, etc.)

So far the Tacstar's have held up well for me. I don't like many of their products, but the sidesaddles do work. As another poster mentioned, though, be careful with how tight you tighten the bolts. Even on an 870 receiver you can overtighten them and jam the action.

[Robert Hairless]

Oh. About TacStar sidesaddles ... I don't think they tell you this but it's vital to disassemble them and put a drop of blue Loctite on each small screw before reassembling and installing on the shotgun. Otherwise those screws work loose and at least one is sure to be lost.

[sm]

Tip:

Take a piece of Hook-n-Loop (Velcro) and put between sidesaddle and receiver.

This seems to assist in keeping the sidesaddle in place longer and lessening the working loose as sometimes occurs due to extended range sessions.

Added bonus, lessens the marring of the finish on receivers.

Most folks just stick Velcro onto Side-Saddle leaving the softer side to go against receiver.

[Robert Hairless]

Steve, is the Velcro in addition to or instead of the TacStar trigger screws?

If it's instead of, you might have helped me with my on again/off again sidesaddle ways.

[W.E.G.]

I prefer a belt with utility pouch.

I don't store any ammo on any guns unless the ammo is in the chamber or the magazine.

http://cheaperthandirt.com/MOLLE307-19886-1975.html

http://cheaperthandirt.com/ctd_images/bgprod/MOLLE-307.jpg

[sm]

Robert,

Yes.
This seems to assist any make or model of saddle, and applicable to other accessories as well.

Side-Saddle:

Get the Hook-n-Loop with the Self Stick backing.
Now look at the Side-Saddle "flat" ( area to butt up against receiver) and with the backing still intact, use something to mark the holes.
Hand held hole punch will punch out nice , neat holes.
Clean, degrease and dry (prep) the SS.

I use Johnson's Paste Wax on Receivers often, though most anything used to protect the metal works.

Normally folks cover the "flat" with Velcro, and trim to fit - leaving a inside "border" as sometimes, when being tightened, the Velcro "smushes" out the edges.

Then install you you normally would the SS.

This seems to cushion the recoil which works against recoil and act sort of like a "lock washer" that assists in keeping everything tight.
Prevents marring, and when removed, this Velcro is still in place and re-usable.

Like when out in bad weather and having to break down the gun to remove water , snow, mud, blood, and basically normal inspect, maintenance and care of a firearm exposed to elements.


Moleskin will do the same thing.
I/we have used Moleskin for all sorts of Gun Fit to Shooter and little tricks like between stock and receiver to tweak cant, cast and b/t recoil pad and stock to tweak the fit in that area too.

So if one does not have Hook-n-Loop, or perhaps they do have plenty of Moleskin as they keep it in range bag....Use the Moleskin to see if this assists.

Black Sharpie Marker will blend in the edges of SS and Receiver.

Then again...

Did ya'll know they make Hook-n-Loop in colors?
Yep Sure do.

If a lady wants Yeller ( that is different than "yellow" btw) she gets Yeller.
If another lady wants Pank ( certain shade of "pink" ) she gets pink.

Err...I like Green, so Green is reserved for me.

3 Guns exactly alike and if you look past mine was uglier that all get out, had mud and feathers stuck onto it...mine had a bit of Green peeking out of the edge b/t SS and Receiver.

Theirs had Yeller or Pank.

We do stuff different in da South.

*snicker*

Steve

[camslam]

I've got a Tac-star 6 shot saddle on my HD shotgun and I love it. I think they are a great investment because you instantly have at least 6 more shots available to you, right on your gun. I have never had a problem with it interfering with my gun functioning and knowing I have an additional 4 slugs and 2 00 Buckshot, I feel better prepared for whatever I may need.

[Robert Hairless]

Steve, darn. I had hoped you were saying that the Velcro did away with the need for screws. Oh well.

Nice tip anyway, though. Thank you.