[boilingleadbath]

Benefits and negatives of pistol-gripped shotties?

I am NOT asking about this type of grip:
http://www.speedfeedinc.com/images/products/PGS_8.jpg

But instead about this type of setup:
http://www.mossberg.com/images/products/835/63100.jpg

1) What is the proper name for this grip configuration?

2) Why might such a stock be preferable to the "standard" setup?
(Individual) ergonomic preferences?

3) I've seen McCracken say something to the effect that this type of stock makes it harder to shoot under cars... are there any other negatives?

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I apologize if this has been covered before, (probably has) but I've never seen any such discussion and much searching didn't return anything.

[Dave McCracken]

Besides not helping things when one has to shot under a car, the PG stock setup is hard to butt stroke with.

While I've used these on rifles, I find the standard stock a hair faster on a shotgun.

[Fred Fuller]

Seems to me it's more of a personal experience sort of thing. If you learned to shoot a shotgun with a conventional stock, you're likely better off keeping it that way and using the previous experience to your benefit.

And if you got your initial firearms training at the hands of Uncle Sam and learnd to shoot on an M-16 or the like, you might be better off with a PG equipped shoulder stock- assuming it fits you properly of course. Changing stock styles does not obviate the necessity for proper fit.

It's one of those things that only individual experience and personal preference can answer. If you like one or the other better and can in fact shoot better with one style over the other, then use what suits you best.

I have never found a PG shoulder stock I could handle as well as a conventional stock on a shotgun- but that's just me. I grew up shooting conventionally stocked shotguns and became accustomed to that stock style. The conventional shotgun stock evolved over several centuries of use to point naturally for most shooters- but if you didn't cut your teeth on that design, it isn't going to feel 'natural' to you. Use what works best for you...

lpl/nc

[MAX100]

I agree, well said. I like a pistol grip stock and I think they handle very well but I don't want one on all of my tactical shotguns. Some shotguns are better suited for a pistol grip stock, like the Remington 870 because of the safety location. I like the plastic non adjustable Benelli pistol grip stocks. I like the looks, the style, the grip angle and how they handle. I wish they made them for other shotguns.


GC

[PJR]

I was very interested in a pistol-grip full stock. When things go bump in the night on our property I go out with a shotgun and a separate flashlight. My plan is to go to the gun-mounted light if there is a potential need to shoot. In this situation I have to carry the shotgun one-handed and the pistol-grip full stock makes this easier.

That was the theory until I tried one. I mount a conventional stock shotgun at least two hundred times in week and found using the pistol grip alien and awkward when it came to mounting and reliably hitting the safety. I'm staying with my conventional stock. YMMV.