Are there any pistol grip buttstocks that are worth putting on my 870?

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Hello,
I have a Rem 870 HD. It is stock except for the +2 mag extension I just put on. I like things simple but I can't help wonder if there is something to be gained by a pistol grip buttstock ala the U.S. military Benelli shotgun.

I am not a total newbie in this area. I have owned a Knoxx Cop Stock for my 870 but I didn't like it at all. It was not comfortable and it was bulky. I also had an ATI pistol grip buttstock on my Mossberg 500. That one was actually comfortable and I could still use it for shooting a little skeet when I wanted to. That would be more of what I had in mind.

My question is, considering that I am basically happy with my normal buttstock, is there any real advantage to the pistol grip buttstock. If there is not an advantage, why does the U.S. military shotgun come with one?

Thanks.

 

[Dave McCracken]

The milspec shotgun comes with one because the milspec rifle does.

After trying most of the variants, the standard stock still rules, IMO.

 

[byf43]

I have several 870s and two of them have 'different' stocks.

I really like the SpecOps stock on these two.

One advantage to the pistol grip is the ability to keep the shotgun up, and in position while reloading with the left hand (off-hand).

Both stock styles have their advantages and disadvantages.

The standard stock is still comfortable, whether it is wood or some synthetic material.

The 1100 platform is the same.
I have a Speedfeed III on one and the factory walnut on the other.

 

[jt1]

+1 on the SpecOps stock.

 

[Snarlingiron]

Took me a little while to get used to it, but after a 3 day course, and about 1000 rounds, I am a big fan of the Spec-ops.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

+1 Spec-Ops. It does changed the angle of the recoil slightly and that is something that you will need to get used to that is different, about like shooting a different shotgun platform, but the recoil reduction is outstanding. I even pulled the recoil pad off mine because it seemed to add unnecessary length with little recoil/comfort benefit (the recoil system works that well).

Shooting birdshot is positively cushy.
Buckshot is more substantial, but still controlled quite well, both full power and reduced recoil.
Same for low recoil slugs.
Full power slugs feel like full power buckshot with a standard stock.
2 oz. Zanoletti Double Impact rounds feel about like full power slugs with a standard stock.

Regardless of the round type, recoil is mitigated and this makes follow-ups faster and easier to make as muzzle rise is much less. Because less of the recoil energy is being absorbed by your body, you can practice with more rounds without getting as tired or getting as sore.

My question is, considering that I am basically happy with my normal buttstock, is there any real advantage to the pistol grip buttstock. If there is not an advantage, why does the U.S. military shotgun come with one?

Yes, there are advantages in weapon control and recoil control. For weapon control, the pistol grip tends to be in a more ergonomic hold position and allows the hand and forearm handle more of the recoil than a standard grip and to manipulate the orientation of the gun. The advantage is much the same as on other long guns with pistol grips.



The last benefit is that since it uses a collapsing stock, you can adjust the pull length to adapt to the shooter or shooting position. From standing or walking positions, I like to shoot mine fully collapsed in what I consider an indoor configuration (easier to negotiate tight corners with a short gun than a long one), but from rested or prone positions, fully extended.