Will 3.5" 12 gauge shells cause stocks to break?

[Hellbore]

Today the stock of my Mossberg 835 ulti-mag shotgun broke at the grip. There are pictures and more info here:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=132718

My question is, could I have caused this by shooting 3.5" shells? I shot 3.5" goose hunting shells at skeet, to practice and get used to those loads. I planned on going goose hunting and I wanted to prepare myself with the cartridges I would be using.

The gun is SUPPOSED to be designed to handle these 3.5" shells but hey, I have read a bunch of posts online saying that shooting too powerful shells will break your stock.

I hope I can convince Mossberg to replace it for me. I would kind of like to put a synthetic stock on it, after this bad experience...

 

[Magnuumpwr]

Just one question, was this a used gun? If not, it sounds to me like you had a defective stock to begin with. Being the Mossberg 835 is a modern firearm, it should be able to handle any of the 3.5" shells. I would contact Mossberg and see what they say.

 

[foghornl]

Mossberg will make it right for you. They can be a bit slow sometimes, but it will be right.

 

[Onmilo]

To answer your question, yes heavy loads can cause undue stress on a wooden stock.
A synthetic stock along with a 'Kick-Eze' recoil pad are the best ways to go with .3.5" shotgun loads.

 

[Hellbore]

How well does Kick-Eze work compared to the CompStock recoil reducing stock?

http://www.knoxx.com/NewStyleKnoxx/Products/Compstock.htm

 

[Third_Rail]

Not as well - CompStock is a spring system that works better, but actually compresses/releases the end of the stock... interesting design, but only works with pumps AFAIK.

 

[Hellbore]

Hmm. Has anyone here actually used the Compstock? Is it worth the $119 that it costs?

Also does it come with a pump too or do I have to stick with my wood one for now ? hehe... Wood pump, synthetic stock, how tacky!

 

[sm]

My old buddy bought a 835 Ultimag when they first came out . IIRC he paid like $149 for it . He has used the 3.5" shells a lot. He has used, abused, neglected and run over his...makes a good boat paddle as well.

I know he bought 3.5 " ammo by the case...and he has gone thru cases. Heck in target loads I figure he run an easy 10k rds in one year. Something about shooting trap with it just gives him the grins. This guy btw has run'em from the 27 yd with a 20 ga...so he can shoot.

Just something that happens, grain of the wood it appears on yours.

I have had the sear break on a Krieghoff...what are the chances of that? I'm the guy that broke not one , but two Nova's.

MY ' 74 Super X Model 1 - nary a problem, and I guess I have put ~ 200K rds thru it. Not a mis-type. I used to put 25k rds a year thru that gun...in all kinds of weather, from competition , Ducks, Geese, deer, small game and varmits...all with 2 3/4" shells...cause that is what the chamber is. I finally bought a gun with 3" chambers I have yet to shoot a 3" shell ... doubt I ever will.

Murphy is an equal opportunity kind of guy.