870 w/Pistol Grip - Side Saddle Question

[TimeRegained]

Hey everyone,

I finally bought my first shotgun and I'm going to remove the Remington stock and put on a pistol grip.

My question is whether to opt for a 6 or 8 [Mesa] side saddle.

I want to know if the 8 shell carrier is going to 'get in the way' as compared to the 6 shell carrier?

Thank you

 

[rcmodel]

I'm going to remove the Remington stock and put on a pistol grip.

Bad move.

Leave the stock on and learn how to shoot a shotgun before you muck it up with a pistol grip.

rc

 

[TimeRegained]

Been shooting one for a few years now. Just never owned one. Only pistols thus far.

 

[kayak-man]

On Side Saddles


The answer to your question: It depends on what kind of forend you have.

On the stock 870 express, with the wood furniture, the largest that will fit on there is I believe a 4 round side saddle. If you get a different forend, you can fit the 6, and maybe even 8 round side saddle on there.

My brain drippings You might want to consider a Velcro set up. I have no first hand experiance with the side saddles, but I've heard complaints that the hard plastic ones can let the shells vibrate loose. I haven't talked to that many people with the Velcro rigs, maybe 5-7, but they all loved them. Personally, I like the idea of being able to do a reload, and then just throw on a whole new side saddle instead of reloading from a pocket.

Velcro Side Saddles:http://www.aresgear.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=34&zenid=931kl436g0psl6fnaeq3ukjkh4


On Pistol Grips

The Answer to your question: Again, it depends, if your going with one of the vertical pistol grips, I can see the shells potentially getting in the way of your thumb/hand. If you are planning on using one of the birds head PGs, it might have better ergonomics, but again, I have no experience with either of them.

Vertical grip: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/18...gton-870-winchester-1200-1300-synthetic-black

Birds head: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/221333/speedfeed-pistol-grip-remington-870-12-gauge-synthetic-black

My brain drippings
One question, how are you planning on doing a reload from a side saddle, on a pistol grip only shotgun (PGO)? The pistol grip/butt-stock combos, have a tendency to use leverage against you, and make it harder maintain control of the gun during a reload. Without the stock, your going to lose a lot of leverage. If you come up with a viable reloading technique, I'd be very interested in it.

Hope this helps!

Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson

 

[TimeRegained]

My only question is from the experiences of people with shotgun's that have an extended/long side saddle 8 as opposed to 4, how intrusive is the side saddle in any way, if at all?

 

[TimeRegained]

Thank you, kayak-man.

I'll have the Remington stock to resort back to for regular use. Initially this will be for the practice of close quarters movement and breaching.

 

[Inebriated]

If you're planning on running a pistol grip only (PGO), the side saddle will be next to useless. Try to hold a PGO shotgun up in your workspace, and reload it or do an ammo changeover. It WILL NOT work well. You need the stock in your shoulder to give you the control. PGO's are designed for breaching a door, not being used in any sort of fight. I would HIGHLY suggest you find a traditional or pistol grip stock that works for you, and avoid the PGO. A traditionally stocked shotgun will point quicker, you can control recoil better, and you can manipulate it quicker and easier.

Now, onto the focus of the thread... I have the Mesa 6-rounder. It holds the rounds in tightly, and it is aluminum, so it's about as strong as side saddles get. The 8-rounder wouldn't bother me much either, though. I'm contemplating it, actually. If you've got a forend that overlaps the receiver in the rearward position, you'll have to do some trimming. If your forend doesn't overlap, you'll be just fine. And honestly the elastic cards are only good if you're using the weapon in conjunction with a vest where you can keep extra cards. Otherwise, you've just got a removable side saddle, which really brings nothing to the table when you aren't carrying other cards to replace it with.

 

[rcmodel]

A stock also gives you superior recoil control / faster follow-up shots.

And far superior Weapons Retention if some BG grabs hold of the barrel.

rc

 

[Ehtereon11B]

My fighting/defense shotgun has a Tacstar 6 shell holder on the left side. I also have a pistol grip/collapsible stock that replaced the traditional long stock. I would think if you had an 8 shell holder without any modifications to the slide it would interfere with the pump action. A 6 holder should be more than adequate but if you still feel you need more ammo on the shotgun, there are some shell holders that fit onto collapsible stocks. Most are 4 shell.

 

[TimeRegained]

Ehtereon11B

Thank you for being so straightforward and to the point and not blowing up the house to kill the fly!

I'll go with the 6 carrier. I had figured for $10 more get the 8, but didn't want restrictive movement.

 

[CGRifleman]

If you're planning on running a pistol grip only (PGO), the side saddle will be next to useless.

This is true, but I find that using a pistol grip stock makes it significantly easier to reload, especially with a shell carrier. I use PG stocks on shotguns for work and at home. The vertical grip allows you to hold the gun to your shoulder with your dominant hand while keeping your wrist straight, creating less fatigue than a traditional stock or PGO.

 

[Inebriated]

This is true, but I find that using a pistol grip stock makes it significantly easier to reload, especially with a shell carrier. I use PG stocks on shotguns for work and at home. The vertical grip allows you to hold the gun to your shoulder with your dominant hand while keeping your wrist straight, creating less fatigue than a traditional stock or PGO.

Agreed. The PG (not PGO) stock is the most efficient one for me. I can hold it in tight for reloading/ammo changes/retention/recoil, and it just feels better than the traditional style.