First of all the criteria: Reliable, moderate shell capacity, ease of use.
Second-price: keep the basic unit under $250, flashlight optional
I decided after reading a lot of posts here and elsewhere to go with the Pardner Pump Protector. From all I could find, it fulfilled the top three criteria.
Done- $199.00 at Cabela's (yep, I know I could find it on sale, but that's the standard price)
Add-ons. I wanted the Beamshot Universal Shotgun Barrel Mount, but they didn't have any so I went with the TacStar unit- $19.95. I also figured that a sidesaddle would make sense as they seem to be perminent, the elasic doesn't go over time and they allow for ambidexterous usage. So TacStar Sidesaddle for the Remy 870- $29.95.
I was at around $250, so I purchased a 135 lumen LED from Home Depot (around $60, adjustable lens.) and it fit the TacStar if you finagle with it a little.
I'm at $310 +/- and it fit's my needs...but how does it work?
Off to the desert with a sheet of plywood and 10 -2 liter bottles of water.
I fired 112 rounds of various loads (8 shot, 6 shot, 4 shot ,) buck and ball. All fired with no hitch, no failures of any type. I checked the light mount and it was solid, the sidesaddle was still tight. Hit everything I was aiming at and my shoulder was fine. Even had my 14 yr old daughter shoot several rounds and she didn't mind too much. All told, I'm pleased.
Note: The ATI Sidesaddle WILL require modifying the foregrip on the standard PPP. Since budget was important, a new one wasn't an option. If you have a Dremel and a sharp pocket knife you are good to go. No need to disassemble anything, just be steady. The plastic will melt a little when cutting, just let it cool and it snaps off. Use the pocket knife (sharp one) to shave the edges and pretty it up. It takes about a 1.5" notch. If you do it carefully, it actually looks like it is supposed to be there.
The OEM buttpad is just fine by the way unless you plan on shooting 250 rounds through it every weekend.
If I carried a shotty on the job would I use this configuration? No. But for a weapon that I hope I never have to use would this set-up work and would I feel comfortable using it? Absolutely.
ps- the flashlight works great. I ran a test run two nights ago. From in bed, I set my watch alarm to go off a 02.45. From awakening to fully loaded (shells on the sidesaddle), one in the tube and flashlight on it was 8.43 seconds. The shotty is not under my bed, but 14 steps away. The flashlight illuminated the entire room with a more focused beam where the front bead was pointed.
My wife was unhappy with the noise and light, but I was pleased.
Second-price: keep the basic unit under $250, flashlight optional
I decided after reading a lot of posts here and elsewhere to go with the Pardner Pump Protector. From all I could find, it fulfilled the top three criteria.
Done- $199.00 at Cabela's (yep, I know I could find it on sale, but that's the standard price)
Add-ons. I wanted the Beamshot Universal Shotgun Barrel Mount, but they didn't have any so I went with the TacStar unit- $19.95. I also figured that a sidesaddle would make sense as they seem to be perminent, the elasic doesn't go over time and they allow for ambidexterous usage. So TacStar Sidesaddle for the Remy 870- $29.95.
I was at around $250, so I purchased a 135 lumen LED from Home Depot (around $60, adjustable lens.) and it fit the TacStar if you finagle with it a little.
I'm at $310 +/- and it fit's my needs...but how does it work?
Off to the desert with a sheet of plywood and 10 -2 liter bottles of water.
I fired 112 rounds of various loads (8 shot, 6 shot, 4 shot ,) buck and ball. All fired with no hitch, no failures of any type. I checked the light mount and it was solid, the sidesaddle was still tight. Hit everything I was aiming at and my shoulder was fine. Even had my 14 yr old daughter shoot several rounds and she didn't mind too much. All told, I'm pleased.
Note: The ATI Sidesaddle WILL require modifying the foregrip on the standard PPP. Since budget was important, a new one wasn't an option. If you have a Dremel and a sharp pocket knife you are good to go. No need to disassemble anything, just be steady. The plastic will melt a little when cutting, just let it cool and it snaps off. Use the pocket knife (sharp one) to shave the edges and pretty it up. It takes about a 1.5" notch. If you do it carefully, it actually looks like it is supposed to be there.
The OEM buttpad is just fine by the way unless you plan on shooting 250 rounds through it every weekend.
If I carried a shotty on the job would I use this configuration? No. But for a weapon that I hope I never have to use would this set-up work and would I feel comfortable using it? Absolutely.
ps- the flashlight works great. I ran a test run two nights ago. From in bed, I set my watch alarm to go off a 02.45. From awakening to fully loaded (shells on the sidesaddle), one in the tube and flashlight on it was 8.43 seconds. The shotty is not under my bed, but 14 steps away. The flashlight illuminated the entire room with a more focused beam where the front bead was pointed.
My wife was unhappy with the noise and light, but I was pleased.
