I won't be doing that again

[BruceRDucer]

sorry for your pain brother

Before I shopped for a pump gun, I found a website posting where some guy with experience basically said that all those bells and whistles on Self Defense guns are not all they are cracked up to be.

(actually, he said they were ...er....baloney)

But I feel really bad about your injury. That's discouraging to anyone, and you've got a good weapon, that's for sure.

I just use my stock gun, and have no doubt that even a 2 3/4 shell will be adequate. Of course, I'm no expert. I'm sure the type of weapon you have is useful somewhere. What's the chance of modifying the fore-end grip? How about something with a "D" shape, that permits your fingers to exert a downward force? You know, like a gate handle configuration, but in hard plastic? Do they make that?

 

[Flopsy]

What about the Knoxx Spec Ops stock? That has a telescoping stock if I'm looking at it right, along with a pistol grip. Do you guys think I'm going to end up with a busted lip with one of those? I know MMV, but generally do you think that would share the same drawbacks? I want one but they're $140 and would rather put that toward another gun if it's going to suck.

 

[cmidkiff]

How were you holding that thing? Pistol style... both hands on the grip, elbows bent, peering carefully over the tube to line up the bead?

Bad juju.

Pistol grip only shotguns are range toys. Put a stock on it (if you can, legally... I thought there was some rule preventing this...)

 

[coosbaycreep]

One hand on the grip, the other on the forened, aiming it the same way I would if it had a stock on it.

I thought about getting the knoxx stock/grip before, but they're spendy. The little recoil thing on the back of their pistol grip sticks out far enough that it looks like it'd get caught on stuff, and defeat the purpose of having a PGO shogtun in the first place; small size.

Their folding stocks are just ugly. I don't like the looks of folding/collapsible stocks on shotguns anyway, unless it's a SPAS 12.

For the time being, I'll either look for a cheap factory stock, or I'll just sell it and put the money towards a 590/930. Mine's only a 6 shot, and if I'm gonna have a full stock on a mossberg, I'd prefer to have 2 or 3 extra rounds.

 

[Funderb]

moral of the story, if you are going to use the sights on a rifle or shotgun, you better have the stock too. lol

 

[blkbrd666]

I always shoot the pistol grip shotgun from the hip and a firm grip on the foregrip is more important and the grip on the pistol grip. I couldn't tell, but from the mention of the front bead...did you try to sight down the gun and shoot?

 

[coosbaycreep]

Yes, with my left arm on the forend completely extended, and the gun directly in front of my face.

I've read that you're suppose to shoot PGOs from the hip or tuck the grip into your chest to shoot them, but I can't aim that way at all. But, using the bead, the only thing I managed to hit last time was my lip, so it doesn't really matter anyhow.

 

[nwilliams]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGumjd15wFA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77cst8nB7Sk

Don't feel bad this is actually a far more common occurance than you might think. A buddy of mine years ago did the same thing with one of my shotguns that had a folding stock. He kept the stock folded and I tuned around just in time to him lift it to his face and pull the trigger! He was bleeding profusely from the lip and was afraid he had knocked a tooth. It all happened so fast I didn't have time stop him and man was he embarrassed.

 

[RyanM]

Pistol grip only is the absolute worst thing ever done to a shotgun, AOW and SBS excluded.

Out of curiosity, why do you think that SBS are worse than PGO shotguns? I've shot some that patterned well and shot slugs accurately.

I kinda interpreted that the opposite way. As in, PGO only makes sense on SBS and AOWs.

Anyway, in my experience, the only way to shoot a PGO shotgun with any kind of accuracy is to shoot it exactly like a pistol, with both hands on the rear grip. Takes a lot of wrist strength, though.

 

[dfunde01]

I just purchased a Mossberg 500 Cruiser today. My specific use for the weapon is HD inside the house and lay down fire quickly. I also purchased the conventional composite full stock should I need it for a different mission in the future. The PGO model has a clear warning that it is supposed to be fired from the waist only, duh. In my home the longest possible shot is just over 10 yards and even shooting from the waist I'll dust any target at that range. I also don't need, or want, the super hot loads to shoot through walls.

When used in its intended manner the PGO 500 with the proper load serves its purpose beautifully. If the BG is able to break off and flee after my opening salvo, more power to him. If I am forced to move the engagement outside my armament will also change.

 

[Youngster]

I've found aiming down the barrel and using buck and slugs with a PGO is doable without catching it in the head, but you give up a scary amount of speed and accuracy, and I would worry about the long term effects of that absorbing that level of recoil to your joints.

 

[WVfishguy]

In my home the longest possible shot is just over 10 yards and even shooting from the waist I'll dust any target at that range.

Go to the range and try it. Then post your experience.

I think you'll get a big surprise.

 

[Dave McCracken]

S'funny.....

The folks on this BB with high round counts do not have PGO shotguns.

The folks that do have them have not mentioned any great number of empty hulls behind them.

Lessee, there's a couple folks on here I know personally that have lots of shotguns....

Hollywood Marine, no PGOs, and one of his Model 12s has a couple HUNDRED THOUSAND rounds behind it.

Superreverb, more shotguns than the NRA museum, no PGOs.

Bobdog, he of the videos here. Not so many rounds as the above but catching up nicely. No PGOs.

And sm, who has taught armored car drivers with PGOS how to run them. no PGOs. Round count in six figures.

And me, Yr Humble Scrivener. 50 years of shotgunning, teaching and competition. I've had lots of shotguns, including some all black ones. No PGOs and never will.

Any of you PGO fans live close to MD?

 

[Dirty Bob]

For backpacking and other applications where might I want a small/light shotgun, I'll choose a 20ga. single shot with regular stock. At least I can hit with it.

I tried a PGO with a .410 once, but I couldn't hit anything with it.

Regards,
Dirty Bob

 

[Jeff F]

We see it all the time and try and tell people that PGO is a bad idea. I see a PGO come out at the range and I think well let the entertainment begin. Most of the time when I see somebody trying to sight down the barrel I will turn and try to look else where, I hate seeing someone hurt themselves.

 

[PJR]

Everyone should at least try a PGO and get it out of their system once and for all. Very few people keep them.

If space is an issue I have a 14" barrel for my 870. I''m not enamored with it either but it is preferable to a PGO.

 

[Rshooter]

Pistol grips are a funny thing. If asked I will recommend against them.

I myself personally prefer them for a HD shotgun. I believe anyone who says they are not a beast is fibbing but when handled correctly they can be tamed and fired accurately. I do practice with them using full power 2 3/4 inch slugs and can put them where I want them at a decent rate of fire at 25 yards. I have not been able to purchase those reduced loads recently and have been using up my full power loads.

Always fire from the hip like some of the old gunfighters did using natural point of aim. Otherwise as many have noted you might bleed or your wrist will really begin to hurt.

My big pistol:

 

[IncredibleGord]

I love my pistol grip, I've never shot my gun with the stock on though. I want to keep my pardner pump with a pg just for HD. I rather invest in a nice trap shotgun next, and leave my pardner how it is.
I can fire it easily one handed, but it strains my arm. My brother calls me a columbine kid when I shoot that way, he's just jealous he can't hand the kick. (I do have a couple of scars, and always leave from shooting with a big puffy swollen fist.)
(Loaded with 4 sellier and bellot 00 Buck)

 

[RX-178]

The only reason I would purchase a PGO shotgun is:

If it was cheaper than the other 18" barrel offerings of the company.
AND If the company didn't offer the stock I wanted from the factory.

Either way, if I get it, it's getting a shoulder stock put on it.

 

[mgregg85]

If your gonna use a PGO shotgun get used to making hip shots or get yourself some kind of laser to aim the thing.

I've done this once with my 20ga PGO that I keep beside the bed. It hurt but I learned my lesson.

 

[gregormeister]

I saw an Army cat get out of a stryker with a pistol grip shotgun while doing a civilian tour in Iraq???Never got to ask him if it was armory issue.

 

[HB]

I saw an Army cat get out of a stryker with a pistol grip shotgun while doing a civilian tour in Iraq???Never got to ask him if it was armory issue

I have seen a some footage of military guys with PGOs and it seems mostly for the intimidation factor towards prisoners. They pretty much worthless in any other instance.

HB

 

[Capstick1]

20 years ago when I was young and stupid I too put a pistol grip with a folding stock on Winchester Defender shotgun. After a little bit of range time with it and blisters on the web of my hand, I got rid of that pistol grip stock and put the original rifle buttstock back on it. I've never looked back since then.

 

[mnrivrat]

As much as I like the firepower and compactness of my mossberg, the whole PGO thing has got to go.

Absolutely no arguement from me there - 12ga. with 18" tube makes a lousy pistol, and an even lousy'er shotgun !

 

[Hollywood Marine]

Whyzit that all police riot guns and all military shotguns have stocks, all be it some of the folding variety? Could it be that to be accurate you need that stability in the gun?
My HD gun? Model 12 23 inch cylinder bore, full stock, loaded 00b,00b, 00b, slug, slug, slug. If that doesn't do it, it's time to call in an air strike.