Mossberg 500 Side Saddle

[FireFalcon]

I'm in the market for a side saddle for my Mossberg 500. Does anyone have recommendations or pics of side saddles mounted on your shotgun?

 

[Al LaVodka]

TacStar seem about as good as any. All the brands I could reasonably find were manufactured of plastic sleeves that hold the shells IIRC when I went looking myself. Makes sense -- plastic is, well, plastic. The sleeves mount to an aluminum plate that easily mounts to the gun.

These side-saddles, I have to say, are not favored by very serious shotgunners. These things can get in the way, none are especially robust, and they do unbalance the gun. If you can use a SpeedFeed stock to hold four extra rounds I'd highly urge it. That said, if you can't use a SpeedFeed (other than because you are cheap), and you need extra ammo with a gun that you don't use too often, and I do mean with, this is the only practical solution IMO.

Al

 

[FireFalcon]

I would agree that side saddles are ridiculous in most situations with the exception of home defense. A side saddle allows one to carry more rounds with them. Otherwise (with a pump) you are limited to whats in the tube. Grabbing a bunch of shells and sticking them in your pocket takes too much time and fumbling. The only other solutions are a rambo style gun belt (not practical), carrying a box of shells with you, or staying within arms reach of your ammo source.

 

[DAVIDSDIVAD]

To be honest, I would just get an elastic butt cuff.

I've had one on my 590 for about 2 years, and it works fine.

 

[wankerjake]

I would agree that side saddles are ridiculous in most situations with the exception of home defense

I'd add hunting to that. My buddy has one on his predator shotgun and it's nice. I just have an elastic band on the stock. For predators, I don't have shells jingling in my pockets, and I use the heck out of it when I'm bird hunting. It's faster than digging in my pockets for shells when there are birds flying around.

The other thing about the elastic cuffs is that they wear out. I'm on my second and it's going south. The side saddle looks way more durable.

 

[rmfnla]

A pair of bandoliers worn criss-cross is the only way to go!

 

[Sam1911]

I still keep one on my HD 500, though I'm a bit ambivalent about it. I keep buckshot in the mag, and slugs in the side-saddle. Seems to me like the most relavent use for it -- close by alternative ammo storage just on the off chance that I find myself out on the property with that gun in my hand and wanting just a bit more reach.

It's always worked, but is a bit ungainly.

-Sam

 

[Mainsail]

I took mine off, although I don't remember why exactly. I think it had to come off every time the gun was cleaned, and the -steel screw vs. the aluminum receiver- in and out action didn't endear me. That might not be accurate though, like I said I don't really remember. When I added the Knoxx stock I got the version that goes on it.

 

[Motodeficient]

Heres the one on my maverick 88, also fits the mossberg 500

 

[luckyshotbrooks]

Motodeficient did you have to modify your maverick 88 at all to put on your side saddle. I have a maverick 88 and just ordered a tacstar side saddle. Im almost positive that it will work but I cant find anything on the internet about a maverick 88.

 

[AcceptableUserName]

the mesa tactical is probably the nicest, but i still cant justify the 68.99+shipping for one. thats a little much.


the tacstar is really the only viable option for a sidesaddle, and when properly installed, they're OK.

 

[Motodeficient]

The Tacstar sidesaddle worked fine on my Maverick 88, no modifcations needed. I have put around 100 rnds through the gun so far with it installed, no problems yet.

 

[Fred Fuller]

These side-saddles, I have to say, are not favored by very serious shotgunner

How nice to know that I am not a serious shotgunner .

I happen to like TacStar Sidesaddles on serious shotguns, and have used them for quite a good while now with no problems at all. I LocTite the small screws that hold the plastic shellholder to the aluminum side plate, and haven't ever had one come loose. I tighten the attaching screws properly, usually put a touch of blue LocTite on them too, and apply a thin coat of RIG to the side of the receiver behind the aluminum side plate.

Some people like one accessory or another, some people don't like them. Best advice I can give is to try it (especially when it costs no more than $30 or so and is easily removable) and make up your own mind.

And I don't like Speedfeed magazine style stocks, either. And I've tried them. In my experience, they don't reliably hold shells. I've never lost a shell out of a Sidesaddle in a good many years of using them, including during a full blown 3-day shotgun class.

IMHO it's important to have everything you are likely to need on board a defensive shotgun when you pick it up. That includes extra ammo, no matter how it's carried.

fwiw,

lpl