Falcontech
Member
What are the pros and cons of putting a pistol grip on a shotgun?
Pistol Grip for a shotgun.....
- Thread starter Falcontech
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Pro- It fits better in a squad car and looks cool in the movies.
Con- It hurts to shoot it, you won't want to shoot magnum rounds ever, you don't get the quick pointing accuracy of a regular field-style stock, and if you're not trained with it, you might smack yourself in the face with the barrel.
Con- It hurts to shoot it, you won't want to shoot magnum rounds ever, you don't get the quick pointing accuracy of a regular field-style stock, and if you're not trained with it, you might smack yourself in the face with the barrel.
Falcontech
Member
Does that hold true for the pistol grips that still have a stock behind it? Of course those might be called something different than pistol grips. I am going to have to beg ignorance.
No. A pistol grip with a stock can shoulder and point like an AR, which is to say, pretty well. Recoil will still go to your shoulder (actually upper chest, if you want to shoot well and keep your rotator cuffs happy), and repeat shots will still be pretty easy.
I have a lot more practice with trap and field guns, so my personal preference is for a conventional stock. That's only because I'm quick with one.
If I had a lot more practice with an AR instead, I'd probably opt for a buttstock with a "protruding pistol grip" as Hillary would call it.
I have a lot more practice with trap and field guns, so my personal preference is for a conventional stock. That's only because I'm quick with one.
If I had a lot more practice with an AR instead, I'd probably opt for a buttstock with a "protruding pistol grip" as Hillary would call it.
Glockman17366
Member
Well, they look cool...
I put two pistol grips on my Mossy 500. This was due to limited space where I stash it (HD weapon).
The first grip...well, I found out how much pistol gripped shotties can hurt!
The next grip was a Knoxx recoil reducing type. It's called a Copstock and is actually a folding stock and pistol grip. The Knoxx does a nice job of reducing recoil. Just make sure you don't try to hold it close to your face when aiming (with the wire frame stock folded).
In a realistic home invasion scenario, I'm not sure if one would aim or point. I think pointing would be the most likely, but less optimal. In that case, a Knoxx pistol grip would help one control their shotgun.
So, why do you want a pistol grip shotgun?
I put two pistol grips on my Mossy 500. This was due to limited space where I stash it (HD weapon).
The first grip...well, I found out how much pistol gripped shotties can hurt!
The next grip was a Knoxx recoil reducing type. It's called a Copstock and is actually a folding stock and pistol grip. The Knoxx does a nice job of reducing recoil. Just make sure you don't try to hold it close to your face when aiming (with the wire frame stock folded).
In a realistic home invasion scenario, I'm not sure if one would aim or point. I think pointing would be the most likely, but less optimal. In that case, a Knoxx pistol grip would help one control their shotgun.
So, why do you want a pistol grip shotgun?
When I say "point", I am talking about the practiced technique that trap and skeet shooters use, not "pray and spray." A lot of people misunderstand.
Pointing isn't imprecise; it just uses your whole body. It's quick, and it allows quick followups and accurate shots on moving targets. It does take practice. You can do it with a rifle, too.
Pointing isn't imprecise; it just uses your whole body. It's quick, and it allows quick followups and accurate shots on moving targets. It does take practice. You can do it with a rifle, too.
Falcontech
Member
I was mostly just curious because I was reading the thread about tactical shotguns and noticed a large amount of shotguns with pistol grips with stocks. At this point I don't have the dough to buy one but I like to know what is good or not. Thanks.
Falcontech
Member
I Love the look and apparent functionality of the SpecOps stock but the price is a little high. Does anyone know of a fairly inexpensive pistol grip with stock for a Remington 870?
SIRVEYR666
Member
Funny story...
When I was in high school, i broke my left forearm playing football. I was placed in a cast that went from my armpit to over my wrist. I'm right-handed by the way. Anyway, I really wanted to go on the annual Thanksgiving Day Rabbit Slaughter with my Dad and brother. Since I couldn't twist my left wrist/arm to grip the fore end properly, my Dad let me use his 870 with pistol-grip fore end and stock. Whoo-Hoo!
I got to go rabbit hunting.
I don't think he thought I would ever really shoot a rabbit with the thing, he just wanted me to shut the hell up.
So off we go. The first rabbit we kick up is a perfect shot for me. I mount the gun as I'd done hundreds of times...except this time there's no f-ing stock! I realized this as I was squeezing the trigger. POW! That was the sound the 870 made as it crashed into face/mouth/teeth. I fell on my arse on the edge of a muddy cornfield, and "awoke" to a bloody lip/face, and my brother laughing hysterically at me. I missed the bunny, BTW.:banghead:
When I was in high school, i broke my left forearm playing football. I was placed in a cast that went from my armpit to over my wrist. I'm right-handed by the way. Anyway, I really wanted to go on the annual Thanksgiving Day Rabbit Slaughter with my Dad and brother. Since I couldn't twist my left wrist/arm to grip the fore end properly, my Dad let me use his 870 with pistol-grip fore end and stock. Whoo-Hoo!
I got to go rabbit hunting. I don't think he thought I would ever really shoot a rabbit with the thing, he just wanted me to shut the hell up.
So off we go. The first rabbit we kick up is a perfect shot for me. I mount the gun as I'd done hundreds of times...except this time there's no f-ing stock! I realized this as I was squeezing the trigger. POW! That was the sound the 870 made as it crashed into face/mouth/teeth. I fell on my arse on the edge of a muddy cornfield, and "awoke" to a bloody lip/face, and my brother laughing hysterically at me. I missed the bunny, BTW.:banghead:glockcrazyjerry
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WOw guess I would pass on the pistol grip after that !!
Skofnung
Member
This may sound a little opinionated, but in my experience people with pistol grip only shotguns are almost always duffers.
This does not apply to pistol gripped stocks.
This does not apply to pistol gripped stocks.
Manedwolf
member
When you're talking about something with significant recoil, do you really want to "go cheap"? What's cheaper, the stock, or the copay for the hospital ER after you severely bruise yourself or punch yourself in the face with a cheap, badly made accessory? Better ones also soak up recoil a bit better than a chunk of molded cheap plastic.
Go for quality.
It all comes down to how adverse to recoil you are. After a certian amount of time its going to become uncomfortable. You can build up a resistance to it with practice. I've got several shotguns from both mossberg and remington, all of which have standard stocks except one. I have a 500 with a pistol grip and its the one I leave for things that go bump in the night.
MCgunner
Member
I tried to shoot a pistol gripped shotgun once, think it was an 870, friends gun and he's got a bazillion shotguns. Anyway, I found I had to stiff wrist it for sure. If you don't hold your wrist straight, it hurts! Also, it seemed better to hold your off hand over the top of the gun to fight the recoil. On the whole, I don't really know how you could be effective shooting like this.
If you had a need for a short shotgun in a squad car, I think a quality folder would be better. I was rather worthless with that pistol grip, but maybe some practice and training might help, not something I care about at any rate. I really don't like a pistol grip even with a butt stock, prefer the traditional stock, just feels better to me.
SIRVEYR666, you needed a .410 Contender pistol on that hunt, LOL! That sounds like it was rather painful, OUCH!
If you had a need for a short shotgun in a squad car, I think a quality folder would be better. I was rather worthless with that pistol grip, but maybe some practice and training might help, not something I care about at any rate. I really don't like a pistol grip even with a butt stock, prefer the traditional stock, just feels better to me.
SIRVEYR666, you needed a .410 Contender pistol on that hunt, LOL! That sounds like it was rather painful, OUCH!
A pistol-grip-only (PGO) shotgun has SOME VERY Limited usefulness. Door breaching loads, for the guy in the back of the Armored Truck, etc.
Tried the PGO ONCE...some us were experimenting with it, point/hip shooting, etc. One of the guy toosed a clay, so I swung it up like it was a standard-stocked shotty..Boom...SMACK!!! :banghead:
Well, lets say that my buds called me "Rocky Racoon" for a couple of weeks...Matched pair of shiners, split lip, and a nose that resembled a stop sign..
Tried the PGO ONCE...some us were experimenting with it, point/hip shooting, etc. One of the guy toosed a clay, so I swung it up like it was a standard-stocked shotty..Boom...SMACK!!!
:banghead: Well, lets say that my buds called me "Rocky Racoon" for a couple of weeks...Matched pair of shiners, split lip, and a nose that resembled a stop sign..
Carl N. Brown
Member
My son and I have tried pistol grips on pump shotguns
intnded primarily for home defense.
Shooting from the hip with several boxes practice,
you cannot hit diddly squish. Holding the gun up and
aiming is not much better.If you do not have a good grip
on the forearm, the rear of the receiver will smack you
in the nose or upper lip. Especially with 1 oz Win.
SuperX slugs. That means that most of the force of
recoil is being absorbed by the forearm of the
shotgun, which it really is not designed to do.
Our pistol grips are gathering dust in the back of the
gun cabinet. Our shotguns wear buttstocks now.
intnded primarily for home defense.
Shooting from the hip with several boxes practice,
you cannot hit diddly squish. Holding the gun up and
aiming is not much better.If you do not have a good grip
on the forearm, the rear of the receiver will smack you
in the nose or upper lip. Especially with 1 oz Win.
SuperX slugs. That means that most of the force of
recoil is being absorbed by the forearm of the
shotgun, which it really is not designed to do.
Our pistol grips are gathering dust in the back of the
gun cabinet. Our shotguns wear buttstocks now.
SSN Vet
Member
standard issue for older class SSN security
On my first boat, a 637 class, the small arms locker had 3 flavors inside....
M-14, 45 year old .45 ACP government model, and 870's with pistol grip and folding stock.
Our range master (the Torpedoman Chief) instructed all the topside sentries to shoot it from the hip and we shot silhouettes at ~10 yards and by the time you emptied the shotgun, the targets always seemed to be peppered up pretty good.
The Officer of the Deck could issue the M-14 or the 870, but the 870 was always preferred as it was a lot easier to climb up and down ladders and go through water tight doors and hatches with.
We were always in a protected port with security provided by the shore command at the lowest alert level, so the darned things were carried empty, no matter what it was.
Yes, small arms training aboard ship left much to be desired, but at least I never had any of my guys "overachieve" and shoot themselves in the foot.
We were VERY proficient with all the weapons that had a 21" caliber, however
On my first boat, a 637 class, the small arms locker had 3 flavors inside....
M-14, 45 year old .45 ACP government model, and 870's with pistol grip and folding stock.
Our range master (the Torpedoman Chief) instructed all the topside sentries to shoot it from the hip and we shot silhouettes at ~10 yards and by the time you emptied the shotgun, the targets always seemed to be peppered up pretty good.
The Officer of the Deck could issue the M-14 or the 870, but the 870 was always preferred as it was a lot easier to climb up and down ladders and go through water tight doors and hatches with.
We were always in a protected port with security provided by the shore command at the lowest alert level, so the darned things were carried empty, no matter what it was.
Yes, small arms training aboard ship left much to be desired, but at least I never had any of my guys "overachieve" and shoot themselves in the foot.
We were VERY proficient with all the weapons that had a 21" caliber, however
I'm going to have to disagree with you on this one. While no one is ever going to be super accurate shooting from the hip, it does have its place especially with pistol grip shotguns. With the proper practice, one can become very proficient at distances that you would find within the home.
The pistol grip has a very small niche. Outside that niche, its impractical and uncomfortable. However when used for the intended purpose its pretty darn effective.
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