Pistol Grip or Mag Ext?

[Hunterdad]

Well, here in NY you can't have both a mag ext and a pistol grip stock. My Stoeger 2000 defense model came with the pg stock. I have someone willing to trade me a normal stock for my pg. Now i'm kind of torn between what would be more beneficial; the pistol grip stock or a mag ext. Thoughts?

Thanks
Adam

 

[Fred Fuller]

I usually opt for neither... I don't like PG stocks on shotguns, though I have tried several different models over the years, and mag extensions tend to make the gun feel sluggish and muzzle heavy to me. Guess I'm just an old stick in the mud...

In addition, my wife doesn't like either accessory, and the 'house guns' here are set up to fit/suit her. I just learned to use 'em that way.

With a lot of this stuff, there's no 'right' or 'wrong,' just what a person prefers and learns to use effectively.

lpl

 

[ForumSurfer]

I'm with Lee, I don't like the pistol grip configuration. I shoot faster and more accurately with a plain stock.

I have a 3 round extension on an 870 with an 18" barrel so it isn't horribly front heavy.

I'd take the extra ammo capacity over the pistol grip any day of the week.

It is pretty much a matter of preference, so the choice is up to you.

 

[Justin]

I prefer sporting stocks on my shotguns rather than the ones with pistol grips.

Given the choice between a magazine extension or a pistol gripped full stock, I'd take the extension.

Lee is right that an extension can make the gun feel sluggish, but if you're willing to take the extra weight into account and train to compensate for it, that can be overcome.

 

[oneounceload]

Personally, I would find friends that have that configuration and try it out. Adding almost 6-8 oz (between ammo and extension) can dramatically alter the swing dynamics and handling. You might find you do not care for it - so try it before you buy it would be prudent

 

[Strykervet]

What a ridiculous law.

I don't know where your safety is, but on the Mossberg it is on the receiver, so that rules out a pistol grip for me. I have a 500 too, and no room for extended mags.

I'd be more interested in getting the barrel as short as you can. A sidesaddle can remedy the balance problem related to having extra rounds in the magazine; it gives me six rounds right next to the tube and no extra weight on the muzzle end.

If you're gonna go with one or the other, and you have a safety that can be reached while holding the pistol grip, I'd go with that. The pistol grip stock will give you better control.

 

[RugerMcMarlin]

In light of your climate. Which do you think will look worse to the jury, if you have to use it?

 

[Red Cent]

.....

 

[RickMD]

You folks must all live in very bad neighborhoods. Generally the druggies and hoods around these parts drop very nicely with one load of 00 Buck from a conventional skeet gun and tend to froth from the mouth, bleed from their ears, and scream for their mommas if poorly hit. Their associates, if any, tend to vacate the premises rather quickly as well.

I can assure you that they're next to impossible to sew up and few ever live to have another "nice day". When I worked in Houston, an old, retired Texas Ranger once told me, "If you gotta fire more than three shots in a gunfight boy, you're a dead man". From what I've seen, he was spot on.

 

[Hunterdad]

I guess I should have been a little more specific on what the gun will be used for. It will be used as a fun range toy and for some informal 3-gun matches that are held at my club. By informal I mean that the only thing that these shoots have in common with a real 3-gun shoot is that a handgun, carbine and shotgun will be used. The gun already has a 18.5" barrel and the safety is located behind the trigger. Here's a pic of it:

 

[RaceM]

I got a question..... What's the beef with Mossies having the safety on the receiver somehow negating a pistol grip stock? I dunno how you guys do it, but my Mossbergs are mags full, chamber empty, safety off.

 

[washambala]

RaceM- The beef with that sort of a set up is that you have to move your hand off the grip to fool with the safety. If you use the safety, it gets pretty annoying.

 

[Red Cent]

.....

 

[Red Cent]

I mean, get a belt that holds twenty rounds and have at it.

 

[Justin]

If you intend to shoot some local 3 gun matches with it, the magazine tube will be the better choice.

Assuming they play by somewhat standard-ish 3 gun rules, any division but Open will be limited to 9 rounds in the gun.

About the only advantage that I've seen to running a pistol-gripped stock is that it gives you a better way to hold on to the gun while reloading, and even that's not an advantage that's a game changer in any major sense.

 

[Capstick1]

I'd go with the mag extension.