CZ52GUY
Member
Disclaimer: Photo coming when I have the chance.
There has been much discussion over time in the Shotgun Forum about the relative merits of various accessories. I'm a Mossberg guy, largely because of ergonomic preferences.
When I get one, I generally put on a 12" Hogue LOP Stock, a TacStar Side-Saddle, and a Mesa Tactical Single Point Sling Loop (more for range safety requirements for practice than anything else). 3 of my Mossbergs have the Surefire Forend, and I've been largely satisfied with that type of configuration.
Variations of included 9-shot 590, 6-shot 590, "Superlite 500" w/Ghost Rings ("Plain Jane" vanilla lightweight), and my very first Mossberg on which I decided to try an EOTech. I've been pleasantly surprised with the Dot Sight, although I've grown to appreciate the Ghost Rings and give them a slight nod.
And then there's...THE FREAK.
I picked up an 8-shot Cruiser at cost from a Buddy that was looking to part with it. Came with a Knoxx-CopStock so I tried it. Didn't care for it, bartered the stock away, but the whole idea of allocating one shotgun for "Accessory Testing" gelled in my head. I noted there were many accessories that several of "the crew" at my club were looking at. I culled down to the few accessories that seemed to be the most commonly mentioned, my own curiosity being the tie-breaker because while I make a good living, my resources are still finite. In the end, I also wanted to intentionally create a "Mall Ninja" type weapon, and then have my other Shotguns (including the Plain Jane), so that some the new guys (or new to Practical Shotgun exercises) could do some side-by-side "taste tastes".
By way of disclosure, I count myself among those who believe that accessories with purpose and appropriate fit to application can be useful, but are no substitute for good trigger time.
Some of the "gadgets" and associated observations from muzzle to buttpad:
1) Tru-Glo snap on Sight - Not a horrible back-up sight, easier for my old eyes to pick up in most lighting conditions than the factory bead. I have the Tritium Model which is easy enough to pick up in low-light or very low-light conditions.
2) Heat Shield - For me this is a fairly harmless accessory. For some new shooters it has been useful for heat dissipation. Handling technique should be developed to avoid direct skin contact with the barrel. If it hurts when you touch it, then DON'T DO THAT
. It came on the shotty, I picked one up for my first shotty, doubt I'd spend the money again.
3) Falcon Industries Tri-Rail Forend - To this, I attached a SureFire 6P in a Leupold QRW ring at 6:00 and a Pressure Pad tail-cap with a sleeve. The Pad lines up at nearly the same place as the SureFire Forend momentary pad. Overall for me, this is an awkward feeling arrangement. I've had to train my pump hand to position differently and well to the rear of the normal hold. I can make it move "OK", but I wouldn't describe it as comfortable. positioning the hand too far forward can result in finger bruises from the rear of the tail-cap. I've found it slows me noticeably.
(Steve, you'd be proud)...running a borrowed BONE STOCK Mossberg 500 20", I ran what I call a "Shaw Drill". Simpe 3-shots on steel plate from 10-yds (saw John Shaw demonstrate on video). Simple exercise which promotes safe/rapid/accurate pump action shots. Starting at low ready, at buzzer...shooter engages single plate with 3-consecutive shots. Best time for "BONE STOCK" = 1.25. Best time for "THE FREAK", 1.71.
4) Bushnell Holosight on Weaver 417 mount. This is the one accessory that "actually works". Basically, a "poor man's EOTech", I shoot through this reticle with Carbines frequently. It's familiar and effective. With the EO' Mossberg, I've put slugs right through the A in A-Zone of IPSC target from 25-yds with ease (when I settle myself and do it right). I still favor the Ghost Rings but find the Holosight a much better alternative for my eyes than any Bead Sight. The Weaver 417 mount has also held up well with all varieties of loads, including aggressive drills with 3" Magnums.
5) 3-GUN Gear "Stick On" Side-Saddle. It does stick, the velcro stays on. The shell holders were a little too tight at first but have worn in just fine. The slight angle may be a smidge better, but I've become familiar with the strait vertical angle of the TacStar Side-Saddle. One benefit of the stick-on, no risk of over-tightening the plate attachment screw and binding up the action. I see the benefit of this approach on certain guns...especially for gaming, but I'll stick with the TacStar.
6) ATI Telestock - This is a fairly recent addition. I substituted self threading screws for the plastic retention inserts. I don't care for a pistol grip on a Mossberg because I think it defeats the ergonomic advantage of the Action Release button location. Failing that, the Stock isn't horribly uncomfortable, and it does allow shooters of various sizes to adjust to fit. As a "group familiarization aid", it has some merit, but I definitely prefer a traditional stock on the Mossberg.
Because I have the resources and have judiciously picked up these accessories over time, I feel like it's been a useful investment. The "kids" always gravitate to "THE FREAK"...and then I let them use the Plane Jane with the Ghost Rings and Side-Saddle. They inevitably seem to "get the message". It's a fun tool to have in the inventory, and I continue to work at it to see how much performance I can get out of THE FREAK, while appreciating the other shotties and their more practical "installed for purpose" accessories.
Safe Shooting,
CZ52'
There has been much discussion over time in the Shotgun Forum about the relative merits of various accessories. I'm a Mossberg guy, largely because of ergonomic preferences.
When I get one, I generally put on a 12" Hogue LOP Stock, a TacStar Side-Saddle, and a Mesa Tactical Single Point Sling Loop (more for range safety requirements for practice than anything else). 3 of my Mossbergs have the Surefire Forend, and I've been largely satisfied with that type of configuration.
Variations of included 9-shot 590, 6-shot 590, "Superlite 500" w/Ghost Rings ("Plain Jane" vanilla lightweight), and my very first Mossberg on which I decided to try an EOTech. I've been pleasantly surprised with the Dot Sight, although I've grown to appreciate the Ghost Rings and give them a slight nod.
And then there's...THE FREAK.
I picked up an 8-shot Cruiser at cost from a Buddy that was looking to part with it. Came with a Knoxx-CopStock so I tried it. Didn't care for it, bartered the stock away, but the whole idea of allocating one shotgun for "Accessory Testing" gelled in my head. I noted there were many accessories that several of "the crew" at my club were looking at. I culled down to the few accessories that seemed to be the most commonly mentioned, my own curiosity being the tie-breaker because while I make a good living, my resources are still finite. In the end, I also wanted to intentionally create a "Mall Ninja" type weapon, and then have my other Shotguns (including the Plain Jane), so that some the new guys (or new to Practical Shotgun exercises) could do some side-by-side "taste tastes".
By way of disclosure, I count myself among those who believe that accessories with purpose and appropriate fit to application can be useful, but are no substitute for good trigger time.
Some of the "gadgets" and associated observations from muzzle to buttpad:
1) Tru-Glo snap on Sight - Not a horrible back-up sight, easier for my old eyes to pick up in most lighting conditions than the factory bead. I have the Tritium Model which is easy enough to pick up in low-light or very low-light conditions.
2) Heat Shield - For me this is a fairly harmless accessory. For some new shooters it has been useful for heat dissipation. Handling technique should be developed to avoid direct skin contact with the barrel. If it hurts when you touch it, then DON'T DO THAT
. It came on the shotty, I picked one up for my first shotty, doubt I'd spend the money again.3) Falcon Industries Tri-Rail Forend - To this, I attached a SureFire 6P in a Leupold QRW ring at 6:00 and a Pressure Pad tail-cap with a sleeve. The Pad lines up at nearly the same place as the SureFire Forend momentary pad. Overall for me, this is an awkward feeling arrangement. I've had to train my pump hand to position differently and well to the rear of the normal hold. I can make it move "OK", but I wouldn't describe it as comfortable. positioning the hand too far forward can result in finger bruises from the rear of the tail-cap. I've found it slows me noticeably.
(Steve, you'd be proud
)...running a borrowed BONE STOCK Mossberg 500 20", I ran what I call a "Shaw Drill". Simpe 3-shots on steel plate from 10-yds (saw John Shaw demonstrate on video). Simple exercise which promotes safe/rapid/accurate pump action shots. Starting at low ready, at buzzer...shooter engages single plate with 3-consecutive shots. Best time for "BONE STOCK" = 1.25. Best time for "THE FREAK", 1.71. 4) Bushnell Holosight on Weaver 417 mount. This is the one accessory that "actually works". Basically, a "poor man's EOTech", I shoot through this reticle with Carbines frequently. It's familiar and effective. With the EO' Mossberg, I've put slugs right through the A in A-Zone of IPSC target from 25-yds with ease (when I settle myself and do it right). I still favor the Ghost Rings but find the Holosight a much better alternative for my eyes than any Bead Sight. The Weaver 417 mount has also held up well with all varieties of loads, including aggressive drills with 3" Magnums.
5) 3-GUN Gear "Stick On" Side-Saddle. It does stick, the velcro stays on. The shell holders were a little too tight at first but have worn in just fine. The slight angle may be a smidge better, but I've become familiar with the strait vertical angle of the TacStar Side-Saddle. One benefit of the stick-on, no risk of over-tightening the plate attachment screw and binding up the action. I see the benefit of this approach on certain guns...especially for gaming, but I'll stick with the TacStar.
6) ATI Telestock - This is a fairly recent addition. I substituted self threading screws for the plastic retention inserts. I don't care for a pistol grip on a Mossberg because I think it defeats the ergonomic advantage of the Action Release button location. Failing that, the Stock isn't horribly uncomfortable, and it does allow shooters of various sizes to adjust to fit. As a "group familiarization aid", it has some merit, but I definitely prefer a traditional stock on the Mossberg.
Because I have the resources and have judiciously picked up these accessories over time, I feel like it's been a useful investment. The "kids" always gravitate to "THE FREAK"...and then I let them use the Plane Jane with the Ghost Rings and Side-Saddle. They inevitably seem to "get the message". It's a fun tool to have in the inventory, and I continue to work at it to see how much performance I can get out of THE FREAK, while appreciating the other shotties and their more practical "installed for purpose" accessories.
Safe Shooting,
CZ52'
