Shotgun pistol grip or conventional stock?

[JRH6856]

When I read the poll, I found it incomplete. Pistol grip or Conventional? To me, Conventional is a straight butt stock, and pistol grip is a butt stock with a pistol grip. But in terms of OPs question, I think he would consider both of these to be "Conventional". I tend to call what OP (and most respondents) calls a "Pistol Grip", a "Combat" grip and it can be on a full butt stock or grip only.

I prefer a conventional straight stock on double shotguns, especially with double triggers. A conventional pistol grip work best for me with pumps and semi-auto. I tried a combat grip on my Mossberg 500 but as has been noted, the location of the safety makes that configuration awkward.

 

[Uniquedot]

PGO's are next to worthless and although PGB's will work for the turkey hunter and even the deer hunter they are next to worthless for wingshooting where speed is key. If they aren't fast enough for wingshooting why then would anyone consider them fast enough in a life or death situation?

 

[Skribs]

Better ergonomics? Easier to hold one-handed to manipulate doors (i.e. while grabbing the kids to move them to the safe room)? Personal preference? Plenty of reasons to go with a grip instead of without.

 

[Sam Cade]

If they aren't fast enough for wingshooting why then would anyone consider them fast enough in a life or death situation?

A pronounced "pistol" grip is superior in that it provides for more secure purchase for the dominant hand and is more ergonomically correct in that it doesn't require as much ulnar deviation.

 

[browningguy]

Depends on the use, my HD shotgun is a Benelli M2 Tactical with the pistol grip stock, and I really like it for that use. All of my field (including 3 gun shooting) shotguns are conventional stocks.

 

[Uniquedot]

A pronounced "pistol" grip is superior in that it provides for more secure purchase

Of course they offer superior grip and that's exactly why they are slower to manipulate with the same speed as a straight grip stock, but a conventional stock is superior to an English stock in the strength department yet doesn't really have enough "pistol" grip to slow down the manipulation too much. Shoot flushing birds with each style and you'll learn the difference and loss thereof of speed manipulation with each style in short order. I suppose it doesn't matter too much when one is playing games and especially the same games as one knows what to expect, but live flushing birds are a surprise every time they take flight since you never know what to expect with living creatures...and especially so with humans.

 

[oneounceload]

There are several types of stocks that can be called "pistol grip" stocks. Prince of Wales, a gently relaxed style, standard pistol configuration which has a tighter grip radius, a target configuration as in the picture above with a very tight radius, and then there is the AR style being almost vertical. Methinks this is where this thread, (along with the original assumption that pistol grip meant PGO) is causing some confusion.

 

[rbernie]

A pronounced "pistol" grip is superior in that it provides for more secure purchase for the dominant hand and is more ergonomically correct in that it doesn't require as much ulnar deviation.

Ulnar deviation would seem to largely be a function of forearm angle, which implies that target elevation and/or elbow position are also sigificant factors.

In my experiences - folk that shoot at high/close targets as well as folk that prefer an elbow-high shooting position find a straighter stock more comfortable than a more pronounced pistol grip. Conversely, folk that tend to shoot at straight-away targets, so to speak, or that use a squared-up/elbow down position tend to find more pronounced pistol grips to be mo' betta.

 

[MCgunner]

What I don't like about PG stocks in the field, not the modified straight English stock, but a PG that protrudes down in a vertical manor, is that carrying it port arms in the field is painful. Talk about ulnar contortion! To keep one ready, one almost needs a military type sling to let it lay across the chest. A standard stock is just easier for me and more ergonomic in the field. I can't hold the thing down by the stock, anyway, when I'm knee deep in salt water and mud.

I could have a PG shotgun for home defense, but why? It's not what I'm used to. I'd rather shoot what I'm familiar with. I don't have any straight English stocks other than on my 92 Carbine. I always called what I shot a "pistol grip", then along came the AR's popularity and, suddenly, "pistol grip" has a new meaning.

 

[tactikel]

IMHO any shotgun used for wing shooting or clays is best served with a traditional stock, English or standard. A true pistol grip is fine for a slug gun, a turkey gun, or a tacticool HD gun. They are awkward to carry, mount, and swing at flushing game.

 

[farm23]

Most shotguns today have a PG and my 12ga semi auto does. My bird gun is either an old Ithaca 37 with a PG or a double with double triggers and a straight stock. With the double the straight stock seems to allow me to better handle the triggers.

 

[Bobson]

Depends on the use of the shotgun. On anything used for hunting or clays, I definitely want a conventional stock. On a fighting shotgun, I really like a pistol-grip stock. I wouldn't want a PGO under any circumstance.

 

[Nick Burkhardt]

This http://www.atigunstocks.com/mossberg-tactical-stocks/293-talon-tactical-shotgun-stock.html

 

[basicblur]

Well I guess I buggered up this poll pretty badly! I may take a shot at another in a few weeks after I've had time to play with my new gun.
I'll make sure the (next?) poll specifies AR-style pistol grip STOCK vs. conventional stock.

I cancelled the order for the 590A1 with Ghost Ring Sights today (shop couldn't find any suppliers with them in stock) and ordered the 590A1 with bead sight.

I wasn't real sold on the Ghost Ring Sights - I had been searching for a tritium front sight, and just ran across the XS Sights Big Dot for the Mossberg, so I'm going that route.

Shop can get 590A1s with bead sights, so it should be in next week.

Supposed to have a heat shield on the way from Mossberg (the one for the 590A1's thicker barrel) - next will be the XS Dot sight, then start looking for some kind of light - I guess the stock will be the last thing on my list?

Appreciate the link on the ATI stock - got it in my research notes.

 

[bannockburn]

Pretty much prefer the traditional stock configuration over the pistol grip variety. It's what I have used for most of my life and feel very comfortable and familiar with it.

 

[Skribs]

Blur, make the poll with these options:
Straight Stock
Pistol Grip+Stock
Pistol Grip Only

That way, there is a definite separation between PGO and PG+Stock, and you would have to be concussed to think Option #2 meant PGO. You'll just have to put up with all the people who say "PGO shouldn't even be on this list!"

 

[basicblur]

You'll just have to put up with all the people who say "PGO shouldn't even be on this list!"

But...I am one of those people!

As stated earlier, the local gun store says they cannot remember selling a PGO that the buyer did not end up putting a stock on - that pretty much settled the PGO argument for me.

But...if I run another poll, I will stick the 3rd option up there just to make sure folks don't get cornfused.

 

[JRH6856]

Which style of pistol grip stock? Conventional or AR?

 

[basicblur]

Blingification has begun!

Ye olde 590A1 finally arrived!
So far:
1. Added a Mesa Tactical 6-rd. Shotshell Carrier.
2. Have the OEM Mossberg heat shield (yet to install).
3. Have a Mesa Tactical Short Picatinny Rail on the way.
4. Have an XS Big Dot tritium sight on the way. Darn if the OEM bead isn't black - now that's tactical!
5. LOP doesn't feel too bad - not going to mess with the stock for a while, if at all.
6. Got a VISM Scabbard.
7. Might play around with a red dot, but still doing research on how / if the red dot and Big Dot sight can both be used? The red dot is probably going to be an experiment only - doubt that it will be a permanent attachment.
8. Got 16 rounds of Snappy's Snap Caps (darn those things are pricey!) - been practicing handling, reloading, operation in the house before I hit the range - 'tis a learning experience!

Also been digging up any shotgun class videos I can find (gotta separate the wheat from the chaff).

BTW - anybody have any experience with mounting a red dot that will still allow use of your front sight? I've seen some raised risers that allow you to look thru them, but don't want the red dot mounted that high?

Right now I'm probably looking at a Bushnell TRS-25 with a QD mount - only two I can find so far are Leapers / UTG and ADM (big price difference).

I've got a "spare" Trijicon SRS laying around - that would look awesome / sci-fi, but that's a big, heavy hunk o' glass!

Next thing (and probably the last if / when I do anything to the stock) is to find a nice light setup.
Looking at the EOTech IFL, but also looking at cheaper alternatives - I have a Streamlight ProTac HL on one gun, so I wouldn't mind going that route for commonality and price, if I can find a good mounting system.