Added a sidesaddle today......DaveMcc

R

Rob96

New member
Today I added a TacStar 6 round side saddle to my 870 Express magnum. Like has been stated , the fore-end had to be trimmed to allow the gun to fully cycle. Right now I just have it notched and rounded on the side that the shell holder is on. My question is, would it be better to trim it all the way around, or is it fine the way I did it?
 
Pardon me if I answer what looks like a question for Dave.
Notching it is fine. Not too pretty but fine.
For a more aesthetically pleasing look you could buy a "rat tail" or "corn cob" pump handle.
I think they look a whole lot nicer and they are usually quite inexpensive.
I replaced the stocks on my Express' with some old police trade-ins that I refinished. They are leagues above the cheapo Express wood.
Unless you have short arms and need the extra length, I would go that route.
Mike
 
Thanks Mike. Mine aren't the wood, I have the synthetic stocks, so it made it real easy to Dremel down.
 
Plastic? Plastic! On a fine 870? LOL ;)
That's cool. There are short plastic pump handles as well. A friend of mine has one on his Marine Magnum. It sort of imitates the old wooden ones I was talking about. I find that it "feels" sharp though, almost bites me. It's hard to describe. It just does not have that comfy, warm, smooth feel of good wood.
Bye,
Mike
 
Notching it is OK,Rob. Esthetically,it lacks a certain something, but esthetics are probably not a major concern on a "Serious" shotgun.

Among the synthetics, the forearm that comes with the Pachmyer PG kit seems to be the pick of the litter.

As to coontails and corncobs, I like them but admit they're not for folks with less reach than average. If they work for you.....
 
This is my "serious" shotgun and looks aren't on the top of the list. In cutting away part of the forearm, I did it in a way that it conforms to the shape of the sidesaddle. The only reason I even added the sidesaddle was because the buttcuff shellholder would constantly slide forward during firing. Thanks for the info.
 
My Tacstar sidesaddle is on order and should be here within a week. Couple a questions.

Does it seem to hold the shells in securely?
Any problems encountered in installing it? (Other than forend)
Which Dremel bit didja use? (I'm no woodworker!)
Do you think I'd need to refinish my wood forend afterward?
Overall satisfaction?
Ever seen / used the Tacstar speedfeed stocks, that carry an extra 4 rounds in the buttstock? Opinions?

Thanks.
 
Mine holds them quite securely,Ed. I trimmed mine one shot's worth because of the peep sight. Still holds 5.

Esthetics are a personal matter. Function beats esthetics in a crisis.

Some folks love those Speedfeed stocks. I've seen reports here of them losing ammo.
 
I'll agree. The TacStar sidesaddle does hold the shels in there quite securely. I questioned it myself while installing it.
 
Whichaway do y'all put the shells in? Primer up or down, or do you mix slugs up and buck down or something else?
Mike
 
We use the tacstar sidesaddles at work and I can assure all that they hold the ammunition quite securely. If it don't come out during a bumpy ride in one of our trucks, it ain't comin' out.
 
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