How Heavy is Too Heavy?

G

Guyon

New member
He ain't heavy, he's my shotgun...

And I just weighed him after putting a 4-shot side saddle on. This HD gun is starting to get a little heavy. It is a Remington 870 Express with a 20" barrel, 8-shot extension, and now, the 4-shot side saddle (didn't go with 6 because I didn't want to modify the fore end). It has six rounds in the mag (downloaded by one), none in the chamber, and four rounds in the side saddle. On my digital fish scales, it came in at 9.25 pounds. Not that heavy I know, but it sure isn't like swinging the bird guns.

It's not too heavy to manage. Mind you, I'm 6'1", 195 pounds, and in good shape, and I can maneuver it just fine. I'm just curious though. What would your upper limit be on an HD gun?
 
7 lbs. 5 oz.







Naaaah, just kidding. I don't think there is an absolute answer. I feel like Einstein. Everything is relative. Or like a therapist. Is is too heavy for you?
 
Dave R, I know you're right about weight being relative. I am curious though if there are some 12 or 14 pound monsters out there in use.
 
8.796 with eight in the tube. Don't particularly like it, just live with it. Cause that's what I have for house gun.

Sam
 
Dang Sam. You got that sucker down to the thousandths. Your digital fishing scale is a lot more accurate than mine! If you shave the stock, could you get it down to an acceptable 8.795? :D
 
My HD 870 runs about 9 1/2 lbs, tho I've no electronic gimmicks to narrow that down. 5 in mag(2 shot extension), 5 in SS(Lost one round capacity when I cut it down to fit around the peep sight).

The Limit? Darnfino, tho the 1100 with 28" bbl and 10 round mag I've seen and handled was too heavy for me.The owner ran 6'5 or so and a svelte 350.

BTW, my backup HD 870 is the one I use for deer. Loaded, it runs a bit lighter but not by that much, and I can carry it a long ways.
 
You may want to use the Jeff Cooper test that he suggests for rifles. Also carry it around everywhere you go and you'll get used to the weight (running with it helps).

BTW, I also use the Jeff Cooper dry fire drill as well (note--I'm a bachelor and do not have the concerns Uncle Jeff did).
 
I know why you ask that question. I have asked myself the same. I have a Remington Marine Magnum, 7 shot, with a 4 shell side saddle also. I also have a shell butt attachment with another five shells on it. Fully loaded, it can be on the heavy side but I think the more you shoot under those conditions, the better it gets. When I first took it to the range after adding a hogue comp stock to it, it was a little bit of a workout. Now Im used to it. So shoot away.:cool:
 
I'm out of practice now, but in the bad old days I used to shoot my heavy shotgun and then also use an issue 870 for comparison. The heavy one ran slightly faster and better scores. But, I'm a behemoth and was acclimated.

I doubt there's a pat answer here for the best weight. The heaviest one can handle well, I guess. For feathermerchants and pixies, that might be close to 7 lbs, or less. All those Ithaca 37s sold for a reason.
 
Don't know if I'm contributing anything, but my rule of thumb is this:

If I can't hold it on target with only the back hand for a reasonable length of time, something's gotta go. This applies to both strong and weak hands.

My "reasonable length of time" is usually however long it takes to completely reload the magazine with the support hand.
 
"The time limit in the Colonel's is 60 seconds."

I must be a sissy. I can't hold my empty 870 at arm's length with one hand for 60 seconds without getting the shakes. Now I am doing this with the muzzle pointed down range (like I'm aiming one handed) as I grip it behind the reciever. If I hold it vertically, I greatly reduce my leverage disadvantage. What is the proper method? Or maybe I should just stick to pistols. :)
Mike
 
I believe the Col. advised that you hold it upright for the test. He was interested in weight, not balance/leverage/OAL.

Mike
 
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