Pistol Grip Shotguns

Thank you all for your informative responses.

Fortunately, each of these shotguns also has a stock, as I was afraid of the problems that you all described with a pistol grip only situation.

I may try some of the tips with the 20 gauge, but I am certain that the stock goes on the 12 gauge tonight.

The laser sight idea is interesting though.

Thanks again.
 
I am not opposed to this type of PG though:

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The Speedfeed III and IV aren't bad stocks either.

I still prefer the standard non pg full buttstock.

Speedfeed II or Remington Police/Wingmaster walnut.
 
I've tried a couple of different setups for my HD shotgun...just pistol grip, speedfeed, ATI M4 sytle collapsible and didn't really like any of them. I ended up going back to a stock but with a shortend LOP. I really like this for HD as it's nice and compact but still comfortable to shoot. I just like to keep it simple. :)

 
Mossy!!

Hoyt:

That looks to be about as perfect a shotgun for SD as you can get! I like that its a Mossberg too. I much prefer the safety and bolt release location on the Mossbergs over anything else.
 
Since we're showing off pics........

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The Mossberg's at the top with one of my 3 870's in the middle and the 11-87 on the bottom. I'm noticing lately I'm becoming and oldephart :D. My shotguns are starting to wear wood stocks over synthetics.

Matter of fact the 11-87 on the bottom now wears wood. Only my loaner 870 (not pictured) has synthetic Speedfeed II's now.

The Mossberg has one of the rare 18.5" heavy wall Accuchoke barrels too.

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Evil patterns with that extended Mod choke.
 
Where'd you get the front sling adaptor on the 500? I gotta get me one of those. :cool:

Edit: Nevermind, man I feel like an idiot, I've had this thing for years and never knew the take down screw was threaded in the middle....found a sling adapter that just screws in. :o At least I learned something today. ;)
 
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Sorry I'm late....

Some history.

Back in 1981 I was a Sgt in the MD DOC. While I survived the House of Correction riot on May 19th of that year, the real low point of my year was having to get 300 new Correctional Officers trained with firearms for the new prison being staffed, now called MD Correctional Institution-Jessup.

I was not the head instructor, but I was the shotgun guy by default.

And, the Powers That Be had decreed that all officers would be qualified with not only the 870 with standard stock, but a folding stock 870 and shot from the hip.

Did I mention they had to fire slugs also, just for familiarization?

So, I got to shoot lots of demos, had to develop a training module and then teach a bunch of absolute newbies.

After a figurative pile of empties got shin deep, I came up with a form that did provide a modest amount of effectiveness, but at the cost of speed, accuracy and flexibility.

After getting all those folks through the training and MOST of them qualified, I came to a couple conclusions that nothing since has changed.

PGO shotguns and folders shot from the hip work much better in the movies than real life.

While a dedicated and gifted shooter can reach a fair degree of accuracy after much practice, the same amount of practice invested using a standard shotgun with a real stock will see that shooter absolutely DEADLY.

Most civilians have little need for a breaching tool, a shotgun used in the confines of a Brinks truck and fired through ports or one that can be stowed easily in a bush plane. Those are the only uses for a PGO shotgun I can come up with.

Or you can take kewl pics of them and post them on the Net for Mall Ninja street cred.....
 
Edit: Nevermind, man I feel like an idiot, I've had this thing for years and never knew the take down screw was threaded in the middle....found a sling adapter that just screws in. At least I learned something today.
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I was gonna ask if you had never noticed that......:D.

The only sling studs I had handy when I did mine were too long and were the type that have an unthreaded shank of about a quarter inch below the stud. I solved that problem with a dremel cutoff wheel and a black hard rubber plumbing washer. Works well.

That short accuchoke barrel came in handy when I started back hunting after my back surgery in 07. Light and handy enough package to hump around when I was only back up to half speed. Rolled a deer with it at 30 yds with 2 3/4" managed recoil buckshot 11 weeks after my dive from the treestand.
 
I've tried a couple of different setups for my HD shotgun... I ended up going back to a stock but with a shortend LOP. I really like this for HD as it's nice and compact but still comfortable to shoot. I just like to keep it simple.
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I agree that some version of a shortened LOP is probably best for the HD. IF you are moving within the house (to secure the children's room or whatever), you really don't lose maneuverability with this at all. If you carry muzzle down or even on some ready for TV underarm assault or hipshooting position, the shortened buttstock doesn't protrude any more than the thickness of your body so a PGO has NO advantage I can think of except someone with a specific storage issue (box, vehicle, or something) in which those extra inches make the difference.

Some people can get by with a PGO. But I can guarantee you that anyone who is a good shot with a PGO would be a great shot with a stock.
 
box, vehicle, or something
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I traded for a Remington 870 a year or two back that had a Butler Creek folding stock on it from the factory. Special edition run. My intention was for it to be the travel gun for when the wife and I take extended vacations and live in a hotel room for a few days. Fold away and stash in a regular duffle bag so it's discreet and all. Realized after a few range trips that the stock was not terribly conducive to actually shooting. Couldn't get a mount that didn't ride the folding stock into my cheek with the recoil. Swapped it out for a Speedfeed full stock quickly and sold the folder.

Now when we travel the 870 stays locked up in the truck/van and the .45 goes into the room with us. That's what handguns are for right? Fighting your way to the rifle/shotgun you should have had in the first place? ;)
 
Shooting from the hip seems against all reason in regards to a sight picture, and holding the grip with one hand while bracing that forearm with the other hand seems unreasonable to gain a steady aim. (especially with the 12 gauge)
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I wont comment on pistol vs non-pistol grip thing since it has already been done, but generally speaking when in a close combat shooting situation you are going to be point shooting and wont have time to get a perfect sight picture.
 
Yes, but point shooting from the hip is VASTLY inferior to point shooting from the shoulder, I don't care what you've seen on TV. Go to the skeet range. See how m any of the "point shooters" are shooting from the hip with a PGO.
 
You are at higher risk of losing the gun in a scuffle with PGO. You also lose the capacity to use your empty shotgun as a great club if the need presents itself...
Brent
 
I do not like PGO for the simple fact that they are miserable when it comes to weapon control. Frankly, for HD, I prefer PG equipped full length stocks (similar to the SureGrip/SteadyGrip stocks offered for the Benelli SuperNova) as I think these are absolutely ideal for close quarters situations. The close second would be, of course, "traditional" stocks. But, PGO....nah.
 
Well i agree that pistol grip shotguns realistically are not a good idea but i like to carry a shotgun in my car when traveling in wilderness-like areas so i bought an aftermarket ak-47 style folding stock pistol grip for my Mossy 500 shotgun so in case i need it in my i have a bit more manueverabilaty (is that spelled right) and if i want i can just fold out the stock and keep on going...
 
bestbod85

IMO pgo shotguns have their place. i've used shotguns for many years and love em!!!... given the choice in a defensive situation i'll always go for the full stock. that being said, sometimes concealability and mobility is a factor so as of a few years ago, i bought and have been practicing with a pgo remington 870. after careful consideration i have come to the conclusion that for defensive use out to 30 yards the pgo is a very effective weapon. shooting from the hip i can easily hit a pie plate to 30 yards (00 buck) and using a two handed grip ( like gripping a pistol) i have shot out to 100 yards (with slugs) effectively ( granted the follow up shot is extremely slow and you have to transition your grip to shuck the gun ). i have never had a problem with the recoil with any shotgun - full or pgo stock ( 6'2'' 240 lbs) ymmv

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I agree. While a PGO SG is severely limited in it's versatility, they do have their place...a travel piece is one example. Recoil? Should not be a problem for an experienced shotgunner unless you have some physical impairment. (12 ga. recoil, even with buck or slugs, is vastly overrated anyway, IMO. Some folks seem to want to make it mythical every chance they get :rolleyes:). Accuracy? Yes, I agree here too...I can easily hit a coke (or beer :)) can out at 20 yards 9 out of 10 times with 4 buck if I'm focused. And that's nothing special. My brothers can do that. My hunting buddy can do that too. A PGO SG is more than accurate enough at defensive ranges, which, after all, is all they are meant for.

But again, to me they are not very versatile and 90+% of the time you are much better served with a full stocked gun.
 
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