I went out to cabelas yesterday to get a few things and look at rifles and came across the side saddle 6shell holder. I follow instructions and 1, I don't like the fact I had to replace the trigger pin, 2nd i dont like that I had to change a bolt inside the receiver, and 3rd the bolt that holds the plate on the receiver stripped out with barley any pressure. Im returning it ASAP, anyone else buy one and not like it? :barf:
What a waste of $$$
- Thread starter kx592
- Start date
JerseyDrez
New member
Lots of people seem to like them, but Im not a fan of sidesaddles. Im proud to say I at least purchased one and tried it out at the range, but just didnt like it. Plus, all the steps of what you had to do I had to do, and that didnt make it any better.
Gimme my 88 and 5 in the tube, 1 in the chamber and Im all set.
Gimme my 88 and 5 in the tube, 1 in the chamber and Im all set.
No side saddle shell holders for me... I got room for 4 in each pocket for a total of 16 extra rounds if I only count my blue jeans... I can get 32-48 total counting a vest... For HD, 6 in the gun (5 minimum) and a few boxes hither and yon amongst my room and no BG really has a chance.
Brent
Brent
Just don't over-tighten the bolts while putting them on. A too tight installation caused my Nova to malfunction and I'm guessing that the Benelli isn't the only shotgun that might be susceptible to this malady-though steel receivered guns like the Remington 870 or the Browning BPS are probably less affected. Backing-off the bolts a couple of turns restored the Benelli's operation.
anythingshiny
New member
depending on your intended usage..
i took a fighting shotgun course and LOVED my 12g micro chest rig from OSOE ( john willis ). it holds 24 shells on 4 stiff nylon cards, 2 of which are pull outs, and a IFAK/VOK pouch using either an x or H harness. It was WAY faster than any side saddle or dump pouch for reloads.
for bumps in the night i respond with only the gun which is 7 + 1...i guess if i need to reload in that scenario, i will turn and run upstairs and man the crew gun
i may have posted it previous but here it is again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxN_r-Lk_RU
i took a fighting shotgun course and LOVED my 12g micro chest rig from OSOE ( john willis ). it holds 24 shells on 4 stiff nylon cards, 2 of which are pull outs, and a IFAK/VOK pouch using either an x or H harness. It was WAY faster than any side saddle or dump pouch for reloads.
for bumps in the night i respond with only the gun which is 7 + 1...i guess if i need to reload in that scenario, i will turn and run upstairs and man the crew gun
i may have posted it previous but here it is again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxN_r-Lk_RU
Last edited:
cavediver27
New member
Sounds like there was some "user error" going on with the installation. I have one on my 870HD and am very happy with it.
NightSleeper
New member
No side saddles for me either. Wouldn't want to install them and they would get in the way. I prefer a stock sleeve. I use them on both my hunting and HD shotguns.
Evyl Robot
New member
I keep five in the mag and extras in a dump bag. I've tried stock sleeves but they don't stay put very well. I keep intending to but together a stock sleeve with a stirrup around the recoil pad, but I find that I reload faster from the dump bag anyway. Oh well.
nefprotector
Moderator
I just slip on an Uncle Mikes 5rd shell holder on my stock. Or attach my 50 rd shotgun sling.
bamaranger
New member
Not for me....
We bought a quantity of sidesaddles, and they were attached to working 870 LE guns. I took mine off within a couple of weeks.
For me, the sidesaddle obscures/covers, the very point where I grasp the shotgun in a common "trail" type carry, right at the receive junction w/ the bbls. I found myself using the shoulder sling to carry the gun even short distances 'cause I could not grasp in the usual fashion. Since I carry the gun more than I fight w/ it, is seemed an awkward accessory.
It would work better w/ the gun on some type of tactical sling or fighting sling, suspended in a ready position across the chest.
Many of the guys like'em, and they are fast. Guys that have worked w/ them are quick to top off the mag tube, etc.
I'm a big believer in having reloads available on the long gun for fighting shotguns and carbines, and have same on a utility scout rifle as well. You can grab the gun and go and have a reload on board. No pouch, rig, or belt to remember or forget, and loss of time getting into same. Who responds or patrols w/ long gun ammo on their person routinely, ya carry enough stuff already, so........
I took the backer off the side saddle and screwed the plate with the shell clips to the synthetic stock of my shotgun, in butt cuff fashion. Works great. Not as fast as ammo on the receiver, but fast enough. The ammo on the butt seems to offset the weight of the loaded extended mag as a bonus.
Plus...my spare shotgun ammo is where my spare ammo is on my carbine (Blackhawk butt pouch), coach gun (handmade leather loops), and savage scout (elastic cuff) so there's some commonality in training and gear.
There's an outfit that makes such a cuff w/o vandalizing a side saddle, but the sidesaddle was on hand and wasn't working out for me, so I rigged it.
We bought a quantity of sidesaddles, and they were attached to working 870 LE guns. I took mine off within a couple of weeks.
For me, the sidesaddle obscures/covers, the very point where I grasp the shotgun in a common "trail" type carry, right at the receive junction w/ the bbls. I found myself using the shoulder sling to carry the gun even short distances 'cause I could not grasp in the usual fashion. Since I carry the gun more than I fight w/ it, is seemed an awkward accessory.
It would work better w/ the gun on some type of tactical sling or fighting sling, suspended in a ready position across the chest.
Many of the guys like'em, and they are fast. Guys that have worked w/ them are quick to top off the mag tube, etc.
I'm a big believer in having reloads available on the long gun for fighting shotguns and carbines, and have same on a utility scout rifle as well. You can grab the gun and go and have a reload on board. No pouch, rig, or belt to remember or forget, and loss of time getting into same. Who responds or patrols w/ long gun ammo on their person routinely, ya carry enough stuff already, so........
I took the backer off the side saddle and screwed the plate with the shell clips to the synthetic stock of my shotgun, in butt cuff fashion. Works great. Not as fast as ammo on the receiver, but fast enough. The ammo on the butt seems to offset the weight of the loaded extended mag as a bonus.
Plus...my spare shotgun ammo is where my spare ammo is on my carbine (Blackhawk butt pouch), coach gun (handmade leather loops), and savage scout (elastic cuff) so there's some commonality in training and gear.
There's an outfit that makes such a cuff w/o vandalizing a side saddle, but the sidesaddle was on hand and wasn't working out for me, so I rigged it.
Evyl Robot
New member
Sounds like a fine piece of Southern engineering! Why not use what's available, afterall?MagnumWill
New member
I put one on my old 590 and it worked great, i just didn't like it hanging off the side. I know I would have caught it on stuff. I'm all SpeedFeed now 
Get the Mesa Tactical shell holder. Unlike the cheap aluminum/plastic ones, these utilize steel on steel bolts that won't strip so easily. Also, the whole unit is made of mil-spec aluminum. A real good "made in the USA" quality product, imo.