Educate me on pistol grip shotguns

tirwin1

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The first purchase I made was a mossberg shotgun while I waited for my pistol permit to be processed. Because I was new to firearms and am on the thin side I selected a 20 gauge shotgun instead of a 12 gauge for the reduced recoil. I purchased a standard Mossberg 500 20 gauge shotgun.

That was 5 years ago. I am thinking of upgrading to a 12 gauge shotgun. I am looking at those with a pistol grip such as the 500 ATI, 590 Tactical or 590a1. The purpose is strictly home defense. I am curious if the pistol grip/stock provides more control or what the benefits of the pistol group might be. Feedback/comments are welcome.
 
togmaster

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I found the pistol grip to be a PIA with the tang safety on the Mossberg. I tried one for a while on my 500 but I found I could shoot and operate the gun better with a standard stock so I switched back.
 
Bananabandit

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Ive had both. My current 590 has the regular stock and I prefer that. Not to say anything is wrong with the pistol grip/stock, I just prefer it. Thhe ATI stocks feel cheap. I have those on my single shot shotguns. They work good, just feel cheap.
 
@thewheels

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I threw one of these on an 870 a few years ago for HD use and was pretty happy with it. The Hogue PG that came with it felt better than any plastic PG.

LEO® Telescoping Stock Adapters And Conversion Kits Archives - Mesa Tactical

I'd probably prefer the standard stock for certain hunting applications but for HD it fit the bill.
There's plenty of OEM pistol gripped shotguns that I wouldn't look at twice. Maybe it's a fit/feel thing for me.
 
Marine Cpl

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I think pistol grip ONLY shotguns with no stock suck because they hurt due to all the recoil being absorbed at the wrist and you cannot really aim them.

Pistol gripped shotguns with stocks are fine. It's a preference thing. Neither is better than the other. Just like in rifles.
 
@thewheels

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Willjr75 said:
I think pistol grip ONLY shotguns with no stock suck because they hurt due to all the recoil being absorbed at the wrist and you cannot really aim them. Agreed. Wrists make lousy shoulders.

Pistol gripped shotguns with stocks are fine. It's a preference thing. Neither is better than the other. Just like in rifles.
Click to expand...
 
V

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If you want a pistol grip, get an 870 (because of the trigger guard mounted safety), and one of these: Choate Machine & Tool - Remington 870 Top Folder - Product Details.
Short if you want it short, full stock if you want that instead.
The drawback is there it zero cheek weld, and I do mean ZERO. The other drawback is there isn't much padding on the butt end of it, so expect some shoulder abuse.

They do make a side folding stock that eliminates the above problems, but it gets in the way of your fingers if you pump the shotgun while it's closed.

The other option is to keep the 500 in 20 gauge, and pickup a youth stock, which has a shorter length of pull, making it a little more compact, without the drawbacks of the folding, or pistol grip only stocks.
 
71velle

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No personal experience here except I fired a pistol grip shotgun one and didnt care for it, again once. I buddy of mine just dumped he because he thought it was difficult to shoot. A 20 gauge is very powerful so dont sell it short. If its a shorter package you want I have read many people will go to a youth stock to shorten it up, but again no personal experience since I dont own a shotgun.
 
Gardnaaa

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What about one of those stocks that have a pistol grip as well, so you have both? Best of both worlds? Or does that suck as well? I don’t have much expierence with shotguns, I don’t even own one currently lmao
 
misunderestimated

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I have had a moss berg Pistol gripped shot gun for home defense since the 80'S I thought it was great. It was only until I took a shotgun self defense course did I find out that shooting from the waste with a pistol grip put the firearm too far out in front for good aim, Having a stock on it allowed it to be better controlled even if was being shot from the hip with the stock slightly behind you. I am no longer a fan of a pistol gripped shot gun.

PS I also learned latter in life ,in a crisis you always revert to what you have trained to do, So now the question is,what if i haven't trained.

Invest in some good training. A mind is a terrible thing to waste on youtube videos from tactically cools fellows.
 
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Marine Cpl

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It's funny how those that don't like pistol gripped shotguns with stocks love pistol gripped rifles to the point that they discount an Ares or a Thordsen or a Mini 14 and have a useless fixed mag AR just because of the pistol grip.

Then some of those same guys that like pump shotguns will discount a pump rifle like a Troy as well.

The human psyche is crazy. I don't understand it.
 
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Deplorable Me

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If you're worried about recoil, 12 gauge ammo comes in a variety of power levels (drams). You can get maxed out loads and even 3" shells if the shotgun is chambered for it. You can also get reduced recoil 12 gauge loads in everything from birdshot to buckshot and slugs. There are more options available for 12 gauge than for 20 gauge.

I own a stock Mossberg 590 and a pistol grip only 500 for the bedroom. I only have bead sights, no ghost rings, scope or lasers. I'm dragging my ass in putting on a basic flashlight. I can shoot 2.75" shells in either all day, in a t-shirt. If I put on a coat or sweatshirt I can start lobbing 3" goose/field loads and only feel it after a dozen or so shots.

I keep a stash of low recoil 12 gauge birdshot and buckshot handy for my wife and daughter to fire. Both can shoot a round of trap. So 25 reduced recoil rounds is not an issue.
 
Uzi

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Get a nice folding stock along with the pistol grip. I've never shot mine without using the stock pulled out. The recoil is kind of stupid, there is no muzzle rise and all of the pressure is only straight back. I have a fairly modified maverick 88 12 gauge. The stock I use is a very high quality mako folding stock that is side folding and has a nice adjustable cheek riser. The butt pad might be a little too hard or something because I bruise up pretty good with weird blood marks the next day on the surface of that area of webbing where it's shouldered. I wouldn't want to shoot that gun without a stock though, it would probably fly out of my hands or recoil into my face.
 
Podmonkey

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No reason to use anything more than 2 3/4 shells in a 12 gauge. In fact low recoil buckshot loads are available that are easy on the shoulder and offer the ability for fast follow up shots but still with a surplus of terminal effect.
 
Different Drummer

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I am firmly entrenched in the "no pistol grip" camp. And, I have used a shotgun with the pistol grip. I will never go back. The safety and slide release ergonomics of my M-590 firmly reinforce that decision.
However, the subject does bring something to mind in regards to the traditional shoulder stock lacking one thing for me personally.
" Smaller package portability". For years my Mossberg traveled in my Motorhome with me. So many times I wished that I could make it a smaller package and still be nearby and readily accessible. Due to laws and legal issues there were some states as well as when traversing Canada that the Shotgun became the primary SD weapon ahead of my Pistol.
I don't want to hijack the thread. However, I will throw out a query. Anyone know of a folding stock that will fit a M 590A1 that DOES NOT have a pistol grip?
 
MikeyCNY

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