Apr 25 2007
Shotgun Pron
The first shotgun I purchased was brand new. I purchased it while trapped in Lever Arms waiting for my friend Patrick to authorize, pay for and complete the transfer of a pistol he was keen on acquiring. Patrick was my ride home you see. Anyway, long story short the Mossbergs were on sale and I grabbed one while standing around admiring the boomsticks.
This was early on in my hoplophile days and I was firmly convinced that the Mossberg deserved every bell, whistle and attachment I could dig up for it. And on they went, one after another, until the value of the accessories actually exceeded the purchase price of the shotgun itself.
The Mossberg, as a result, wears replacement slide, pistol grip and stock (Butler Creek side-folder), has a 4 shell side saddle shell holder, ventilated handguard, fibre-optic front sight and a forward sling swivel added.
Those days are long gone, the pendulum has swung and I’m now more of a minimalist when it comes to firearms “bling”, making modifications when I find there is a problem that needs to be addressed. The Remington 870 fits better with this “less is more” accessory philosophy
The 870 features a Choate stock as it’s only real modification.
Which appeals more to you?
When it comes to shotguns I tend to think less is more myself.
I guess it’s just me, but my mossberg (although plastic) has a full stock. A full stock just feels like a rifle should feel.
those are some nice looking rifles though.
I have yet to find a folding shotgun stock that I like. They’re all either too flimsy, too uncomfortable or too clunky. Or in the case of the ATI topfolder, all three!
I also question the use of any pistol grip stock on a Mossberg, since now you have to take your hand out a firing grip to manipulate the safety.
I’d like to get the Benelli M1S90 pistol grip stock for my new Beretta 1201, if only it wasn’t priced like an Italian car part.
I think my answer to that question is obvious…
I’m not averse to adding a flashlight, though.
Piet: I like the pistol grip myself, it seems more comfortable to me. I admit I was considering switching whichever shotgun loses the competition to full wood furniture, but we’ll see if that goes anywhere.
PDB: Agreed. While the Butler Creek side folder isn’t the worst folding stock I’ve seen or played with, it hardly inspires confidence. More distressing is the fact I NEVER fold it except for transport. This would tend to qualify the accessory as “useless” for all intents and purposes.
I’ve never had a problem with the safety on the Mossberg, and have found it easier to manipulate with the pistol grip than the safety on the 870. It’s something I’ll have to play around with to be honest as I can’t recall many situations where I have actually used the safety.
Mike: Hehe… I’m sure something can be arranged.
Any developments on the range membership?
None. None at all. Who was the guy pushing the boulder up hill again?
“I’m not averse to adding a flashlight, though.”
As long as you don’t read comics under the sheets with a pistol grip pump.
I have question.
That Mossberg has a 18 1/2 inch barrel right?
Unplugged it’s 5+1 rounds?
Because your tube is longer than the one on my 500.
Sigh. I want a “crowd pleaser” myself. I’m just a poor student and am sacrificing toy budget for education.
Piet: “..comics under the sheets with a pistol grip pump..”
Now that’d be the perfect application of a “tactical illuminator”!
-GRIN-
Nah, mine has a 20″ barrel, capacity (without the patented Mossberg Dowel&Rubber washer) is 7+1 using 2 3/4″ shells, same as the 870 with the extended mag.
Greg: All in a good cause. Admire now, acquire later. You can be jealous of my boomsticks, and I’ll be jealous of your academic credentials. As long as we all end up with credentials and boomsticks it has worked out right.
Admire now, acquire later. You can be jealous of my boomsticks, and I’ll be jealous of your academic credentials.
Which do you think I’d rather say:
“Hey man, check out my boomstick!”
or
“Hey man, wanna read my thesis statement on the political dynamics of the relationship between Canadian and American governments from 1900 to present?”
What PDB said.
I had one of those Choates on my 870 for a while. Very well made, very sturdy. But also very uncomfortable to fire.
Put the standard wood stock back on, and that helped.
I *do* like the mag extension I put on, though, and the funky forend. I haven’t seen them for sale in years and can’t find a picture of one, but it’s an angular-ovoid open grip sort of thing that’s a lot more handy than it looks. It’d be called “tactical” these days.
(Imagine the fore-end of the shotgun much like the stock one. Then imagine a plastic band thick enough to be sturdy and grippable, coming down from the front at an angle, following the line of the grip, and reconnecting at the far end, open far enough to put your hand in.
With that, one can hold the shotgun normally, hold it by the bottom of the fore-end and thus lower off the axis (or rest it on somethng), or my favourite way, grab the front angled descender and use it much like a less stupid and awkward pistol grip.
I should really take a look at it and see if it has a maker’s mark…)
Hey Mon, when did you “acquire” the Remington and why doesn’t it (or the Mossberg) have a tac-light yet?
Greg: “..Which do you think I’d rather say:…” I’m guessing neither, I think you’d rather say “Bow before me mortals, and worship your Lord!” but thats not really relevant here.
-GRIN-
Sigvald: You found the pistol grip stock uncomfortable? Really, I’ve found the opposite so far. My Mossberg came with a standard stock (still have it in the basement, bit of a gun-stuff packrat to be honest) and I found I didn’t much care for the angle of my wrist while shooting. The pistol grip feels more comfortable.
As for felt recoil, well with the folding stock on the Mossberg perceived recoil seemed to increase, I can’t speak as to the Remington yet, but I’ll take note when I’m next on the range.
Patrick: I acquired the Remington in a trade with my cousin Mike a month or so ago.
As for the tac-light, well my single remarkable experience with tac-lights came with the anti-zombie rifle, and I wasn’t truly impressed. Got to use the AZR in the dark once (when we turned all the lights off on the indoor range), and other than that it was just more dead weight.
I suppose if there was even the slightest chance of the shotgun actually being used in a defensive situation I’d mount one, but honestly. The next tac-light I mount will be on the VZ58, the Anti-Zombie Rifle Mk.II.
Stand by for more on that soon enough.
Greg … I vote for the political dynamics of the relationship between Canadian and American governments from 1900 to present (as long as there’s nothing in there about elephants)
I like the Rem 870 personally because it has what it needs to work, and little more. All the bells adds weight and makes for more stuff to catch on things when you need to be quiet. I agree with the comments about the pistol grip stock, I have never had a problem with the safety and the gun seems easier to control and bring on target with this type of stock.
Both the Rem and the “Mossie” are highly rated; the 590 is still used in combat zones, while the 870 is the pump-of-choice for police and military forces the world over (that two-bar/rail thing, I believe). I’ve read so many people rallying against the pistol-grip on ANY shotgun, but those Knoxx Industries products look interesting. Now, the none-recoil-absorbing 870 AR-15 style pistol grip (with room to fit an AR-15 style buttock piece) would seem to be an iffy proposition, but I digress…
Oh, the question at hand? The Rem looks a wee bit more substantial, I think.
Now I’m starting to miss the damned thing…
The stock on the 870 is pretty cool. Now I’ve got a case of the gottahaves.
Paul F. I’ll admit that I need a substantial range trip to compare the two shotguns, I don’t think I’ve had the Mossberg out to the range for well over a year, and still have almost no trigger time with the Remington. Gonna have to schedule a specific range trip for the shotguns alone.
As for bells and whistles, I agree. Less is likely more in this respect.
Dan: Ayup…I’ve no complaints about the Mossberg 500 (except for the asbence of any real sights), but had I known then what I know now I would have spent the extra bucks and gone for the Mossberg 590.
Mike: Buyers remorse? (or sellers I s’pose?). Mike I feel that way almost every time I part with any firearm, it’s not at all uncommon. If it becomes a real issue just drop me an email and I’m sure we can work something out. If it’s not a real problem then I’m sure we can arrange “visitation” some time soon.
-GRIN-
Steve: Go get’er! I’ll expect pics!
I’m sure I’ll come around when/if I ever get the chance to shoot the Cz or Para again.
Ouch, I take it that means theres been no movement on the range membership stuff?
[…] Shooting the shotgun just to destroy cardboard is sometimes fun. I think the wolf 00 buck rounds would probably suffice as backup rounds in a zombocalypse. As you can see, I removed the pistol grip and put the original stock back on. The forend pistol grip makes it feel kinda heavy with the factory stock on, but I was able to control it really well. Though I think I’m going to upgrade to the stock I so covet that Mr. Mugwug has on his 870 (link). […]