Shotgun setups...

Snal~

Snal~

I Run A Tight Shipwreck (Tragic Boating Accident)
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I'd be interested to know what setups you'd use, if different, for two shotguns.

Let's assume that both are identical 12ga semi-auto shotguns, short (off the shelf legal) barrels with extended mag tubes, with buttstock.
One will reside in the truck, one in the home.
What, if anything, would you add to each for truck and home defensive use that you'd consider essential?
Light, laser, optic, shell holder, sling, etc.
Be brand specific if matters.
 
I'm not even remotely tacticool.

Beyond a mag extension that goes to the end of the barrel, which I think is almost mandatory.

Every single item over the years I've added to a shotgun, I've ended up removing. As a kid I had a sling that held rounds. As an adult, I've added sleeves, shell holders, sights, lights, lasers, etc.

Being the simpleton I am. I do want an extended mag tube and I do like a better sight picture beyond a bead (but I am good with it and don't spend to upgrade usually) after that, for me. I take everything back off..

It all adds weight and bulk. Even a sidesaddle can be a hangup for me.

I have gone full "tacticool" on my mossy 930. Mesa side saddle, extra round mag tube, pic rail with light, upgraded furniture, red dot, sling and I presume more.

Danged thing was heavy as hell and I snagged it across everything everytime I wanted to access it. It's fine already in hand, but it annoyed me to no end.

I eventually took it all off. Even the furniture had square edges that I hung on everything.

I left the mag tube and got a hivis front sight. I can grab her out of the truck with no snags with one hand and be on point for a shot at that raccoon or opossum in an instant. All that stuff I had on it hung up somehow, every time.

I chose "fast into the "fight" over "prepared for the battle"

I keep thinking about losing the sling. But so far if I stage it right, it's worth the snag potential for the ability to shoulder carry.
 
Trevillian said:
Danged thing was heavy as hell and I snagged it across everything everytime I wanted to access it. It's fine already in hand, but it annoyed me to no end.

I eventually took it all off. Even the furniture had square edges that I hung on everything.

I left the mag tube and got a hivis front sight. I can grab her out of the truck with no snags with one hand and be on point for a shot at that raccoon or opossum in an instant. All that stuff I had on it hung up somehow, every time.

I chose "fast into the "fight" over "prepared for the battle"
Click to expand...

Thank you for articulating so well (especially the bold font line) what I was struggling to try to explain to friends and family about why I want 2 differently outfitted shotguns of the same make.
 
I'm no shotgun afficionado by any means but what little Ive learned from trying different set ups is that they need to be kept relatively clean and lean.

I've also killed multiple lights on shotguns unfortunately and have learned that this is the one place you don't want to skimp.

Mine is a simple M500, full length tube, XS night sight, Holosun on a low pro KE Arms mount, streamlight TLR Racker, Mesa aluminum side saddle, Magpul stock, Vickers sling, removed the stupid steel heat shield to save weight.

Everything I feel like I need/want and nothing I don't. Still reasonably light and handles well. Untold thousands of rounds on this shotgun and it does what it needs to do!

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Do you know how much a fully loaded 590A1 with a full tube, side saddle, and speedfeed stock stuffed full weighs with a light and a sling?

Too much.

Sling is gone, light is gone.
Side saddle is going away for Esstac cards.
Downloaded to 6 rounds of #1 buck and a couple of birdshot rounds in the Speedfeed.
 
I've kicked around just about every configuration of Remington 870 there is over the years. Different stocks, lights, slings, extensions, sidesaddles. I've owned 870 police, wingmasters, express,and "tactical" models. Some I've sold and some I've kept. I think I'm down to 7 at the moment.

This is where I've arrived and the one that stays handy for "social" engagements.

PXL_20230528_195403534.jpg

It's a police trade in wingmaster 18" that came from Kings Firearms. It had Orange Speedfeed stocks on it when I bought it.

I swapped them out for Magpul. It is setup with a short LOP. I'm 5'11" with monkey arms but I shoot a short LOP on everything. It's faster to the shoulder.

It has a Wilson Combat +1 extension. This gives me 5+1 in the tube and keeps the handling quick. Too many rounds too far out in front of your hands is heavier and thus slower to drive. I'm not going to war here or shooting a 3 gun stage where I need a lead hose. I need to be able to solve problems at speed.

Esstac Velcro card on the gun for +6 on the side. There are several others Velcro'd to the side of the gun safe if I need to grab and go (unlikely). I keep all my cards set up with 4 00 buck oriented up and two slugs out front oriented down. I load buck under into the tube or slug over into the chamber as needed.

Streamlight TL Racker is the best light system for a shotgun I've run. Much better than the Surefire that I replaced with it. Easy to activate on purpose. Hard to activate on accident. Smaller, slimmer, and lighter.

Suarez RMR mount drilled and tapped to receiver. Holosun 507 mounted. The ⭕ reticle is perfect for shotgun applications. In my testing, in this gun, the reticle is the pattern with Federal Flite Control 00 out to 30 yards. At across the bedroom distances the reticle and pattern are the size of the T box.

I have QD socket sling points at the wrist and end of mag tube. I have a sling hanging near the shotgun. But I do not keep one on it.
 
I see a couple of Streamlight Rackers in this thread. What do y’all think of them?

I’ve been looking for an old Surefire incandescent forecend to use with a drop in but they are way too expensive from what I’ve seen.
 
Frack N Cylons said:
I see a couple of Streamlight Rackers in this thread. What do y’all think of them?

I’ve been looking for an old Surefire incandescent forecend to use with a drop in but they are way too expensive from what I’ve seen.
Click to expand...
Buy the streamlight. I have owned Surefire but sold them all. I have three TL rackers.
 
Basic 870’s for me, the only additions are a mag extension, TL Racker, and a Magpul stock for my short arms. I’ve tried ghost ring sights and optics, always found a bead or fiber optic sights to be faster and doesn’t require a mount, batteries, or add any weight. I currently have Mesa Tactical shell holders but I’m in the process of going to a card system for the weight savings. I’m no operator or expert shotgunner but I’ve found simpler and lighter to always be the way.

I’ve got a .410 Shockwave that I’d like to SBS but finding .410 buckshot to feed it is like finding hens teeth. That, to me, would be a great lightweight defensive shotgun option.
 
If you’re using a Remington, the Tacstar sidesaddle holds up better in the heat in a vehicle. The Esstac velcro tends to let go. Not an issue if you always park in the shade in the summer.

Tacstar on a Mossberg sucks.

No sling on the house gun. If your truck gun is a bugout gun, definitely a two point sling. Shotguns are heavy…

Magpul stocks are awesome, seriously.

No more than 5/6 rounds in the tube for reasons already mentioned.

Bead or big dot sight for your application. I really like the XS tritium big dot that glues onto the bead.

Federal flight control 00 rocks out to 40 yards. You might want to keep #4 buck in the house gun.
 
I don’t like a lot of extras on my shotguns. In the house I keep one with a TL-racker and a butt cuff. No mag extension on that one. It’s fast and handy. No sling to get snagged.

For a truck gun I might add an extension and a set of sights. I don’t think I’d worry with a light on a truck shotgun. I might consider a sling on this one.
 
I am a fan of shotguns- It comes down to what you want and whose opinion you want to believe.
Lights are extremely useful if you need to use the shotgun
I do not feel comfortable with only 5 rounds of capacity. If the shotgun is the only long gun I will have, I will have both buckshot and a handful of slugs for longer more precise work
You need a sighting method that works for you
The most important thing you can do regardless of what you decide to go with is to practice/ train with it. Can you load it under stress while moving? Can you manipulate the shotgun to change the shell type in the chamber -i.e drop in a slug if you need a far shot. Shooting in your backyard is one thing, but find a local match that conducts a defensive oriented match for shotguns. You will find out what works and what doesn’t quickly. Here is a shocker - pump guns are not 100% reliable all of the time, shells make a difference, the way you hold and stroke the shotgun matters too. If you are carrying in your vehicle have you tried using a vehicle for cover from difficult positions ? Hav you taken shots through the windows - how about transitioning from one window to another? I think too often we scheme up what a defensive situation may look like and convince ourselves that I only to take 2-3 hots, from 7-10 yards at targets that are waist high straight in front of us
 
I didn’t add to my post that I believe one of the primary advantages to a shotgun is handling. Most standard stocked models are made to be mounted fast and shot quickly. Adding pistol grip stocks and huge extensions tends to ruin that. I have one 870 set up that way and it’s the not the first one I’m grabbing.
 
www.mossberg.com

500 Tactical – JIC

Our JIC Cruiser Series pump-action firearms are popular with boaters, campers, and anyone looking for a portable solution for their firearm. The tubes have carrying straps and are water-resistant.
www.mossberg.com www.mossberg.com

What do you all think about this setup? I've been thinking about an HD shotgun, and Shockwave or Tac-14 are on the list. This gun has an 18.5" barrel, so if the pistol grip becomes too much to handle a regular or folding stock wouldn't turn it into an NFA gun like the 14" barrel guns, right? Also, this gun is only 1.75" OAL longer than the Shockwave, so to me that's not even an issue.

I have one 870 shotgun, so I'd be adding a second type of safety, but I've shot shotguns enough to not be concerned about the safety location issue. However, I know under stress an extra screwup on the safety could mean disaster. I suppose I could swap out the 870 for a second Mossberg if I liked the 500.

It seems like I'm spending a lot of time figuring out a gun that will be test fired, then sit somewhere to hopefully never be used.
 
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3 gun shotgun: Beretta 1301, mag tube extension, XS express rear milled into rib, FO front. Allows me to shoot slugs accurately. I was able to snag one of the first imports. Knock on wood, other than one bad Rio shell, it has never malfunctioned in god only knows how many rounds.
3 gun heavy: 26” Nova, mag tube extension, XS express milled into the rib, FO front.
Hunting/ clays: Beretta 391 30” barrel with a mag cap weight. It replaced an AL 390 that I wore out, and sent back to be rebuilt.
FWIW: I wore out an 870 shooting 3 gun and shotgun matches back when they were popular. Had to replace all the MIM parts with actual steel after market.
 
Mossberg 500a1 with bayonet. Light and sling. For home defense.

Truck gun is m4 Benelli. Sling , ghost ring sights and light. With LBE setup for shotgun.
 
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GregB said:
I agree with Frack (Bead is best). I've yet to see a top 3 gun finisher use anything but a bead (maybe a red dot).
Click to expand...

Hate to be contrarian, but I do not honestly think I have even seen a 3gun shotgun at a match that only had a bead, except beginners. Much less in the top ten.
At least as my memory serves.
 
Are matches in your area requiring a lot of slugs? In my neck of the woods, we rarely shoot slugs at the local matches, so maybe that's what's driving it.
 
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dmarbell said:
www.mossberg.com

500 Tactical – JIC

Our JIC Cruiser Series pump-action firearms are popular with boaters, campers, and anyone looking for a portable solution for their firearm. The tubes have carrying straps and are water-resistant.
www.mossberg.com www.mossberg.com

What do you all think about this setup?
Click to expand...
I bought one of these today at FG&G in Fuquay. I plan to try it out Sunday and report back.
 
GregB said:
Are matches in your area requiring a lot of slugs? In my neck of the woods, we rarely shoot slugs at the local matches, so maybe that's what's driving it.
Click to expand...
We shot slugs last time at Ant Hill. I always had them at Palmetto 3 gun, I think I’ve shot slugs at ever match I ever shot at the Clinton house. Certainly at every regional or major I’ve shot.
 
GregB said:
Are matches in your area requiring a lot of slugs? In my neck of the woods, we rarely shoot slugs at the local matches, so maybe that's what's driving it.
Click to expand...

Yep. Slugs galore. Or at least a few out to 125 or so.
 
dmarbell said:
www.mossberg.com

500 Tactical – JIC

Our JIC Cruiser Series pump-action firearms are popular with boaters, campers, and anyone looking for a portable solution for their firearm. The tubes have carrying straps and are water-resistant.
www.mossberg.com www.mossberg.com

What do you all think about this setup? I've been thinking about an HD shotgun, and Shockwave or Tac-14 are on the list. This gun has an 18.5" barrel, so if the pistol grip becomes too much to handle a regular or folding stock wouldn't turn it into an NFA gun like the 14" barrel guns, right? Also, this gun is only 1.75" OAL longer than the Shockwave, so to me that's not even an issue.

I have one 870 shotgun, so I'd be adding a second type of safety, but I've shot shotguns enough to not be concerned about the safety location issue. However, I know under stress an extra screwup on the safety could mean disaster. I suppose I could swap out the 870 for a second Mossberg if I liked the 500.

It seems like I'm spending a lot of time figuring out a gun that will be test fired, then sit somewhere to hopefully never be used.
Click to expand...

I have a Shockwave and really like it. The tradition pistol grip without a stock, like the one you linked to, is harder on your hand and wrist than the Raptor grip on the Shockwave/Tac-14.
 
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Warhammer said:
I have a Shockwave and really like it. The tradition pistol grip without a stock, like the one you linked to, is harder on your hand and wrist than the Raptor grip on the Shockwave/Tac-14.
Click to expand...

I'll let you know the effects on my hands. I have shot a lot of shotgun, and I *think* I have a method of shooting that will minimize recoil with the gun I bought. My report will attempt to be honest, although I won't have a Shockwave to compare it to.
 
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