Side Saddle or Bandelier Sling?

**acd118** · December 20th, 2018, 01:13 PM

Picked up a 500 Tactical on sale. Interested in getting some opinions on Side Saddles or Bandelier Slings (sling that holds shot shells).

Obviously both have their individual pro's and con's but I think I am leaning more towards the Bandelier Sling. Cheaper, easier to install/uninstall, holds more rounds, etc. However, the side saddle is closer the chamber/bottom loading port and keeps the weight stationary on the shotgun as opposed to swinging around under the gun.

Anyone have thoughts or suggestions? Thanks

**marinville** · December 20th, 2018, 01:55 PM

I went with shotgun cards and I am very satisfied with them. I got six round esstac cards from skd tactical.

Actually, I got seven round cards, but I realized they compromise my grip so I modified them to be six round, but they do sell factory six round cards.

I set up my pump gun to hold one card on the stock and one on the receiver. My auto-loader can hold a third card on the hand guard.

The best thing about these cards is that extra cards can be kept loaded and switched out on demand.

My father has a bandaleer on his pump gun and I don't find it to be very practical, swinging all over the place. Its best feature is looking cool.

**solrac7** · December 20th, 2018, 11:29 PM

Definitely the side-saddle. The bandoleer looks cool, but not near as practical - save the bandoleer to wear across your chest if you want carry that many extra rounds,it will look cool, and distribute the weight more evenly.
I have the side-saddle on my 500, and it works like a charm, the rounds stay within easy reach, and you know right where they are.

**Hodgie** · December 21st, 2018, 12:28 AM

Originally Posted by solrac7

Definitely the side-saddle. The bandoleer looks cool, but not near as practical - save the bandoleer to wear across your chest if you want carry that many extra rounds,it will look cool, and distribute the weight more evenly.
I have the side-saddle on my 500, and it works like a charm, the rounds stay within easy reach, and you know right where they are.

I agree, for practical real world use the side saddle makes more sense.

**bluetrane2028** · December 21st, 2018, 01:36 AM

Side saddle on the gun. I keep a wearable bandoleer ready just in case though.

**DonBiase** · December 21st, 2018, 01:43 AM

Side saddle, and put the shells in "up side down", so that when you've got the shotgun turned over for loading, the shells or "right side up"

**Misery Loves Shotguns** · December 23rd, 2018, 03:22 AM

Originally Posted by marinville

I got seven round cards, but I realized they compromise my grip so I modified them to be six round, but they do sell factory six round cards ...

If you're chopping something like this down, heat up a dollar store knife on the stove top until it turns orange and cut the unwanted material off. It saves you from having to use a lighter to harden the edges and cuts a straighter, cleaner edge than scissors. I put a piece of wood under whatever I'm cutting, line the knife up and press down.

**Misery Loves Shotguns** · December 23rd, 2018, 03:31 AM

Use a forearm shell holder or a dedicated MOLLE chest rig if you really want to carry extra shells but the sling is the last place I would try to put them. Get a side saddle for on the gun though. Those aren't expensive unless you buy Mesa Tactical. I prefer the elastic type too. I make my own but Esstac and SOE are good too.