Which Shotshell Carrier??

[Mtbkski]

OK, I see them on the buttstock and up on the body of the shotgun. What are the pros and cons of these two styles. Why do you like or dislike what you are using or have used. Any recommendations?

[NineseveN]

OK, I see them on the buttstock and up on the body of the shotgun. What are the pros and cons of these two styles. Why do you like or dislike what you are using or have used. Any recommendations?

The cheaper Allen/Uncle Mike's/Gunmate or similar stretchy shell carries don't work well. They shift and bunch up REALLY bad when you shoot/move/handle the gun, unless you want to use some screws to screw the fabric in place on your stock. I have done that, and it works okay, but not as good as some other solutions.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...830&t=11082005


For a carrier on the butt stock, I don't think you can do much better than the Eagle Industries Shooter's Pack unit:


In RH OD:
http://www.cactustactical.com/osc/pr...roducts_id=254

This thing is padded so your cheek doesn't get beat up during prolonged firing sessions and between the shell holders and the stock is a zippered pocket that you can put extra ammo, tools or whatnot. I have one of these on my workhorse 870 and I love it.




The regular unit from eagle Industries is very good too (the same thing as the one from Tactical tailor, which I also like a lot):
http://www.eagleindustries.com/prd_d...88&SubCatID=77

TT Version:
http://www.tacticaltailor.com/index....ROD&ProdID=267

There's also this ATI screw-in version, which I have never tried...
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...516&t=11082005



As for on the receiver...Mesa tactical makes a REALLY good one, but I've had success with the TacStar units as well 9though they might not hold up to extremely hard use):

Some Mesa Units:
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...363&t=11082005
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...754&t=11082005
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...461&t=11082005


TacStar
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...025&t=11082005



So those are the basic styles and some of the more popular products in those styles. My thoughts on using them:


The butt stock holders are easier to work the gun with, they tend not to get in the way when running around corners the way the receiver mounted units do. Keep in mind that such ammunition carriers increase the bulk of your shotgun and might make it a lot less handy in your hands. If you're going to attach one of these onto your gun, make sure you practice with it because clearing or running a house can be a totally different scenario with these as opposed to a naked gun. I honestly don't know that I find being able to reload from these all that much faster. I like that rounds can be kept on the gun, but I don't know that I'm all that much quicker on the reload when using them as opposed to a belt or belt-level carriers.








The unit comes with 5 elastic loops, I cut two off to fit the patch on...

[gf45acp]

The cheap nylon buttcuffs move around all the time, stay away unless you can secure it to the stock so that it will not move. The nylon also streatches with time. The Speedfeed stocks that hold two shells inside the stock on each side work well for me. My big Mossy 590 has the Speedfeed, and well as a 6 shell sidesaddle carrier, for a total of 18 shells on board, great for a quick grab if you need it.

[Lycanthrope]

I only like the receiver carriers. They can be plastic or "stretchy". My comp gun is actually held on my velcro for easy removal (Remington Style) and is actually quite secure. Just flip the gun over and start feeding.......You can average a shell a second from the receiver with some practice, but this is a tough standard from the butt stock.

I find feeding from the butt stock to be MUCH slower and more awkward than a feed from the receiver or just carrying a Choate Belt rack.


Lycan3gunthrope

[BUCKMARK]

I also like the Side Saddle type receiver mounts.

Velcro is the way to go unless you tighten the screws just right. I have seen more than a few people tighten the Side Saddle screws too tight, and it binds the receiver causing malfs.

If the shotgun is used for home defense, you will likely only have the ammo IN THE GUN or whats ON THE GUN. A Side Saddle makes sense.

For a "tactical" shotgun, I would much rather have the ammo in a tactical shotgun vest. The vest allows you to carry much more ammo and it allows the upper body to support the weight evenly. You can also seperate your loads on the vest. buckshot on the right side, slugs on the left or however is best for you. The vest also has pockets for your cleaning kit and light/laser or other goodies.

I would only add the Side Saddle if the gun was a home defense gun. A vest is the way to go IMHO.

[CoyoteJack]

I had one made as a belt at the same time I bought my leather western style holsters for my rugers single actions.

But you buy them at Cabela's too http://www.cabelas.com/spodw-1/0037519.shtml.

[TonyF]

I like the side saddle but if I had to do it over again I'd buy the 4 round version. The six rounders affect balance and perceived weight.



Believe it or not, IMHO the best way to carry SG ammo is one of the simple ammo belts.



I've tried the drop leg pouches and didn't like them.

The side saddle + cartridge belt is "the heat".

Picture gallery from our website of Randy Cain's SG class.

http://www.fireinstitute.org/Shotgun...ery/index.html

Yours truly at the near end of the line in the green t-shirt.

[Lycanthrope]

I like the side saddle but if I had to do it over again I'd buy the 4 round version. The six rounders affect balance and perceived weight.

Rounds are in upside down!

I think the extra 5 oz from the extra two rounds is offset by the fast reload. The weakness of the shotty is the slow reload speed compared to a pistol or carbine.

Lycanidfightwithashottythro[e

[TonyF]

Rounds are in upside down!

I know but it's not my pic. I lifted it from Wilson's website.

I think the extra 5 oz from the extra two rounds is offset by the fast reload. The weakness of the shotty is the slow reload speed compared to a pistol or carbine.

I agree but it all depends on what you're doing with it. The stuff you guys do with respect to competition and three gun, etc. the "high cap" side saddle makes sense.

But for HD if we need more than the six in the tube, one in the chamber and a four round side saddle then we probably should have grabbed an AR15 with a 30 rounder.

[Mtbkski]

Lycan3gunthrope

I can't figure out what this is. Got a better shot of it.