Pistol Grips - Ever a good idea?

[Mexican Musashi]

Is it ever a good idea to do this? I am mainly thinking for home defense. It seems to me that the shorter the shotgun the easier it is to access and maneuver with it. But then I understand one's ability to aim is reduced. What are your thoughts?



*** Thanks for all the insight so far guys!

I should add (and probably should have said this initially): My shottie is (currently) my only firearm, and so my question is phrased with that in mind. As I build up a collection I will of course have the option of having a pistol as my "compact" firearm and of course, another firearm for longer range firing. But for now, my shotgun is it.

Thanks!

[coyotebait]

I don't like them, too squirrelly for me.

[Databyter]

If manueverability and storage are your primary needs then this is a good choice.

And by maneuverability I mean for example a boat or a ship or checking a warehouse with narrow walk thru's.

But in those cases a handgun might fit the ticket better in some cases.

In a house I think you don't gain much in maneuverability that you don't lose in accuracy and comfort.

Personally I hate them, mostly because I had a Moss 500 that came with one as an option and found the angle of the grip most uncomfortable to use either at hip were it was an akward bend for the wrist, or at eye level where it seemed to be less functional and self aiming than a stock on the shoulder.

But I'm sure there are situations, like some that I mentioned above where the smallness makes even having a "long" gun there possible. I could totally see me storing one like your pictured one in a boat and shotguns are a reliable boat gun that also can serve multiple purposes besides self defense and can usually stay functional in adverse conditions.

But for home defense, personally I prefer a full stock, or even a collapsable that is not a pistol grip. I just don't like my hand being at that angle unless I am holding a pistol at arms length.

Another consideration is that if you DO decide you want a pistol grip setup you should get a setup like the Remington over a a Mossberg because of the location of the safety.

If you do not do the pistol grip thing. The control positions of safety and action release lever are superior on the Mossy for being able to access them easier without stretching much.

[11011500a]

I had a side folder pistol grip for awhile. I liked the grip, so I got just a rubber pistol grip I liked better but it got replaced in the end back to the original wood stock so all I have to do is switch barrels (18.5/28")& go to the range for trap.Aiming with a pistol grip is easy,the barrels change point of impact.With the 28" barrel (trap/slugs)I'm fine switch to the 18.5" low/miss.

[11011500a]

Keep the shotgun in your bedroom as your Alamo. Like databyter wrote a pistol is your ace, you can give them the option the pokey or the pine box with out taking it to the next level

[llamatrnr]

1 - Replace stock stock with pistol grip

2 - Fire the shotgun several times

3 - Replace pistol grip with stock stock

[CrossedRifles]

+1 with handgun.

Maneuver around with handgun, bunker down with shotgun. You don't need to shorten your shotgun.

[chesterthehero]

im also not a fan of pistol grip shotguns with or without a stock.. i do however own more than one..

[rabagley]

I remember at least one firearms-in-self-defense expert indicating that it was categorically easier to disarm someone with a pistol-grip-only shotgun than the same person with a stocked shotgun. Don't remember which expert, Ayoob or Cooper or whoever.

Also, on a Mossberg, the pistol grip 1) puts your hand in the wrong position to flip the safety with your thumb and 2) covers the slide release so that you can't curl your second or third finger under the trigger guard to use it. You have to use your thumb with your right hand or you're pretty much screwed.

I tried a pistol grip on my HD Mossberg 500 for a little while. Blech. Now I have the Hogue short length of pull stock and am MUCH happier with the controls of the gun and still don't feel like the whole package is all that big.

[BigDogatPlay]

Any long gun is a relatively easy takeaway target. It's a matter of leverage. OTOH, the counter to a shotgun takeaway involves nothing more than pulling the trigger.



For my money keeping a full stock, with or without pistol grip with an eye to the Mossberg tang mounted safety, on a defensive shotgun is the best solution. I am also of the "hunker in the bunker" mindset if the defensive situation allows for it, and in that mode a shotgun with stock seems to be the top choice.

[CC Gunsmithing]

I had my left elbow folded out the wrong way, so turning my left forearm and wrist has become problematic... I long for days where I can double pistol grip a pump shotgun and have some fun with it... there are pros and cons to pistol grips on a shotgun, but personally I find pistol grips at the rear stock make the shotgun easier to maneuver, and easier to dampen the recoil from... Pistol grips on the front stock just make it easier to rack for an old cripple like me... lol that being said, my semi auto 12 gauge stays locked up in the safe at night, while my 1911 stays by my bedside...

[Mexican Musashi]

1 - Replace stock stock with pistol grip

2 - Fire the shotgun several times

3 - Replace pistol grip with stock stock

I take it this means shoot it a few times with the pistol grip stock, at which point I'll see that I don't like it and switch back?

I am a bit of a gun noob so subtlety is lost on me here.

[Mexican Musashi]

Any long gun is a relatively easy takeaway target. It's a matter of leverage. OTOH, the counter to a shotgun takeaway involves nothing more than pulling the trigger.



For my money keeping a full stock, with or without pistol grip with an eye to the Mossberg tang mounted safety, on a defensive shotgun is the best solution. I am also of the "hunker in the bunker" mindset if the defensive situation allows for it, and in that mode a shotgun with stock seems to be the top choice.

Thanks! I just learned what a tang safety is! Ideally I would also have a bladed weapon on me in a self defense scenario (for years that's all I had) but I suppose I can't assume I'll have time nor be in the proper mindset to think of this.

[Mexican Musashi]

If manueverability and storage are your primary needs then this is a good choice.

And by maneuverability I mean for example a boat or a ship or checking a warehouse with narrow walk thru's.

But in those cases a handgun might fit the ticket better in some cases.

In a house I think you don't gain much in maneuverability that you don't lose in accuracy and comfort.

Personally I hate them, mostly because I had a Moss 500 that came with one as an option and found the angle of the grip most uncomfortable to use either at hip were it was an akward bend for the wrist, or at eye level where it seemed to be less functional and self aiming than a stock on the shoulder.

But I'm sure there are situations, like some that I mentioned above where the smallness makes even having a "long" gun there possible. I could totally see me storing one like your pictured one in a boat and shotguns are a reliable boat gun that also can serve multiple purposes besides self defense and can usually stay functional in adverse conditions.

But for home defense, personally I prefer a full stock, or even a collapsable that is not a pistol grip. I just don't like my hand being at that angle unless I am holding a pistol at arms length.

Another consideration is that if you DO decide you want a pistol grip setup you should get a setup like the Remington over a a Mossberg because of the location of the safety.

If you do not do the pistol grip thing. The control positions of safety and action release lever are superior on the Mossy for being able to access them easier without stretching much.

[COLOR="Black"]Thanks![/COLOR]

[Databyter]

[COLOR="Black"]Thanks![/COLOR]

Your welcome bro.