What's a top tier tactical shotgun side carrier ~

[acaligunner]

Airdus has a snap / magnet type that screws into the trigger pin slot, but then there's the Velcro card system that doesn't torque down on the shotguns receiver.

Which is a more practical approach - as some say that screwing a side carrier puts undo pressure on the pin holes / receiver.

Then the other side is that the Velcro in time peels off.

Which is a better deal

[deadcoyote]

I don’t use either, but if the two I prefer the shotgun cards and Velcro. It’s very much so what works for you, I prefer the safari land belt clip on model that’s a 4 or 6 shell holder. They’re designed for 3 gun, a lot of people don’t like them and complain they’re too slow. To me they’re an ideal combo of speed and retention and I’ve used them for work for years. Also I picked up a bunch of them barely used from a 3 gun match for cheap.

Edit: So I like the safariland 080-12 to just keep a couple slugs in, and the 4 pack holder that’s good is the 085-12-2. They make a 6 shell version of this as well, they’re bulky on my belt and I don’t like to wear them at work but I keep two of them loaded next to my shotgun in my safe.

[toiletfighter]

https://esstac.com/shotgun/

Before that I had a Mesa Tactical SureShell carrier.

https://www.mesatactical.com/sureshell-shotshell-carriers/

[ar15barrels]

Airdus has a snap / magnet type that screws into the trigger pin slot, but then there's the Velcro card system that doesn't torque down on the shotguns receiver.

Which is a more practical approach - as some say that screwing a side carrier puts undo pressure on the pin holes / receiver.

Then the other side is that the Velcro in time peels off.

Which is a better deal

I have a 3gungear side saddle on my Benelli M1.
It's Velcro attached.
It has been there around 20 years.
It's not coming off even if you wanted it to.
Someday If I tried to get it off, it's probably going to have to be soaked in Acetone or a solvent tank to breakdown the adhesive because time and use sure has not done a thing to it.

I have experienced myself that the screw-attached ones are no good if you tighten the screws down enough so that they are solid because they tighten up the receiver to bolt fit and make the bolt drag.

[Librarian]

https://esstac.com/shotgun/

Before that I had a Mesa Tactical SureShell carrier.

https://www.mesatactical.com/sureshell-shotshell-carriers/

And, cards fit in a mag-carrier pocket; easier to preload several cards, load from the card, rip off the empty one and slap on a full one, than to stop and reload a 'fixed' carrier.

[acaligunner]

Thank you, I'll go with the Velcro card system.

[Librarian]

Get the 'industrial' indoor/outdoor velcro; I got mine at Home Depot.

[sonofeugene]

Just ordered a 5 shell card from Esstac. I'll see how it fits and then order a couple more.

[Featureless]

And, cards fit in a mag-carrier pocket; easier to preload several cards, load from the card, rip off the empty one and slap on a full one, than to stop and reload a 'fixed' carrier.

Thanks for that. I didn't know that existed; always thought the Mesa Tactical offers were pricey and over complicated.

[wooshna]

shotgun cards and velcro is the best solution so far.

[Capybara]

Esstac 5 shell Velcro card here, good stuff. Don't get the cheap, junky ones on Amazon. The elastic is weak and the shells fall out under recoil.

[Scotty]

I have a 3gungear side saddle on my Benelli M1.
It's Velcro attached.
It has been there around 20 years.
It's not coming off even if you wanted it to.
Someday If I tried to get it off, it's probably going to have to be soaked in Acetone or a solvent tank to breakdown the adhesive because time and use sure has not done a thing to it.

Same here with the 3gungear. That velcro is on there good for around 20 years also. Not even the side saddle comes apart easily.

[ir0nclash86]

Go with velcro. I have the aridus and it's durable as hell but stripping shells from the carrier is tough and takes a good amount of force. It's def not smooth and will slow you down.

[.40Cal]

Why not use a but stock shell holder ? Just wondering! (I use that since I don't keep a loaded gun).

I have a similar model - 2 (slugs on the side), 6 HD rounds (00) on the other side. $8.99 for 8 Shots holder & you're done. https://www.amazon.com/WRUMAVA-Hunti...NsaWNrPXRydWU=

[sigstroker]

Esstac 5 shell Velcro card here, good stuff. Don't get the cheap, junky ones on Amazon. The elastic is weak and the shells fall out under recoil.

James Gunshorts demonstrates that on one of his cheap-o shotgun builds.