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December 17, 2011, 04:04 PM | #1 |
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best shotgun "side saddle"
What is the best type of shotgun side saddle ammo carrier?
Nylon/elastic type that goes over butt stock? Plastic type that fastens to receiver? Plastic type that fastens to butt stock? Other? |
December 17, 2011, 04:56 PM | #2 |
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Its really personal preference IMO. No one design is inherently better than the other. They all hold shells in convenient to grab places.
The ones mounted on the reciever *to me* seem like they are more geared towards those reloading while crouched behind cover in a gunfight while the stock mounted nylon elastic ones are more for carrying reloads into the field while hunting. |
December 17, 2011, 08:35 PM | #3 |
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I suppose it depends on what shotty you are mounting a side saddle on. Final use also dictates which unit will work for you.
Generally I find that a receiver mounted side saddle fully loaded with buck/slugs tends to torque the receiver to the left. Not a big thing unless you are carrying it for hours on end or trying to hold a firing position for some time. The slip ons tend to catch on brush, etc. It's only a matter of time until the elastic stretches and then it drops shells or falls off the stock. Sling/bandoleer combos add a lot of weight and suffer from the same problems as cuffs in that the shell holders eventually stretch. They also suffer from being catch magnets for anything they can snag on. TacStar uses plastic to make theirs and they work for a while. A popular option. Mesa Tactical uses an aluminum base plate and mount more securely. They have redesigned some models to add a picatinny rail, which might be useful, but loaded they still torque the receiver. These are probably the best made of the bunch, however quality always costs extra. Another option might be a bandoleer. The elastic shell holders are sure to stretch after some use. 50 shells might also be over kill, unless its a war. Another factor is that they are separate from the weapon, especially at o'dark thirty. Some trap/skeet shooters use a fanny pack/pouch to hold extra shells at waist level. Practice would help you here. Again seperate from the weapon. I prefer the pouch/fanny pack for extra ammo. Packs aren't as convenient as weapon mounted but probably will last longer in use. Here's a nice write-up on using Velcro to mount a side saddle to the receiver, making it quickly removable. Whatever you decide, practice makes perfect, as they used to say. A note on Ace Case products. I have no financial ties to Ace. I have used their cases which I find to be very well crafted and a quality American made product. Just my experience and opinion. |
December 17, 2011, 08:51 PM | #4 |
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I have a plastic one that mounts to the reciever of my Mossberg 500, and an nylon/ elastic one that i have on the butt of my Coach Gun
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December 17, 2011, 09:29 PM | #5 |
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This is easy:
Velcro on the gun, velcro backed shotgun shell cards on the gun and person. "Reloading" the sidesaddle is as easy as rip one off and slap another one on. This requires no new parts, cannot bind up the gun or fall off the gun if the screws back out, doesn't have to be removed to detail strip the gun, and allows for almost instant replacement of the on board ammunition. This setup is from Original Special Operations Equipment: Last edited by redstategunnut; December 17, 2011 at 10:32 PM. |
December 17, 2011, 09:54 PM | #6 | |
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Quote:
Where can you get those velcro shell cards? |
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December 17, 2011, 10:30 PM | #7 | |
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Quote:
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December 17, 2011, 10:34 PM | #8 |
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December 18, 2011, 03:13 AM | #9 |
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That's an extremely creative receiver side saddle set-up redstategunnut. Who invented it?
Don't you just love shotgun toys! |
December 18, 2011, 08:59 AM | #10 |
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Sweet, thanks for the links. I can even get them in green to match the shotgun.
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December 18, 2011, 11:40 AM | #11 |
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I don't know who invented the velcro side saddle method, but it was passed on to me during Fighting Shotgun at Tactical Response. In that course I found that reloading from the side saddle was faster than from the chest rig and allowed me to maintain greater situational awareness during reloads.
By the way, reloading from the chest rig was also much faster than people reloading from pouches and pockets. The chest rig pictured above has five shotgun trays on board and could hold several more in the pocket that is concealed behind my right hand. It is fair to wonder how many reloads one might have to do in a shotgun engagement, but if it has to be done this is, to me, the superior set up for doing so. Also, in a shotgun engagement, reloading is life, so get good at it - real good. I can't speak to the other sources, but everything Special Operations Equipment makes is made by hand in the USA (wait until you see the label ) and is the highest quality web gear available. |
December 18, 2011, 03:41 PM | #12 |
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Raven Concealment in partnership with Ares Gear also has a similar item called the moduloader. It's also made in USA and of extremely high quality.
http://www.ravenconcealment.com/modu...shell-carriers
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December 18, 2011, 06:50 PM | #13 |
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I don't like the elastic butt stock ones. After a few round they start creeping up toward the grip. Pretty annoying.
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December 25, 2011, 10:06 PM | #14 |
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I only use the elastic ones on hunting guns and even then I am not that impressed.
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December 30, 2011, 09:25 AM | #15 |
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Vang Comp also makes a side saddle that is a hybrid of the velcro and Tacstar types except that it cannot bind the action if installed incorrectly.
This might be the ticket for those who are leary of what they might find should they ever peel the velcro off their receivers after having shot in the elements. |
January 1, 2012, 05:10 PM | #16 |
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I have the Tacstar Sidesaddle and a nylon buttcuff but will only use one or the other. Personally I like the buttcuff alot better. Keeps the gun better balanced and less bulky. If you unscrew the buttpad and slide the buttcuff toward the rear a little and screw it back on with the end of the buttcuff inbetween the pad and the stock it will never creep forward.
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January 1, 2012, 11:25 PM | #17 |
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no receiver mount for me
The receiver versions clutter the very spot I want to grip the shotgun most of the time in casual or "trail" carry, in and out of patrol rigs, etc.
I took the plastic "rack" off a receiver rig and screwed it onto the butt of a std Choate stock and like it very much. A std fore and aft sling serves fine for long term carry or a slightly slower transition |
January 2, 2012, 12:00 PM | #18 | |
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VERY COOL, now go buy a real safe before some kid with a can opener steals your stuff. Also, did you have to wipe down the recievers with solvent to get the velcro to stick?
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January 2, 2012, 09:18 PM | #19 | |
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I just stuck the Velcro on while I was on the range, no special preparation. So far, no problem. |
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