Don't flame me...too much for being a moron with a 12 gauge?

adn258 · August 18, 2011, 05:01 PM

So I bought a Mossberg 500 and it had just the pistol grip like you see in the cruiser model etc. I've shot a lot of guns in my time at only age 23. Uzi's, AK's 12 Guages, Glocks, XD'S, Desert Eagles, 500 S&W's even Full Auto's you name it.

That being said I had a small lapse in intelligence thanks to my being briefly smarmy about guns and my situation here in rugged old Montana. I was firing a Mossberg 500 pistol grip shotgun.

"I Bet you can't hit those cans with those 3 inch magnum slugs and that little stock-less pistol Grip 12 guage". So I held the gun in front of me. Admittedly a decent ways in front of my face, but to where I could sight the gun at the cans.

BANG! Slug went flying can goes down. I could already tell this had a massive kick. After about the 3rd shot it was enough to cause the shotgun to go back in my face and LUCKILY the knuckle part of my thumb hit me right in my upper lip (very hard).

My front tooth went about halfway through the back of my lip on the inside of my mouth. My lip probably protected me thankfully from losing my front tooth/teeth. I was spitting out blood of course for about a good hour.

This was over a week ago, my lip is mostly healed now, but I keep thinking of what an absolute stupid moron I was and I can't get over it. I have read forums where people have had a similar incident with pistol grip shotguns but I still can't get over what I was thinking to actually think doing that was a good idea. A pistol gripped stockless shotgun is for taking hip shots *hits head* what was I thinking?

My lesson has hopefully taught me well and as far as I am concerned I got off cheap. I was thinking the gun could have hit me in the esophagus (which I probably wouldn't have been talking to you now if it did), broke my nose, or knocked my teeth out etc.

The good news. I removed that pistol grip as I don't like it and put a SpecOps stock on there which I got to use today safely and really enjoyed it. No more pistol grip shotguns for me. I know they can be used safely via hip shots, but not accurately. They aren't for me, I think I'll stick with a good old stock and pistol grip combo.

I'm just wondering if anyone has had a similar incident of doing something stupid like this? I still feel like a complete idiot. What do you think I should try to take from this experience besides not doing that again? Any feedback or related experiences etc are welcome. You can go ahead and flame me and call me or whatever, I admit I deserve it.

Shadi Khalil · August 18, 2011, 05:07 PM

Wow, thats a tough lesson to learn. I have the same shotgun but mine wears the factory stock. It also came with the pistol grip that I've never installed and dont plan on installing. Sure it looks cool but I can't think of a situation where I would need it.... Glad to hear your ok, now put a proper stock on that thing and get back to shooting those cans

Sent via Android

zxcvbob · August 18, 2011, 05:40 PM

Quote:

moron with a 12 gauge

That would make an awesome title for a movie.

30-30remchester · August 18, 2011, 07:47 PM

Reminds me of my zeal in my youth when I was challenged to shoot a 458 Wincher Magnum, one handed.

Yung.gunr · August 18, 2011, 10:06 PM

My stupidity hurt my 8 year old son.... I think my stupidity is worse. I took him out shooting and I had him shoot my little Taurus TCP. Well I held it with him for a couple shots because it likes to flip a lot. Then I thought he had the hang of it so I had him shoot on his own. BAD idea!!!! It flipped up and popped him in the face. He hasn't grown into his adult teeth up front yet so they busted his lip up a bit and I don't know if he was crying because he was hurt or stunned. But, he wanted no more of it. I made him take 2-3 more shots with me helping him so he would not be forever afraid. I felt so bad though. My wife wasn't too happy with me either.

Buzzcook · August 18, 2011, 11:18 PM

Stuff happens, learn from it.

DaleA · August 18, 2011, 11:46 PM

Pistol grip only shotgun will come back at you (violently) under recoil. Got it.

But will we learn from your experience or will we still have to go out and try it for ourselves? Dunno. Kind of like checking to see if the paint is wet or the stove is really hot.

Still, thanks for posting. I personally don’t think it’s as bad as getting the scope back in your face from the recoil of a rifle and there seems to be considerable number of folks who do that to themselves so don’t beat yourself up too much.

checkmyswag · August 18, 2011, 11:53 PM

We've all done things that didn't turn out well that we later regretted.

Be glad no one got shot or otherwise seriously injured.

Forgive yourself.

Next time, don't act on a "challenge".

Just slow down, in general. That's when I mess up, when I'm in a hurry.

Fortunately I've never had any accidents/close calls w firearms. I really take my time, do safety checks, do things slowly, but all it takes is one second of not thinking and it could get "interesting".

DnPRK · August 19, 2011, 12:21 AM

Shotguns have a stock for a reason. I guess you know why after your experience.

FrankenMauser · August 19, 2011, 01:09 AM

You got lucky. I'm surprised you didn't get whacked with the first shot. Holding the shotgun up for sighting compromises your grip.

I know an less-than-intelligent person that broke his wrist with the exact same setup (Moss. 500/pistol grip), with 3 inch mags. We determined he was an absolute idiot, when he did again, six months later!

gyvel · August 19, 2011, 04:51 AM

My "stupid moron" incident was firing a double 12 ga. (whose stock had been fashioned into a pistol grip) one handed and pulling both triggers at the same time.

Yep, the gun rocked back burying the opening lever deeply into the web of my hand. Never did that again.

Maxem0815 · August 19, 2011, 05:18 AM

AH HELL Don't be hard on the guy! My late friend a former sniper, shot one like that about 20 years ago but without slugs and did the same thing.

Like some one told me if you are goning to be dumb you got to be tuff, 'cause stupid hurts.
Mace

Skans · August 19, 2011, 08:29 AM

I did something similar recently, but fortunately I wasn't holding it in front of my face. I didn't think I had a round left in my 30-06 while scoping it in at a range (indoor). So, I brought my target forward, not paying too much attention, but still pointing the 30-06 downrange (target cardboard directly in front of muzzle).

I was holding the rifle along my hip, I pulled the trigger to release the tension. BOOM - I had one more round and it was chambered. The blast blew a huge hole in the cardboard, and scared the crap out of me. No one hurt, fortunately the muzzle was always pointing down range. It did make me realize to pay more attention to what I'm doing. I was also surprised at the diameter of the powerful muzzle blast - had to be about 18" in diameter - destroyed the cardboard target support. Also, a good example of why you ALWAYS point the muzzle downrange before pulling that trigger....ALWAYS.

DaleA · August 19, 2011, 09:32 AM

Only one thing to do in that situation skans, look around, nod your head wisely and say 'and that's how you finish 'em off.'

Skans · August 19, 2011, 10:06 AM

Quote:

...and that's how you finish 'em off.'

Filed that for future reference.

NightSleeper · August 19, 2011, 10:07 AM

Yep, live and learn.

I also got a Mossberg 500 with pistol grip only. I actually kind of like shooting it ... for a short time. That would be a full load of shells, 6 of 'em in fact.

I can actually shoot it accurately enough at 10 yards, which is all I'd expect of a shotgun with no stock. And no, I've never hit my face with it. But 6 shells through is enough for the day. That's as much as my hand could take.

I guess it has a purpose, heavy fire power in a short, easy to point package, but I'm used to a stock.

It's more a novelty gun now, it sits unloaded and dusty in the back of my safe.

NickySantoro · August 19, 2011, 10:54 AM

OP,
You learned the difference between "tacticool" and smart and all it cost you was a bloody lip. You did well.

Jim Watson · August 19, 2011, 11:00 AM

I saw a couple of guys just like the OP.
After they found that it was harder to hit shooting from the hip than it looks like in the movies, one held the gun in front of his face to take aim.
It DID knock out one of his front teeth. They looked for but could not find it so he has either a gap or a bridge now.

Glenn E. Meyer · August 19, 2011, 11:08 AM

Yours truly did this as a newbie to shotguns. Big fat lip. BTW, I didn't cry or get knocked over.

Given we were out in the country, I cured myself by taking a Benadryl to make me dopey and drinking a Shiner. Genius plan also.

I also know a well respected trainer that did the same and another gun expert who ate the pistol grip.

The guy whose shotty did this to me, put a stock on his a bit later.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

Acting stupid makes you smarter (sometimes).

Edward429451 · August 19, 2011, 12:25 PM

Sometimes it pays to be the little brother. I got to learn from my bigger brothers mistakes by watching them and I've never done this with SG or with a scope. My brothers have...

Stressfire · August 19, 2011, 03:00 PM

Eh, not to worry, I fell over once and shot into the air a few times with a semi-auto Remmie 1100...it actually had a stock too...

But as all worked out ok and no one was seriously maimed, I think that post belongs here

45Gunner · August 19, 2011, 03:23 PM

The best lessons are usually learned the hard way....and they usually make one a whole lot smarter as a result.

Glad you were not seriously hurt. Reminds me of that great line from the movie Forest Gump, "Stupid is as stupid does."

There is probably not one of us that hasn't had an incident that we looked back at and said, "Duh, what the hell was I thinking?"

Eghad · August 19, 2011, 07:00 PM

lol

My dad gave me the 16 gauge side by side when I was a young lad because i had asked him to let me shoot it. He instructed me properly but I did not listen well. Alas I pulled both triggers and was beaten about the head when the stock slipped off my shoulder. I recovered and the next time I shot the side by side I had no problem...

pain is gain sometimes

T. O'Heir · August 19, 2011, 11:24 PM

"...cause the shotgun to go back in my face..." Yet more proof of the total uselessness of a shotgun with no stock. Doesn't apply to a pistol gripped stock though.
Mind you, I thumped my snout one time with an M1 carbine by having my thumb too close. Eyes watered for 10 minutes.
"...a former sniper..." Snipers are riflemen. They get just as daft with anything else too.

adn258 · August 20, 2011, 02:36 AM

Thank you all for your support. Yes I got off lucky, for some reason I can't get over the thought of what it would have done if it would have slipped out of my hand and hit me in the teeth or THROAT, a throat hit with that would probably kill you no?

In any case I got off cheap and learned a lot from the experience.

Thank you all again for your support

, I've had a lot of fun with the shotgun since the SpecOps pistol grip + stock and recoil reduction setup, so that's a plus.

August 18, 2011, 05:01 PM	#1
adn258 Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2010 Location: Montana Posts: 121	Don't flame me...too much for being a moron with a 12 gauge? So I bought a Mossberg 500 and it had just the pistol grip like you see in the cruiser model etc. I've shot a lot of guns in my time at only age 23. Uzi's, AK's 12 Guages, Glocks, XD'S, Desert Eagles, 500 S&W's even Full Auto's you name it. That being said I had a small lapse in intelligence thanks to my being briefly smarmy about guns and my situation here in rugged old Montana. I was firing a Mossberg 500 pistol grip shotgun. "I Bet you can't hit those cans with those 3 inch magnum slugs and that little stock-less pistol Grip 12 guage". So I held the gun in front of me. Admittedly a decent ways in front of my face, but to where I could sight the gun at the cans. BANG! Slug went flying can goes down. I could already tell this had a massive kick. After about the 3rd shot it was enough to cause the shotgun to go back in my face and LUCKILY the knuckle part of my thumb hit me right in my upper lip (very hard). My front tooth went about halfway through the back of my lip on the inside of my mouth. My lip probably protected me thankfully from losing my front tooth/teeth. I was spitting out blood of course for about a good hour. This was over a week ago, my lip is mostly healed now, but I keep thinking of what an absolute stupid moron I was and I can't get over it. I have read forums where people have had a similar incident with pistol grip shotguns but I still can't get over what I was thinking to actually think doing that was a good idea. A pistol gripped stockless shotgun is for taking hip shots hits head what was I thinking? My lesson has hopefully taught me well and as far as I am concerned I got off cheap. I was thinking the gun could have hit me in the esophagus (which I probably wouldn't have been talking to you now if it did), broke my nose, or knocked my teeth out etc. The good news. I removed that pistol grip as I don't like it and put a SpecOps stock on there which I got to use today safely and really enjoyed it. No more pistol grip shotguns for me. I know they can be used safely via hip shots, but not accurately. They aren't for me, I think I'll stick with a good old stock and pistol grip combo. I'm just wondering if anyone has had a similar incident of doing something stupid like this? I still feel like a complete idiot. What do you think I should try to take from this experience besides not doing that again? Any feedback or related experiences etc are welcome. You can go ahead and flame me and call me or whatever, I admit I deserve it.

August 19, 2011, 01:09 AM	#10
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	You got lucky. I'm surprised you didn't get whacked with the first shot. Holding the shotgun up for sighting compromises your grip. I know an less-than-intelligent person that broke his wrist with the exact same setup (Moss. 500/pistol grip), with 3 inch mags. We determined he was an absolute idiot, when he did again, six months later! __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

August 19, 2011, 10:07 AM	#16
NightSleeper Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 449	Yep, live and learn. I also got a Mossberg 500 with pistol grip only. I actually kind of like shooting it ... for a short time. That would be a full load of shells, 6 of 'em in fact. I can actually shoot it accurately enough at 10 yards, which is all I'd expect of a shotgun with no stock. And no, I've never hit my face with it. But 6 shells through is enough for the day. That's as much as my hand could take. I guess it has a purpose, heavy fire power in a short, easy to point package, but I'm used to a stock. It's more a novelty gun now, it sits unloaded and dusty in the back of my safe. __________________ *I have rounds yet to fire before I sleep ...*

August 19, 2011, 11:08 AM	#19
Glenn E. Meyer Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 20,064	Yours truly did this as a newbie to shotguns. Big fat lip. BTW, I didn't cry or get knocked over. Given we were out in the country, I cured myself by taking a Benadryl to make me dopey and drinking a Shiner. Genius plan also. I also know a well respected trainer that did the same and another gun expert who ate the pistol grip. The guy whose shotty did this to me, put a stock on his a bit later. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Acting stupid makes you smarter (sometimes). __________________ NRA, TSRA, IDPA, NTI, Polite Soc. - Aux Armes, Citoyens

August 19, 2011, 03:00 PM	#21
Stressfire Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,497	Eh, not to worry, I fell over once and shot into the air a few times with a semi-auto Remmie 1100...it actually had a stock too... But as all worked out ok and no one was seriously maimed, I think that post belongs here __________________ "The best diplomat I know is a fully charged phaser bank" - Montgomery Scott

August 18, 2011, 05:07 PM	#2
Shadi Khalil Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2006 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 5,210	Wow, thats a tough lesson to learn. I have the same shotgun but mine wears the factory stock. It also came with the pistol grip that I've never installed and dont plan on installing. Sure it looks cool but I can't think of a situation where I would need it.... Glad to hear your ok, now put a proper stock on that thing and get back to shooting those cans Sent via Android

August 18, 2011, 07:47 PM	#4
30-30remchester Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2009 Location: mountains of colorado Posts: 977	Reminds me of my zeal in my youth when I was challenged to shoot a 458 Wincher Magnum, one handed.

August 18, 2011, 10:06 PM	#5
Yung.gunr Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2010 Location: Phoenix area Posts: 1,442	My stupidity hurt my 8 year old son.... I think my stupidity is worse. I took him out shooting and I had him shoot my little Taurus TCP. Well I held it with him for a couple shots because it likes to flip a lot. Then I thought he had the hang of it so I had him shoot on his own. BAD idea!!!! It flipped up and popped him in the face. He hasn't grown into his adult teeth up front yet so they busted his lip up a bit and I don't know if he was crying because he was hurt or stunned. But, he wanted no more of it. I made him take 2-3 more shots with me helping him so he would not be forever afraid. I felt so bad though. My wife wasn't too happy with me either.

August 18, 2011, 11:18 PM	#6
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	Stuff happens, learn from it.

August 18, 2011, 11:46 PM	#7
DaleA Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2002 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 5,313	Pistol grip only shotgun will come back at you (violently) under recoil. Got it. But will we learn from your experience or will we still have to go out and try it for ourselves? Dunno. Kind of like checking to see if the paint is wet or the stove is really hot. Still, thanks for posting. I personally don’t think it’s as bad as getting the scope back in your face from the recoil of a rifle and there seems to be considerable number of folks who do that to themselves so don’t beat yourself up too much.

August 18, 2011, 11:53 PM	#8
checkmyswag Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 1,328	We've all done things that didn't turn out well that we later regretted. Be glad no one got shot or otherwise seriously injured. Forgive yourself. Next time, don't act on a "challenge". Just slow down, in general. That's when I mess up, when I'm in a hurry. Fortunately I've never had any accidents/close calls w firearms. I really take my time, do safety checks, do things slowly, but all it takes is one second of not thinking and it could get "interesting".

August 19, 2011, 12:21 AM	#9
DnPRK Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2001 Location: LC, Ca Posts: 1,917	Shotguns have a stock for a reason. I guess you know why after your experience.

August 19, 2011, 04:51 AM	#11
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	My "stupid moron" incident was firing a double 12 ga. (whose stock had been fashioned into a pistol grip) one handed and pulling both triggers at the same time. Yep, the gun rocked back burying the opening lever deeply into the web of my hand. Never did that again.

August 19, 2011, 05:18 AM	#12
Maxem0815 Junior member Join Date: May 23, 2011 Posts: 216	AH HELL Don't be hard on the guy! My late friend a former sniper, shot one like that about 20 years ago but without slugs and did the same thing. Like some one told me if you are goning to be dumb you got to be tuff, 'cause stupid hurts. Mace

August 19, 2011, 08:29 AM	#13
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	I did something similar recently, but fortunately I wasn't holding it in front of my face. I didn't think I had a round left in my 30-06 while scoping it in at a range (indoor). So, I brought my target forward, not paying too much attention, but still pointing the 30-06 downrange (target cardboard directly in front of muzzle). I was holding the rifle along my hip, I pulled the trigger to release the tension. BOOM - I had one more round and it was chambered. The blast blew a huge hole in the cardboard, and scared the crap out of me. No one hurt, fortunately the muzzle was always pointing down range. It did make me realize to pay more attention to what I'm doing. I was also surprised at the diameter of the powerful muzzle blast - had to be about 18" in diameter - destroyed the cardboard target support. Also, a good example of why you ALWAYS point the muzzle downrange before pulling that trigger....ALWAYS.

August 19, 2011, 09:32 AM	#14
DaleA Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2002 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 5,313	Only one thing to do in that situation skans, look around, nod your head wisely and say 'and that's how you finish 'em off.'

August 19, 2011, 10:54 AM	#17
NickySantoro Junior member Join Date: July 14, 2008 Posts: 217	OP, You learned the difference between "tacticool" and smart and all it cost you was a bloody lip. You did well.

August 19, 2011, 11:00 AM	#18
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	I saw a couple of guys just like the OP. After they found that it was harder to hit shooting from the hip than it looks like in the movies, one held the gun in front of his face to take aim. It DID knock out one of his front teeth. They looked for but could not find it so he has either a gap or a bridge now.

August 19, 2011, 12:25 PM	#20
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	Sometimes it pays to be the little brother. I got to learn from my bigger brothers mistakes by watching them and I've never done this with SG or with a scope. My brothers have...

August 19, 2011, 03:23 PM	#22
45Gunner Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2009 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 1,902	The best lessons are usually learned the hard way....and they usually make one a whole lot smarter as a result. Glad you were not seriously hurt. Reminds me of that great line from the movie Forest Gump, "Stupid is as stupid does." There is probably not one of us that hasn't had an incident that we looked back at and said, "Duh, what the hell was I thinking?" __________________ 45Gunner May the Schwartz Be With You. NRA Instructor NRA Life Member

August 19, 2011, 07:00 PM	#23
Eghad Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 6,231	lol My dad gave me the 16 gauge side by side when I was a young lad because i had asked him to let me shoot it. He instructed me properly but I did not listen well. Alas I pulled both triggers and was beaten about the head when the stock slipped off my shoulder. I recovered and the next time I shot the side by side I had no problem... pain is gain sometimes __________________ Have a nice day at the range NRA Life Member

August 19, 2011, 11:24 PM	#24
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...cause the shotgun to go back in my face..." Yet more proof of the total uselessness of a shotgun with no stock. Doesn't apply to a pistol gripped stock though. Mind you, I thumped my snout one time with an M1 carbine by having my thumb too close. Eyes watered for 10 minutes. "...a former sniper..." Snipers are riflemen. They get just as daft with anything else too. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

August 20, 2011, 02:36 AM	#25
adn258 Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2010 Location: Montana Posts: 121	Thank you all for your support. Yes I got off lucky, for some reason I can't get over the thought of what it would have done if it would have slipped out of my hand and hit me in the teeth or THROAT, a throat hit with that would probably kill you no? In any case I got off cheap and learned a lot from the experience. Thank you all again for your support , I've had a lot of fun with the shotgun since the SpecOps pistol grip + stock and recoil reduction setup, so that's a plus.