Pistol grip on shotgun? Need your opinion.

[A J]

Just went to the range with my brother and fired my Remington 870 equipped with an 18" barrel and a Hogue pistol grip. This is the first time I've ever fired a pistol grip shotgun. Overall, I'm very happy with the pistol grip. My impressions:

- Takes up hardly any space when packed away with the load of guns my brother and I brought along with us.
- Much more accurate than I had imagined. When Firing #6 high brass shells at a target on a dirt berm, at a distance of 25-30 meters, the impact produced a really nice 4' diameter circular pattern around whatever I happened to be blasting at the time.
- Although the recoil was sharper than I had expected, the weapon was easy to control, aim and point. I didn't have any problems hitting what I was pointing at. One interesting point about recoil: I couldn't feel any difference between high-brass buckshot and low-brass bird shot. It all felt pretty much the same.
- I fired a mosin, an AK and a VZ58 today. The pistol grip shotgun was probably the most fun to shoot.
- Operating the safety and slide release wasn't quite as smooth with the pistol grip, because I wasn't used to the new hand position. Felt weird.
- I'll use a stocked shotgun for most of my shooting needs but the pistol grip is a nice new tool in my arsenal. I like it. It's a keeper.

[mogunner]

The Hogue is an exceptional pistol grip design which I think contributes greatly to the firearm. I've shot some that weren't quite as "friendly" to the shooter either in the angle, shape or materials.

[DrewpakS]

I am considering putting a pistol grip on my home defense shotgun. My reasons are to decrease it's length and increase its maneuverability..

[Junk Yard Dog]

Put a 18.5" barrel on it instead, and keep the stock. The stock improves control, and is a wicked teeth crunching weapon in it's own right. Pistol grips are best for confined areas were you need to grab it quickly from a tight spot, will be defending in place and not leaving during the fight. It's a last ditch weapon, don't give up that stock, or if you must have a pistol grip then get one of the aftermarket stocks that give you both grip and stock. I have a pistol grip only shotgun, but it's something we keep under the counter were there is very limited room, and would not be my first choice of weapon. My primary shotgun has a very solid stock on it.

[Jbob]

I built one last year with all the bells and whistles and after playing with it a while I had no need for it so it was sold and cash went for surplus goods. I agree it's a great close range weapon but here with a young boy running around my home protection has to be locked behind a easy for me to open safe door. I went back to my Winchester 1300 turkey mag with double ott. Short and easy to handle and the action works so nice too.

Reading all the postings here reminds me of one of my shooting friends. He's a surgeon here from Egypt and a lot of fun to be around..
He says you get shoot with pistol I save you, you get shoot with rifle I can save you, you get shoot with shotgun I can no save you...

[rayjd2]

I found a company that sells customized double barrels, to US Citizens, with 10.5" barrels and pistol grips. Called a "Bear Claw" and cost at most $1200 for a Mossberg O/U. Of course the inflated price covers modifications and the ATF SBS taxes...

For an extreme last-ditch weapon against a wild animal, four legged or otherwise, I see potential.

As a regularly planned defensive weapon? Hell no.