Are you wanting a pistol-gripped shotgun?

Like any other firearm, a pistol-grip shotgun (PGS) is a tool. Different tools are designed for different applications.

Just because an inexperienced shooter somewhat lacking in common sense improperly uses his tool, doesn't mean the tool is "bad" or a "poor choice".

There are individuals who have accidentally discharged their 1911's while drawing it from the holster. That doesn't mean there's some sort of inherent flaw in the 1911. It's a user problem.

A PGS is designed for concealment and the ability to be brought very quickly into use in areas where space is quite limited, and where you need more power than a handgun will provide.

They're excellent for use in cars and pickups. Shotguns with full buttstocks, even if they have 18" tactical barrels, are still rather unwieldy in this sort of situation, and don't conceal well.

Contrary to popular belief, a PGS can be fired in positions besides from the hip. Assuming you're a right-handed shooter, they can be fired easily from the driver side window of a car.

Holding the weapon across the front of you, place your trigger hand firmly against your body at about solar plexus level or a little higher, and keeping a firm hand grip and rigid forearm, you fire to the side with the weapon.

The back end of the weapon isn't pointed into your body, rather pretty much in the direction of the front passenger seat. You're holding the weapon across your body, somewhat similar to the angle you would hold a guitar. Your hand and forearm, with some help from your body, absorb the recoil. Avoid heavy loads such as 3" magnums.

PGS's can be valuable to have in your vehicle, especially in a period of civil unrest. Such as during a riot or the aftermath of natural disasters like Katrina, where the very real threat exists of roaming bands of thugs trying to harm you and/or commandeer your vehicle.

With the proper harness, they can also be concealed under a trenchcoat or similar large coat. Which could also prove valuable during extended periods of civil unrest, where you might have to move around on foot at times.

So to directly answer Doc's question as to whether or not pistol-grip shotguns are a good idea ---Yes, they CAN be a good idea, if handled properly and used for the purposes and situations they were designed for. (-:

Check out the Mossberg 500 J.I.C. (Just In Case) series of shotguns at the link below.

No there are not any good loads for a pistol grip shotgun, because they are bad guns. The pistol grip makes the recoil painful on the wrist and can cause an inexperienced or not very strong shooter to drop the gun. I suggest you get a full sized stock or perhaps a fixed stock with a pistol grip. The 870 is the gun your getting her? pump guns are great for HD but if you want something that reduces recoil you could get a semi automatic shotgun. A Benelli M2 with ComforTech stock has light recoil with heavy buckshot and slug loads but the M2 will be pricey. The less expensive but still great quality Benelli Super Nova with ComferTech is a pump so it wont be expensive but will still offer lighter recoil than with a regular stock. Hope this helps.

That's funny.

Of course he was left-handing it about 4 inches from his face, so the dork had it coming.

Actually, over the decades, I've owned several H&R single shot 12's and 20's shortened to minimum legal length. I'd cut the buttstock itself just behind the pistol grip and cut down and re-install the buttplate (just because I am civilized). I'd then install 1 sling swivel in place of the bottom buttplate screw, to which a loop of old belt was attached so it could swing beneath my arm, purse fashion.The barrels were shortened and the sight beads re-set. These 26.5" overall 18.5" bbl. guns, loaded with low-brass #8's were my fishing and hiking companions. They eliminated the threat from several Cottonmouth Water Moccasins and Copperheads I found myself standing basically ON over the years, and did so quite admirably. I'd one-hand 'em at arms length like a horse pistol. Recoil from the low-brass 8's wasn't a problem.

These were sleek, well done cut-down jobs...Nicely done.

(I don't believe in doing halfassed work on guns.)

...The PROBLEM was, I couldn't "hold on" to (keep from selling) one....I sold every one of those 60$ shotguns for 100 to 120$ within weeks of modifying them!

Friends saw 'em,

shot 'em,

offered money for 'em,

and drove home with 'em,

in that order.

I've also bought a couple of new Mossbergs that the factory felt they should include a "cruiser" grip with. These grips I've always managed to trade back to the dealer for a box or two of shells.

I've never cared for the "cruiser" configuration.

Now guns like the M1 Super 90, with a full buttstock AND a pistol grip, THOSE I like.

The typical "cruiser" pump though, seems to me to have VERY limited practical uses. Maybe as a Military or Police Tactical Entry Weapon, but that's about it.

HAHAHAHAH!!!! I LOVE THE VIDEO!

Anyone that has spent longer than 5 minutes in "hunting" knows that you know exactly how and what a pistol grip shotty is for Doc!

I have to chime in on my absolute dream home defense shotgun that I have been drooling over some time now

http://www.mossberg.com/images/Mossberg_Guns/930/N...

That is going to go into my collection of home defense weapons someday. Its the absolute closest thing to a hip hugger shotgun I will ever own....and it is not even close if that tells you the value of a hip hugger in my mind....for what it is worth.

Good times gentlemen....good times!

Fun video and question Doc!

Har Dee Har Har ---- What a moron!!! Yeah I have a pistol grip shotgun too but would never hold it like that! ---- That guy obviously had little experience with shotguns or he would not have done that!! --- Pistol grip shotties arent that great. I hold mine down near my waist and fire. There not really accurate -- maybe 20 feet with buckshot.... My other shotguns (Mossberg persuaders) have a full stock and they are better because of it........

My pistol grips for my Mossberg and for both my Mavericks all came with instruction booklets that specifically warned that they are intended for waist-level shooting only.

There's always some dork who wants to look cool and won't follow the instructions.

EDIT:

You're right, dork-watching IS fun.

yup, I agree with the right way of holding shotguns.

(I've shot one!!!) a buttstock is there because it's for support but if there isn't then I guess they really should hold a shotgun with strength (or atleast away from your face ). But man!

that shotgun really shot the daylight out of his eye.

No pistol grips for me please, but I do want a youth stock, or the stock cut about 2 inches in, for ease of shouldering with armor or heavy clothing on.

Generally, the pistol grips leave me feeling sort of wobbly with the shotgun, like I don't have great control of its direction. Lack of a shoulder stock seems to increase concealability and cornering, but greatly decrease my control.

Remington 1187 with short shoulder stock, ghost-ring rear and orange ramp front sight, and extended magazine for me, please.

I cant believe this guy or someone around didnt know that isnt the way to fire a pistol grip shotgun.

I still want one lol

it may have been a magnum load of some sort, or he just didnt have a firm grip on the gun