Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles Tactical Shotguns: Pistol Grip or Traditional?

Now, in your opinion, what advantage is gained with the pistol grip vs the traditional stock configuration? One advantage to the traditional one is that, on this model anyway (Mossberg SPX-8), the safety is much more naturally able to be operated with the thumb. What advantage is gained with the pistol grip other than looking more tacticool? Thanks.

I tried a pistol grip briefly, then gave it away and went back to a traditional stock, albeit a short one. Maybe I'm too old or maybe I haven't played commando long enough, but I prefer the traditional stock. It's a personal preference thing. Some prefer pistol grip. I don't. And yeah, the one I tried it on was a Mossberg 590 Special Purpose.

The one I used was in a 3 gun match with some pretty awkward positions, I'll load a pic if I can find it. The pistol grip allowed me to absorb some of the recoil without having to have a good shoulder "weld" for lack of a better term. But I was shooting a pump so it wouldn't have made much difference anyway. But the auto loader guys were jamming like crazy, so I can see where it could be a benefit.

Or if you wanna go full ninja "CQB" you can roll the shotgun to the left and lay the stock across your shoulder to shorten the perceived OAL, but still deal with the recoil through your forearm.

So I can see where they could be of benefit for some pretty specific situations. But for a pump that you don't have to worry about cycling on its own a lot of that is negated, IMO.

I think most of it is the "cool" factor, it just looks "tactical".

For me, the cost of dealing with the safety/bolt release problems outweighed the benefit of recoil management. But an 870 with a trigger finger safety button wouldn't be nearly as much of an issue as my tang safety was either.

This pic shows some of what I was talking about. This was at the beginning of the stage and I had a good shoulder position. But by the end I had sped up enough to just push through the low ports and fire without any shoulder at all. So there is an application for it, but this shooting position (outside of competition) would be rare.

A pistol grip stock is superior, safeties not considered, because it allows a consistent grip as compared to your other weapon systems, and also allows much less wrist-breaking one-handed operation of the weapon, should the situation call for it.

Also consider the awkward safety on the AK platform, yet it's considered a standard the world over as a tactical weapon. Would it be improved by an AR style safety system? Sure, but it's certainly far from worthless as it is. The trigger finger, directed by an informed mind, is the best safety anyway.

PS Thanks for the replies above.

Years and years as a bird hunter ruined me on the tactical shotguns. I started using the shotgun on sticks for turkey hunting and coyotes. Figured the pistol grip would be better so I bought one. It was more comfortable on the sticks but I couldn't point it as well.

I wound up selling that stock and buying a shotgun with a pistol grip and ghost ring sights. After using it I decided I was faster with a regular shotgun and sold the tactical version.

I think that's a lot of why the pistol grip just didn't get it for me. I've done a lot of dove, quail, and duck hunting over the year and when I work that pump with a pistol grip it just feels awkward and foreign. A traditional for me just feels much more comfortable and familiar.

Are those Benellies.

That wouldn't be a problem with a semi-auto shotgun.

I'm exactly the same way. And as TRH pointed out, it probably wouldn't be as much of an issue with an autoloader----------BUT, I've spent many years making the pumping of an 870 a subconscious task, and don't want to lose that by playing with an autoloader. For ME the pump is fast enough for the real world, and I can own three of them for the price of a good auto. Just my .02c.

I put a SpecOps NRS pistol grip stock on my Mossberg 590, and so far so good. I like being able to adjust the LOP for what I'm wearing. It does change the handling and I wouldn't want it on a bird gun, but I think it helps manage the recoil with heavy loads somewhat.

I will take the regular shotgun over the pistol grip any day

Agreed. And I've been eyeballin' a Mossberg 930 in some kind of a tactical variant. As long as it had an extended mag I'd be GTG with it. Feed it a diet of #4 buck and rock on. If I acquired one I'd prolly have to revisit the pistol-grip stock option.

The only drawback that I can see (pointed out to me by Bluedreaux) is the placement of the safety. It's ideal for the traditional stock, but less so in the tactical, pistol grip, stock. You'd need to depend more on trigger finger discipline, I guess, since quickly flipping the safety on and off in the midst of battle would not be a realistic option.

This guy seems to like his.

Folks like different things and what feels 'right' and/or works for one may not for another.

There was no advantage for me to use the PG stock on the 870HD. I shot several tactical courses with the PG and it just didn't work for me personally. Others love them and swear by them.

I feel it is one of those things you just have to try for yourself if you are serious enough about using a shotgun.

I tried the Knox SpecOps recoil reducing pistol grip stock and a the SpeedFeed III pistol grip stock on a HD 870 Wingmaster.


BlackHawk Knoxx SpecOps Stock




SpeedFeed III Stock




Personally didn't care for either one and went back to a SpeedFeed I standard stock with forend and all is good in my 870HD universe.

SpeedFeed I


The 870 Turkey SG is a different story though. I do see the efficacy in using the pistol grip for turkey hunting and added a Remington 870 Shurshot thumbhole stock(still a pistol grip) sets to my 870.

Remington Shurshot Stock


I'm not crazy about shooting the 870 with the pistol grip, but do like the control comfort it affords, especially with the gun resting on sticks while holding on with one hand.

Totally different applications and set up to current personal likes.

Your Mileage May Vary.

And you never know, I may switch back to a standard stock at the drop of a hat.

Yes, the regular stock is my M1 with a 21" barrel, the best shotgun I've ever had.
The tactical is the M2. The M1 has been 100% trouble free with light target loads as well as 3" magnum BB's and I've ran a lot of shells through it.

The one I tried was the Speedfeed. A guy at work saw it and asked me about it and I swapped them out and gave it to him the next time I saw him.

Maybe I should get one of each, then sell the one I like the least.

You could do that. But since you are prolly already familiar with and know what a traditional feels and handles like, I'd say get a pistol grip if you wanna try one. If you like it, you're done. If not, then sell it and get a traditional one. That way you don't have to buy a traditional unless you have to. But it's your call.

If Im not mistaken, Remington used to sell a turkey gun with both stocks.
Either way its not that expensive to try each one and sell the other one. Then you'll know for yourself.