Shotgun Support Hand Reach

[MiddTennTaco]

Hey folks,

This is kind of hard to admit but I am not the tallest or biggest person out there. I'm only about 5'8" and as of late 200 lbs, lol! That being said, my arms are probably shorter than average also. Anyway, I've had a Mossberg 590 for about 3 months now and I've always struggled shouldering it. It's a 12 guage with a magazine Speed Feed stock with a Surefire forearm light. The problem that I have with it is reaching the weapon forearm. Rather, I can reach it, but it takes a great deal of stretching.

I'm pretty sure that it has nothing to do with my stance as I was trained with a shotgun (Rem 870). This is pretty much the same stance that I use except my support arm is straight because I can barely reach the forearm when the shotgun is in battery.

Anyway, my question is... Do you think installing an alternative stock with a reduced length of pull (LOP) would be a reasonable/valid solution? Or a collapsible stock? It would sadden me to get rid of my Speed Feed stock.

Or do I need to replace my forearm with an extended one? This would make me extremely sad because I like my surefire forearm light.

Or would I be better off just selling the shotgun off because they're not friendly to small people? Am I doomed? Or should I just suck it up and leave it as it is.

Any solutions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Dolomite_supafly]

Do you really use or need the features of your current buttstock?

If not I would look at finding a youth stock then add spacers to bring it up to your length.

For the extra rounds get a side saddle. They work just as well as the speedfeed. You can also pick and shoose which round you grab, not just the next one in line. I used a side saddle on mine and had slugs, buckshot as well as less lethal.

If you do replace the stocks realize that a pistol grip on a shotgun with a top mounted safety is a HUGE pain to manipulate. I sold my 500 for this very reason. I either had to release my firing hand to manipulate it or hold it with my firing hand and use my forward hand to manipulate it. I trained and trained with it because it was gonig to be my HD gun but in the end I just left the safety off and the chamber empty.

I have a 870 with a standard stock and like it. I recently picked up a Saiga and it was converted to a pistol grip with a collapsible stock. I like the ability to shorten the gun as needed. This is really important if someone else might have to use it. It also helps out with body armor.

And if you are dead set on Mossberg look at the Mavericks. They have a trigger guard safety like and 870. They come in 8 shot models and can be had for under $250. Not sure if the 500 or 590 accessories will fit.

Dolomite

[Trekbike]

I would look at finding a youth stock then add spacers to bring it up to your length.

Agreed this is your best option for the 500 that has the top mounted safety. I had a similar situation with my 870 but it was with my wife. I did put on the Blackhawk/Knoxx collapsable stock like in the second picture. I didn't use the forestock that came with it since I have a side saddle. It was enough pull reduction for my wife. As Dolomite mentioned this is not an advisible option for the 500 due to the stafety position.

Would a vertical handle foregrip be an option? I haven't researched it so I don't know if that is a dumb idea or not...so don't flame me guys.

[dcloudy777]

Most shotguns come with stocks that are too long for defensive shooting for normal-sized people. Fortunately it's a pretty easy fix, plenty of aftermarket stocks available. Be advised that a pistol grip style stock (like the collapsible one pictured) makes the Mossberg safety very awkward to use.

DanO

[MiddTennTaco]

I'm actually not worried about quickly accessing the safety as I am worried about accessing the slide release. But yes, the whole reason I got a Mossberg was for that safety, the slide release positioning, open ramp, and alum. receiver. That being said, I really don't think I want a pistol grip on my gun. I suppose a AR-15 stock without a pistol grip would look retarded and probably isn't even made, lol.

Right now I'm looking at reduced L.O.P. stocks made by Hogue and Speed Feed. For the price, I might be going with the hogue set from Amazon. (It's $0.99 more to include the forearm so why not lol). It's a reduced length stock with a 12" L.O.P. which sounds quite comfy. This way, I still have efficient access to all the features that made me choose a Mossberg. Some of you mentioned using spacers to get it to the right length but I've read in some places that installing a Limb saver adds about an inch and adds even more if you slip it right over the existing butt-plate and stock. Not to mention, my shoulder will be a lot happier shootin slugs, lol.

Thanks for the replies, folks. Anyone want to buy an old Speed Feed I Stock? lol

[Trekbike]

It's a reduced length stock with a 12" L.O.P. which sounds quite comfy.

What's your current length of pull?

[MiddTennTaco]

What's your current length of pull?

14.5"

[Guest Baron]

I had the same problem with my 500 and it was worse for my wife.

I swapped out the stock with a Blackhawk collapsable stock. Completely collapsed, it is a perfect fit for my 5-foot wife.

Safety manipulation is awkward, but it doesn't bother me much.

[MiddTennTaco]

Update:

I ordered a Hogue over-rubber-ed shortened L.O.P. stock (12") and found that it was too short for me. A quick stop at Walmart fixed that though. I got a Med. Limbsaver which stated that it adds 1" to the LOP and now it shoulders perfectly.

I was also prompted to get the limbsaver because I was shooting 3" magnum 00 rounds earlier in the day. I wanted to try out an older spare stock I had that was made of wood and had a metal buttplate. Lets just say the first round was definitely a surprise. I then fired the second shot from the hip and nearly lost the damn gun. Most painful 15 rounds ever.