GUNS Magazine Accessorizing your shotgun

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Denny’s Remington 870 equipped with all the items mentioned
in the article. Sling removed for clarity.

Over 30 years ago I was talking with a manufacturer who specialized in aftermarket items for the Ruger 10/22. I asked him, with all his manufacturing expertise, why he didn’t make a firearm himself. I remember him telling me, “There is no real markup in guns for retailers. The real money comes from accessories and the owner’s desire to ‘customize’ his gun.”

Those words proved prophetic and it’s become near impossible to find a firearm — of any genre — that hasn’t been accessorized in some fashion. Bone stock guns are as rare as the proverbial hen’s teeth.

As they come from the factory, most firearms are more intrinsically accurate than the average shooter can take advantage of. Nevertheless there are many accessories to help make you more “mission capable.”

For the purposes of this article let’s focus on the fighting shotgun. I won’t get into a discussion of fodder like birdshot vs. buckshot vs. slugs, because — just like Chevy, Ford and Dodge — everyone has their own theory as to which is best.

A standard gun can handle almost any situation a citizen is likely to encounter, but some accessories take the fowling piece to an entirely new level.

The bare-bones Remington 870 will handle almost
any situation a citizen is likely to encounter.

Stocks

One of the biggest problems many shooters encounter is the issue or fit, so let’s start with the stock. This includes running the action with the gun still on the shoulder. No problem for some, but very difficult for others, especially on the forward stroke of a pump gun.

Almost any stock can be shortened to allow the user to employ proper technique. My choice is to go with a purpose-designed stock such as the Magpul SGA stock. The SGA spacer-adjustable stock can change the length of pull in 1/2″ increments from 12.5″ to 14.5″. I have this stock on Remington and Mossberg shotguns and I highly recommend it.

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Lights

There are two categories of lights: handheld and dedicated. Even if you have a mounted light you will still need a handheld light for searching and identification purposes. Weapon lights are for shooting, not scanning an area (Safety rule #2).

I use SureFire shotgun forends with integrated weapon lights on my “social” shotguns. Yes, they are expensive and less costly lights are available but SureFire has decades of hard use backing up their reputation. Peace of mind comes with a cost.

Spare Ammo

One supposed negative point of the shotgun is its low ammunition capacity. The standard Remington 870 has a magazine capacity of four rounds and the standard Mossberg 500 carries five in the tube. I say “supposed negative point” because unless you’re up holding back an invading Mongolian hoard, there are very few problems four or five rounds of defensive 12 gauge can’t take care of — assuming the shooter does his part.
It’s common to see magazine extensions offering one to four extra shells. As seen here, I have a TacStar carbon fiber shotgun magazine extension on my 870, bringing it up to a seven-round magazine capacity. It only adds 8 oz. yet is very strong.

I prefer a receiver-mounted extra shell carrier over a butt cuff. With a butt cuff you either have to reach over the top of the gun, obstructing your view of a possible problem downrange, or under the gun that usually results in altering your firing grip. A receiver-mounted carrier alleviates both problems and places the shell nearer to the loading port.

I can recommend both the TacStar original SideSaddle or the Mesa Tactical SureShell carrier. I have tried other brands but have found the shell receptacles so loose the rounds fall out, or so tight they are extremely hard to pull a shell free.

A receiver-mounted shell carrier (above) is more useful than a butt cuff —
you don’t have to alter your firing grip or lose sight of danger.

Sights

I have seen some excellent shooting with the common bead front sight hitting with slugs out to around 75 yards.

A better idea is an adjustable ghost ring rear sight and high profile front sight to extend the range and provide better accuracy. A great example of sights from the factory are those used on Mossberg 590/590A1 shotguns.

Many excellent aftermarket sights are available, and front sights are available in basic black and with tritium and fiber optic inserts. Avoid using the super adhesive Du jour — yes, it will hold for a while but I have seen many, many come off while shooting.

If the shotgun is used for self-defense, such a sight will probably come loose at the worst possible time. Buy a rear sight that requires drilling and tapping or attaches to a rail and silver solder the front sight in place.

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Length of pull is critical for proper operation and most stock guns are too long.
Magpul SGA stock uses spacers to change the LOP.

Sling

A sling for a long gun is akin to a holster for a handgun. My choice is the Vickers Tactical Sling from Blue Force Gear but almost any sling will work. There is one notable exception — a sling holding shells bandoleer style. It will sway to and fro while shooting and throw off your aim and balance.

Proficiency can’t be purchased and none of these items will magically transform you into a good shot. Before you spend money on accessories, lay some cash out for a good training course on the platform from a qualified instructor.

After you learn the capabilities and shortcoming of the shotgun, accessorize to your heart’s content.

Purchase A PDF Download Of The GUNS Magazine May 2021 Issue Now!

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Accessorizing your shotgun

Make your scattergun more mission-capable

Stocks

Lights

Spare Ammo

Sights

Sling

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