Youth stock on defensive scattergun?

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Howdy folks-

I've got a very basic 12ga pump that I like to keep handy for the what-if's that might cross my threshold. But it often feels a bit longer and unbalanced than something like an AR. (for background I'm 6'3" 225#). So to alleviate things, I wondered if some folks use a shorter stock for a defensive gun? I'm considering picking up a youth stock for it, and am hoping it would impove balance and maneuverability.

Certainly it's arguable that I just need more trigger time, but when is that not the right answer? ;) it's like answering "Jesus" in Sunday school.

Thanks for any thoughts!
 
Are you a youth? I am close to your size - actually a little heavier - and I want a gun that FITS, not one I have to scrunch up on the stock - that is not fit, and that means shots will not go where they are intended.

Besides, making the stock shorter and lighter will make an already unbalanced gun even more so, thus having a negative affect on maneuverability.
 
Nah, it feels too far out. I also use a more defensive stance when shooting, and not a bladed stance. I think squaring off towards the target is making a normal stock feel long.

What's the next logical (and easily available) length of stock? Just a youth, or is there another in between? Needs to be synthetic, speedfed would be a plus.
 
For what its worth, competitive trap shooters are usually pretty square to the target and they have much longer stocks than normal. For example mine is 15.75" from trigger to butt pad. A normal stock from the factory is around 13-14"

As far as balance, if you're going with synthetic, you're already behind the curve because to balance it you'll need weights in the stock (or to cut off a good bit of barrel, probably hitting SBS territory).

Good shooting form is much more important (and different) with shotguns (as far as shoulder placement and cheek weld) than it is with rifles. you can shoot a shotgun like its a rifle, but you won't be getting the most out of the shotgun.

If you're really set on going shorter, a youth stock is probably your best bet unless you can find something from a tactical shooting store/manufacturer.
 
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Spooky, I'm about your size, and I wouldn't consider a youth stock on a defensive gun. True, a youth size is more compact, not quite as long overall.

I had an adjustable stock on my 12 gauge, but put the factory stock back on recently due to recoil. It makes the gun a bit longer, but with an 18.5" barrel, it's just a couple inches longer, and I get a better cheek weld and there fore, better sight picture through the ghost rings. Oh, and less recoil makes it fun to shoot again, rather than just looking cool.
 
I prefer a shorter stock on my 870.

I like a 12 inch LOP youth type instead of the average 13-13.5 LOP adult size. I am 6'1" 245 with 36 inch sleeves and the shorter length of pull allows for summer/winter clothing changes, better handling inside homes or vehicles, and IME easier to manipulate when loading/reloading, transitioning from shoulder shooting to underarm, etc.

The youth size stocks from Remington and Speedfeed work well and are inexpensive, with the Hogue being my favorite. You can also just cut off an inch a wood stock and reinstall the recoil pad :).

Just my .02,
LeonCarr
 
The AVERAGE LOP on standard shotguns is 14-3/8 to 14-3/4, NOT 13". Target guns are meant to be moved in a variety of directions as an extension of the shooter's arms - i.e., naturally and instinctively - why would you not want your HS gun to act in the same manner?
 
Most shotguns are designed around the need to swing quickly to point on fast moving game in the air. This is different than pointing or aiming down a hall at a man-sized target.

I don't know if a youth stock would be bad. I've considered it myself.
 
By far my favorite HD shotgun is the grandkids 20 guage youth stocked 870 with a smooth bore slug barrel on it. Its short, light, very maneuverable and has enough stock to shoulder and aim very precisely. For home defensive use its just about ideal IMO. I can't find anything not to like about it.
 
Spooky, the 870P has a standard 14" LOP stock, which I found too long. I tried a 12" LOP youth stock, but that was too short. So, my 870P's walnut stock is getting shortened to 13" LOP. Speedfeed makes a synthetic 13" LOP stock as well.
 
I like the stock on my shotgun shorter than youth size. That is why I went with a stock that will collapse. Actually, I went with a Knox spec ops stock, removed the pad to shorten it further, and I can CQB it just slightly off center of my chest like I do my AR15.

Since the stock can be adjusted, it can also be adjusted to suit whatever length feels right whilst giving the option of going very short as well.
 
I cut mine down to about a 13" LOP, used a slip-on limbsaver for a youth model.

As a general rule, I prefer my LOP to be about 2" short of the inside of my elbow, doesnt matter if its my conventional-stocked 590 or one of my AR15s.
 
A lot of it does depend on your shooting style, but for squared-up shooting around barricades and in a fast-paced, dynamic situation, the shorter LOP makes a lot of sense.

If the violent encounter you think you'll someday face appears in your mind's eye to take place in an open field with the bad guys flying through the air in a long crossing shot, maybe a gun set up for field-use or clays is just the thing.

If you envision something else as more probable, you should choose the arrangement that works best the way you train for the fight you expect will come.

Best thing for you is to set up your practice scenarios and run them against a shot timer with each kind of stock. If you are faster/more accurate/more comfortable with a longer stock, use that one. Otherwise, go for the shorter LOP.
 
I went to a factory synthetic youth stock on my 870 (IIRC standard is 14", youth is 13" on the 870). The standard length stock was too long for my tastes in that role and when shouldering quickly tended to hang up on the armpit of my shirt. For bird hunting I do prefer the standard LOP.
I think speedfeed makes a 13" one as well. The factory stocks can come with the excellent R3 recoil pad, or use the limbsaver #10116 (it's not listed on their site but you can order it from them).
When shooting with it you may need to keep your thumb on the opposite side of the stock rather than wrapping it around the stock (found that out after popping myself with my thumb shooting it the first time).
 
I have a mesa conversion on my shotgun which makes it adjustable but as stated earlier it increases recoil. By the time all is said and done you could have your stock shortened for the same cost.
 
i find that a cheap pistol grip and a good quality vertical grip on the forend comparable to that of a saw grip works quite well for me... saving up for the mesa tactical loe collapsible adapter though... i find it to be aesthetically pleasing...
 
Most shotguns are designed around the need to swing quickly to point on fast moving game in the air. This is different than pointing or aiming down a hall at a man-sized target.

I don't know if a youth stock would be bad. I've considered it myself.

Agreed. Or an adjustable stock.
Especially if my wife ever needs to shoulder it.
 
What works for me is shotguns stocked more like rifles when used in harm's way.

Being a behemoth, the standard length 870 stocks work here, at least for me. My bird guns have maybe 2" more wood.

On a wingshooter, a little longer LOP means less face slap and less drop at cheek, important for hitting smaller targets rat now. On a combat weapon, having a little less length seems to get the face locked in where it needs to be better and keeping it there while multiple rounds have to be directed in the shortest time imaginable.

This is a place where everyone NEEDS to test things and find what works for them. Don't just take someone's word, try different things and go with the best results....
 
Here's an option for Mossberg 590-500 owners:


My Mossberg shot guns had a really long LOP (length of pull) and I wanted a short traditional synthetic stock. Factory was 14” & other than the 12” Hogue that’s all I could find, seems a 13” was very hard to locate.

I noticed the new Mossberg 500 20ga Bantam stocks had adjustable spacers. I called Mossberg ordered two 20ga Bantam stocks sku#17286 $68.42ea. Today they arrived. Kit comes with 12”LOP stock & butt pad, and 1”spacer and another butt pad for the spacer (total of 13”LOP). They fit really well and have a very soft recoil pad (thats nice i'm kinda a panzy when it comes to recoil)

I attached the first one to my Mossberg 590. It fit great except it was a little skinny on the sides (probably about 1/8th of an inch). The top and bottom fits good and the sides don’t bother me but they are a little skinny. The 12ga 500 fits the same way. Overall I am happy and having adjustability is great.
 
Are you the only one who's going to use that shotgun? If not, what LOP works for the other person?

My wife can use my 12 gauge, but only by tucking the stock in her armpit. Which is fine, since she knows to point low. I have no problem using her shorter 20--but I wouldn't want to if it was scoped.

Not a consideration for most, but a short stock helps too if you've decided to have body armor in your bump-in-the-night kit.
 
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