12" LOP on HD Shotgun?

[Ringer]

I was going to buy a Pachmayer recoil pad for my 870 HD. I have one on my long barrel gun I use for SC and such and like it. For not alot more I can get a Hogue overmolded stock and was thinking about trying the 12" LOP version. For some reason on my HD gun the butt/recoil pad seems to hang up on my armpit. I don't know if it's just a difference in the material of the pad that makes it more snaggy or what. I also notice that the synthectic stock does not have the exact same shape as the wood stock. It is a bit taller at the butt although the difference seems more towards the bottom being slightly elongated and more pointy. Anyway it got me thinking about the shorter stock. It's not a huge expense so it's not a big deal if it doesn't workout. I have a 26" barrell 870 that I practice with mostly, definetly more than the HD gun.

Here is my question. Would it be a mistake to practice more with a gun that has a different LOP than the one I will go to if needed for self defense? Is 2" very noticeable? I bought the 2 870s for just that reason, they function identically so my "fun" shooting basically equates to practice with my HD gun. It seems there is currently a difference that is negatively impacting my mounting the HD gun. I know I'm the one that has to decide on how the gun feels/mounts so I may just try it, but figured it was mentioning here among the far more experienced shotgunners.

BTW, on a side note I have done nothing (oops I guess I did add the pad to the 26" gun) to either gun since getting into shotguns back around March, 2003 besides BA/UU/R as you all recomend . I do have a Surefire forend coming and I have a bunch of variety buck waiting for an extensive patterning session. I just want to make any changes prior to final "defensive round" patterning. Any and all comments or suggestions welcome.

As always, thanks for the help.

 

[pittspilot]

I have the Hogue overmolded one on a Mossberg 500A.

Have only used it once, but I like it.

I can get over the gun better with it, and it feels better then the Mossberg regular stock.

 

[Dave McCracken]

The shorter LOP will not hinder you after a brief familiarization period. A couple boxes worth of practice ammo oughta do it.

 

[TarpleyG]

I cut 1" off my Winchester Defender a while back. I am not sure what it was before (13" or 14" LOP) but I can definitely tell a difference now. I have short arms and I also did it to better accommodate my wife. Dave is right, it didn't take long to get into the groove with the shorter stock.

GT