Receiver Mount Shell Holders and How to Install TacStar SideSaddle on Remington 870

14 August 2009 • 9 comments • Accessories, Upgrades

Due to limited magazine capacity of the shotguns, owners want to have ammunition on the

shotgun for easy and convenient access. One of such options is ammunition carrier which

is mounted on receiver of a shotgun.Due to limited magazine capacity of the shotguns, owners want to have ammunition on the

shotgun for easy and convenient access. One of such options is ammunition carrier which

is mounted on receiver of a shotgun.

Due to limited magazine capacity of the shotguns, owners want to have ammunition on the shotgun for easy and convenient access. One of such options is ammunition carrier which is mounted on receiver of a shotgun.

Tactical Remington 870 with TacStar Side Saddle

Actually I can’t think of a tactical/home-defense Remington 870 without a side-saddle

It is very useful, especially if you store your shotgun unloaded.

There are several companies offering shotgun side-saddles:

1. TacStar Side Saddle Shell Holder (4-Round and 6-Round)

2. Mesa Tactical Sureshell Receiver Mount Shotshell Holder (4-Round, 6-Round, 8-Round)

TacStar Side Saddle is very good ammunition carrier with plastic shell holders on aluminum mounting plate.

Mesa Tactical offers a lot of different shotshell holders: with picattiny rail, simple shell holder and the one

with special window which allows to see gun number. Mesa Tactical ammunition carriers are about twice more

expensive than a TacStar side saddle.

Both ammunition carriers don’t require any modifications to your Remington 870 shotgun and mounted

directly to the shotgun receiver. They hold shells securely and allow faster reload.

Remington with 4-Round TacStar Side Saddle

Attention: Please note that if you have long standard forend you will be able to install only 4-Round shell holder. Shell holders for 6 or 8 rounds require modification of your forend or a new one. To use them with standard forends you will need to cut down the left side.

6-Round and 8-Round shell holders will work with:

Surefire Shotgun Forend Weaponlight (Responder)

Police Forend

Speedfeed Law Enforcement Forend

Hogue Overmolded Forend

6-Round and 8-Round shell holders will NOT work with:

Speedfeed Sport Forend

Standard Knoxx Forend (which is sold with Knoxx Stock or Separately)

Standard Remington Wood Forend

Standard Remington Synthetic Forend

How to Install TacStar Side Saddle Shell Holder:

Tacstar Side Saddle

1. Push out 2 trigger pins. Be careful and don’t scratch the receiver.

Pushing Out Pins Remington 870

Remington 870 Trigger Pins

You may use special tools or just something that fits.

2. Insert 2 screws which are coming with the TacStar Side Saddle into holes on receiver.

Receiver with Tacstar Screws Inserted

3. Screw them and place Side Saddle from the other side of receiver.

TacStar Shell Holder

4. Tighten the screws.

Attention: Do not overtighten the screws because it may bind the reciever and jam up the action or action will be stiff.

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Comments

J.R. November 23, 2009

Vitaly,

Do you feel the weight of the loaded shell holder is a problem when handleing your weapon? I am thinking of adding a 8 rd Mesa saddle rail after I get my 20″ barrel. I have read a couple of complaints about weight issues but more good than bad.

Take care, J.R.
admin November 26, 2009

J.R., I am not sure about the weight of the 8 rounds but weight of the 4 rounds is ok. I don’t think that shell holder with 4 or even 6-8 rounds make shotgun too heavy. But I think that it is important to have several rounds on your shotgun especially if you store it unloaded (like me) for safety reasons. This way you can grab your shotgun if needed and be sure that you have some ammunition on it.

Also, almost all weight of the additional ammunition is on the receiver. I think that balance is better with shell holder installed if you have magazine extension, light and other accessories on the barrel.

P.S.: I have chosen 4 rounds shell holder because I have long Blackhawk Knoxx forend installed. You have shorter (Police?) forend and 6-8 round shell holder should work with it.
J.R. November 28, 2009

Vitaly,

Thanks for the info I appreciate it.

Take care, J.R.
Toufic Saad April 6, 2010

Greetings,

What do you push out the pins with?

Many thanks!
J masten June 20, 2010

Hello Vitaly,

I have a new way to add ammo to a shotgun regardless of the stock type, pistol grip or sport style. “LoadMaster Systems” can now add 12 rounds under the stock which does not effect the balance and actually help with control. June SWAT magazine has an article and the web site shows all the different types. I would like your opinion on the system.

Thanks,

Joe
david August 23, 2010

does this fit the new england H&R 12 ga. pump action
david October 15, 2010

would this fit a new england h&r 1871 pump action 12 ga.
Woody Kollar July 20, 2011

I am looking for a 4 round shotshell carrier for my 870. I have been sufing the net and I saw that Tac Star shell holders have a tendency to come loose and fall off with hard use. Should you use lock tite on the screw threads to hold it in place.
admin August 4, 2011

Woody,

Thanks for your question. I am not sure if loctie is a good decision because it will be difficult to disassemble your shotgun for maintenance and cleaning.

I recommend you to get a Mesa Tactical side saddle.

Vitaly.