New member from WA

dbo54 · Post by **dbo54** » Thu Apr 11, 2013 9:43 pm

Hello! I recently bought my first Remington 870 Express Synthetic 7-Round and have found this forum very insightful in helping me with what upgrades and mods I should do. Currently, I have upgraded mine with the Magpul SGA stock and forend. I'm still deciding on which side saddle to pick up (MesaTactical or TacStar).

I look forward to chatting and meeting everyone.

Website · Post by **Synchronizor** » Thu Apr 11, 2013 10:48 pm

Putting aside personal preferences on how the shells are held:

Mesa Tacticals are solid, and good quality. They mount with Chicago screws, and don't cover up your serial number. You also have a lot of options with them, including 8-shell models, right-side carriers, and some with top rails. They're also really expensive, and the company's logo and other marketing is retarded.

TacStars are a great bang for the buck, and if you're willing to spend a little extra time and money (mostly time) to install them correctly, they'll do the job. However, they're not as well-designed, and are easy to mess up if you don't take extra steps to install them correctly. They're also (when empty) a little bulkier and more likely to snag on things.

There are other sidesaddle options you may want to look at as well, such as the GG&G sidesaddle or the S&J carriers that attach with velcro.

dbo54 · Post by **dbo54** » Thu Apr 11, 2013 11:10 pm

Thanks for the information Synchronizor! I will look into the other sidesaddle options as well and hopefully find one that fits me well.

MStarmer · Post by **MStarmer** » Tue Apr 23, 2013 1:14 am

Welcome, WA here too. You may want to look at the HSGI shell carriers as well, kind of a cross between the elastic loop and plastic side saddle. I have a Mesa on my Benelli and I like it, but for that gun it was really one of the only options. With the 870 your choices are endless.

https://www.hsgi.us/proddetail.php?prod=HSG-SST

dbo54 · Post by **dbo54** » Thu Apr 25, 2013 4:10 pm

Thanks for the recommendation MStarmer! I'll check out the HSGI shell carriers as well...I just can't believe how pricey these side saddles cost.

MStarmer · Post by **MStarmer** » Thu Apr 25, 2013 4:45 pm

dbo54 wrote:Thanks for the recommendation MStarmer! I'll check out the HSGI shell carriers as well...I just can't believe how pricey these side saddles cost.

Yep, I did spring for one Mesa for my Benelli, but that was because it was really the only who catered to the Super Nova's. For the 870 though there are so many choices it's overwhelming. I keep looking at all the stuff I want to do with it but then I keep reminding myself that I bought a plain 870P (wood/bead sight/no extension) to keep it that way. Hard not to just go full out!

Check out 3gun gear as well, their are lots of choices in velcro.

JBall · Post by **JBall** » Mon May 13, 2013 9:51 am

If you want to go Velcro attach I highly recommend goin to http://www.originalsoegear.com and checking out there shotgun shell cards. Thy are nice hand stitched 5 and 6 shot "cards" which are essentially side saddles. With a good patch of 3m Velcro on your receiver and one on the back of each card you can rip of the empty cards while moving and apply a new one from your belt or rig and "slap it" right to the receiver via the Velcro and be instantly ready to reload much quicker. This will also be the setup for my next build. I've seen numerous "Tactucal Instructors " run this setup including Chris Costa and James Yeager.

MStarmer · Post by **MStarmer** » Mon May 13, 2013 4:10 pm

Well if Yeager is running it I have to have it!!

On a side note I do actually like some of his videos and he makes some valid points. I just wish he could do it without coming across as such a d-bag...

JBall · Post by **JBall** » Tue May 14, 2013 10:15 am

Ya I agree but would still rather have him on my side when it goes down LoL.

Automag · Post by **Automag** » Tue May 14, 2013 2:31 pm

I did'nt even read the other replies--Go With Mesa!

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