SideSaddle - Right or left?

[DarwinsFlinch]

Hey gang, great to be here and I've pulled a heck of a lot of new info into my brain already. I do have a question. I am going to convert my Express Mag to an HD and would like some thoughts/comments on which side a right-handed shooter might prefer a SideSaddle?

Thanks in advance - Rick.

[Synchronizor]

Well, for a right-handed 870, most people put the sidesaddle on the left side of the receiver. That side has more space available since there is no ejection port. There are options for mounting a sidesaddle on the right side of the receiver, but you won't be able to fit as many shells on that side.

I'm a right-handed shooter, and I prefer the left-side sidesaddle because I flip the gun over and use my right hand to load shells.

[rythomas0704]

Yeah, if you are right handed then the obvious choice would be the left side. You can get up to 8 shells on that side with the right saddle. If you want even more then like Synchronizor said, they do have options for the right side but I believe the most you would be able to get is 2-4 shells and 4 is pushing it my friend.

[DaveC]

You could try both?

Personally, having over four shells on a single side, i.e. six or even eight these days, unbalances the shotgun too much for my taste. I have seen where people put Mesa shot-shell side-saddle carriers on both sides, which would add quite a bit of weight, but might help balance things out.

I've often wondered what it would be like to take a defensive shotgun class with a left-handed 870, but shooting from the right shoulder and doing tactical reloads without canting the shotgun over to the side to drop a shell into the ejection port, or, if your initial education was as dated as mine, reaching underneath with the left hand to "palm" a shell into the right side during a tactical reload....

[DarwinsFlinch]

Left is where I was leaning in any case, and I appreciate all your input. Happy shooting.

Rick