Need advice

[Synchronizor]

It may be an issue of stock fit, but I'd bet the primary problem is that you're just holding it too far up on the grip. I did the same thing the first time I took my shotgun out, but the back of the trigger guard turned out to be a good teacher. I prefer traditional semi-grip sporting stocks - like the one that comes stock on the Marine Magnum - because they're faster-handling than pistol-grip stocks. In defiance of "tacticool" convention, I also never wear gloves when shooting (though to be fair, I also rarely wear gloves for any other reason; I prefer to maintain my manual dexterity even at the cost of minor scrapes and cuts, and my hands have become quite tough over the years). I'll go through hundreds of shells bare-handed in a session at the trap range, but with the right technique, I have no problems.

The way I hold my stocks is; I keep the pad of my index finger on the trigger, wrap the rest of my hand around the underside of the grip with my pinky right at the bottom, and wrap my thumb over the top of the grip, fitting my thenar eminence right into the little hollow in front of the comb. There's about two finger-widths between my middle finger and the back of the trigger guard, but the trigger is still within easy reach (almost too easy, I have big hands, so I need to arch my trigger finger out a little to keep the joint out of the trigger guard).

You can kind of see how I do it in my video here (ignore my crappy stance though, I was standing on an incline and focusing on trying to remember my lines instead of adopting a proper shooting stance), but I can post a picture if it would help.

It's also important to have the gun shouldered properly. Even with a good grip, if you're trying to brace a heavy-kicking 12ga with a semi-grip stock using just your hand, it'll mash your fingers for sure. You'll want to have the butt firmly in the pocket of your shoulder so that can take the bulk of the recoil instead of your hand.

[foxhunter]

Back to the range for more practice, I don't think I was shouldering it right, my grip was the
same as you describe but I wasn’t holding it tight in to my shoulder.

Thanks

[Automag]

When i was in the Military we trained and used Winchesters with the Riot Gun stocks, and i have had many shotguns with the "standard shotgun stocks". I am a very good shot with this kind of stock, and in many ways is the best choice to use. It all depends on what you want to do with your shotgun. My current 870 is alsmost strictly for Home Defense, therefore i use a high quality pistol grip stock with recoil reducing properties. This does indeed keep my trigger finger and hand from taking any abuse whatsoever. I also feel i have a better overall quick shoot and reaquire target capability. However, i still have my original stock set (Walnut), and a 24" barrel. I plan on getting a Rem Police Magnum soon. When i do, i am going to put the Pistol Grip Stock and all the addons i currently have on my Super Mag on to my new 870, and restore my super mag back into a hunting, and target shooting shotgun, with the standard stock set. So i guess what i'm saying is, it all depends on what you want out of your shotgun, and what purpose it manly used for.

[DaveC]

I like the standard shotgun stocks too. For me, I had to configure the 870 for defensive use in light of the other intended user, my spouse. So the most important thing was a shorter length-of-pull to fit her and me a bit better, and make the shotgun more compact. Holding the shotgun shouldered for an extended period of time while using the free hand to manipulate a telephone, or turn a door knob, or perform a tactical reload revealed that a pistol-grip stock would be better in this instance. With the Rem870 safety where it is behind the trigger, having a pistol-grip stock does not detract the same way as, say, the Mossberg's tang-mounted safety. On a Mossberg, I don't think I'd ever install a pistol-grip stock. There is at least the possibility of having to do an underarm extreme close range shot, and tucking under the arm is better with a pistol-grip stock. So despite my preferences, I opted for a pistol-grip, youth-sized l.o.p. "tactical" stock, although mine does nothing vis-a-vis recoil reduction; it is just a solid chunk of polymer plastic.

[Synchronizor]

I never bought the idea that pistol-grips offer a huge improvement in one-handed manipulation. I can control my shotgun fine with the semi-grip stock. A pistol-grip stock is probably easier to fire one-handed, but good luck using any shotgun effectively that way.

Marketing claims aside, here's how I understand the objective differences between stock styles. Pistol-grip and thumbhole stocks provide a more comfortable hold for high round counts (on the level of thousand-shell practice sessions), and can accommodate a folding shoulder stock and adjustable LoP (there's no real reason a semi-grip stock couldn't also have an adjustable LoP, but for some reason, they're just not very common). Straight and semi-grip stocks grant the user a wider range of comfortable movement, making the gun easier to hang onto if someone grabs the other end, and more ergonomic to deliver a blow to someone's head or groin with the butt.

For home defense though, these differences really don't amount to any real universal advantages or disadvantages. You won't be going through hundreds or thousands of shells in a HD situation, and the benefits of a folding or adjustable stock will depend on the environment and potential users. The easier handling of traditional stocks only comes into play if an attacker gets close enough for to grab the gun or be hit by it, which is unlikely to happen with the "dig in & wait" tactics for which a shotgun is best suited. A handgun is a much better choice if you have to round up the family; it leaves one hand free for light switches, a flashlight, or small children, and is far harder for an intruder to grab as you come around a corner.

I always say the "best" stock style for HD is whatever the user finds most comfortable. No style is superior for every situation, and no stock is going to make up for learning proper shooting technique and putting in practice time.

[Automag]

I always say the "best" stock style for HD is whatever the user finds most comfortable. No style is superior for every situation, and no stock is going to make up for learning proper shooting technique and putting in practice time.

Very well said, and very true. I love my 2 pistol grip stocks (Mako recoil reducing collapsible stock and Mesa urbino tactical), but i also love the "Riot Gun" style stock. I've literally shot thousands of rds with each style, and i'm proficient with each. Like you've said, it takes practice, and it depends on which style is more user friendly to the shooter.

[Automag]

I like the Rifle Sights too. I have and use a 20" IC Barrel w/rifle sights. I also have an18 1/2" Police/SPS Barrel w/ramped bead sight. There are advantages with both, but i'm more accurate w/my 20" barrel and rifle sights.
Hers a pic of my 20" barrel. BTW, i returned that cheap reflex after 2 weeks, i dont use any red dot now, when using my 20' barrel.