Is this shotgun too big for me?

JoeShmow

JoeShmow

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I purchased a Mossberg Maverick 88 Security a short while ago. I have not had a chance to fire it yet but I did manage to slice my thumb while practicing to load it (I have since softened those edges).
Anyway, if I place the stock in my right shoulder pocket and my left hand on the forend, I have to bring my right shoulder back so that my left arm isn't stretched to the max. It is also difficult for me to bring my finger to the trigger without bringing my right shoulder forward, which then forces my left hand back. I'm 5'10".
So I either have to stand at an angle (left shoulder forward, right shoulder back), or stand square but have my left arm overstretched to slide the forend all the way forward. See images below.
This is different from my AR, which I can position in my shoulder pocket, hold the handguard with my left arm bent, and reach the trigger comfortably (the safety is totally out of reach). I suspect that firing the shotgun while standing at an angle will mess up my (delicate and previously injured) shoulder.
Is this a matter of me not knowing anything about shotguns, or is this shotgun too big for me? Is the length of pull to long?
The stock is not adjustable. What are my options?

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You're trying to hold it square to your body, but it's designed to be held at an angle with your left shoulder forward of the right.

Basically all shotguns and hunting rifles won't fit right if you're trying to hold it square to your body.
 
the spank said:
Looks like you need to learn how to mount and hold it properly. Get your right elbow up parallel to the ground and get the butt into the pocket of the shoulder.
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Is it not in the pocket in the first pic? I have 2 screws in my right shoulder so it's difficult for me move it forward while standing at an angle. Also, flaring my right elbow out (to make it parallel to the ground) makes my shoulder more vulnerable. I'd prefer to protect my shoulder by keeping my elbow tighter in.
 
a gas operated shotgun would be a lot softer shooting than the gun you have. i find mossbergs to be on the light side as far as weight goes and this can be an issue for recoil.another thought would be to switch sides. i know it may not be easy but i have a friend who shoots left even though he is right handed .he has been patched up after a farm accident .
 
JoeShmow said:
Is it not in the pocket in the first pic? I have 2 screws in my right shoulder so it's difficult for me move it forward while standing at an angle. Also, flaring my right elbow out (to make it parallel to the ground) makes my shoulder more vulnerable. I'd prefer to protect my shoulder by keeping my elbow tighter in.
Click to expand...

In your first photo it’s low in the pocket. The top of the butt should be almost parallel to the top of the shoulder. With elbow down you reduce or close off the amount of pocket space the butt should sit in and by holding so low you’re having to tilt your head downward in order to get a good cheek weld to look down the barrel. In the proper position(height) the pupil of the eye should be the same height as the top of your receiver looking flat along the receiver surface and aligned with the bead. If your head is tilted downward as in your photo you are looking downward on the receiver/bead to line them up which in turn raises your barrel and causes you to shoot high. Elbows(both) as close as parallel to the ground as possible provides a deeper pocket for the gun to seat into and a stable platform to swing from as you want as much as possible to swing a shotgun from the waist turning your upper body, moving your arms mostly for lift or drop and possible slight left or right tweeking.
 
Looks like it will fit you fine. Get your elbow up and work on posture. You may find it fits better higher in the pocket. This will certainly depend on what your shoulder tells you.

I have a persuader, and I assure you they are not known to be gentle. A t-shirt wasn't enough to keep getting ripped up by the non-slip buttpad.
 
The factory length-of-pull on most shotguns is fine for shooting at aerial targets, even for a wee hobbit like me.

However shooting at ground level targets, especially squared up, makes a short LOP stock kind of a necessity unless you're a 6'8" giant like a buddy of mine.
 
OP do you know which eye is your dominant one? If it's your left (like me and so many other right handers out there) then I highly advise switching sides. Not only will that avoid recoil on the bad shoulder, it will increase your effectiveness. Some people can learn to shoot cross dominant, but it's much easier to learn on whatever side your dominant eye is on.
 
Get it higher up in the shoulder pocket and you’ll be able to keep your head in a more upright position, I too shoot shotguns more squared up than bladed and I keep my elbow low and tight in. Once I’ve got the butt in the pocket I square up and lock it in by dropping my elbow, I don’t shoot clays much and prefer a tactical or combat style of shotgun and shot it accordingly. More squared, both eyes open, mag pouch at my waist for quick reloads. It helps when the grouse and other critters come at you in the bush, they can attack quick fast hahaha.
 
I find squaring up and leaning into it a bit helps to mitigate recoil when shooting slugs and buckshot, if you’re dealing with a previous shoulder injury shoot whichever way is the most comfortable and adjust your hold on the forend a bit rearward if you need to. With time you won’t notice any difference I bet.
 
you can shorten that stock
I did
now I have a short stock for walking aliens and a factory one for UFOs
different barrels too
 
Squaring up and trying to mount the butt as close to center mass as you can will help. Everyone's "pocket" is a bit unique.
Your grip on the forend could be further to the back and if you drive forward with the front hand when firing while pulling the stock into your pec with the right hand you will spread the recoil between both sides.

The semi auto suggestion is valid if the injury is serious, and so is shooting from the left if that's better.

As far as your finger reach from the grip, it won't change by squaring up, it will only change if you move your hand. Mossberg's have a longer trigger reach due to the location of the slide release. A pistol grip butt stock would help you and since that gun has the cross bolt safety it will be a win- win.

The other thing you could try is shooting with your right hand thumb along the stock like in the second picture as opposed to over it, this might allow you to move your right hand closer to the trigger and as a bonus you won't ever thumb your nose under heavy recoil.... :)

Adjustable length of pull, pistol grip stock and maybe hougue foreend would be my suggestion.
The Magpull is sort of inbetween a full pistol and a traditional grip and the reach to the trigger on Mossiberg's is improved for sure.

I'm surprised more people don't complain about the trigger reach on Mossberg's, I find it a less comfortable reach then an 870 and I have large size hands and longer fingers.... I can't palm a basketball but it's close..... :)

What do you want to use the gun for?
 
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As noted, if you're shooting at ground level targets in a "dynamic" situation, using a shorter stock (normally 12 1/2 inch LOP) and mounting the gun close to the centre line of the body is fairly well accepted. This would include any kind of "personal defence" situation. If you're looking to put meat on the table, the more traditional "chicken wing" hold is generally considered 'correct' and will typically be best served with a stock that extends from the inside crook of the elbow to the palm of the hand, with the trigger finger resting on the trigger face. The first method might work better for you given the hardware situation in your shoulder - and there's no reason it can't be effective in all roles.
 
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