Side Saddles - useful? or just "tacticool" ?

[Plink]

Just wanted to hear some opinions on side saddles on shotguns. I've used them many times on my own, but always take them off. I just find they add weight to the shotgun and hang up on things.
I know a lot of guys like them for "the look", as did I for a while, but found them to be less useful than I had hoped.

Now, that's just my own opinion. I'd like to hear from those who use them, (for work, or play) whether you like them, or, like me ended up removing them for another method of carrying shells.

Love 'em?

Hate 'em?

And why.....

 

[t-star]

they're useful when you want BOTH slugs and buckshot, or just slugs and shot- the typical load is shot, with the slug being carried in the sidesaddle , ready to drop in when the occasion arrives

 

[sulisa]

The velcro-based ones are good (and easily removable). As you say, good for changing loads, but I like having one or two configured for reloading on the run (competition), or when you want to keep your eyes downrange and ready during a reload (waterfowl hunting), while still having belt-mounted or vest mounted pouches.

I have a sling that I remove, but it doesn't (and will never have) ammo on the sling - just too annoying to try to grab a round off in a hurry.

 

[Greenhorse six]

Always good to have extra ammo on the gun, the only down side to them is they add bulk.

 

[Potshot21]

I dont like the look of them and still fail to see there use. I carry all my shells on an ammo belt. It holds 25 shells, and if I have any odd balls (slugs, buckshot), I just put them on one end of the belt.

 

[Plink]

Ya know, I meant to put this in the black and green shotgun section.. but hey.. here works I guess.. LOL

EDIT: Mods if you want to move it to black and green shotguns, that would be splendid.

 

[Plink]

The only time I've actually like one is when doing some type of shooting where it was expedient to have a couple of shells hanging close by for fast reload. These were a couple of shotgun specific courses I took where you were "running and gunning". Other than that......

 

[Griffoneur]

Sidesaddle is handy for a self defence shottie. Keeps ammo handy in case of emergency. Would not use it for a hunting shotgun for same reason you stated (catching on stuff).

 

[Gasanwu]

For fast reloading it's a must, especially for semi autos

 

[brybenn]

I like them. I can carry various different loads and they really shine casing wounded ducks wearing waders when its hard to reach pockets. I've never found them to catch on anything even in thick brush