Tacstar
- Thread starter Billy The Kid
- Start date
Wholesale sports for sure. But to add, I own both tacstar and Mesa. They both work and work well, the Mesa looks better and can handle more abuse, and the tacstar costs less. Both bolted on and fit perfect the first time (talking about 4 seperate products, 2 from each brand) The tacstar seems to hold the shells a little tighter but thats not to detract from the mesa, they wont fall out. Both are worth what you pay and neither are over priced. Take your pick
Sorry in MO tacstar is a complete waste of money.I put one on my 870 years ago, friggin thing fell apart after about a 100 rounds because of the stupid double plate design, you have to lock tight the screws. Then after about 8 months I took it off to sell the 870 and the tacstar ruined the finished on the receiver. Wore it down to bare metal and rusted it BAD.
That doesn't sound like TacStar's fault.
I don't care for either side saddle for other reasons. ie. weight, balance, bulk, terrible for slung shotguns, cumbersome and slower to load from individually than a handful of shells.
I keep a TacStar sidesaddle on one of my 870's to strictly keep shells handy with that gun for one specific application. 18" Police with top folder and a SF lamp. All my other shotguns are plain Janes. I spend the money on training and ammo.
Just replaced my TacStar with a Mesa Tactical. The Mesa is way better in both look and function.
Casey at TacOrd sells the Mesa products, His prices and service are amazing as well.
Before you put on a sidesaddle you should invest in a follower and jumbo safety. Casey at TacOrd put in a new VangComp stainless follower as well as their Jumbo safety and they are by far the best impovments on my 870.
Casey at TacOrd sells the Mesa products, His prices and service are amazing as well.
Before you put on a sidesaddle you should invest in a follower and jumbo safety. Casey at TacOrd put in a new VangComp stainless follower as well as their Jumbo safety and they are by far the best impovments on my 870.
Who sells Mesa in Canada?
Not sure where your at but Wanstalls in Maple Ridge B.C. has Mesa. Just picked up a 4 shot for my 8.5 Grizz, $85+tax... I've had a 6 shot Tac Star on my Rem 870 for ever and it works fine but no super hard use. The Mesa is a different animal though and I could see why a guy pays more for it. Built like you could pound nails with it
I have had a messa on my gun for 2 years now....no lock tight, have not tightened it once, and when I took it off for the first time last week....0 wear and tear on the receiver...nore have I treated my gun any better then my old 870...
daves surplus carries them
100 rounds, sounds about right. Only ever did find 3 of the damn screws. I wonder if the bolt supply house would have the right ones.
Yeah, to tell you the truth, I had concerns about the receiver rusting. After all, you don't want to be removing the side saddle every time you want to lube up your gun.
What I did, whether I needed it to or not, I stuck a piece of thin green felt to the back of the saddle, trimmed to size and soaked it with oil. Then attached it to the receiver.
You can also get some very thin rubber washers and use them to put some space between receiver and the saddle. Don't have to worry about stability, I use 1/4" thick rubber washers as spacers to install REM top folders to fit with a side saddle and that's solid enough.
About the little screws, make sure the area is oil free before you apply RED LockTite and you shouldn't have a problem. I could swear that when they install these at the factory, they put them on just to say it's on. Nothing more.
Improvise, make it work for you.
What I did, whether I needed it to or not, I stuck a piece of thin green felt to the back of the saddle, trimmed to size and soaked it with oil. Then attached it to the receiver.
You can also get some very thin rubber washers and use them to put some space between receiver and the saddle. Don't have to worry about stability, I use 1/4" thick rubber washers as spacers to install REM top folders to fit with a side saddle and that's solid enough.
About the little screws, make sure the area is oil free before you apply RED LockTite and you shouldn't have a problem. I could swear that when they install these at the factory, they put them on just to say it's on. Nothing more.
Improvise, make it work for you.
mebiuspower
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Morontario
TacStar works for me, it's also used by local PD and they have no issues either.
Casey also did my 2 shotguns from bottom up and I have zero issues with these.
