I want to shorten the stock on a shotgun, but I'm not sure if cutting down the existing stock is a better route than replacing it with a youth stock. Overall length would still be outside NFA regs.

Does anyone have experience with shortening a stock or swapping out a regular stock for a youth version? I'd like to hear some real-world feedback before deciding.

ETA: I'm not interested in a collapsible stock unless it does NOT include a pistol grip. So far all of the collapsible ones I've found have a pistol grip and I don't like that arrangement.

In general, I would stick with swapping to a youth version stock if available.

But the real answer will depend on what you are looking to do with the shotgun and of course which gun?

Defense? Hunting? Clay targets? There is a whole sub-culture/ industry in fitting target shotguns to each shooter..

My single shot 20g came with a youth stock which I used for many years pheasant, grouse and turkey hunting (had barrel threaded for chokes). I eventually purchased a full size stock which was used for a few years.

I liked the ease of carry with the youth stock that I placed it back on the shotgun and continue to use it.

As above, I would go with a youth stock vs. cutting one down.

Truck gun? Tactical? A nice gun or a junker?

If you want a truly "bespoke" shotty, here's an article on that

http://www.shotgunlife.com/shotguns/gun ... u-how.html

Shotgun Life and other shotgun magazines/blogs may have more input on lesser adjustments.

Type of gun: 12ga pump, in primo condition but nothing fancy
Use: home defense

I'm not looking for a custom fitting, just trying to figure out if it makes more sense to whack down the stock I have or if the youth ones are a better option.



Thanks, that's very helpful. The other nice thing about getting a youth stock is that I can always switch it back to the regular one if I want to, for whatever reason. Or I guess if I don't like it I could just pass it along to someone else who needs one.

You could also look at an aftermarket tactical stock such as the urbino tactical or Magpul sga. They have a shorter 12.5" length of pull (adjustable with spacers) to accommodate body armor.

I have both and prefer the sga as the pistol grip on the urbino sticks out more. However you would have a more secure hold on the urbino because of the grip.

I don't personally like pistol grips on a shotgun, since they seem to interfere with reaching the controls and they start to piss me off pretty quickly. That Magpul SGA looks very doable, though. Might have to check that out. Thanks!

eBay has what you seek. I have sold many shortened stocks on there over the years. Usually sell for 40 or less shipped. Please don’t cut that original. Plenty of cut ones out there. What model?

Second for the Magpul SGA. Fits your requirements and can be coupled with a Hogue synthetic fore end. Magpul makes them for the Rem 870 and Mossberg 500/590. LOP is adjustable via spacers from 12.3" to 14.3". Current retail price on Midway is $94.

What gun are you working with?

Mesa Tactical as well as GG&G Tactical also offer extensive after market accessories for HD shotguns. The Mesa stocks are all pistol grip models so not recommending those for you but there are other accessories worth looking at.

One thing to consider is illumination for night time usage. A weapon mounted light is very helpful with a shotgun and can be attached with a barrel/magazine extension clamp which supports a short picatinny rail section. Mesa and GG&G sell those. Elzetta makes outstanding weapon lights with hardened electronics (i.e. potted electronics) designed to withstand harsh recoil.

Magazine capacity is the achille's heel of defensive shotguns. Wilson Combat makes excellent tube extensions for reasonable price.

I went with a short LOP Hogue stock and forend kit for my Mossberg 590. Stock I believe was 14.5" LOP, and the Hogue set is advertised at 12". Fits just right, and the rubber overmolding of the palm swell and the forend are a nice addition allowing a secure grip during operation of the weapon. I found my 2 piece set on eBay for $70 shipped.

Thanks, everyone, for the advice. Hogue didn't even cross my mind but I really like the simple look of it and I think that's the stock I'll be going with. That will keep the original stock intact should I decide to switch back to it at some point.

Looks like I'm off to spend some dough...

My wife is 5 feet tall. I bought her a Remington 1100 in 20 gauge and had the stock cut down to fit her length of pull. The first time she ever shot it she fired 250 rounds while shooting trap at Sunnydell in Sequim.
If you have a common type shotgun Rem 870, Mossberg 500 you could get a used stock to cut down in order to keep the old one. Another advantage to getting the stock cut down is adding a newer/better recoil pad.
Here is a link to Jim Hawkins website. He does all my custom stock work: http://hawkinscustomriflestocks.com/