Side Saddles

[DamonL]

I am looking for a light weight side saddle to put on a Benelli or Beretta 1301.

I use a Tac Star on my 870 and I am happy with it because it is light and rigid because it is polymer. It is easy to back fill from a dump pouch in classes. And it is inexpensive. I would use this on a semi auto but there are problems.

On the Benelli, it could cause problems if over tightened and they don't make one for the Beretta.

I know the Aridus and Mesa Tactical are solid construction, but add more weight than I would like and if you load them up with shot shells its even heavier. I would be concerned with the weight if installed on Benelli. From posts on PF, the elastomer on the Mesa Tactical is hard to adjust for the right amount of tension.

The elastic cards can work but they are a pain to fill if used in classes and it means needing to buy multiple cards. They are disposable too if the elastic wears out from use. They are inexpensive, though. This may be the solution I am looking for, but I am wondering what other peoples experiences are with side saddles in general.

[03RN]

That's a great idea.

I'm looking to add a side saddle to one of my 590s. I have the esstac cards for one. Their not bad. I'm always looking for the best new thing and have been holding off since the esstac/Velcro does work really well and when I go hunting and don't need the sidesaddle I don't have anything but Velcro on the side.

[03RN]

Matches like this have me rethinking my gear. I almost think a plan, non detachable sidesaddle and a dump pouch would have been better.

I only had a dump pouch in Fallujah and felt it was ok but I did have a fireteam to watch my back and a bloody thumb that's still messed up.Attachment 24480

[Hambo]

I put a sidesaddle on a Benelli without any problems. As long as you don't torque the shit out of it you'll be OK. It never affected function but I did chop the shellholder down to 4 from the original 6.

The only sidesaddle I really liked was an old elastic loop, bolt on deal, for the same reason as 03RN. If I were going to add one today it would be the ESSTAC.

[SpyderMan2k4]

For light weight, you won't beat the elastic cards. They are not all created equal.

As for taping just the carrier of the Q-DC, I'm sure people have tried it. The biggest concern is the fact that the carriers are slightly bowed, so I'm not sure how much surface area you'd have taping a bowed carrier to a flat receiver.

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[HopetonBrown]

I haven't found the elastic cards a pain to fill. I used them in a Rob Haught class and they performed well. I used the Mesa Tactical aluminum one in a Louis Awerbuck class and didn't like how slow it was to reload from and the general bulkiness.

I will continue to use velcro cards.

[1slow]

For light weight, you won't beat the elastic cards. They are not all created equal.

As for taping just the carrier of the Q-DC, I'm sure people have tried it. The biggest concern is the fact that the carriers are slightly bowed, so I'm not sure how much surface area you'd have taping a bowed carrier to a flat receiver.

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If I were going to tape it, maybe flatten the taped side by milling,filing, or belt grinding ?

[1slow]

What are the best elastic cards ?

[03RN]

Esstac
I have a 3gungear one and while the elastic is thicker and holds the shells better the Velcro has not held up as well.

[DamonL]

My only experience with elastic is an old Tacstar one and it was almost a two handed affair to fill. I have not used others like the Aries, Esstac, or Vang. They may be easier to fill. The Vang was recommended to me, but they do not make one for semi-auto's. The idea for a non-detachtable Aridus would save some weight.