Not real thrilled with my new ATI folding stock...

[flatblack]

I guess I watched Jurassic Park one too many times, because I decided that a top-folding stock with a pistol grip was exactly what I needed for my shotgun related home defense/critter blasting requirements.

So I bought an ATI top folder for my Mossberg 500. Finally it arrived in the mail, and to my dismay, when I installed it, I found there were a few things about it that really reduced it's overall effectiveness, as far as I am concerned.

The stock makes the slide release (which is already tiny) even harder to get to, and it makes the safety hard to switch on/off if the stock is folded, as you have to stick your fingers though a hole formed by the stock to get at the safety.
Lastly, deployment of the folding stock into the fixed position is cumbersome, and not very fast. Tapco makes folders that just snap out. No levers or buttons needed. What gives, ATI?

Now I have a couple of thoughts on this.

One, as you recall, in Jurassic Park, Robert Muldoon the Game Warden met his end with a nasty Velociraptor, possibly in part due to a folded shotgun. But in all reality, it seems that a short length of pull fixed stock is the way to go.

Any thoughts or experiences on the matter?



(also, I have an ATI top-folding shotgun stock for sale. Fits Mossberg 500 and Rem 870! Cheep...msg me for detalis) :dirol:

[ArmySGT.]

I guess I watched Jurassic Park one too many times, because I decided that a top-folding stock with a pistol grip was exactly what I needed for my shotgun related home defense/critter blasting requirements.

So I bought an ATI top folder for my Mossberg 500. Finally it arrived in the mail, and to my dismay, when I installed it, I found there were a few things about it that really reduced it's overall effectiveness, as far as I am concerned.

The stock makes the slide release (which is already tiny) even harder to get to, and it makes the safety hard to switch on/off if the stock is folded, as you have to stick your fingers though a hole formed by the stock to get at the safety.
Lastly, deployment of the folding stock into the fixed position is cumbersome, and not very fast. Tapco makes folders that just snap out. No levers or buttons needed. What gives, ATI?

Now I have a couple of thoughts on this.

One, as you recall, in Jurassic Park, Robert Muldoon the Game Warden met his end with a nasty Velociraptor, possibly in part due to a folded shotgun. But in all reality, it seems that a short length of pull fixed stock is the way to go.

Any thoughts or experiences on the matter?



(also, I have an ATI top-folding shotgun stock for sale. Fits Mossberg 500 and Rem 870! Cheep...msg me for detalis) :dirol:

The gentleman was using a Franchi Spas-12 that has a purpose made folding stock.

[MooseToo]

(also, I have an ATI top-folding shotgun stock for sale. Fits Mossberg 500 and Rem 870! Cheep...msg me for detalis) :dirol:

you should really think twice before making posts such as this - how are you going to feel if someone gets seriously injured in the throngs such an offer will generate - all clamoring for one item ?

[flatblack]

The gentleman was using a Franchi Spas-12 that has a purpose made folding stock.

You know, I thought to myself "Self, a purpose built top folder might not have these issues." Unfortunately, a SPAS-12 is a wee bit out of my casual purchase range, so I figured the ATI/Mossberg 500 combo would be a good 'poor mans' substitute.

And I suppose it is. But a squirrel got away in the time it took to unfold the stock the first time I took it out. If that had been a Velociraptor, I would not be around to post this message to you fine people. :eek:

[Teg]

...(also, I have an ATI top-folding shotgun stock for sale. Fits Mossberg 500 and Rem 870! Cheep...msg me for detalis) :dirol:

I was looking at one of those for my Mossberg till I read a few reviews at Brownells and around the net, not sure if you fired it or not but they claim that if you fire it folded up the stock will unfold on you.

[flatblack]

Hadn't heard about them unfolding like that. I shot it a couple of times with the folder on there, and I did not experience a spontaneous unfolding of the stock, and I don't see how that could happen unless the whole thing was seriously defective. Looking at the mechanism, there would have to be a complete failure of the whole thing (AKA total peice of junk) for that to happen

To me, the ATI stock has questionable ergonomics, but it is solidly built, I have to give it that.

Maybe a little too solidly built, in fact. I like a nice light shotgun, even if I have to pay the price in recoil.

[gunsmoke]

Years ago I had a Remington factory top folder on my 870 for carriage under a long duster in my younger years.

Honestly I never did care for it and bought a Hi Standard 10B which was a more comfortable and stable platform for the intended purpose.

I replaced the folder on the 870 years ago with a factory walnut standard stock, folding stocks on shotguns just isn't something that appeals to me.

I'm glad you found out it didn't work too well before you needed it and didn't have it.......

[MrGreenJeans]

Thank,s for that review i was gona pop a post on which folding stock felt better to folks. Think i,ll just go with plain factory stock, shorter barrel. Already holds 6 that's plenty i reckon. Picked up a 12 ga. moss 500 fri. and love it. Slid through 6, 3 times as fast as i could crankem out. I like this shotty. Has any one replaced stock with the factory like plastic. Weight issue. Any advice on the barrel length has a 28" smooth and would like a 20" don,t realy want the 181/2" thang. Shooting it with a 28" over 2 fill ups will rattle ya bones. Before someone says it i have a 870 to but it's dads and i don't want to change it. Family keep sake till my daughter gets it.

[hunter63]

I guess I was sorta sucked in by the folding stock coolness factor my self, but had a chance to try a top folder owned by a buddy.
We were gonna go out and take some Zombie practice, so loaded up a couple of loads of 00 buck and let'er loose.

I decided that I didn't like the recoil on my wrist in folded position, second shot took some doing to bring back on target.
Unfolded, didn't like the feel, seems like it didn't fit me too well.
I didn't get into the folding and unfolding part too much as it was his, but did seem long to unfold and get ready?????

Anyway, stuck with my standard stock, just added a short barrel, control with it under your arm, firing from the hip, seem to able to control better.
Also the folder made the whole unit "taller?' so wouldn't slip into a case unless you went to a assault style case.

Glad it was his, as I wouldn't spend the money.

[MrGreenJeans]

Gona do the same short barrel and stock set up on mine. Your right it will save a good penny. One add on a good sling.

[hunter63]

Yeah, I do need to add a sling, don't have any to fit the front of the Mossberg.
I have been putting these on stuff lately:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/buttstock-ammo-carrier.aspx?a=408027

[macgeoghagen]

I have a mossberg 500 with the ATI 6 position telescoping stock, pistol grip and rubber butt pad. The telescoping portion can be removed from the pistol grip easily by unscrewing 2 phillips screws. right handed shooters will find it impossible to work the slide release from anything close to a ready position with that pistol grip. left handed shooters can easily push the slide release from a ready position with a knuckle of the trigger finger. I shoot lefty, so It works perfectly for me.

[MrGreenJeans]

Yeah, I do need to add a sling, don't have any to fit the front of the Mossberg.
I have been putting these on stuff lately:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/buttstock-ammo-carrier.aspx?a=408027

Ya know i thought about those they work well on my handi rifle, but i was gona try to take two and put the holder of one to the back of the other. Double the cap. Have not figured out how to yet. Have not used one on a shotgun yet, don't see why it would not work well though.

[hunter63]

Ya know i thought about those they work well on my handi rifle, but i was gona try to take two and put the holder of one to the back of the other. Double the cap. Have not figured out how to yet. Have not used one on a shotgun yet, don't see why it would not work well though.

I started using them when I got a bolt gun in trade, and had one on already.

When I started with the Handi's, I bought a couple of more, both rifle and shotgun sleeves.
I took a rifle sleeve, cut the divider out between a couple of positions, that left me with 5 rifle position and 2 positions that fit 12 ga well.
Used both rifle and shotgun barrels on the same action, so this works well.

Added one to the Mossberg 500 for handy shell storage on my "truck gun", hold 5.
Not bad for about 5 bucks each.