I currently have a vent ridge picatinny adapter and then picatinny rail mounted to that. The adapter makes it higher and is hard to get square with barrel. I was wondering how well some of the saddle mounts work. They look to be lower and I would think straight with barrel. Experiences? My receiver is not tapped.
Ches.
I have a saddle mount on a youth 870 20 gauge slug gun and it has never lost zero. Sorry I don't remember the brand (I just checked no mfg stamp) but it mounts using both trigger group pin holes.
Thanks, I figured they would but was not sure. I am 71, and started looking at things differently. If I were 50 or 60 I would either buy a new gun or see what a gun smith would charge to dill and tap mount holes. That would be the best to get sight low, but that's not what I am going to do.
Ches.
On that gun I had a Bear Creek? Neoprene cheek pad that had adjustable shims until a few weeks ago. I bought a Monte Carlo stock set on here and fitted them up. Both solutions got the scope alignment spot on.
I tried 2 different saddle mounts on my 870spm...B-Square and Weaver. The Weaver was made of plastic and could easily be flexed by pressing on it with your thumb/finger. The B-Square was made of aluminum and was very solid. To me they both made the gun feel bulky, the B-Square more so than the Weaver. There was a line as to how tight you got the bolts, especially with the Weaver. To tight and you would squeeze the receiver and make the action very tight, almost hard to pump the gun. To loose and the mount was loose. Once I found the right "spot", I put blue Loc-Tite on the bolts to keep them from coming loose.
I ended up getting the gun drilled & tapped and mounted a red dot on it. The sight sat to high so I did what 10th Legionaire did and put a Beartooth comb raising kit on. It worked prefect. On my wife's gun, I put foam pipe insulation on the stock and wrapped it with vet wrap. Personally I like the vet wrap/pipe insulation better. It seems a little more solid and cost less. The Beartooth kit seem to move around some.
Quote from: captpete on February 27, 2025, 08:15:05 AMI tried 2 different saddle mounts on my 870spm...B-Square and Weaver. The Weaver was made of plastic and could easily be flexed by pressing on it with your thumb/finger. The B-Square was made of aluminum and was very solid. To me they both made the gun feel bulky, the B-Square more so than the Weaver. There was a line as to how tight you got the bolts, especially with the Weaver. To tight and you would squeeze the receiver and make the action very tight, almost hard to pump the gun. To loose and the mount was loose. Once I found the right "spot", I put blue Loc-Tite on the bolts to keep them from coming loose.
I ended up getting the gun drilled & tapped and mounted a red dot on it. The sight sat to high so I did what 10th Legionaire did and put a Beartooth comb raising kit on. It worked prefect. On my wife's gun, I put foam pipe insulation on the stock and wrapped it with vet wrap. Personally I like the vet wrap/pipe insulation better. It seems a little more solid and cost less. The Beartooth kit seem to move around some.
What did it cost to get Drilled and Tapped if you don't mind. And how long ago did you have it done? I think that is the best way to go but don't want to go too far out to get this done.
^^^I believe it is $20-$25/hole. I had a 'Smith punch 2 holes in one of my guns for $50 and he mounted the sumtoy while he had it. This was 4 yrs ago.
Quote from: Ches. on February 27, 2025, 11:09:44 AMQuote from: captpete on February 27, 2025, 08:15:05 AMI tried 2 different saddle mounts on my 870spm...B-Square and Weaver. The Weaver was made of plastic and could easily be flexed by pressing on it with your thumb/finger. The B-Square was made of aluminum and was very solid. To me they both made the gun feel bulky, the B-Square more so than the Weaver. There was a line as to how tight you got the bolts, especially with the Weaver. To tight and you would squeeze the receiver and make the action very tight, almost hard to pump the gun. To loose and the mount was loose. Once I found the right "spot", I put blue Loc-Tite on the bolts to keep them from coming loose.
I ended up getting the gun drilled & tapped and mounted a red dot on it. The sight sat to high so I did what 10th Legionaire did and put a Beartooth comb raising kit on. It worked prefect. On my wife's gun, I put foam pipe insulation on the stock and wrapped it with vet wrap. Personally I like the vet wrap/pipe insulation better. It seems a little more solid and cost less. The Beartooth kit seem to move around some.
What did it cost to get Drilled and Tapped if you don't mind. And how long ago did you have it done? I think that is the best way to go but don't want to go too far out to get this done.
It really depends on the gunsmith. The guy that did mine about 7-8 years ago was $7 a hole at the time. There is a new gun shop in town that's been here 3-4 years that charges $25 a hole. A saddle mount will probably run you $30-$40, possibly more.
If you are putting on a small mount you can probably get by with 2 holes. A regular mount gives you more options like putting on a scope or red dot, but will probably require 4 holes. Depending on the gun, sometimes when putting on a regular mount you don't have enough metal thickness in the receiver for all the holes.
I would suggest calling a couple you have confidence in and see what they charge.
Have a B-Square on my wife's 870 Turkey.
It does add a little bit of a bulky feel. But, it's kinda more perception than reality.
Beyond that.... it's been a flawless setup.
I went with a UTG saddle mount off Amazon. Got 25% off on open box model. It sits straight, but a touch higher than my last one but wanted it in line with barrel was biggest concern. I will sight in at 30 and figure shot will start dropping at that point to make up for the sight height difference. I did check two local gun smiths, one wanted $140 and the other $100. Thanks for all the responses, but I think I am set.
Ches.
Glad you got it figured. If the sight ends up sitting to high for your liking you can always put comb riser on the stock.