I really like these pouches. I keep 00 inside and slugs outside, and they easily slide on a belt or can be stuffed in a coat pocket.
January 30, 2026, 08:30 AM
cth1974
I have started putting Esstac cards on mine, replacing the hard sidesaddles I used to use. I still have a Maverick 88 beater that needs the swap. Those cards fit into my AR mag pouches. I keep an extra card velcroed to my nightstand.
January 30, 2026, 10:16 AM
Expert308
My HD gun used to have a sidesaddle on it, but too many times I found that the the plastic loops aren't sized just exactly right and shells would literally fall or bounce out of them. So I've switched to velcro and the Esstac cards.
And (for when the zombies come) I have a smallish chest rig that has a triple AR mag shingle on it with an 18-rd 12GA panel mounted on the front of the shingle.
There ain't much difference in the man I want to be and the man that I really am.
January 30, 2026, 01:27 PM
1KPerDay
Six round sidesaddle, 6 round butt cuff, 9 in the gun. That should solve most problems I can imagine. I have a web nylon bandolier I use sometimes for matches, and some weak-hand load caddies but I’m not great at that so generally I shoot my shotgun dry, dump it, and transition to my pistol (in matches).
If I were starting over I’d probably go with Velcro and cards instead of the plastic sidesaddle. They seem like a superior option today.
--------------------------- My hovercraft is full of eels.
January 30, 2026, 04:31 PM
CPD SIG
6 round Side-saddle on the 870
A handful of the Esstac Velcro shell holders. 5 and 6 round ones.
I have a dump pouch with 2 compartments- 1 is filled with 00, the other slug. Holds probably 20 rounds of each
______________________________________________________________________ "When its time to shoot, shoot. Dont talk!"
“What the government is good at is collecting taxes, taking away your freedoms and killing people. It’s not good at much else.” —Author Tom Clancy
January 30, 2026, 04:44 PM
RichardC
quote:
Originally posted by MikeinNC:
Rambo belt with 25 loops?
Heyyyyy!
You've been snooping around under my bed, haven't you.
For my 1301 Tactical I use the velcro cards on my plate carrier.
_____________________________ 'I'm pretty fly for a white guy'.
January 30, 2026, 06:56 PM
RogueJSK
These days? The only thing I use a shotgun for any more is bird hunting or range fun. So a dump pouch, a pocket, or in the box.
If I need a defensive long gun, I'm reaching for a rifle.
But if I were to keep dedicated defensive shotguns nowadays, I would use cards. Inexpensive, easily swappable, and interchangeable with any shotgun with loop velcro, plus extras can be carried in AR mag pouches.
January 31, 2026, 09:46 AM
WRAM1
For use the Vang Comp 6 round Velcro side saddle holding 8 pellet Federal Flight Control for my 1301.
January 31, 2026, 02:00 PM
Orive 8
Our Mossberg 8 shot 20g is outfitted with a 4 round side-saddle.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tomorrow's battle is won during today's practice.
January 31, 2026, 03:19 PM
YooperSigs
Esstac Cards.
End of Earth: 2 Miles Upper Peninsula: 4 Miles
January 31, 2026, 03:20 PM
egregore
"The Almighty, He put some livin' things on this earth so a man can eat." - Festus Haggen, Gunsmoke
January 31, 2026, 03:23 PM
armored
With my Saiga 12 I just carry 12 rnd mags.
January 31, 2026, 04:05 PM
oddball
quote:
Originally posted by MikeinNC: Rambo belt with 25 loops?
I don't like cards, saddles, velcro holders, etc. on my shotguns. I do have a 25 rd belt/bandolier that I bought years ago for 10 bucks. Adjustable, synthetic material, quick release buckle. I have only used it a couple of times, and not filled completely. Just something to have in case.
"I’m not going to read Time Magazine, I’m not going to read Newsweek, I’m not going to read any of these magazines; I mean, because they have too much to lose by printing the truth"- Bob Dylan, 1965
January 31, 2026, 09:48 PM
Flashlightboy
I don't keep any ammo in my 870 - just making the chu-chuk sound causes the bad guys to flee.
But if they're deaf, I have a six shot sidesaddle with brass up, and beyond that, I have vest with molle boxes that are made for a box of shells. So I can be quite mobile with 56 rounds of buck, plus another 12 slugs in elastic. I think a ratio of around 15% slugs to buck is decent.
January 31, 2026, 10:39 PM
MikeinNC
quote:
Originally posted by RogueJSK: These days? The only thing I use a shotgun for any more is bird hunting or range fun. So a dump pouch, a pocket, or in the box.
If I need a defensive long gun, I'm reaching for a rifle.
But if I were to keep dedicated defensive shotguns nowadays, I would use cards. Inexpensive, easily swappable, and interchangeable with any shotgun with loop velcro, plus extras can be carried in AR mag pouches.
I live in the city now, neighbors are 12’ away. Brick clad, but I don’t want to be dropping 5.56 into their AO.
The longest distance I can take a shot is 14yds, and federal flight control buckshot will usually end anyone’s day/night with one dose (or at least before the amberlamps get here)
“You may beat me, but you will never win.” sigmonkey-2020
“ in my opinion, anything that we can do to trigger a potential aneurysm in a leftist is a good thing and worth doing” nhtagmember 2025
January 31, 2026, 10:41 PM
MikeinNC
quote:
Originally posted by CPD SIG: 6 round Side-saddle on the 870
A handful of the Esstac Velcro shell holders. 5 and 6 round ones.
I have a dump pouch with 2 compartments- 1 is filled with 00, the other slug. Holds probably 20 rounds of each
What kinda dump pouch is it if I may be so bold
“You may beat me, but you will never win.” sigmonkey-2020
“ in my opinion, anything that we can do to trigger a potential aneurysm in a leftist is a good thing and worth doing” nhtagmember 2025
This message has been edited. Last edited by: RichardC, 
