Just trying to get the opinion on this. my mesa side saddle broke and is now gone. I don’t like the plastic cards or velcro. Will it hold up etc etc. Thanks
I have no information on the GG&G, but Mesa has a lifetime warranty on their products. I messed around and wallowed out the head on one of the Chicago screws while removing a Mesa side saddle shell holder once and when I called to ask about buying a replacement it was explained to me that if any of their products EVER break to call them and they’ll send out a replacement no questions asked. I even explained to them that it was my error and not a defective part but they wouldn’t have any of that and sent me out new hardware pronto.
Just curious, but how did it break?
I’ve broken 2 Mesa side saddles, a 4 round and a 6 round. Mine broke both of the screw heads that attach to the receiver. I’ve never used the gg&g but it looks like a similar design which may have the same weaknesses of the Mesa design. Unless they use super strong screw hardware I would assume they would also break under hard use. Again I’ve never used the gg&g but just looking at the design I see it as weak.
For the record Mesa customer service was some of the best I’ve ever dealt with, super fast and courteous. I think the overall design philosophy of using the two small holes in the receiver to carry the weight of a side saddle is flawed in general. Mesa isn’t alone in designing their saddles this way. I’m still looking for a solution that doesn’t involve Velcro and glue, I haven’t found one yet.
I have one. It is well built and the angle it puts the shells at is not bad. It holds the shells in pretty tight and it takes some practice to get smooth with the quick reloads. The rear trigger pin has a sleeve that prevents over tightening. It is definitely not weak. I will probably put the GG&G on my duty 870 to replace the Tacstar POS that my agency armorer put on it.
I took it off my personal 870 and I am trying out the velcro 6 round cards from SOE…
I have a SOE Cop Rig and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. No matter what side saddle you have it will run dry fast. With the Cop Rig I have up to 36 rounds right on my chest.
We bought Mesa Tacticals for work because they expose the serial number. They seem to be great for gun games but the surgical tubing used to retain the shells fails very quickly. Even when you use their upgraded tubing option.
I’m not sold on hook & loop glued to the receiver as a method of retaining shotshells.
Not interested in TacStar and considered Mesa until I read about the issues with their retention method as John cited.
I like the angle the GG&G holds the shells at. I came across something online trying to research the GG&G where someone had problems with repeated removal and reinstallation of the GG&G due to breaking down the receiver for cleaning and whatnot. I can’t remember where I read that.
Honestly, I may just end of taking the plunge on the GG&G and seeing what happens. You may consider doing the same, OP.
John, remove the Mesa side saddle. Pull out the rubber tubing and slide in a length of 14ga electrical wire. Put it all back together, and see how it should come from the factory.