New gun, middle finger bruised up bad.

Ed Askew

Ed Askew

Well-known member
Well I hate to sound like a puss, but I went out and bought a new model 870 12 gauge super mag today, and after firing only one shot with a 3 1/2" shell, I just about broke my right middle finger from the recoil against the back of the trigger guard. I fired 3 more shots trying to hold the stock more firmly against my shoulder and trying to keep my middle finger away from the trigger guard, and bruised the hell out of it. My finger is all swollen. This ain't gonna work I can't shoot this gun if it's going to do this to my finger. Bruised up my cheek real good too. I was warned the thing would kick like a mule, but it kicks like 2 mules! Funny thing is it didn't hurt my shoulder at all. I think it has some space age recoil pad on it. Maybe that's whats wrong that recoil pad lets it move too much.

I grew up shooting an 870, and when steel shot came around I got a SBE. I just don't shoot as well with the SBE as I did with the 870, so with the new super mag that shoots 3 1/2" shells, I figured I'd get me one. My brother warned me off 'em saying they were known to kick really bad, but he IS a puss and I ignored him. I can't admit he was right so I've got to figure out some solution. Is there some sort of trigger guard pad and cheek pad out there? I googled the problem for a while and can't find anything; hopefully one of y'all will know what to do here. I guess I could glue a corn pad on the back the trigger guard but that wouldn't look too good. I could wear neoprene gloves but early season that would be pretty hot it's still pretty warm down here.

Ed.
 
Pull your panties up and ....just kidding.

If I were you I'd put my tail between my legs and tell my brother he was right, then sell the danged thing. Do you really need that much bang? My guess is if it hurts that bad to shoot it, it will end up collecting dust in the safe.

Hope your finger heals quick.
 
Well I hate to sound like a puss... I guess I could glue a corn pad on the back the trigger guard but that wouldn't look too good.
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Oh yeah, that will look manly...

Really though, I've shot a ten gauge single and never thought it was that bad, but still have to ask why do you need such a gun? My guess is you may be subconsciously "bracing for impact", not gripping as much as readying to push back. Don't get me wrong, I'm not doubting your experience and knowledge of shotguns, but if your brother has been talking up how bad they kick...sometimes the mind plays tricks on us.

best
Chuck
 
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Ed, I read some where they have a shock adsorber that fits in the stock. you take off the butt plate and it fits in the hole that goes to the stock tang.

If I am wrong, you heard it here and I am going to apply for a patent.( : )

Another method is to take strip decoy weights and wrap them around the barrel and show it to your brother and tell him you solved the recoil problem. Be sure to take his picture when he hears the news. ( : )
 
No, I was really surprised the first shot; I had forgotten what he had said about the 870. I didn't expect it to kick like that. I'm shooting 3 1/2 steel number 3's, Federal's Premium Steel high velocity shells. I was just out in the backyard patterning the gun trying to see what was the best choke.

Ed.
 
Ed, I have one of those too and since the first year (several years ago) I have only shot 3" shells. I wouldn't panic, there are good recoil reducers out there and I think the long chamber has some of the same effect that removing or lengthening the forcing cone has in reducinig recoil. Anytring to reduce recoil is a GOOD THING and you still will have the option of a couple 3.5s in your pocket if you need them. A freind of mine filed the stock of his BPS 10 with lead and made a pussycat out of it. Good luck.
 
Ed-

I shot a 3 1/2" one time. That's enough for me. Like I told someone else one time regarding the super mags...if I wish to be kicked by a mule, I'll go find me a mule. I'll shoot a 12, prefer the 20 but won't shoot a super mag. Plus, I know a few folk who do shoot the super mags and mock me for the 20. I love it when I out shoot em with my pea shooter.

But really, my buddy has a 12 ga that busts the hell out of his knuckle and it's just a mag. I'm not really sure why but after a hard days hunting, especially early in the season, his knuckle will be swollen fiercely. He eventually remembers and somehow compensates for the kick and keeping his finger out of the way, though I don't know how he does it. But by the end of the season he isn't knocking the bejeezus out of his knuckle any more.

Dani
 
Ed, I've got the same gun, same problem. My finger is perma swollen from getting whacked across the bone. It hurts like hell on day two I'll tell ya. I still have it, but I like my auto loader for lotsa shooting days.

I dunno what to tell you, maybe try gripping it different? Closed cell foam on the trigger guard?

Mike
 
I have a 870 3" they dont make a 3 1/2" left hand version.

The first season with the gun I had a similar problem my finger was sore after the first of second shot each day. Problem was I was hitting everything I pointed that gun at. No way I was going to change a thing!!!

This season I dont have the problem not sure how it got better but it did.

I wish I could offer more help then that. I would start by going with 3" shells to start though.
 
Ed -

I thought it was just me too, same gun and same problem. I had a couple of great goose hunts with it in Canada last month, 3 1/2" steel BBs, finger didn't hurt that bad when the geese were falling out of the sky.

- Mark
 
I just got another 28ga..this ones a Rem 870 Express. I hope I don't pinch my pinky. Does it feel like you are reaching for the trigger or are you crowding the grip? Get a box of target loads and go shoot a round of skeet doubles till you get used to shooting it and then try the heavier loads. You are probably holding it like your other gun that has a different grip/reach on the trigger. You need to build a "memory" into how you shoot it. When I switch from an auto to a pump, I forget to pump for a few shots and then I try to pump my O/U.
 
I just got another 28ga..this ones a Rem 870 Express.
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Lee Be careful of the recoil on that gun, if you don't shoulder it right, the kick of that little jack-rabbit might smash the smokes in your pocket. Chuck
 
Ed there are a few things you can do,since the gun already has a soft pad.Ballistic Products,has a "dead Mule"mechanical recoil reduction system,that goes in the stock.They also have sorbatane palm swells that help the hand reduce recoil.A glove will help,and the there is a wide band ring that is padded on one side.You slip it on your middle finger and thepad rests against the back of the trigger guard.Weight will reduce recoil,and a steel plug,turned to just slip in the magazine tube,long enough to reduce the magazine to two shells,with a set screw throug the side of the tube,to hold it in place,will help allot.Porting the barrel will cut recoil,but make more noise.Weight is the first place I would go,and the finger pad.
 
Ed
I bought a new 870, shot sporting clays once with it, traded it in on a new 28 gauge s/s. I found it was deadly shooting over decoys. Just my experience.
wis boz
 
Why would you want to have a gun around that beats you up. If it doesn't fit you will hurt yourself more by trying to accomodate the gun. Your form will go to h*ll and pretty soon you, not only won't be able to hit anything with THAT gun. but you'll be so flinchy you won't be able to hit anything with any other gun either. Get rid of it while you can.
 
Ed,

I would move to a lighter load just to witness the difference that I am sure you know exists.

There is a heckuva a big recoil difference between that 3.5" and anything else, especially with an 870 that is going to let you feel every bit of it.

Just my opinion, but I personally never saw the need for that extra half inch...3" has always seemed like plenty, ever since I started shooting them years ago
 
i have an 870 super mag and i shoot 3.5's only for ducks. the gun will bruise your check if you bear down to much. i have never had the problem with my finger but i have hit my nose a few times. i put a sims vibration labratories recoil pad on it and love how it shoots. i used to shoot 3's but tried this win xpert steel load in #2's at 1625 fps in a 3.5 inch shell and i shoot it better then anything else ive tried for that gun.

so you could be looking at just finding the right load for it. but i would def. try that recoil pad i thinks its like 30 bucks and it makes a world of difference.

eddie
 
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