Rigid Side Saddles vs. Velcro Shot Cards: Why a Quick-Detachable (QD) Hybrid Makes Sense

I have never really seen a more discussed topic than this from tactical shotgunners.  Maybe perhaps other than; “Is the Beretta 1301 or Benelli M4 better?”  But that is a topic for another post!

Traditional Shotgun side saddle shell holder systems tend to fall into two types: rigid receiver-mounted carriers and velcro-based elastic shell cards. Both have been used for many years.  Both work, and both come with tradeoffs that become more obvious once a shotgun is actually carried, trained with, or exposed to real environmental conditions.

The problem is that most shotgunners eventually run into the same end result. Rigid systems are durable but bulky and permanently attached. Velcro systems are light and modular, but susceptible to wear and degredation. The result is usually compromise rather than a true solution.

That is where the idea of a quick-detachable hybrid system comes in that combines the rigidity and durability of a hard side saddle, and the modularity of a Velcro system.

The Reality of Velcro Shot Cards

Velcro shell cards became popular for a very good reason. They are cheap, low profile, low weight, and allow the user to carry spares for ammo on the run.  Although there are definite positives to this type of setup, there are also negatives.

The worst being, elastic permanently stretches out. Once it loses tension, shell retention becomes inconsistent, and shells start dropping out.  They are not user serviceable, so once they stretch out, that’s it.  Adhesive-backed hook-and-loop shell cards also experience problems in temperature extremes due to the limitations of adhesion technology that can be applied to hook and loop.  Lifting on the corners in extreme hot weather, for example on a hot sunny day stuck inside an oven temperature vehicle interior.

Finally, the last common issue with shell cards is failure in harsh environmental conditions. Mud, rain, sand, and debris can clog the hook-and-loop interface, when the user drops a spent shell card onto the ground, or if rain saturates an exposed hook and loop surface.  Once that happens, retention becomes unpredictable and unreliable until the shell card velcro is adequately cleaned and dried.

The simple reality  is that velcro cards are viewed as consumable items. They are not user serviceable in the long term. When they wear out, they get replaced.  This is a common and accepted attitude in the shotgunner community.

The Limitations of Traditional Rigid Side Saddles

Rigid bolt on receiver-mounted side saddles solve a different set of problems entirely. They offer excellent durability, protect ammo from impacts, consistent shell retention, user serviceable, and a perceivable stable mounting method via bolts and screws.

However, they as well do come with their own drawbacks of their own.

The most obvious is permanent mounting. Once installed, they tend to stay installed. This adds bulk to the firearm at all times, it is one of the most significant downsides to this type of shell carrier solution. In storage, transport, and handling, that added width and weight can be annoyingly cumbersome.  Shotguns are heavy enough, and aluminum or steel carrier systems add mass to the side of the receiver, and can contribute to overall imbalance of your loadout.

There are also surface marring and hardware issues to consider. Some designs can interfere with receiver finish over time, or create pressure points depending on how they are mounted.  A common issue, is undue pressure on areas of the receiver that were not intended to carry that weight, by the manufactures of those firearms.  On pump shotguns in particular such as the Mossberg 590/500 and Remington 870, mounting hardware can sometimes negatively effect internal receiver geometry, pinching the receiver causing malfunctions when trigger pin replacement bolts are over tightened.  For picatinny and receiver optic mounted systems, with receivers generally constructed from aluminum, hanging over a pound of ammo cantilevered off the side of the receiver can cause stripage of the receiver mount holes.

Finally, modularity is limited. a user gets access to one side saddle worth of ammo.  Which needs to be reloaded on the weapon one shell at a time, to be useful again after it has been depleted.

In short, rigid systems are strong and reliable, but not flexible.

The Core Tradeoff: Strength vs Modularity

Most users end up choosing between two extremes.

Either:

• A lightweight, removable system that stretches out and degrades over time
  or
• A durable, permanent system that adds bulk and reduces flexibility

This is the real tradeoff in shotgun shell holder systems.  The question is not whether one is better than the other, its moreso which compromises you want to live with.

Why the Rx Arms Quick-Detach Hybrid Changes Everything

A properly designed QD system is intended to remove that tradeoff entirely by separating the mounting interface from the shell carrier body itself.

Instead of relying on hook and loop or permanent hardware attachment, our QD system uses a rigid mounting plate mechanically paired with a detachable shell carrier body. The result is a platform that can be installed permanently while still allowing the functional component to be removed when it is not needed.

This is not an easy task to accomplish.  Some QD shell carrier systems leave a large foot print when the main body is detached.  The resulting receiver mounting plate can be heavy and bulky, protruding conspicuously off the side of the receiver giving no improvement to sling mounting comfort or transportability.  Further, the bulk that remains has the same effect when attempting to stow the firearm in the crowded safe.  Forcing the user to play Tetris while attempting to stick just one more gun into their already packed gun safe.

We feel the market needs better.  Our QD Shotgun Shell Carrier system is designed so the shotgun can remain slim and light in storage or transport. The shell carrier body can be removed in seconds without tools. And the mounting interface remains fixed, stable, repeatable, and low profile.

The RX Arms QD Side Saddle Approach

The RX Arms Multi-Platform QD Side Saddle Shell Carrier system is built around the concept of a snag free, strong, low profile mounting plate, and modular QD Shell Carrier reloads.

Our mounting interface is a premium low-profile 7075-T6 aluminum mounting plate bonded with high-strength industrial 3M VHB adhesive technology onto your receiver, designed to maintain stability under temperature, moisture, and vibration extremes.  By the way, that same 3M VHB tech is approved for use in aerospace sector to replace welds and rivets, so it is plenty strong.  The shell carrier itself is a detachable high strength light weight polymer body designed for impact resistance and consistent retention.

Once removed, the receiver retains a minimal, low-profile mounting base rather than a bulky mounting plate, or a permanent protruding side saddle. This helps reduce snag risk, improves transportability, storage, and maintains a cleaner overall system profile.  Our goal was to make a mounting plate that looked OEM on the receiver, we hope we have lived up to the task.

Durability Without Permanence

A rigid shell system protects ammunition well, but it does so by being always being there, getting in the way when you don’t need it. A velcro system removes that permanence, but sacrifices long-term durability.

Our QD hybrid approach allows the benefits of both:

• Rigid protection when installed
• Minimal profile when removed
• Repeatable mounting
• Consistent retention

I would also like to add that our QD System as designed, is compatible with all major shotgun platforms (Benelli M4/M1014, Beretta 1301 Tactical, Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol, Mossberg 590/590A1/500/Mav88, Remington 870, Keltec KSG) and most likely all others that we haven’t tested fitment with.

Wrapping Up

Velcro systems prioritize weight and modularity but require ongoing replacement like a disposable item. Rigid systems prioritize durability but permanently add bulk to the firearm. Both work, but both force compromises depending on how the shotgun is used.

Our quick-detachable hybrid system exists to reduce those compromises. It keeps the durability and retention of a rigid carrier while restoring the flexibility of a removable system.  The result is a side saddle that behaves exactly like a modular rigid system, and less like a permanent modification.

Or put more simply:  Install it when you need it. Remove it when you don’t.