I've been looking for a side saddle for a few months now after deciding that it was time to replace my original plastic craptastic NC star sidesaddle that sheared off about three years ago, (Okay- I move slow. deal with it.) I'd have liked a Mesa Tactical eight shell, but Dang that thing is expensive and huge. the six rounder is more realistic, but still $75. which is all of my expendable income.

I had a whole story about how I found this- but it was over the top and way to long. so:
I picked this thing up for $15 at Fuquay gun, it's 6061 aluminum. has the same style of rubber retainer as Mesa uses, and came with a section of completely inadequate velcro to secure it to the receiver.
I sectioned out some M3 5958FR and covered the whole back of it and slapped it on to the receiver with some weights for a few days to ensure good adhesion. it holds shells firmly, so they don't fall out under recoil. it actually holds them hard enough to squish the buckshot I keep in it. It holds the slugs much harder then any shot-shells.

for 15 bucks. it's not bad.

considering the amount of things I've had come flying off this gun under recoil? (flashlights, the original side saddle, the trigger housing, ect.)

pin walked out. which is why I have an antiwalk pin.

shell retention: 9/10. strangely, this isn't a 9 because of it dropping shells. it's 9 because it's difficult to actually remove shells in the heat of the moment. it's also to tight to accept snap-caps in the front 3 slots. the only one that is "perfect" it the fourth from the front, it holds tight under recoil, but slides out without a fuss when you pull on the brass.

durability: 8/10. it's 6061 aluminum, with an aluminum back-plate, the rubber retainers are a wear point, but for $15 you can get a new one when they finally bite it.

Fit and finish: 6/10. the finish is hard anodizing. it's even and black and there are not obvious machine marks. fit is inconsistent. with some loops holding much tighter then others. and the dovetailed +2 section being rather loose and rattly. I'd glue them to together if I was using this with Velcro.

Provided hardware: 3/10. the provided Velcro is cheap off name brand, paper backed and both wider and longer then the carrier. it's also painfully cheap. 3 minutes of gentle abuse (putting it together and pulling it apart) has it looking like the Velcro on my dads first set of ACU's after significantly more abuse. it lost much of it's hold, shedding both hooks and loops. frankly I'm glad I passed on it. I would suggest using real heavy duty Velcro if you want hook and loop.

I did maybe 100 cycles. if you have multiples so you can reload the side of the gun you'll  wear them out quicker.
if you only have and intend to use one, might as well use the 5958.