Remingtom 870 Express 12GA

The synthetic stock is nice, but it's a bit long

So, have it shortened.

Shotgun fit is such a lost art; if you can find a gunsmith who knows anything about it you'll be lucky. And yet, it's possibly the best thing anyone can do for the shooter. Still, most guys won't pay the freight for a couple hours of fitting and the mod.
 
can someone please identify a quality sling or strap for said shotgun

I use two types of slings on shotguns. First is the old European (Holland & Holland) style with a couple loops on either end. They're great for field guns, especially doubles.

My tactical sling is a modified three point short harness. It fits my vest and uses a QD swivel on the buttstock.

Choice of a sling depends mostly on how you want to carry the gun. I never carry a shotgun on my back like I do sometimes with a rifle.

Check Brownells for ideas.
 
Could have saved a whole lot of typing if you read the post first. He already has 7+ cap.

I've owned the 870 Express for about 3 years, put about 200 shells through it. I'ts a really nice shogun for the price, and the 'tactical' barrel is a nice feature for narrow areas. The time has come to possibly add some mods to this baby. I was considering adding a side saddle to hold some shells, a ghost ring and a trijicon site on the tip, and some kind of aftermarket stock, Knoxx Stock from BlackHawk. ANyone have any suggestions or comments on these mods? Maybe share your ideas, pics are always welcome.

there's his first post, exactly where do you see, "I have a magazine extension on my shotgun already"?

he mentions the tactical barrel, but says nothing about a magazine extension.

as for a sling, Vtac, nice and simple, leave plenty of room on the tail end so its tight but you can loosen it up to shoot off hand with out having to come out of the sling.

just read through the entire thread, it was the 3rd post, i must have missed it by looking at the mass of tactical crap slathered on that shotgun in the pic he put a link to.
 
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This is my Remington 870 12-gauge Super Magnum Express:
DJF_7654-1.jpg


I cut the barrel down from 26" to 18.5". I installed a Knoxx/Blackhawk (non-recoil reduction) stock, installed a Hogue "Handall" rubber grip onto the pistol grip, a Hogue rubber forend, a +2 magazine extension with clamp, a receiver shell carrier, a receiver sling mount (for one-point sling), a "tactical" follower, and a flame green HiViz front sight. I also smoothed the trigger and "tuned" the magazine spring.
 
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I have a Winchester defender that over the years I have played with. Gone are the pistol grips and the heat shield. I have a high viz snap on glow rod, and a side saddle.

The pistol grip with the attached buttstock are fine. I don't do the folders. They make the gun more compact, but also, for me, a bit less shoot-able.

I would like to add a light mount to mine. That would make it more useable when needed.
 
I definitely want to get a pistol grip on it, with the collapsable stock.

This thing looks sick. :D
http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-131422099232374_2247_238470

I have 7+1 shell capacity now, would that extender work to give me 9+1?

There's his 7+1 cap post.

The best thing and the worst thing about Remington has got to be the number of aftermarket parts. There are so many to choose from.

The collapsible stock (should) allow you to adjust for length of pull, making the gun less awkward for you. But then you won't know for sure until you try it. I'm not into throwing a lot of gear on my guns. A good sling and light source and i'm good to go. But everyone has different tastes.
 
A light is a good idea for anything that goes bump in the night. The sling comes in handy for handling and transport when clay shooting time is available. Dann, your shotgun looks about like what I was going for, thanks for the pic.
 
If you have a newer (post 1980 or so) 870 and want to use a magazine extension, you will have to drill out two dimples on the magazine tube out (magazine spring retainer stops) with a drill bit and then smooth the magazine tube out so that the new magazine spring and follower will be able to slide freely in the magazine tube to allow the extra shells in the magazine.

Most manufactures of magazine extensions recommend a 3/16" drill bit for this but you will find that a 7/32" drill bit will smooth the dimles out more and you will still need to polish/sand the inside of the magazine to smooth out the inside of the tube where the dimples were. A half-round file works well for this.

I'd recommend that you get a second 870 for a "dedicated house gun and leave it bone stock. A lot less complications with law enforcement and the DA should you have to use it to repel boarders so-to-speak. A stock 870 will hold 4-rounds in the magazine and 1 in the chamber - plenty to handle the job.

Edited to add: Be dang careful when drilling those dimples out. Drill them straight!!!!! If you wallow them out or make them too big, the magazine spring will catch just the slightest bit on the edges of the holes - just enough to make the feeding of the shells erratic enough to hinder smooth operation of the gun. Not BSing you here. I've seen it happen to more than one guy.

I'm talking about the Remington 870 shotgun here. They are the only ones I have experience with in this area.
 
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I have the Mossberg 590a1. I even have an M9 Phrobis bayonet for it... Get a knoxx stock, and never feel the recoil of those slugs, or buckshot, ever again. Also, get it quick before King George takes it off the shelves...
 
A light is a good idea for anything that goes bump in the night. The sling comes in handy for handling and transport when clay shooting time is available. Dann, your shotgun looks about like what I was going for, thanks for the pic.

Keep the bead instead of ghost rings if you are using it for trap shooting.
 
I put the ShurShot synthetic stock and forend on mine, as well as a magazine tube extension. It now holds 9+1. It looks amazing. Nothing practical for home defense as it is my bird gun, so it has the 28” barrel.
 
Oh, I go shooting every opportunity I get, but I tend to take the Remington 1100. It has less recoil and a bit more enjoyable to shoot.

The 870 is a different animal, being shorter and having substantially more recoil.
.

If you like the auto, then why not get another like an 11-87?


You can reduce recoil with a recoil reducer you add inside the stock
Not useful with folding stocks, but unless you need to stash it in the car or a small strong box, why bother ?
It's not easy to hit anything with just pistol grips anyway.


I like ghost ring apertures with a shiny brass bead.

and I do agree the screw in chokes are nice to have
 
How about getting a barrel with rifle/ghost ring sights? Surefire pump? Those are 2 I want on my tacticool 870. I really dislike the bead sight, but swapping out to rifle sights is a PITA, and getting a new barrel from Remington only costs maybe $20 more.
 
The 870 you have will do the trick. Ghost rings are a great idea because many shotguns force you to alter your point of aim when firing from various distances: Low holds at 25 yards for buck and slugs. Yet, we normally train to aim center mass. With ghost rings, you can regulate the gun, aim center mass and place your rounds on target. Mag extension is a great idea. Spend the money and buy one of quality. Adding a light is a great idea. Either cut down your current stock to fit, or purchase a youth stock to shorten the length of pull. And then do this...

Purchase a couple of boxes of Federal Personal Defense Buckshot. Go to the range and shoot those next to your regular load. It's basically the same as the tactical buck we shoot. It has an incredible pattern, and it's low recoil. You'll likely never shoot regular buck again.
 
Mesa tactical makes an extension for the 870 that allows you to use AR furniture for the stock components. Have a magpul MOE stock on mine. Sturdy construction and a couple sling mount options too.
 
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