The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Shotguns => Topic started by: crusader rabbit on October 17, 2013, 07:42:10 AM
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I've recently been given a Remington 870 in a pretty standard configuration and I'm thinking about making it into something more SD oriented.
To wit: I think I'd like to go from the 5 shot mag tube to either a 7 or an 8 shot tube.
They seem to be readily available from Sportsman's Guide and Midway. I still won't buy from Cheaper than Dirt.
Anybody here ever do this modification?
Are there problems to watch out for?
Do the extensions come with longer springs?
Do the extensions negatively impact feeding?
What should I look out for?
It seems like an inexpensive modification that could show some real benefit when the zombies attack.
Thanks in advance,
Crusader Rabbit
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On some of the later 870's they had "dimples" in the end of the mag tube to keep from adding an extended tube.You can either drill them out or use a small sanding drum on a dremel tool to remove them and the new tube will work fine.All the aftermarket tubes I've seen have the spring with them.
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not heard about the dimples, but i have heard about some guns needed to have the end of the old mag touched up so that stuff ran smooth. it is going to change the balance of the gun. you will have an extra half pound plus out there.
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The end cap of the mag tube is removed for through cleaning and the extension just replace that end cap with a threaded tube and longer spring.
If you have no dimples, it is a very quick job. What the dimples do is prevent the mag. follower from moving past them.
I drilled mine out on the second 870 I added an extension to (the first did not have them) and still needed some burr cleanup in the tube.
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To wit: I think I'd like to go from the 5 shot mag tube to either a 7 or an 8 shot tube.
If I bought another one, I would buy the 2 or 3 shot like you are thinking. I got the 4 and it put a lot of weight out front.
Got mine from Brownell's. (Choate)
Do the extensions come with longer springs?
Yes. Mine also came with another follower and a barrel/mag clamp on front sling swivel.
Do the extensions negatively impact feeding?
No.
I read about the dimples in the 11-87 mag tube, (my 870 didn't have them), and tried it on that gun just to see what would happen.
It was a no-go 'cause the extra rds can't get past them. If your 870 is an express, it might have the dimples.
And you were given a shotgun? We hate you. :D
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Just like Solus said, I added a Choate tube to my 1100 that also fits 870s. Very easy since my older model didn't have dimples in the tube. It didn't seem to have any negative impact except a little more weight that really isn't THAT bad.
P.S. You can get mag extensions made out of aluminum instead of steel.
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What the dimples do is prevent the mag. follower from moving past them.
They keep the newer style mag spring retainer in place.
The old one is a circular piece of spring steel. The newer ones are plastic with slots to go past the dimples then turn 90deg to retain in place.
It does make getting out the follower a bigger PITA but the follower needs to be full diameter so it has slots too.
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What a wealth of information. Thank you all.
Crusader
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Yeah, I had to have the dimples of my 870 removed. And I'm not sure they did that great of a job because it has caught a time or two. There is this option. http://www.blackacestactical.com/#!product-list/c1srd
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i would thing drilling them out then taking a debur knife to both the in and out side, would work great, if the right size drill was used. A dowl with emerypaper might also be useful( remember to add some bluing to prevent rust what ever you do)
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Try these guys, seem to be a good option for however many extra rounds you want.
http://nordiccomp.com/retail/shop/nc-extensions/new-nc-mxt-shotgun-extension-complete-assembly-12ga/
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if you don't go with a complete Nordic mag tube and spring, at least get the ISMI spring... the factory Remington tube is threaded into the cap, and has a groove that fits the pinch bolt on the barrel clamp to keep the clamp from moving... don't go with Chinese junk..
factory Rem mag extension
(http://i825.photobucket.com/albums/zz180/LesSnyder/DSC00521_zps139ad022.jpg) (http://s825.photobucket.com/user/LesSnyder/media/DSC00521_zps139ad022.jpg.html)
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I suffered a shoulder injury about 6 months ago, and still find it difficult to hold a shotgun with a loaded extended mag tube.... if you have a significant other or kids that may need to shoot the thing, make sure that they can hold it up... I removed the tube from my house gun temporarily... hence the picture...consider a good light... one of the benefits of shooting the Ft Benning 3 gun matches... Surefire Scout light from off the prize table
(http://i825.photobucket.com/albums/zz180/LesSnyder/DSC00318.jpg) (http://s825.photobucket.com/user/LesSnyder/media/DSC00318.jpg.html)
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So here's what I did with all this good information.
I got a Choate extension tube that gives me a total of 8 rounds. It extends the mag tube to the end of the barrel, but no farther and that pleases me from an aesthetic perspective.
I also installed a synthetic forend with Picatinny rails to match the synthetic stock already on the shotgun.
I don't know the complete history of this gun, but the original stock had been replaced with a synthetic one at some point. However, the original wood furniture was retained at the forend. It looked cobbled together and was unpleasing to the eye.
And the Picatinny rail gives me a place to mount a tactical light, and I like that idea on a home defense weapon.
The result is an 870 that looks good and has a bit more mojo than it did a few hours ago. I haven't shot it yet, but I did pump several mag loads through and found no difficulty feeding.
So, my "gift" shotgun has now cost me a little over $80 and has become another "keeper" gun.
Thanks for all the good advice. I'll se what I can do to post a pic in the near future.
Crusader Rabbit
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Your barrel must be longer than mine. I hacked mine off at just over 18" (from 28") and a +2 extension is just right.
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Barrel measures approximately 19.5"and the extension and barrel end are close enough that it looks like an over/under double barrel from the side.
CR
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Keeping the extension tube shorter than the barrel has more than aesthetic value.
The tube is weaker than the barrel and even with a clamp at the muzzle end, it would be exposed to leverage that might cause damage should it extend past the end of the barrel.
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Cool CR, glad you like it and hope it is a good shooter for you.
I also like the looks of a pump with the mag/barrel at the same length.
I have a pair of Winchester Defenders with eight-round factory tubes that end at the same distance as the barrels, and I really like them (especially since I only have $250 in the pair combined). :D