Swapping 870 parts

[nomadboi]

Howdy!

I'm new to the world of shotguns, so (keep and) bear with me:

I was kindly given one of my dad's old shotguns, an 870 wingmaster, and I'm looking to give it a facelift. Don't want to do anything permanent, since I'd like to still be able to go duck-hunting with it sometime, but I also want to be able to shoot blanks with it on films (yes, I've done this before, and I know all the safety concerns- check my site at www.fightdesigner.com).

Needless to say, in movieville, most people are going for tact-cool points, so I'm wanting to swap out the vent rib barrel with a shorter HD barrel, maybe a heat shield, mag extention, synthetic stock (possibly folding), all that jazz. Gotta love 870s- more aftermarket accessories than a Honda Civic, easy to change character... supposedly.

That said, I've never done any of this before. Most I've done on a firearm so far is field strip and change grips on a handgun. There was one tutorial linked to here, although some were wary of it since it didn't include important steps like unloading the gun, and it advocated taking apart the trigger assembly.

Is there any online guide to customizing your 870? I don't know if 'express' synthetic stocks will fit on a wingmaster, for example, or what other models are or are not compatable. How important is that extra clamp if you're adding a magazine extention tube?

I figure a shotgun this popular and common has to have info out there that doesn't require buying a gunsmithing dvd or book, but because it's so common, web searches are a pain- I keep getting video game info, for starters.

Thanks any tips, guys!

-Kevin

[ArmedBear]

Don't take apart the trigger assembly unless it's broken.

For making a film, I wouldn't sweat the mag extension clamp. If there's a problem just do another take.

AFAIK all 12 Gauge 870 buttstocks fit all 12 Gauge 870 shotguns ever made. Oddball variants may have different forends, but these guns are rare. A regular Wingmaster is pretty standard fare.

Now, there is one thing to consider. You can now pick up a factory 870 Tactical all ready to go, and it will already have the look you want. It will also work for home defense, etc. It might be less than the aftermarket parts would cost, or at least no more, and you'll have two shotguns instead of one.

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/tactical_shotguns.asp

[nomadboi]

Hey, I'd love to have multiples... but I think it's still cheaper to buy used stocks and barrels off ebay (yes, I know, they're evil) or from cheaperthandirt or sportsmansguide... I figure I can refit the thing for $100 or less if I can get a good deal on a barrel, and a new one's going to cost a lot more than that.

[ArmedBear]

Short barrels for 870s on eBay are not a particularly good deal, unless you get lucky. All the tactical tommies are buying them, often for more than they're worth.:)

You can get a takeoff synthetic stock set for maybe $40-$50 once the bidding is over -- a hunting stock, not a tacticool stock.

If you want a heat shield, ghost rings and a decent mag extension, you'd better plan on WAY over $250 just for the parts, unless you get really lucky, and then you'll still have a polished blue receiver.

Patience is, however, a virtue. The more time you give it, the more deals you might find.

Beware of hand-hacksawed barrels on eBay.

[BEARMAN]

For a short barrel for the Remington 870, check out Cabelas ( www.cabelas.com) They have a Mossberg made 18 1/2 inch barrel for the Remington 870 new for $94.99. I have two that I use and they fit and work fine. Also if you check out the websites of the manufacturers of the various parts they usually have installation information.

[Lee Lapin]

A certain amount will depend on the gauge of your 870- you didn't mention that detail. You'll have more/cheaper options with a 12 gauge.

The owners manual is online at http://www.remington.com/pdfs/om/om_870.pdf and at http://www.bowtools.com/Articles/Gun_Manuals/Remington_870.pdf . And there's an exploded drawing at http://www.okiegunsmithshop.com/rem870.jpg , it's a leftie but it's mirror image. Those will help with basic field stripping and knowing what's where.

You're looking at changing stocks- you'll need two screwdrivers for that (a #2 Phillips screwdriver to remove the buttplate or recoil pad, and a long-shank large bit slot screwdriver to remove the stock bolt). To change forearms you'd be much better off buying a specific tool for the purpose. There are various kinds of 870 fore-end tools sold on eBay too, I recommend the one at http://cgi.ebay.com/Remington-870-and-other-12GA-Shotgun-Forearm-Wrench_W0QQitemZ160004270419QQihZ006QQcategoryZ73962QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem . The design of this one lets you work with the action open all the way and the action bars supported by the receiver, which helps avoid twisting or bending them while you remove and replace the forearm. It also lets you eyeball the alignment of the forearm you're installing so you get it on without causing it to rub on the barrel as the action is cycled.

That should be about it, 870s are dead simple to work on and don't require a lot in the way of special tools.

Definitely put a clamp on any magazine extension you install that holds an extra two rounds or more. The gun will likely be handled by people whose shotgun-fu leaves something to be desired, and a solid whack on the magazine extension can easily damage the threads at the end of the magazine if the extension is unsupported. That will mean a trip back to the factory or a factory level maintenance facility for a new magazine tube, look at the threads on the end of the magazine tube and you'll see thay aren't going to be able to stand a whole lot of leverage from what amounts to a cheater bar.

If you come up with other questions as you begin the project or get further into it, we'll be here... good luck with it. OBTW, put a good coat of Johnsons paste wax or any good carnauba furniture type wax (NOT automotive brands with abrasives though) on the exterior blued metal and wood surfaces to help preserve the finish. The gun will thank you.

lpl/nc

[ArmedBear]

Something to consider, if you're filming.

If you just get a new barrel, and forget the mag extension or stock change, you can use one of these for scenes where there aren't shots fired. This is a rubber 870. It's a lot harder for a klutz to hurt the gun or another person with a rubber replica, but it looks real on film.

http://www.westernstageprops.com/miva/graphics/00000001/ps573lr.jpg

A site worth perusing:
http://www.westernstageprops.com/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WSP&Product_Code=PS573&Category_Code=SPRG

[nomadboi]

Yeah, that's actually one reason I want to switch stocks and get shorter barrels- I already have two rubber 870s, one like you pictured, and the other in all black... but neither with the vent rib barrel. I also have some airsoft shotguns that look like 870s with a heat shield and mag extention.

Got 'em used, so it was cheaper that Westernstageprops, but that's still where I order most of my blanks and some other goodies.