[Lucky]

I just got a brand new 14" 870, and took it to the range today. After putting 20 rounds of #6 through it I got out a couple boxes of #5. With 5 shells left I put down the shotgun, and realize that the front bead is missing!

I managed to find it nearby, but I don't think I trust it to stay in. Is there anything I can replace it with that has less chance of coming off? I've seen some of those fibre-sights that say they epoxy over the existing bead. Any good?

Thanks;
Scott

P.S.
Shotguns rock! I was expecting recoil to be punishing, but my 30-30 kicks harder.

[WeedWhacker]

I had the same problem with with my Saiga-12's bead sight. No matter how hard I tightened the thing with pliers, it kept working itself loose rapidly. The sight fit very loose in its threads, so I peeled off a thin strip of duct tape, stuck that down one side of the sight hole, then tightened the bead down with pliers again. Hasn't moved since.

If your sight's threads are too tight for a similar "fix", you may want to consider something like blue or maybe even red Loctite. Red, because my shotgun gets rather hot when I blast 100 1oz slugs out of it at a time. Mmm, the smell of $50 converted to sore shoulders and gunsmoke. :)

BTW, buckshot and slugs kick a lot harder than birdshot. By "a lot", I mean that you may want to spend a few bucks on a recoil pad for your shotgun, and perhaps even a second one to wear on your shoulder. If I use both, I'm able to blast hundreds of full-power 1oz slugs downrange with zero damage to my shoulder - and I'm a wimp. :)

[Fred Fuller]

Was your bead pressed in at the factory, or is your barrel an aftermarket alteration?

(Not fair Canadians get to buy SBSs with no hassle...8^)

lpl/nc

[kb2iaw]

If your front bead is of the screw in type...put a dab of clear nail polish on the threads ,and wind some very light sewing thread around the bead threads .

[theCZ]

I learned to shoot with a really old Model 12 from the 30s (I think) that didn't have a front bead because it had worn out. Sometimes when you'd fire a little jet of flame would come out the hole. Beads aren't that critical, but I like 'em to be sure I've mounted the gun correctly and am seeing the right sight picture. I tried a neon bead on my Over/Under but found it called my eye back towards the barrel, which really isn't what you want at all. I now shoot with a white bead and prefer it.

[saltyphotog]

Would Locktight be a good remedy for the threaded type?

[WeedWhacker]

Was your bead pressed in at the factory, or is your barrel an aftermarket alteration?

My bead sight was threaded, stock with no changes from the factory, though the threads were darn loose.

[Lucky]

Thanks all. I'm not sure what the thread size is, but the bead is threaded. It sure is loose, so I'll try locktite or nail polish. But I'm ordering a HiViz Spark sight from Cabelas for the next time.

When I feel inside the barrel the bead's threads protrude into the barrel a tiny bit, just enough for a finger to feel it. I guess it needs to be files down some.

[sm]

I shot my bead sight off!

What ever method works best for you to remove a bead works for me.
Now the rag with gun oil won't hang up when you are wiping the gun down.

:)

[Simon Yu]

Lucky, make sure you spend time cleaning off the bead's thread's and the hole first. One way to do this is to use whatever cleaner you use for the gun in general on both for a bit, then use rubbing alcohol to degrease both. Loctite can be finicky if you use it on unclean surfaces.

[Lucky]

Will do. And will shoot some buck and slugs asap, but Walmart had birdshot @ 100/$20, and no buck or slugs available.

[The Deer Hunter]

Would Locktight be a good remedy for the threaded type?

Yes, thats acually why I use on mine. But make sure to get the blue kind, the other is permanent IIRC.

[WeedWhacker]

The red Loctite is "permanent". However, Loctite loses a lot of strength when it is heated, so blue Loctite may not be strong enough.

[Lucky]

I thought locktite was used to put sleeves in engine cylinders?

[deputy tom]

Lucky,yes one of the Lock-tite products is for bearings/sleeving engines.Just buy the regular strength blue Lock-tite at an Autoparts store.tom.:cool:

[The Deer Hunter]

The red Loctite is "permanent". However, Loctite loses a lot of strength when it is heated, so blue Loctite may not be strong enough.

Well, i have not subjected the 870 to alot of heavy use, only trap every now and then. Even if it had the power to loosen the locktite the bead still has like 5 or so threads until it falls of completely. By the time it has rotated 180 degrees i think you would notice while your shooting.