[tantrix]

I recently acquired a like-new 1992 Remington 870 Express Magnum /w wood furniture, 28" barrel, and modified choke.

I am looking to put the following mods on it for when I'm not using it for hunting:


1) 18" barrel (preferably Remington) with just a plain bead sight
2) A durable & reliable extended mag tube that will not extend past the 18" barrel



So far I've found the barrel I want (I think) from Cabelas...it's the 6th one from the bottom for $109:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp;jsessionid=PGJ3SDVJBF1DMCWQNWTCCNIK0BW0CIWE?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat602007-cat20805_TGP&id=0005760212137a&navCount=6&podId=0005760&parentId=cat20805&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=XG&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20805&_requestid=110373

I was going to buy the Tac-Star extended magazine from Cabelas too, but the only ones they have are the 8-round and 10-round which both will stick out farther than the 18" barrel! :fire: :fire:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat602007-cat601640-cat20811&id=0005620210794a&navCount=3&podId=0005620&parentId=cat20811&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=XG&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20811&hasJS=true



If the barrel I linked above is indeed the 18" with bead sight which is what it appears, I will order that one from Cabelas. Where would be a good place I can order a magazine extension that wouldn't stick out farther than my 18" barrel? (for a decent price like Cabelas if possible)

I'm open to suggestions. Thanks in advance,


-Tantrix

[Waywatcher]

I would buy a Wilson Combat (aka Scattergun Technologies) +2 extension. http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=178149

[JohnBT]

I have a '93 model and you need to consider replacing the sorry excuse for a recoil pad that came on it. Lube up a screwdriver and take off the original pad and see what you think about the construction - mine was hollow and the rubber was only about 1/4" thick.

Then again, if you're only going to be shooting light bird and clay loads it probably won't matter. I bought mine to shoot goose, turkey and deer loads.

John

[dfariswheel]

An excellent place to buy magazine extensions is Brownell's.
They carry several brands.

My pick for price/durability/quality is the Choate. Unlike most others, the Choate comes as a complete kit with the extension tube in satin black sulfate or parkerized, a longer spring, a heavy-duty magazine follower, a barrel clamp, and sling swivel:

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/catsearch.aspx?k=magazine+extension&ps=10&si=True

If you can handle the price, the Remington factory extensions are the very best of all.

Personally, I don't recommend the Tac-Star due to a past history of quality problems.

[Famine]

The cost seems high...

[Fred Fuller]

Be sure the barrel you get has the magazine cap detent in the barrel ring. Some of the new Express barrels don't have them, since Remington went over to the magazine spring retainer/magazine cap detent system that led to pressing dimples in the magazine tube to retain the plastic plug. It'll matter less with the magazine extension, but if you want to use the original magazine cap with your short barrel you'll need it.

Consider having an inch or 1.5" taken off the stock if needed, before having a new premium recoil pad Remington R3, LimbSaver, KickEez etc) fitted.

The Remington mag extension is best IMO, the 2-shot version will protrude 1/2" beyond the muzzle on an 18" barrel. They fit even with the muzzle on an 18.5" barrel though. Wilson makes a tough magazine extension, so does Choate. DO use a barrel clamp with any 2-shot magazine extension- not because the extension isn't strong enough, but because of the leverage it puts on the relatively fragile magazine threads where it screws onto the magazine itself.

hth,

lpl/nc

[tantrix]

Be sure the barrel you get has the magazine cap detent in the barrel ring. Some of the new Express barrels don't have them, since Remington went over to the magazine spring retainer/magazine cap detent system that led to pressing dimples in the magazine tube to retain the plastic plug. It'll matter less with the magazine extension, but if you want to use the original magazine cap with your short barrel you'll need it.

How do you know beforehand which barrels have the detent in the barrel ring? Do they have different part numbers? I'm going to order the barrel first, then the magazine extension soon after so I'm going to have to be sure of the barrel as soon as I order it.


Thanks for the replies everyone.

[rantingredneck]

Seeing as you're a hunter why not get the 20 inch IC barrel with rifle sights? Shoots slugs and buckshot very well at HD ranges and you can use it for big game with rifled slugs. It's only an inch and a half longer and the 8 shot tac star extension works perfectly with it. I got my 20 inch barrel at Bass Pro Shops for 129.99.

[tantrix]

Seeing as you're a hunter why not get the 20 inch IC barrel with rifle sights? Shoots slugs and buckshot very well at HD ranges and you can use it for big game with rifled slugs. It's only an inch and a half longer and the 8 shot tac star extension works perfectly with it. I got my 20 inch barrel at Bass Pro Shops for 129.99.

I might go that route also, I've heard good things about those barrels. I really don't want to limit myself with the 18" cylinder bore since the 20" IC with rifle sights can be used to hunt with and surely stop any 2-legged problems. It seems like the perfect companion barrel to my 28" ribbed smoothbore.

Cabela's has the 20" IC /w rifle sights listed for $129 on sale. I'm not sure if this one would have the detent in the barrel ring Lee Lapin mentioned though.

http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/37/20inch870eo1.jpg

[rantingredneck]

I'm pretty certain it does, but I'll check when I get home and confirm.

[Fred Fuller]

I don't know of any particular code that tells you which magazine cap retaining system a given barrel has. Most of the new/current Express barrels have no detent in the barrel ring any more, but one version of the 18" CYL bore does- they put the 'old' style or Wingmaster/Police style detent in those barrels used on the home defense version of the 870Express with factory magazine extensions IIRC.

The whole thing is a LOT more confusing than it should be, wish they would go back to one system so ALL 870 barrels of the same gauge are completely interchangeable with no issues. The way things used to be...

lpl/nc

[Snarlingiron]

Seeing as you're a hunter why not get the 20 inch IC barrel with rifle sights? Shoots slugs and buckshot very well at HD ranges and you can use it for big game with rifled slugs. It's only an inch and a half longer and the 8 shot tac star extension works perfectly with it. I got my 20 inch barrel at Bass Pro Shops for 129.99.

I absolutely love mine!!

[rantingredneck]

OK I checked my 870 barrel rings when I got home this is what I found.

The IC 20" barrel that I bought at Bass Pro shops in Jan. has the detente.

http://www.rantingredneck.com/evolution/media/870ICbarrelwdetente.JPG

The 28" barrel that came on the gun does not have it.

http://www.rantingredneck.com/evolution/media/87028inchbarrelwodetante.JPG

and here's some random Remington 870 gun porn for you while I was at it.

http://www.rantingredneck.com/evolution/media/870gunporn1.JPG

http://www.rantingredneck.com/evolution/media/870gunporn2.JPG

[tantrix]

rantingredneck, my 28" barrel looks like neither one of your pics. It just has a hole at the 2 o-clock position...no flat spot, and no detent....just a hole. I assume the detent helps keep your mag extension from unscrewing or something? My barrel has a hole there so it's smooth, and my screw-on magazine cap is smooth also. I have no clue what the new 20" IC barrels have on the ring but from what I have read, it doesn't matter if it has the detent or not as long as I'm not adding a mag extension. :confused:


I also looked at my magazine tube and mine has the 2 dimples stamped into it that hold the spring in which from what I've read are problematic when adding a magazine extension so I may just leave it at the stock 4-shot configuration. :banghead:

[rantingredneck]

Those two dimples are only a problem if you don't have a dremel and 10 minutes to spare. Mine HAD them.

[rantingredneck]

I've also read of people taking a drill bit and just drilling through the dimples to remove them. I chose the dremel and from the outside of the gun you can't tell anything was done to it.

[rantingredneck]

Also if you're going to put a mag extension on it you're also going to want a barrel/mag clamp. That alone will keep it from unscrewing, detente or no. Dremel your mag tube out, get the barrel and mag extension you want, get a clamp and have fun. No worries.

[tantrix]

I've also read of people taking a drill bit and just drilling through the dimples to remove them. I chose the dremel and from the outside of the gun you can't tell anything was done to it.

Yeah thought about that then I heard if you remove the dimples then try going back to stock capacity for hunting it's a nightmare. Would make sense I guess, on mine without the dimples the spring/follower wouldn't stay in the tube at the stock 4-rd setup.

[rantingredneck]

It doesn't really cause a problem you just have to be careful when unscrewing your stock mag cap that it doesn't pop you in the nose. Think about it, the mag cap will keep the spring and spring cap in place. Mine hasn't given me any problem when I switch back. Just be aware when you're unscrewing it. :eek:

[rantingredneck]

If you're worried about that you could look around for one of the old style clips that held the mag spring in place. That works without the dimples. Should be able to find one at a gunshow or maybe brownell's or somewhere like that online.

[rantingredneck]

Tantrix. You may want to look into getting one of these sling mounts:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Remington-870-12ga-Sling-Mount_W0QQitemZ250091402453QQcategoryZ73958QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I picked one up the other day. It fits between the mag extension or cap and the mag tube. It has a detente built in. Cheap solution to your problem.

[Stretchman]

20 IN IC choke is good, especially with the rifle sights. Better for slugs than fixed cyl. Better for shot at ranges beyond HD work.

Stay away from the Tac star stuff. Theres a reason why it's so cheap. With a 20 inch barrel, a +3 extensions will work. With an 18 IN BBL, only +2. Remington prolly has the best extension, but they are pricey. Think Vang, Wilson or Choate. I bought mine with the extension already, so I don't have the dimples.

If this is for a HD gun, Uncle Mikes has the mag clamp with a flashlight holder, and sling swivels for about 22 bux. If you don't need a light, then they also have a clamp without the holder, that comes with sling swivels. If you get any extension, having the clamp is highly recommended.

[9mmMike]

Anyone have the correct part number for the 18" with the detent? Or better yet, anyone have one for sale? How about the 18" with rifle sights? I have a gaggle of 20"ers but I'd like to build an 18" gun.
Thanks,
Mike

[byf43]

Anyone have the correct part number for the 18" with the detent? Or better yet, anyone have one for sale? How about the 18" with rifle sights? I have a gaggle of 20"ers but I'd like to build an 18" gun.
Thanks,
Mike



Hi Mike!

Long time, not talk to.

Here is the information that I have for the 18-1/2" barrel that I put on the 870, that I gave to my daughter. (I just called her. This barrel does have the detent.)

Part # first, then description, then price.

#24620 BBL IC/18-1/2” BS Express $121.00
#91657 Magazine Spring Retainer – 12 ga Metal $3.25 <<<<<<--- This is the OLD style retainer that fits inside the magazine tube!



Remington's number is: 1.800.243.9700 M-F 9-5 ET


I hope this helps.


Keith

[9mmMike]

As always, thanks Keith. My 1100 CM copy is still running strong BTW.

Mike

[byf43]

Oops this post deleted.

'Double tap' on submit key! Sorry!

[byf43]

Mike,

No problem. No problem, at all!!!!


Good to hear the CM 'clone' is running good. Mine too.
(Mine stays 'hungry' though. It can't get enough to eat!)

I'm contemplating swapping out the stock for a 'standard' synthetic one. I'm thinking about it. No hard decisions, though.

[tantrix]

Anyone have the correct part number for the 18" with the detent? Or better yet, anyone have one for sale? How about the 18" with rifle sights? I have a gaggle of 20"ers but I'd like to build an 18" gun.
Thanks,
Mike

byf43 is correct.

I just got the Remington 18" smoothbore police barrel from Cabelas for $109, and I couldn't be more satisfied. The barrel has a good matte finish, is very sturdy, and patterns are excellent. It has the spring/detent on it.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp;jsessionid=VR4KJJZ3OYYYQCWQNWRSCNYK0BW0IIWE?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat602007-cat20805_TGP&id=0005760212137a&navCount=6&podId=0005760&parentId=cat20805&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=XG&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20805&_requestid=84137

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/5954/rem18qc5.jpg

[ocharry]

hi guys,, just thought i would chime in here ,, i have a +3 choate extention on my 870 with a Remington 20" factory slug barrel and it is flush with the end of the barrel,,, and i have a +4 choate extention on my 1100 with a factory 22" slug barrel and it too is flush with the barrel... also thanks byf43 for the Remington part no. for the long button lifter,,( wife got it for me as a Christmas gift) that is the ticket for faster reloads in the 1100.... and my CM copy is running slick and smooth too ..... just love them Remington shot guns... they are the best just my .02 YMMV ;)

ocharry:)