[Owen Sparks]

I have several Remington 870's. I have noticed when I remove or replace the stock that some have that metal spacer thing between the stock and receiver and some do not. Is this thing used to take up slop in the factory fit? I noticed that when I put an aftermarket stock on one gun that I had to discard the spacer or it left a sizable gap. Since I am using a practically indestructible plastic stock, I assume it will not harm anything.

[MCgunner]

Might be a shim used to adjust stock camber/drop at comb? I made one out of plastic bottle to lower the stock on my Mossberg, but they make shim kits to do the same thing. They're thin on one side and thick on the other, tapered.

[jmr40]

The spacer is used in wood stocks and not in synthetics. At least that is my experience. I have been told it is to take stress off of the wood stocks and prevent splitting