[clubsoda22]

I'm doing fine with the tru-glo bead sight, but i was wondering if there are other sight options available for the gun such as rifle sights or ghost rings? There doesn't seem to be anywhere to mount a rear sight.

[Dave McCracken]

What's the mission? For many things, the bead is best. Beads are fast, simple, and economical.If this is a simon pure HD tool, leave it be.

Having some experience at this, let me say that my "Serious" 870s have peep sights(GR sights without a publicist) because I hunt deer with them and slugs. Otherwise, my life would depend a bead and I do not find that a problem.

I've done good work with a bead, and expect to do much more. Even slugs are an option out to 50 yards. Beyond that, most folks should go with a rifle anyway.

Many peep/GR rears are bolted on to drilled and tapped holes in the receiver. IOW, installation is permanent.

[clubsoda22]

as i said, i'm doing fine with the bead, i was just wondering if there were other sight options for this particular gun.

Who knows, one day i may want to go dear hunting and find that a rifled slug barrel is a lot cheaper than a deer rifle.

As for slug accuracy with the bead, last weekend, using winchester rifled slugs in my defender, i punched out the orange sticker over the bullseye of my target in one shot at 25 yards. I don't think I have to worry. According to my dad, he saw the bright orange dot down range, then he heared a boom and it dissapeared.

It was pretty funny because my dad had just put a bunch of holes in it with his 1911 and i commented "i'll finish him off." Well, i sure did.

I also find that with my mounted xenon light focused, buckshot tends to pattern right at the focus point.

[Dave McCracken]

Other options would include open sights, optical sights, red dot sights, and a peep with matching front.

However, you're doing OK with the bead, going by your preceding post. See where the hits are at 50 yards. FWIW, the last decade's seen maybe 20 deer taken here, average distance around 32 yards.

I suggest using what you have until you've really learned the weapon. BA/UU/R.
When your performance reaches a plateau, then look for things that'll better direct that shot cloud or slug to the center of the target.

[clubsoda22]

of fire slugs with the bead i rest the bead at the top of the reciever and use the small serrations to judge where center is. Works quite well.

[fix]

You should be able to pick up one of the camp defender barrels. It is 2 inches longer, accepts screw in chokes, and has open sights installed. Inside the house, my defender wears the short barrel with the bead. Outside the house, the longer barrel goes on.

[clubsoda22]

camp defender barrel was 4" longer last time i looked.

[fix]

You are correct. 22 inch vs 18 inch. Oops.

[clubsoda22]

if i was gonna get a longer barrel, i'd get something fully rifled that i could mount a scope on and maybe have an engineering buddy of mine fabricate a way to mount a bipod. Make something like the scttergun tech "urban sniper," except on a winchester platform. a 150 yard death cannon would be sweet.