[CRridermike]

I got a 870 mag. from my uncle for free and i want to take the "plug" out so i can put more than 2 shells in the magazine tube. how do i do this? i have figured out thow to take the barrel off already! thanks for any help.

[grimlock]

Unscrew the magazine cap and remove the barrel.

Remove the magazine spring retainer inside the end of the magazine tube. Be careful when you do this, because when the retainer lets go the mag spring will want to rapidly expand out the end of the tube. Just point it in a safe direction and put your hand over the mouth is what I do.

The plug should be inside the spring. Remove it.

Work the spring back into the magazine tube and replace the retainer.

Reinstall barrel and magazine cap.

[9mmMike]

It depends....

Is it an older gun with a metal cap/spring retainer or a modern gun with the plastic retainer and dimples? Look at the area of the mag tube that is normally covered by the barrel ring/lug. Are there dimples?

If it is the metal retainer, just pry it out, tip the gun so the plug slides out and then go collect the spring form across the room and reassemble.

If is the new dimpled gun, then get a big flat-bladed screwdriver and insert it into the slot on the plastic retainer. Push in about a half an inch until you can rotate the retainer ninety degrees. You are aligning the slots in the retainer with the dimples in the mag tube. Once you're lined up reduce the pressure on the retainer and allow the spring to push it out. Tip the gun so the plug.
Note: The plug will also have grooves that need to be aligned with the dimples.
Once you see how it works, you can easily do this without the screwdriver. In fact, I just did this on the Sporting Clay field for a guy last Saturday. Reassemble in reverse order.

Mike

[Badger Arms]

There is yet a third style which has a long steel weight that takes up the forward part of the magazine. This simply requires the removal of one screw and reassembly of the gun without the screw or plug.

[CRridermike]

thanks guys, that was easy!, how many should it hold now?

[grimlock]

Four shells in the standard magazine. This should be true whether they are 2.75 or 3 inch shells.

[Badger Arms]

You can fit three 3.5" shells or four of the 2.75" or 3" shells in there.

[9mmMike]

You can fit three 3.5" shells......

I don't think that it is a Super Mag. They may fit in the tube but they're not going anywhere!

Mike