Brand New 870P- lots of questions

[Snowblind]

Recently got an 870 Police Magnum as a present to myself. (Sorry, no pics yet!) I specifically got it very plain; just the factory mag tube extension and a bead sight. (Synthetic furniture).

I'm happy with it for the most part, but I'm having a few issues with LOP. I'm not totally sure, but I believe that the factory synthetic stock on the 870P has the shortened 12" LOP. At any rate, it felt rather awkward. This is probably because I'm on the tall and lanky side (coming up on 6'5").

I decided to change out the stock and forend for a Hogue OverMolded kit. The stock is a 14" LOP (which is 'standard' ? So I've heard...?) but the darn thing still feels short to me.

Is there any relatively cheap options for giving myself a little longer LOP for my praying mantis arms?

Besides issues with the LOP, I had a few questions about mounting some tacticool gizmos, namely a weaponlight. I specifically don't want to do the SureFire dedicated forend. (Looks weird to me, and I don't have that kind of money.) I was looking into a Streamlight TLR-1, but as far as mounting options I was unsure. I'd probably try mounting it to the mag tube extension, but I know there's options like replacing the mag tube/ barrel clamp. Thoughts on this?

 

[RaceM]

Wow. If the 14" LOP is still short for you about the only option you're gonna have is to add a spacer. Check around on-line and see what you can find, but you'll probably do better just making your own if you're handy.

Someone recently posted on the forums about mounting a light. Sounded like the clamp managed to squeeze the magazine tube out of round as he was having issues with the follower sticking. Maybe someone will chime in with options on mounts that don't cause that problem.

 

[Dave McCracken]

I'm a little OCD about good fit, but good fit on a wingshooter and good fit on a defensive shotgun are different animals entirely.

I take a 52 long suit, have 36" sleeves and bigger hands than most.

My favorite wingshooters go up to 15" and more.

My Serious 870s and my waterfowler have standard 870 stocks, about 14" LOP.

We can use stocks that are shorter than optimum easier than those that are too long.

I suggest some BA/UU/R with that fine shotgun. Move your front hand forward a bit and you should find things comfortable and effective.....

 

[Jon_Snow]

Snowblind, I'm a little like you, with my long arms and bad posture pushing me towards a preference for 15"-15.5" LOP. I went with a slip on recoil pad to get the extra LOP and got the added benefit of greater comfort when shooting slugs. My 870 sports this one specifically: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=755820

 

[Youngster]

I've got a Limbsaver slip-on pad that I sometimes use on my 12" LOP Hogue stocked 870, it gives an extra inch LOP and provides a lot of additional cushioning.

Its easy to put on and remove but stays put very well otherwise.

 

[rcmodel]

Be aware that a long LOP that feels "just right" in your wife-beater T-shirt this summer will be way too long for you when you are wearing a winter coat.
Nothing will slow you down like getting the recoil pad stuck in the wadded up coat padding under your arm pitt!

Like Dave McCracken said:

We can use stocks that are shorter than optimum easier than those that are too long.

I would add "way easier" to that.

rc

 

[Snowblind]

Dave:
Probably the best advice. A month of bad weather's meant not too much range time lately. (I will shoot rain/shine/sleet/snow but nobody will come toss clays for me.) So I'll definitely be giving it more time shooting before I decide to spend money on spacers or recoil pads.

RaceM:
That sounds like user error, (clamped it on too hard?) but I'm far from being an expert. I wasn't thrilled about that option anyway. I was thinking about using this bit here:

http://www.amazon.com/STREAMLIGHT-S...sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1317775530&sr=1-49

But, it seems a bit flimsy. Also, wouldn't placing it behind the mag tube nut make it not screw back all the way? Or is it thin enough to not matter?

 

[Youngster]

I'm assuming it's parkerized? If so consider applying some grease to all the parkerized surfaces as dry or even oiled parkerization is neither very durable nor corrosion resistant compared to greased.

A really heavy grease and some heat to bake it in would be your best bet but even just throwing some wheel grease on there is a lot better than nothing.

 

[Snowblind]

I'm assuming it's parkerized? If so consider applying some grease to all the parkerized surfaces as dry or even oiled parkerization is neither very durable nor corrosion resistant compared to greased.

A really heavy grease and some heat to bake it in would be your best bet but even just throwing some wheel grease on there is a lot better than nothing.

Yes, it's parkerized.

I typically use a tiny bit of gun oil inside the bore and on the bolt, and clean the exterior surfaces with WD-40 and a silicon cloth.

I haven't ever used grease (or really considered it actually). Did you have a particular brand in mind?

Any other tips for cleaning / rust prevention?

 

[Youngster]

Oils are what you want for the interior but they are next to useless on the exterior of a parkerized gun, especially light oils, they just don't do much and will dry up in no time, especially when the gun heats up.

Anyway the best grease for this purpose is Cosmoline, if you can't get that then any bearing, gear or multipurpose grease will do, don't bother with gun lube grease as its extremely expensive and no better for the purpose than the regular commercial stuff.

Once treated, especially if baked in, you won't have to apply any more grease for a long time, if ever, and you'll find that the finish will be much harder to scratch and will be much easier to clean as nothing seems to be able to stick to it.

Another thing I like to do is hit the interior of the mag tubelike and mag spring with an oil like G96 or Remoil that leaves a lubricating film behind even after it dries, and then leave everything sitting in direct sunlight or somewhere else where heat will dry it out. Normally you're not supposed to get any oil on the inside of your magazine but in this way it doesn't cause any problems while noticeably reducing friction and ease of cleaning.

 

[RaceM]

Snow- Yeah, I'm thinking he went the "make sure it's TIGHT" route. I just go firmly snug then locktite for those kinds of things.