The best mag tube extension for Remington 870???

For a 20" barrel I'd go with the +3 Remington factory extension. Some people don't like the separate nut...I like the heavy-gauge tubing it's made from. Plus it just "looks right" on an 870

I vote for the Rem too.

I've one Remmie and one Choate. Both work well.

The +3 extension will fit flush with your 20" barrel, if that's what you're looking for. I will cast a vote for the Wilson tube (note that this is not based on any comparison - the Wilson is the only tube I've used). I've got a fairly-well-worn one on my 870, and it works. I believe you can find them for less than retail at CDNN.

Another vote for the Wilson Tube. It seems to be made MUCH better than the TacStar and Choate tubes... MUCH BETTER! Don't mind the Remington too much, but the 3-shot tube I've got requires a barrel clamp. The Wilson is stable enough to not require a clamp, however that's also because they don't make a 3-shot tube. My Choate 3-shot tube matches the finish on my Express very well and is well-made enough.

The clamp is just a bracket that attach's to the mag extension tube and the barrel.
This serves to give support to the magazine extension.

Even though extensions like the Scattergun Tech/Wilson unit are very strong, people miss the fact that the GUNS magazine tube is fairly thin metal, which is further weakened by the shallow threads cut in it.

The problem of a shotgun extension without the support bracket is, if the extended tube is hit or bumped, it can bend, or even be knocked completely off the gun.

I've seen this once, when a shooter hit his extension on a shooting range barricade. The extension was knocked off the threads of the guns magazine tube. The extension and the long magazine spring were blown well down range, with shells pouring out onto the ground.

So, even if the extension is really strong, you're better off if you add the support.

I like the Remington or Choate kits, since they come complete with the bracket and a forward sling mount. The Choate also comes with a better magazine follower, and is significantly cheaper than the Remington unit.

For a look at a Remington Factory extension with a support bracket, take a look at Remington's Law Enforcement web site:
http://www.remingtonle.com

For a discount on Choate extensions, email this gentleman who discounts all the Choate extensions. He sells them in capacities from 7 shot for 18" barrels and 8 shots for 20" barrels, up to 10 shot models for 26" barrels.
They are also available in blued or parkerized finish.

Eldon King -- email: [email protected]

I like the pre-Wilson Scattergun Technologies tubes the best.

Built like a tank, are always true, and have never failed me.

Cheers,
Mike

I've used Tac Star's (+3 & +6) in the past and now use a Scattergun Tech +2 and they all have worked good and I thought they all are well made. The ST IS built like a tank and requires no clamp.

I have owned most all of them and I think the very best is Vang Comp Systems extension. www.vangcomp.com

www.vangcomp.com

Not the cheapest, just the best.

Another thumbs up for wilson!!

My SGT extension has the sling attachment point that can be rotated down or to the side depending on the user preference. The problem is that is really noisy.

I like my Choate, but I don't have any experience with other brands. Here is a pic of mine on a 20 inch barrel. It's the 8-shot model, and flushes out pretty well with the end of the barrel. You can also see what the barrel clamp looks like; this clamp/bracket has a sling attachment on the other side. Choate offers a blued and a parkerized version, and the parkerized (shown here) matches the Express finish.

With the Choate kit, you get the mag extension, spring, clamp, and a hi-vis follower. You can check out the kits at: http://www.choatemachinetool.com/ I bought mine directly from the manufacturer. ($41.55 + $4.50 S/H)

This email address failed for me

For a discount on Choate extensions, email this gentleman who discounts all the Choate extensions. He sells them in capacities from 7 shot for 18" barrels and 8 shots for 20" barrels, up to 10 shot models for 26" barrels.
They are also available in blued or parkerized finish.

Eldon King -- email: [email protected]

This post is from 2003.
The man who was selling Choate parts stopped years ago.

These days you can buy the Choate extension from a number of sources, including Brownell's, and direct from Choate.

Choate, but their adapter/nut/clamp will rust easily... something about it..

The +3 extension will fit flush with your 20" barrel

Click to expand...

That's what I thought. It extends 1/2" beyond mine.

EDIT: Crap. I was sucked into posting in an ancient revived thread...

Vang Comp.