I'll be buying a new Remington 870 soon and can't decide between wood or synthetic stocks. What do you think?
870 purchase, wood or synthetic?
- Thread starter tparker
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Personally, I think the wood on the new express models lacks a little character. Very bland.
It also depends on what you plan on doing with the SG. I went with synthetic on mine because it was originally a turkey hunting gun. Wood has worked fine for centuries. The only advantage the synthetic stock offered me was darker color, it doesn't mind being out in the rain all day, and it carries a little lighter.
I also wanted something I could beat up and not care how it looks.
Other than that, its personal preference.
It also depends on what you plan on doing with the SG. I went with synthetic on mine because it was originally a turkey hunting gun. Wood has worked fine for centuries. The only advantage the synthetic stock offered me was darker color, it doesn't mind being out in the rain all day, and it carries a little lighter.
I also wanted something I could beat up and not care how it looks.
Other than that, its personal preference.
If you won't buy two shotguns, wood and synthetic, then buy a wood stocked one. If you order the wood-stocked model, some shotguns will have come with an additional mounting plate which goes between the stock and receiver. This way, you're ensured to get this piece, if needed, and have some assurance the wood stock will fit your shotgun OK. Also buy a synthetic stock and forearm kit to change back and forth, depending on your preference that day.
Along with the forearm tool tool, determine what other tools you'll need. The recoil pad usually needs a Phillips head screwdriver and the stock may need a long screwdriver to remove the stock bolt. While other stocks may need a hex socket for its bolt.
Along with the forearm tool tool, determine what other tools you'll need. The recoil pad usually needs a Phillips head screwdriver and the stock may need a long screwdriver to remove the stock bolt. While other stocks may need a hex socket for its bolt.
"I think the wood on the new express models lacks a little character. Very bland."
My '93 Express is plain too. Actually, it's some sort of proprietary finish IIRC - I called them and got the brush-off on what to touch it up with. I had knocked a small spot off the butt years ago and the grain underneath, the actual hardwood, didn't look anything like the painted-on finish. YMMV, YourGunMayVary & RemingtonMayVary
John
edited to add: I prefer walnut, but I don't really mind the black plastic on my 1100. I vote for walnut or plastic.
My '93 Express is plain too. Actually, it's some sort of proprietary finish IIRC - I called them and got the brush-off on what to touch it up with. I had knocked a small spot off the butt years ago and the grain underneath, the actual hardwood, didn't look anything like the painted-on finish. YMMV, YourGunMayVary & RemingtonMayVary
John
edited to add: I prefer walnut, but I don't really mind the black plastic on my 1100. I vote for walnut or plastic.
I don't care for the thin-wall synthetic stocks currently offered on production guns. Can't cut them down to install a recoil pad, and if you bump or rub one in the woods it sounds like a drum. No matter how plain it is, I would still get the wood. It can always be stripped, sanded, stained or painted to suit your needs. It will be beech or birch on an Express gun, but no big deal there.
If you want synthetic, get the thick-wall Speedfeed (I think it's a Speedfeed II) as an aftermarket stock.
lpl/nc
If you want synthetic, get the thick-wall Speedfeed (I think it's a Speedfeed II) as an aftermarket stock.
lpl/nc
I have a wood Express. I like it. It's not nice wood, but it still feels like wood.
I'd get that and order the Hogue Overmolded stock set from Cabela's ($39.95, a lot cheaper than I've seen it anywhere else). It's a synthetic stock that has rubber on it like their pistol grips, and a nice recoil pad.
Then you have both a knockaround wood stock and a nicer synthetic stock than the factory one, without breaking the bank.
Or get the Wingmaster. It's a lot prettier. But I'd feel sick if it fell into a puddle of muddy water in a boat. When that happened to my Express, I wiped it off and kept on goin'.
I'd get that and order the Hogue Overmolded stock set from Cabela's ($39.95, a lot cheaper than I've seen it anywhere else). It's a synthetic stock that has rubber on it like their pistol grips, and a nice recoil pad.
Then you have both a knockaround wood stock and a nicer synthetic stock than the factory one, without breaking the bank.
Or get the Wingmaster. It's a lot prettier. But I'd feel sick if it fell into a puddle of muddy water in a boat. When that happened to my Express, I wiped it off and kept on goin'.
I know what you mean, but a beat up piece of walnut is still a lot better looking than a beat up piece of 2x4 or space age polymer.
I think if I only had one shotgun I'd want it to be walnut. But that's me.
John
I think if I only had one shotgun I'd want it to be walnut. But that's me.
John
Wood. While most of the handguns here at present wear Pachmyers and my last couple centerfire B/A rifles wore plastic, all the shotguns here have lumber.
It works for me....
It works for me....
Whatever's cheaper -- then go to Wenig.com/ and get some nice wood and have it fitted so your gun shoots where you're looking, world of difference in both felt recoil and scores The Wenig New American is a very nice Style.
The Wenig New American is a very nice Style.Wood balances better...
My synthetic 870 with the 26" barrel is very "nose heavy". Dave McC has held/shot it and can give a better comparison to a wood stock. If you opt for a shorter barrel the balance may be better. I have a 20" barrel but have not had range time with it since the local trap range has a 23" min. I need to find someplace to give the short barrel a workout.
I have also toyed with adding a mercury recoil reducer inside the synthetic stock to see if that helps the balance. Just need to figure out how to install it in a removable way, but epoxy should work too.
-Dan
My synthetic 870 with the 26" barrel is very "nose heavy". Dave McC has held/shot it and can give a better comparison to a wood stock. If you opt for a shorter barrel the balance may be better. I have a 20" barrel but have not had range time with it since the local trap range has a 23" min. I need to find someplace to give the short barrel a workout.
I have also toyed with adding a mercury recoil reducer inside the synthetic stock to see if that helps the balance. Just need to figure out how to install it in a removable way, but epoxy should work too.
-Dan
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Shotguns are for work. The black plastic stocks are light and strong and looks better IMHO than the wood 870s. Get the plastic and if you don't like it, you can always swap with someone that has a wood stocked one that wants yours. There are many more wood stocks out there than plastic so you will have no problem selling or trading your stock if you decide you don't like it. Trying to get rid of a wood stock is a little harder and you have to basically give them away.
A black synthectic stocked 870 is close to the ultimate duty shotgun in my book. Get a shorter tube and you will have a gun that will do anything you need done. I got a 18" HD and and 24" 870 Turkey and I am super happy. I also have a Mossberg 18" that doesn't get shot much anymore. Got to love those 870s!
A black synthectic stocked 870 is close to the ultimate duty shotgun in my book. Get a shorter tube and you will have a gun that will do anything you need done. I got a 18" HD and and 24" 870 Turkey and I am super happy. I also have a Mossberg 18" that doesn't get shot much anymore. Got to love those 870s!
Geez, in this thread, I walk among giants.albanian said:
Albanian, didn't know you like shotguns, too. (PS: the K9 is fine.)
Background for my response: I owned my first synth stock gun at age 12,
in western TN (as close to the Miss'ippi River as one can get): a Rem Nylon 66 .22.
Synth rules, IMO.
Why? Indestructable, even if the climate changes radically.
It may sound 'strange' when banged against a tree,
but if dropped from 6', it will still be intact. Not so sure about wood.
Plus, when you live in my neighborhood, and drink lattes,
that synth sheik (all black) just fits.
Even if the BG is a not the sharpest knife in the drawer,
he (always a 'he') recognizes 'sheik' when he sees it.
Plus this: I build my loft, walls, workshop & stairs out of wood.
I'll take my stock & fore end in petroleum derivative, thanks.
'Social', indeed.
Nem
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A picture is worth a thousand words. I think this old LE 870 has 'social' written all over it....and between it's former LE career, and it's new deer hunting/HD function, it has probably endured far more abusive 'work' than most will ever see. I bought it for $129- it was covered in paint, glue, and assorted mystery stuff.
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Then again, I gotta admit: for all my humorous posturing about synth sheik, wood IS more beautiful than plastic.Atticus said:
Not to jack the thread, Atticus, but I'm curious: what scope (power)? Do you use that for deer hunting? And a silly question: do you like it/find it useful?
Nem
It's a 1X3...and yes. Even at 1X I can pick the crosshairs up a lot better/faster than I can the sights. It's heavily wooded where I hunt, and I rarely get a shot over 50 yards.
Scoupe
Member
2 cents worth - Woods for toothpicks, picture frames ,and campfires . It sheds its finish, absorbs water, drys and cracks, soaks up gun oil , splinters and chips .
Get composite and refrain from banging them on tree's to see if they are noisy ! You don't go around smacking your wood stock against the tree so why do it with a composite ?
Now if you got a nice flint lock long rifle, then I would put some tiger maple on the critter cause pretty can be important !
Get composite and refrain from banging them on tree's to see if they are noisy ! You don't go around smacking your wood stock against the tree so why do it with a composite ?
Now if you got a nice flint lock long rifle, then I would put some tiger maple on the critter cause pretty can be important !
What will the 870 be used for?tparker said:
Hunting -- Synthetic
Clay games -- Wood, fitted to you for LOP and cheek weld (Wenig)
Home Defense -- Wood on the buttstock, synthetic with Surefire on the fore-end.
I much prefer wood for feel. If the stock gets messed up, strip it down and refinish in Tung Oil. $.02
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