870 Question..

[Shadowangel]

So, I know next to nothing about pump action shotguns, but I decided I wanted one. It will be used primarily for home defense, though I do intend on perhaps changing the barrel to a longer one for hunting now and then. Went to a gunshow this weekend and handled the two models I was wanting, either a Remington 870, or a Mossberg 590. I decided I liked the feel and look of the 870 a bit more, so that's probably what i'm going for. The one they had at the show was priced really high though, so I left with intention of buying one later.

On to my question. Everywhere i've found online that I normally order my guns through has the basic 870 on sale, but doesn't have the version with the 2 round extension tube they had at the show in stock. Is it possible to add the extension and the metal clamp with the sling swivel that held the extension to the barrel? I know there are all sorts of accessories for these guns, but I'm not sure what i'm searching for, exactly.

 

[rantingredneck]

Yes, but..........

If you're looking at an 870 express 28" barrel there will be two dimples inside the magazine tube that will prevent adding an extension, unless you break out your dremel tool and remove them. Takes about 15 minutes and I've done it a couple times.

Then when you go back to the longer barrel you'll have to either use the same magazine spring retainer with the plastic teeth that came with your 870 express and be real careful when taking it off (the spring is under tension and pop you in the face), or you'll have to order an older style spring type magazine spring keeper and use plumbers tape on the threads to the magazine cap. The express style 28" barrels don't have the ball detent that the wingmaster barrels do so you'll have to have something to hold that mag cap in place or it can loosen under recoil.

 

[Wildfire]

870

You will like that 870 better . Thay handle better and are better made. The wingmasters are much nicer but cost more. Mine is over 35 years old and still functions flawless. The Express is the same gun with out the looks and refinement. Sounds right on the tube.
There are after market parts but I'm not sure if they tended to that tube problem yet. Good all around gun, and can be made into what ever you want.
Watch the finish they can rust if not kept up with. Most of those cheaper parkerizing finishes will.

 

[mljdeckard]

I like Remington, I use mine exactly as you are thinking of, but to be fair, I would tell you to find a Mossberg to try as well. The main difference is the location of the safety, some people like it better.

 

[mnrivrat]

OK - I guess to start you might want to know that putting a longer barrel on the Mossberg 590 may be a problem. The Model 590 is made as a trench.riot gun and the barrels are not only shorter on this model, but they do not interchange with the longer barrels of the 500 series guns.

You like the Rem. 870 and that's a good choice and various length barrels will readily fit them. The factory extension is a little different than the aftermarket magazine extentions but the principle is the same. The difference to note in 870's is the method in which the magazine cap is retained. On guns not normaly set up by the factory to use their extension they use a dimpled magazine tube as mentioned . To put an extension on these the dimples have to be removed. Older guns were all the same and used a spring retainer inside the magazine tube and a detent ball in the barrel that made contact with the magazine cap to keep it tight. The dimpled guns use a plastic retainer that acts both as the spring retainer and the locking system for the magazine cap.