Changing 870 left-hand safety

[Kevinch]

The 870 I bought used is set-up with a left-hand safety. I'm not familiar with the mechanism - can it simply be reversed, or do I need to by a new assembly? Also, is it difficult to switch/install?

Thanks....

 

[chris allen]

870 safety

The safetys are different ,also the trigger gard housing is slightly different.If you had a old (early models) you could switch safeties and the detente in the trigger gard.The old had 2 holes drilled for both left and right hand safeties.The new models are drilled for specifically left or right handed.

A good gunsmith can redrill the old trigger gard ,however most don't want to do this type of work.

The simplest is to by a left hand safety and trigger gard for your gun and replace.

 

[Kevinch]

Thanks Chris - but a little confused by your answer...

My gun has a left hand safety, I'd like to change it to a right hand.

It is also an older (I believe) Wingmaster, serial #769XXXX. Does that mean it can be switched out with a right hand safety?

Sorry if I'm being dense....

 

[wdlsguy]

Does your 870 have a left-hand receiver or a right-hand receiver?

Don't know about older Wingmasters, but I successfully installed a left-hand safety in a recent right-hand Express all by myself!

 

[simmonsguns]

870 safety

Kevinch, check PM

 

[Kevinch]

Does your 870 have a left-hand receiver or a right-hand receiver?

I'm assuming that is determined by which side the shells are shucked from - this gun has the ejection port on the right. The action bar lock is on the left.

 

[chris allen]

sorry

I should have read more carefully.

If someone has already been doing safety work,assuming it has an ejection port on the right side,and a left hand safety.It maybe as simple as removing the safety spring retaining pin,safety spring, safety plunger and safety ,reassemble with the red band to the right.

This is assuming that at the back of the trigger plate (triggergard assembly)there are two holes drilled for the safety plunger ,one for right hand use and one for left hand use. Assemble using the safety plunger hole on the right side hole. Encyclopedia of Modern Firearms details how its done.