Funny things happen over time...

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Famine

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A little over a year ago, I bought my first gun/s from a gift of money that was given to me specificly for guns. My main purchase was a Glock 21. With the money left over, I had exactly enough for a 870 Express Super Mag, so I picked that up too.

I had shot plenty of shotguns, and am quite fond of (and good at) shooting skeet. When I bought my "own" 870, I had this grand plan of turning it into a HD tactical shotgun that looked like something out of a Hollywood movie...I'm talking new SpecOps stock, fore-end, barrel, heat shields, lights, the works. At the time, I read a lot of posts on THR and my desire to make a zombie killer seemed to be the norm. So I thoght, why the heck not. It will be "cool."

Months later, I finally got the 18" barrel, and I LOVED it. The gun was 100% more user friendly for HD. I could hold the shotgun at the receiver/stock point with the barrel pointing straight down without the barrel touching the ground, going around corners was much easier, I could bring the gun up faster, and most important (I think), I could hold the gun up with one hand for long periods of time. I was so happy with a simple swap of barrels that I let the other additions float to the back of my mind.

Months later, and with a few extra dollars in my pocket, I remembered that I wanted to add lots of stuff to my shotgun. So I started looking around online again. I kept watching the SpecOps videos (and the like), watching, going back and forth on wheather or not I really needed one.

Common sense man!!! It just hit me. I've been shooting this 12 gauge for months...my shoulder never hurt from recoil, at least not too bad. And I'm good with this gun, pretty quick too. Why would I swap out the stock? Plus, the traditional butt of a gun works great for hitting bad guys in the head (or so I hear). Granted, I don't have a wood stock, but even the black syn stock is pretty hard and will get the job done. So again I ask...what was I thinking?

I certainly don't need a heat shield. I probalby don't need a shortened fore-end. I don't think I need a flashlight (though I have read some good reasons otherwise). But I would still like to put a +2 extension on it.

On that note, these extensions say I need to drill out the dimple with a 3/16" drill bit. They refer to the two dimples near the end of the stock mag tube, correct? If I did this, would I be able to go back to stock if I decided againsts the extension? I'm looking at the dimples right now. It seems that if I wanted to revert once I drilled out the dimples, the old mag spring retainer would spin in the tube...I don't think that is an issue, but can someone confirm?

Anyway, I just wanted to note that I'm glad I didn't spend more money on "stuff" than what the 870 actually cost me initially...but I was close. I actually wish some folks would have told me a year ago when I was planning all this tactical stuff that real tactical pros don't tack on so much tactical nonsense (try saying that 10 times fast:D).
 
Funny how a bone stock 870, 500, 1300, etc. with a nothing more than an 18 to 20 inch bbl just works, isn't it? You did what Dave McC, Lee, sm, and several others recommend - shoot the durn gun first, and you'll see that you actually need very little. Maybe a light, maybe a mag extension, and a side saddle or cuff on the butt to hold a reload are nice. Outside of those there isn't anything else that's actually needed to set up a good defensive shotgun.

Good to hear that you and your 870 with minimal add-ons are doing well.
 
You've shown uncommon (for an internet forum) common sense. Refreshing. :D

And I wish everyone that wanted to hang the tacticool kitchen sink off of a gun followed your example and shot it enough to decide for themselves what they needed instead of listening to folks telling them what they should want.
 
The clouds part,beams of sunlight spear to the ground, the Heavenly Choir sings Hosannas and you just made my morning.

Thanks. After sifting through reams of Net pics of Pimped shotguns with everything but wear marks, it's good to know that someone "Got It"....

If you drill the dimples, the present mag spring retainer will not work any more. I'll let someone with actual experience tell you about your options.
 
I certainly don't need a heat shield. I probalby don't need a shortened fore-end. I don't think I need a flashlight (though I have read some good reasons otherwise). But I would still like to put a +2 extension on it.

As to the heat shield, I agree completely.

The short forearm is a matter of gun fit more than anything else. If you can reach the shorter forearm comfortably, having it installed makes admin unloading of the 870 easier since the skirt of the field-length forearm covers part of the loading port when the action is open. It's a lot easier with the police-length forearm to use a thumb to hold the round in the magazine in place while opening the action, then trip the left shell stop to download the magazine. It's easier (not to mention safer) to download the magazine through the loading port than to run live rounds through the action.

The extension is pretty much a matter of personal preference. A good quality 2-shot extension properly installed, with a barrel clamp in place, is unlikely to degrade reliability. It DOES add enough weight out front that it might make the gun more difficult to use for some shooters. Like anything else it is a tradeoff. Always the best bet is to groove the skill of loading the gun on the fly. To quote shotgun sifu Louis Awerbuck: "No magazine is ever big enough."


On that note, these extensions say I need to drill out the dimple with a 3/16" drill bit. They refer to the two dimples near the end of the stock mag tube, correct? If I did this, would I be able to go back to stock if I decided againsts the extension? I'm looking at the dimples right now. It seems that if I wanted to revert once I drilled out the dimples, the old mag spring retainer would spin in the tube...I don't think that is an issue, but can someone confirm?

It's an issue for me personally- I won't mess with newer Express guns any more for that very reason. I might not put on a magazine extension, but I want the option available. Plus it complicates logistics- with old style Express guns, Wingmasters, Police guns etc. you only need worry about one style of barrel. That's the classic style with the spring-loaded detent installed in the barrel ring to retain the magazine cap. With a mix of guns there are two styles of barrel, two kinds of magazine caps, two kinds of magazine spring detents. Who needs that hassle?

And once you make the conversion permanent by drilling out the dimples, you have to find a makeshift way to retain the magazine cap if you go back to the standard magazine. You have to find an old-style magazine spring detent, or fight with the magazine spring each time you remove the mag cap. What ought to be simple becomes a makeshift kludge, and that's no way to run a gun. YMMV, but I don't go there any more.


Anyway, I just wanted to note that I'm glad I didn't spend more money on "stuff" than what the 870 actually cost me initially...but I was close. I actually wish some folks would have told me a year ago when I was planning all this tactical stuff that real tactical pros don't tack on so much tactical nonsense (try saying that 10 times fast)


Well, you really know how to warm the cockles of an oldphart's heart. But if you read a lot here, you will see over'n'over'n'over the sermons that get preached to folks who just cannot bear the thought of shooting their new scattergun until they get one each of every tack-tickle accessorary out there bolted on it.

Welcome to the Church of the Simple Shotgun, brother. Preach it now. BA/UU/R, as the T-shirt says.

Stay safe,

lpl/nc
 
I came to the same conclusions almost immediately after I purchased my first 870 a couple weeks ago. I had initially thought to tacticool it out, with replacement stocks, etc etc etc. I came to the conclusion after getting it, however, that most of that stuff didn't add a hole lot of utility, but did add a lot to the price of the gun. So now I've settled on getting an 18" barrel and a 2 round mag extension. Maybe a flashlight, but that's about it. I've already got a stock cuff that holds five extra rounds that I picked up for $5 at Wal-Mart, and I'm happy with that.
 
Thanks for the kind and helpful words gentlemen. I wasn’t looking for praise (though it’s always nice); I just wanted to let members know my personal experience in the event that they were of the same mindset that I once was. I have acquaintances, all younger than me, that drool over tactical shotguns. I think I’m now going to be preaching from a different scripture than I was not too long ago when I see them next.

I’m still going back and forth on the extension however. I really have a problem with things that are not backwards compatible like drilling out the dimples. And although an extension with a clamp is very secure, it’s still not 100% foolproof like the current mag tube is.

Well, the good news…since I’m not planning on spending $300+ on tactical add-ons, that means (although the wife might not agree) that I should have $300+ that could go toward something else…say…ammo?...CCW?...something smaller than a Glock 21 to carry if I do go the CCW route?

Thanks again guys.
 
The only "extras" on my Maverick 88 HomeLand Security shotgun are:
1. The 18-1/2" barrel. It originally had the 28" Mod Choke tube
2. Better recoil pad
 
<David Allan Coe voice>

...member Famine did not write the perfect post about Shotgun Reality.

He did not mention Quail, Bird Dawgs, Beef Jerkey, Blue and Wood or 28 gauge.
Gonna send this post back for a re-write and see what happens.

:D
 
After I bought my 18" barrel, I thought to myself, "Self, you need to prove your mettle by hunting some quail with an 18" barrel...and you should do it one handed. Then once you git that quail, you need to send yer two favorite bird dawgs, Beef and Jerkey out into the wild blue yonder through the wood. Now, if ol Beef and Jerkey don't come back with the quail, you needs to call ma and tells her to bring her 28 gauge." And then I thought to myself, "Self, it's a good thing this 870 ain't loaded down with tactical add-ons. You'd never ah been able to prove your mettle."
 
It's an issue for me personally- I won't mess with newer Express guns any more for that very reason. I might not put on a magazine extension, but I want the option available. Plus it complicates logistics- with old style Express guns, Wingmasters, Police guns etc. you only need worry about one style of barrel. That's the classic style with the spring-loaded detent installed in the barrel ring to retain the magazine cap. With a mix of guns there are two styles of barrel, two kinds of magazine caps, two kinds of magazine spring detents. Who needs that hassle?
Click to expand...

I don't think the 20 gauge Express uses the new system, as on my 2003 gun the cap locks to a detent on the barrel ring.

The short forearm is a matter of gun fit more than anything else. If you can reach the shorter forearm comfortably, having it installed makes admin unloading of the 870 easier since the skirt of the field-length forearm covers part of the loading port when the action is open. It's a lot easier with the police-length forearm to use a thumb to hold the round in the magazine in place while opening the action, then trip the left shell stop to download the magazine. It's easier (not to mention safer) to download the magazine through the loading port than to run live rounds through the action.
Click to expand...

I just pop the rounds out of the loading port before ejecting the chambered round, which works with both fore-ends.
 
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