HD Shotgun questions

[mrjohnston]

Alright, so I've been thinking about making my 870 into a more dedicated home/self defense shotgun. It's a 870 express super magnum. Which brings up a few issues.

First off, I've heard people say that the standard 870 forend wont work with the super mag. So I'm going to save some money and just keep the factory wood forend. But I want a picatinny rail to mount a vertical grip. Does anyone know if I can just buy a bolt-on rail and mount it to the wood forend? Will this be sturdy enough? (3.5" buck/slugs)

Also I can't decide if I want to just lop off the barrel or have it sent off and cut and re-threaded for chokes. What would you do?

Next up; I really want a bayonet mount. I'm building this to be a real no-nonsense HD gun, but I want a little tacticoolness for the skeet range. Does anyone have experience with a shotgun mounted bayonet?

I really like a bead site on a shotgun, it's less to break. But I would rather buy a sidesaddle/top rail now than, down the road decide to switch over. So do you think a reflex sight/red dot is a valuable addition to a shotty? or should I stick with a fiber optic like tru-glo?

Is the express trigger group that bad? or should I find a police/wingmaster style trigger group?

Extractor upgrades? Worth it?

Also what paint would you use on a gun barrel that might get hot?


Thanks y'all.

 

[Hunterdad]

Thats alot of questions. I'll help you out the best I can.


I'm not sure about the forend being swapped out, but they do sell rails that can be screwed on. www.brownells.com No need to shoot 3.5in slugs IMHO. 2 3/4 will do just fine for both slugs and buck. Keeps recoil down to so you can control the gun better.

I would buy a new barrel. No since in cutting the barrel incase you ever want to use it again to hunt/shoot. I bird barrel is much more expensive than a HD barrel.

I remember seeing bayonet mounts for the 870, but I think they stopped making them and they cost over $100. If you really want one, you might have to have something fabbed up.

Keep the bead site. It's the easiest to use on moving targets (thats why they have them on bird guns)

Trigger and extractor upgrades are not worth it. As long as it is performing good now, why mess with it? Shotgun triggers are made to be pushed and rifle triggers are made to be pulled.


If you really want to paint it use:
http://www.duracoat-firearm-finishes.com/

Hope I helped! Good luck!

 

[oneounceload]

Check out the accessories from candewman.com. He has clamps, rails, etc for a variety of shotguns.

If you showed up at a legit gun club with a bayonet, you most likely will not be allowed to use that gun.

Red dot and other things are just more things to break, snag, throw off the balance and otherwise make a serious HD gun more into a range toy.

 

[rcmodel]

So do you think a reflex sight/red dot is a valuable addition to a shotty? or should I stick with a fiber optic like tru-glo?

Shotty? Isn't that something you smoke dope in or something?

As for the two options.
One runs on battery's, and has to be turned on and adjusted in the middle of a gun fight.

The other depends on sunlight to make it visible in the dark!
Hows that gonna work?

If it was my money, and I just had to spend it on something better then a brass bead?

I would put a Tritium night sight bead on the front, and a flashlight mount somewhere else in the middle.

rc

 

[highorder]

2 3/4 will do just fine for both slugs and buck. Keeps recoil down to so you can control the gun better.

+1 to that! No need for anything more for your average HD work.

Next up; I really want a bayonet mount.

No, you don't.

Buy a new 18" barrel. Mossberg (yes, Mosberg) makes a replacement bbl for a very reasonable price.

 

[mrjohnston]

I don't plan on running 3.5's for HD, but for hogs and such they're nice.

I would never show up at a legit skeet range with HD gun. I'm shopping for a O/U for that.

The majority rules, the bead stays.

I think a new barrel probably will be the same amount as a cut/chamber. Checking now.

No worries, a flashlight will be mounted.

Thanks.

p.s. oneounceload, thanks for that link. That solves my light mounting issues.

 

[AndyJ]

An XS Big Dot tritium front sight is a nice addition on a serious HD gun for about $60 or so

I have one on my Ithaca 37.

 

[Big Bill]

I wouldn't alter your 870 express super magnum. Instead, I'd go get a Mossberg 500 or 590 that's already configured. Or, get a used Pardner Pump or Mossberg and add some accessories.

You don't want to use 3 1/2" magnum slugs or buckshot inside your home. There would be too much penetration. Instead, use it for what it was designed for: geese, ducks, turkeys, deer, etc. Someday, you may want it for those purposes.

If you look around you should be able to pick up a good used Mossberg or Pardner Pump for under $200, which is probably less than you will spend to alter your existing shotgun.