Mag extension for gas gun?

[btg3]

Went down to the local gunshop to ask about mag extensions for 1100/11-87 shotguns and lucked up on a used 11-87 that had been converted to HD with a Choate extension. Not that I wanted to buy that gun, but I did want to understand how it was altered. Not allowed to take it down, so I was left wondering what's different about putting a mag extension on a gas gun as opposed to an 870? The specific gun in question is actually my 20ga Sportsman 58 -- good or bad idea? I get the impression that it would be involved and expensive. So, if I want a HD semi-auto, maybe a police 1100/11-87 (all 12ga or can I find a 20ga?) is smarter than converting mine.
And there's also the argument that pumps are better for HD, but if my wife used it, the simpler the better -- push safety/pull trigger. Yeah, there's another argument about having a shell in the chamber.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

 

[kingjoey]

No real difference between putting an extension on a gas gun vs. a pump. In the case of the 1187, the mag extension replaces the end cap. To take the gun apart for cleaning you do it exactly like you would normally, unscrew the cap/extension and remove the barrel.

 

[Fred Fuller]

If you intend for your wife to use the gun, you might want to think again about adding an extension to it. The weight in front of the support hand makes it feel much heavier than it really is. It isn't a matter of reliability, just weight and balance.

None of the house guns here have magazine extensions for that reason- they are all set up to fit my wife in the event she has to actually use one of them.

lpl/nc

 

[btg3]

Lee, I have a few stocks for my Sportsmans that were cut down to fit me as I grew up with these guns -- and could use one to fit the 20ga for my wife. What else would you suggest in the way of fitting this gun. Shorter barrel? Other?

I understand the weight concern better now as today was the first gun-with-mag-ext that I've held and noted the difference, even unloaded.

So without an extension, the capacity is 2+1. Good enough? Side-saddle?

 

[kingjoey]

If you take the restrictor rod out of the magazine it should hold 4+1 or 5+1. They have a plug in the mag to limit the mag capacity to 2 rounds for bird hunting regulations.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Just dope-slapped myself when I read your most recent post. I can be a real dummy sometimes.

If there's any consistency in the old fashioned designations from Remington, the Sportsman name means that the magazine is limited from the factory to two shells (and the gun to three shells total) by design. The gas mechanism occupies the front part of the magazine tube, if the cutaway drawing in my copy of Kuhnhausen can be relied on.

So no mag extension is possible, if that's indeed the case.

A stock that fits your wife well would be a good idea. Shorter barrels can help with balance and handiness but with gas guns you have to worry about the gas pressure curve to assure reliability. So too-short barrels can be problematical, and there aren't so many 58 barrels around you can afford to ruin a couple experimenting. I'd stay with what's on the gun that it runs reliably with, and adopt lie-in-wait barricaded tactics for HD. Using cover (the bed, substantial furniture etc.) as a rest will help hold the gun up as well as provide some protection from any incoming.

I like Sidesaddles, some don't- it's a matter of taste and preference. A butt cuff might be better for some folks. I don't know what frame the 20 ga. 58 was made on, but the corresponding 870/1100 size Sidesaddle should fit OK. Far as I know there's only a 4-round Sidesaddle available in 20 gauge.

hth,

lpl/nc

 

[kingjoey]

Yeah, I'm slapping myself as well. I forgot about those old model 1100's, they're a pain to work on and you're stuck with the factory magazine capacity

 

[btg3]

Good clarification. This confirms that I have a 2+1 capacity with no options except saddle/cuff for reloads. And thanks for reminding me about the pressure-curve/barrel-length relationship as this had completely slipped my mind. The gun will serve as is and it seems everytime I try to think of ways to do something different for HD, I keeping come back to thinking I'll get an 870 . . . or two! In the meantime, thanks for helping me sort things out.