Police Surplus 870 Plus Elbow Grease

[bushmaster1313]

Purchased an 870 surplused by the California Highway Patrol.

After about 2 hours of sanding and a splash of mineral spirits to see what is happening, the stock looks a lot better.

I do, however still have a lot of sanding to do before all the old finish is gone and it is ready for the Tru-Oil.

 

[JTH]

I have one with a much shorter barrel. The recoil pad needs replacing due to it hard as a rock. Finish good, furniture could use refinishing but it works perfectly. Cosmetics isn't a priority at this point. I'd sure hate to be looking down the barrel of this shotgun with it loaded with 00 shells. It would remove limbs quite nicely, a head, chest or belly shot at close range you'd be a gonner! As everyone is consumed with semi-autos, AR's, AK's etc. this weapon covers so many contengencies! many of the Police Issues have had very little action run through them. I'd highly recommend picking one up if one comes your way at a reasonable price.
JT

 

[ultradoc]

nice find.

 

[bushmaster1313]

Cosmetics isn't a priority at this point.

Of course cosmetics don't matter in a working gun.
But I get a real kick from bringing the natural walnut grain back to life.

 

[Boomie]

That's a classy gun.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Nice project.

Nobody says Working Shotguns NEED to look frumpy.

Unless you get the agency trainer, chances are police shotguns are nigh new inside. Most get carried lots and shot seldom. With this one. I''d add QD studs, finish the wood, add a good pad and leave it like that.

 

[bushmaster1313]

I''d add QD studs

QD studs?

 

[Al Thompson]

For a sling. A sling is to a long gun what a holster is for a handgun.

 

[throdgrain]

QD studs?

Quick Detatchable

 

[leadcounsel]

I want one. Where are they sold?

 

[Snakum]

That's going to look sweet. Gander Mt. had an old Police 870 trade-in last year that they only wanted $200 for, if you can believe that one of Gander (usually over-priced). Felt relatively tight and looked just like yours. Still kicking my butt for not buying it, but I had an Express Tactical and a TALO already. Hit us up with pics when you get her finished.

 

[RONSERESURPLUS]

Hello all, RON L here - SERE SURPLUS

I went in another direction, a Gun shop not far from here, had a Trade in Rem 870 Express witha 27" barrel and a crappy Birch wood stock! I wanted a House gun and one I could use for a Point man gun or Tactical use, I sanded the stock and re-finished it, but it still looked bad to me, I got a Remington Replacement Black Fiber stock set in a trade for goods and replaced it, I cut the barrel down to 20.5 inches and added a 7 shot tube kit also a trade, A Sidesaddle this I bought for $25.00, as well as a sling and lazer! While not perfect, it fills my needs and all told I have less than 300$ with all included!

 

[Slamfire]

A long while ago a local gunshop had a racks full of Toledo Police Department M870's. The majority of them were beat to heck. Ones that had only a little finish wear got new wood. I got one of those, paid probably about $250.00

Found out why my M870 had only a little finish wear, it was because the second round jammed on the lifter!. Not the sort of weapon to take into a fight where you needed two shots.

I disassembled the shotgun and found a deep burr on the lifter. The rim of the shell coming out of the magazine tube would catch in the burr.

Took a dremel tool and contoured and smoothed the burr, and the shotgun feeds like a champ.

I find it surprising that the average Cop is not interested in their firearms. A shooting bud, a Highway Patrolman, and a supervisor, has to brow beat the guys in his company to keep their firearms maintained. He told me of shotguns stored in the back of Patrol Cars where the mechanisms were frozen from rust. Took a bit of banging to get them to function.