I have an older remington 870 express I got as a gift from an uncle, and I want to convert it to more of a home defense gun. At the moment its set up with factory wood stock and forend and a 28" barrel. The gun was well taken care of but the stock and barrel show signs of heavy use, as my uncle was an avid hunter. I've tried refinishing the stock but I'm not happy with the results, and the gun doesn't really fit into my assortment of guns. I've never been a shotgunner so I'm severely lacking in info.
Here's what I'm thinking/looking for:
18" barrel
Are standard remington barrels decent to get or are there other brands? I would like to use the ATI barrel shroud with ghost ring sights for this...would this be a good choice?
Also...what is the difference between slug barrels and cylinder barrels? I assume you can't fire slugs out of cylinder barrels, but is it ok to shoot shot out of slug barrels?
New Stock and forend
I've looked at two different choices here, the ATI top folding stock and the Choate mark 6 thumbhole stock. I like the design of the ati, but it seems to me in a situation where I need to use a gun I would want to have the stability and control of a full stock...I don't see the real purpose of having a pistol grip shotgun other than playing around at the range blowing stuff away..I also like the choate because it has the integrated shell holder...but maybe I am missing the advantage of having a folding stock.
Forend I'm not too concerned about...again its down to ati and choate here..the ati standard looks pretty decent.
Flashlights
What are some good brands for a gun mounted flashlight? I hear surefire is good, but any others?
Most sites I visit for upgrades say accessories for rem 870 but don't mention the express, while some do so I'm wondering if I will have compatibility issues with parts.
I'm also looking at hornady sst slugs...I have read good things about them..and I want an absolute powerhouse round. I live alone with no other buildings around so collateral damage isn't much of an issue, but I see the sst slugs are supposed to be for rifled barrels...can they be fired out of a regular slug barrel?
sorry for all the questions, this is my first post so I appreciate any help or insight you can offer me.
Here's what I'm thinking/looking for:
18" barrel
Are standard remington barrels decent to get or are there other brands? I would like to use the ATI barrel shroud with ghost ring sights for this...would this be a good choice?
Also...what is the difference between slug barrels and cylinder barrels? I assume you can't fire slugs out of cylinder barrels, but is it ok to shoot shot out of slug barrels?
New Stock and forend
I've looked at two different choices here, the ATI top folding stock and the Choate mark 6 thumbhole stock. I like the design of the ati, but it seems to me in a situation where I need to use a gun I would want to have the stability and control of a full stock...I don't see the real purpose of having a pistol grip shotgun other than playing around at the range blowing stuff away..I also like the choate because it has the integrated shell holder...but maybe I am missing the advantage of having a folding stock.
Forend I'm not too concerned about...again its down to ati and choate here..the ati standard looks pretty decent.
Flashlights
What are some good brands for a gun mounted flashlight? I hear surefire is good, but any others?
Most sites I visit for upgrades say accessories for rem 870 but don't mention the express, while some do so I'm wondering if I will have compatibility issues with parts.
I'm also looking at hornady sst slugs...I have read good things about them..and I want an absolute powerhouse round. I live alone with no other buildings around so collateral damage isn't much of an issue, but I see the sst slugs are supposed to be for rifled barrels...can they be fired out of a regular slug barrel?
sorry for all the questions, this is my first post so I appreciate any help or insight you can offer me.