Remington 870 for home defense

[mrbeefy]

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.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Are standard remington barrels decent to get or are there other brands?

Remington barrels are good, but if you are looking to save money, Mossberg makes 870 barrels as well.

I would like to use the ATI barrel shroud with ghost ring sights for this...would this be a good choice?

I would hold off on this until you've shot it a bit to decide if you really want it.

Also...what is the difference between slug barrels and cylinder barrels?

Shotgun barrels some in two types. Smoothbore and rifled. Smoothbore are suitable for shot and rifled slugs. Rifled barrels best used for sabot slugs. Shooting shot out of rifled barrels can result in some extended cleaning sessions.

New Stock and forend

This is very much personal preference. Many folks find that after shooting a bit, they like the plain stocks more.

What are some good brands for a gun mounted flashlight?

Depends on what you are looking for. I use a Streamlight TLR-1.

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.

You shouldn't have any issues, depending on the age of the gun. You might run into problems with the dimples on some later model guns if you try to put a magazine extension in place.

Hope that helps.

 

[mgkdrgn]

Barrell

http://www.havlinsales.com/

Click on Remington 870 Accessories on the left side of the page.

IMHO, stick with the furniture you have, it will work fine for HD.

Ghost sights ... sure, if you want ... but how much of a sight do you need to hit a human size target with a pattern of buckshot at 20 feet or less?

 

[testify4]

I was able to find a new 18" Remington barrel for the 870 for under $100. It's easy to swap out- but it just has the gold BB on the top. Ghost rings will add a lot of cost to the setup- and you will probably need a smith to tap for the mounts. I actually like the BB and find it to work well at the range (which I will admit is far from pitch black).

For the flashlight, I also have the Streamlight TLR-1. The activation switches are easy to use when side mounted with the Streamlight Tactical Flashlight Mount, which should run about 10-15 bucks and is very easy to install.

I actually prefer the stock furniture. Again, it's probably because I've used it for years and am really comfortable with it. Not tempted to change a thing there.

Only other thing I did was put on a cheap buttstock shell holder for an extra 5 rounds.

 

[Rshooter]

I agree with everything said so far.

As far as folding stocks...first spend some time with the gun and then think about trying to handle all of that recoil with your wrist. It can be a hand full. Secondly if you do get a folder you do not aim it like you do a normal stock unless you have a good dental plan. You shoot a folder from the hip normally. It takes lots of practice, if you are not willing to spend time and shells it's not a good idea. In a lot of ways it is a novelty. Yes I do own a top folding stock on a police trade-in I bought some years ago.

 

[Butter]

Good replies all. The only other thing I would mention, after you try out the gun (and I am not a fan of folding stocks), is to make sure you can secure a good grip. I am on the short of side of life and at 5'7" and a buck fifty, I put a youth stock on mine and it made reaching the pump and trigger that much easier. I'd even settle for having a half inch more off the end of the stock, but as is, a bead front sight for fast target alignment and shorter reach makes it good to go for me.

 

[riverdog]

I have an 870 folding stock in a drawer around here someplace -- haven't mounted it in 20 years, awful, rethink that idea. A Speedfeed stock may be a good option, but folders are a bad idea IMO. My HD 870 has a 20" smoothbore rifle-sight barrel. I like the looks of the 24" slug barrel in the http://www.havlinsales.com/ link above -- very nice. That would give me two HD guns.

 

[hlq]

To start get the short barrel then get to know the gun, you may like it just the way it is.

Here's a picture of my nightstand Express.

20 ga, 21" barrel, super turkey choke, sling and #2 buck shot.
Simple yet effective.