Remington 870 Question

[JLaw]

I have a Remington 870 Express that I'm fixing to convert to a home defense shotgun. I am planning on installing an 18 1/2" barrell. I have a question about a magazine extension for the 870 with this barrell.

How many rounds can be added to the 870 with an 18 1/2" barrell while keeping the magazine even with or shorter than the end of the barrell? +2? +3? Anybody know?

JLaw

 

[The-Fly]

my 18" 870 with extension is 6+1

 

[dfariswheel]

You need an extension that adds 2 rounds to the gun.

Most 2 shot non-factory extensions will be about 1/2" shorter than an 18 1/2" barrel.

 

[Fred Fuller]

You can add a 2-shot extension without it protruding past the muzzle (older factory Remington extensions will protrude a bit beyond the barrel, the original design was intended to be incorporated into a combination clamp, sling swivel, front sight and bayonet stud arrangement, as pictured below).

Be sure you get a barrel clamp to go with your extension, if it doesn't come with one. It needs to be there to protect the threads on the magazine tube from damage if the extension gets bumped while in use.

lpl/nc

 

[MTMilitiaman]

Has Remington fixed that dimple thing in the mag tube that is supposed to prevent mag extensions from being added, or is someone going to have to explain to him how to Dremel that out?

 

[JLaw]

I figured I'd have to dremel them out. As for how to dremel them out, put a grinding stone on the dremel and work slowly...I figure that's the best way to do it. Probably wouldn't hurt to apply some cold blue to the areas that have been ground down???

Thanks for all the info fellows, I appreciate your time.

JLaw

 

[ACORN]

IIRC I drilled the dimples out then Dremeled the burrs out.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Before you start removing dimples in magazine tubes, get a piece of stout twine the length of the magazine tube and a swatch of cloth big enough to plug the magazine. Fieldstrip the gun including removing the trigger plate, tie the twine around the cloth, drop the end of the string into the magazine tube from the receiver end and pull the cloth plug about halfway down the tube. Then drop the string back down into the tube and go to work.

When you're done, upend the receiver and the string will drop out. You can then pull the cloth plug out through the muzzle end of the magazine tube, sweeping all the grit and filings out rather than letting them fall down into the action.

lpl/nc

 

[JLaw]

All good advice, thank you. Does anyone have any recommendations or experience between Choate brand or Scattergun Technologies mag extensions??

JLaw

 

[Rob62]

JLaw,

I think that Gunparts corp (Numerich Arms) still has some OEM Remington extended magazine tubes for sale at $14.95 plus shipping. The part number is: 957600. These are used. However the one I ordered was in almost new condition. These will work with 18" barrels. Take note that the ad used to say that the magazine clamp screw may be missing - mine came with one. The screws cost about $3 direct from Remington.

Numrich Arms phone number 1-866-686-7424 or web site E-Gunparts.com

Can't comment about the Wilson brand tube. I owned one of he Choate versions many years ago. From what I recall they were good quality.

Regards,
Rob

 

[JLaw]

I'll keep Numrich in mind when I order, thanks for the heads up.

Now onto another question, the front sight.

Here's the front sight I'd like to put on (or something like this)...

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=926043

Will I have to drill and tap the hole for the front bead, or are barrells already tapped? The drilling and tapping shouldn't be a problem, but if it's a real booger to get the original sight out of the barrell maybe it's worth it to take it to a 'smith. Anyone know what a 'smith would charge to remove a factory bead and install one of these?

JLaw

 

[Rob62]

I'm not sure what the thread size is that Remington is currently using so am not sure that the linked "Hi Viz" sight (bead) will work. But there are many "Hi Viz" sights that are out there that will work. Try calling Brownell's Customer Service Technicians. They can tell you exactly the part you need.

I have also seen these type of Hi Viz beads at WalMart that were marked as being made for Remington's.

Rob

 

[Fred Fuller]

Spend another $10 and make it a tritium bead. It'll work at night, where fiberoptics won't help. See http://www.topgunsupply.com/Meprolight-mid-15.html to get an idea what it looks like.

For a long time now Remington beads have been pressed in, whatever you put in place of the original bead will almost certainly have to have a hole drilled and tapped for it (6X48 for most of them).

I had one put on an 18" barrel this summer at the same time I had the forcing cone extended and choke tubes installed, Colonial charged me $5 to install the bead, which I supplied.

hth,

lpl/nc