Remington 870 trigger plate pins -- need advice on how to replace!

[monduconstruct]

Hello All,

As most of you know, I have a police trade-in 870P I picked up a few weeks back (my first shotgun!). The police installed a hard plastic side-saddle with the gun that is affixed to the left side of the trigger plate by screws that they used instead of the pins that are supposed to go through the gun.

I am torn as to whether I want the side-saddle on there or not, and wanted to give it a shot w/o. So I ordered the front and rear trigger plate pins from midwayusa.com this morning. After ordering, it dawned on me that the pins may just fall out, because more than likely the police drilled the holes to fit the screws. I'm very pissed off if this is the case. If the holes are now a larger diameter than the pins, and they won't stay secured in the gun, does anyone have any ideas on what to do? I could somehow have some screws machined to the right length I suppose, but that's a pain in the ass and ugly!! :banghead:

 

[Hunterdad]

The screws they use for those are the same size as the pins. You shouldn't have any issues with the pins falling out.

I had a side saddle on my 870 and hated it. I'm sure you will like it better without.

 

[waterhouse]

Most side saddles use the same diameter pins and just screw into threads on the actual ammo carrier. I've taken mine on and off several times, and just keep the pins in the "spare 870 parts" bin when I'm not using them.

 

[wideym]

The pins will not fall out, unless the internal retaining clips are missing, which they shouldn't be. The bolts holding the sidesaddle are the same diameter as the pins.

If you want to sell the 870 sidesaddle let me know.

 

[monduconstruct]

Terrific news!! I am not entirely sold on the side-saddle one way or the other. If I do get rid of it I would most likely look to install a magazine extension tube. I worry about my sling damaging it but I'll do some reading and try to figure out if that is a real concern or not.

I just feel like the side-saddle is unwarranted for a HD gun. Who knows, maybe I'll miss it

 

[JNewell]

I am torn as to whether I want the side-saddle on there or not, and wanted to give it a shot w/o. So I ordered the front and rear trigger plate pins from midwayusa.com this morning. After ordering, it dawned on me that the pins may just fall out, because more than likely the police drilled the holes to fit the screws. I'm very pissed off if this is the case. If the holes are now a larger diameter than the pins, and they won't stay secured in the gun, does anyone have any ideas on what to do? I could somehow have some screws machined to the right length I suppose, but that's a pain in the ass and ugly!!

As mentioned, there should be (almost certainly are) spring clips that will retain the new pins.

I just feel like the side-saddle is unwarranted for a HD gun. Who knows, maybe I'll miss it

They certainly are gawky but reloads on the gun are not a bad thing.

I have been going through my side saddles and fitting an aluminum backing plate to the shell holder, then attaching industrial hook & loop fastener tape to the two parts of the side saddle carrier. This has at least two advantages. First, I can rip the carrier off for the lean, trim and svelte profile that you have without the side saddle attached. Second, I can pre-load additional shell holders with extra and/or different shells for quick attachment. I borrowed this idea from Hans Vang and it is a real winner.

 

[DPris]

I had Side Saddles on two 870s, finally gave up on 'em, they just got too much in the way for me.
Had long since lost the original pins, ordered replacements from Brownells, stuck 'em in, and there they stay till I punch 'em out for cleaning.
You should not have any enlarged holes.
Denis

 

[Gord]

As far as your sling damaging the mag extension tube, get a clamp and all will be well - unless you're talking about some other sort of damage?

 

[Fred Fuller]

The pins should fit just fine, the screws are made to fit the existing holes.

As with most things, it's a matter of personal preference. Try it with and without the Sidesaddle, and see if it makes any real difference to you in the way the gun handles. I like Sidesaddles, and have used them for a number of years now. But that doesn't mean everyone should like them.

As to the magazine extension, that's another personal preference item. They do change the handling characteristics of the gun to me- any added weight forward of the support hand seems to feel disproportionally heavy. But the only way to know if you will like it or not is to shoot the gun enough with and without the extension to make up your own mind. And IMHO any 2-round or longer extension on a working shotgun NEEDS a barrel clamp, sling or no.

jmho, ymmv,

lpl

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors //*****JNewell*** would you mind posting a pic of that set up.

It sounds versatile and I like versatility, also a couple extra in a pouch with different loads would be a nice addition to my set up.

 

[DPris]

For me, the Side Saddles were ALWAYS in the way when trying to carry the guns one-handed at their natural balance point. I finally just had enough & decided that annoyance sufficiently overrode the quick reload value to do away with it.
I also occasionally take one of the 870s along on the UTV in the wilds, the Side Saddles don't fit well in some scabbards.
Just me.

As an option to consider, the Vang Comp version is a Velcro removable one. The base plate attaches to the frame, and the shell loop carrier section goes on & off that base via the Velcro to make it an instant slap-on & rip-off proposition. Take it off, the base stays on & you get pretty much the original narrow frame width for carry in hand or scabbard. When you want to attach spare ammunition, just slap the carrier back on.

 

[JNewell]

Hello friends and neighbors //*****JNewell*** would you mind posting a pic of that set up.

Which, the H&K sling clip or the retro-Velcro side saddle?

As an option to consider, the Vang Comp version is a Velcro removable one. The base plate attaches to the frame, and the shell loop carrier section goes on & off that base via the Velcro to make it an instant slap-on & rip-off proposition. Take it off, the base stays on & you get pretty much the original narrow frame width for carry in hand or scabbard. When you want to attach spare ammunition, just slap the carrier back on.

I have been retro-fitting my side saddle carriers this way. It has a ton of advantages. Slim, slick & fast when you want...thick and heavy when you need it. Plus, you can carry alternative loads in spare shell carriers or carry additional carriers with more of the same load. And, you can attach it to a vest or whatever for quick access. Lots to like about this and it's pretty easy.

 

[DPris]

I've got one here, have not gotten around to mounting it on a gun yet, but I'm thinking it's a much more versatile idea, as JNew points out, than the older fixed ones.
Denis

 

[content]

The velcro side saddle with mounting plate, I'll look into Vang Comp too.

 

[JNewell]

I'll try to post a pic. What might be of modest interest/use is a shot of the back before I apply the velcro. I've also got one that's complete (both parts velcro'd) but not back on a shotgun. The pic on the VC website is very small so it's a little hard to see what he's doing.

 

[content]

Thanks your ideas might same me time/mistakes, I only have one shotgun with additions and this sounds worth while.

 

[JNewell]

Here's a pic showing in a sort of capsule summary what I'm doing. Cut a thin piece of aluminum sheet to fit, bond with JB Weld, and use industrial velcro to secure the two parts of the side saddle carrier. Not sure why the shell carrier in the middle looks gray - trick of lighting/reflections, I think. The parts are all standard issue TacStar.

 

[content]

Nice, more versatility on the way. I appreciate the pic.

 

[JNewell]

As noted, no claim to original art here! This setup has a couple of advantages. First, it's a snap to remove the shell carrier to reduce weight/bulk. Second, it allows quick "reloading" of the shell carrier, or a quick change to an alternative load, by sticking a different shell carrier onto the receiver. Be careful with products like GunScrubber that would probably weaken or dissolve the adhesive.