Transforming my new Youth Express into a "Proper" HD Weapon??

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Here's the deal---(long story)

I had a used .357 on on lay-a-way and was going to pick it up last Sat---then I get actually consider what I was doing---I already have 2 .357 revolvers---not to mention the drive to the local PD station---$10 fee---and time wasted waiting for a background check---then the drive back to the shop---which is ALL the way across town.

I spotted a rack of 6 or 7 syn stocked Youth Express's (20ga) that I never had really paid attenion to---I went over them all and picked the one with the least rack fingering and smoothest action---they keep their gun on racks for all to handle(trigger locks installed).

I've owned 2 of these before---but was never a fan of the hardwood stocks---so wound up getting rid of them----when I saw the syn stocked ones--ah ha what I've been waiting for all along---thoughts of the .357 were history. These appear to be non-cataloged items--because the only syn stock Youth Expess's shown on the web site are in 16ga.

Since I've had these before---I already had IC and FULL choke tubes and a speed wrench at home. The IC tube promptly was installed with the initial cleaning and wipe down.

So now to the mods---looking at the Wilson 2-shot extention and big head safety-----do I need a magazine clamp for this???

Is there anything else I should do to this?? OR should I leave well enough alone and not modify anything??

Thanks for any help or ideas.

OBG

 

[Preacherman]

Jon Tank does some interesting mods to 1100's and 870's, and has a range of accessories you might find useful.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Don't modify anything, yet....

Shoot it some at your game of choice, have fun and work polish it until it feels like a body part.

As that point, decide if it needs modification and know WHY it does.

A shotgun is simply a tool to direct a cloud of shot, clouds of shot or a single chunka lead to a given place at a given time in comfort to the shooter. If it aids getting the charge where you need it to go or aids your comfort in doing so, it's worthy. All else is bling.

One exception, or possibly two.

First, if it doesn't have sling studs, get them. A sling is too useful to not have.

Second, if this is meant as a defensive tool, a light is nigh mandatory.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Will the Surefire forend fit the 20ga??? Or what other lighting options are out there???

 

[dfariswheel]

"do I need a magazine clamp for this???"

If you do decide to add an extension, the answer is YES.

It doesn't matter HOW strong the extension is, it's still screwed to the relatively thin magazine tube of the gun.

This thin tube is further weakened by the deep, wide square shoulder threads.

A bump can knock the extension out of line, or even off the gun.
When this happens, it's the gun's magazine tube that gets damaged, and this means a trip back to the factory for a new tube and a receiver re-finish.
This is expensive.

Or as one policeman said to me, "But they said this brand of extension was as strong as a steel bar"!!!!!

It was. The extension was undamaged, but the gun wasn't.

 

[MrTuffPaws]

I can recommend Mr. Tank's items. I have a 7+1 extension on my 20ga 870 youth express. Really nice, and makes the thing look meaner than a hungry dog.

I think if you get his tube, you get a clamp also. I also recommend that you use the clamp. You bend or break your tube in a scuffle, you break your gun.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Install a four- round SideSaddle and replace the front bead with a Meprolite tritium bead. Definitely install a clamp.

lpl/nc

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

OK--went ahead and ordered a new safety to fix the major problem of the factory set up---the nasty J-lock.

All the talk about weak mag tubes has me doing a more wait-and-see thing there---mainly because Wilson doesn't come with a clamp---and all the others I'm seeing are for the 12ga.

Probably go with an off side nylon butt cuff for extra shells---because I have yet to see a 20ga side saddle either.

Lighting systems??? Forget about it---not finding anything for a 20ga there.

Now for the big question----Are there any online directions for replacing the safety????