Which extension?

[natedog]

My 870 police needs a magazine extesion. I've seen a $25 ATI polymer unit, a $35 Tac-Star parkerized steel one, a $35 blued steel Choate unit, and a $45 Wilson Combat one w/ sling mount and hi-visibility follower. Which one do you reccomend?

 

[L-2]

-1st, decide what length to get. Generally, the 7-shot (+2) extension is for an 18" barrel; the 8-shot (+3) extension is for the 20" barrel.
-2nd, decide what finish you'd like. I'd choose a blued finish if I had a blued gun; I'd choose Parkerized if I had a Parkerized gun.
-Actually, I have a Parkerized Remington +2 extension, which came with my 870P Max shotgun. If needed to replace the extension, I'd consider the Wilson, but might try a Vangcomp extension, although the Vangcomp seems way-expensive at $75.
http://www.vangcomp.com/mag_tube.htm
-3rd, if going with the Wilson (which appears to be a good buy), decide which sling mount option. I have a right-handed side sling mount for the sling I use.
http://www.wilsoncombat.com/sa_mag_extensions.asp
Price & quality considered, go with Wilson for Parkerized or Remington for blued finish.
http://www.remingtonle.com/axx/gunparts.htm
Let us know what you decide to get!

 

[dfariswheel]

I personally rate the Remington factory, the Choate, and Wilson as a tie for best.

The Tac-Star is second with some history of factory-defective units, and the plastic ATI's at a distant third.

The Remington is high quality, is well-proven in police and military hard duty, and allows the extension tube to be properly butted up to the gun's magazine tube for smooth feeding.

I like the Choate because it comes as a complete set with the extension, spring, stronger magazine follower, sling swivel, and a barrel clamp.

The other brands don't normally come with a barrel clamp, and this is a weakness.

It doesn't matter HOW strong the extension is, the weak point is the GUN'S magazine tube, and a bump can knock an unsupported extension loose, or completely off the gun.

When this happens, the gun's magazine tube is damaged, and the gun has to be sent back to Remington for an expensive tube replacement.

For that reason, I strongly recommend using a clamp even if the unit doesn't come with one.

 

[strambo]

I got the Wilson and couldn't be happier. It is really tough, has a great sling attachment point and you can choose right, left or bottom and it comes with a good spring and hi-viz follower.

 

[natedog]

Where are the Remington factory units available at?

 

[proven]

check remington's LE website for extensions and brackets. i've had really good experience with their customer service dept.

that being said i have the wilson 2 shot ext. and second what strambo said.

 

[natedog]

I checked their website, but I don't think they sell direct. Any other sources?

 

[Arc-Lite]

I would go with the Wilson, only because it comes with the new mag spring and swivel sling.... if you get the mag spring and swivel as well, with the others...it is all an equal toss for a great rig... I think I got the Tac-Star...and then bought a new mag spring....and sling adaptor...so the total probably ran me more, then the wison... before you put it all together, do a clean ...barrel etc....more work after you have it all assembled....more parts to take off during each cleaning. Look into the jumbo safety.... well worh the $ Arc-Lite

 

[dfariswheel]

I think Brownell's still sell the Remington extension.
http://www.brownells.com

Brownell's number 767-000-527 Factory 2-round kit, parkerized. $113.00
#767-000-714 Factory 2-round kit, with swivels, Blued. $114.00

If you know someone with a FFL or C&R license, the price is $90.00.

There are other sources if you look around.

I'd recommend emailing Remington, since they do sell parts direct.

You can also find them used on Ebay.

 

[tango3065]

Are you guys saying that some extensions dont come with the longer mag spring which is required in order to use the extension?

 

[Arc-Lite]

the tac-star, came with a spring, but the quality was questionable.... and without follower, or swivel. wilson does good shotgun parts... and you get all you need in one package. Arc-Lite

 

[dfariswheel]

The spring and a history of factory defects is why I put the Tac-Star in second place.

The Choate also comes as a complete kit, with the extension, a good spring, a better follower, a swivel, and the barrel clamp.

USE THE CLAMP.

 

[TomV]

So looking at the 2 shot extensions on Brownell's ----
The Remingtion "Factory" part is $113
and the Choate is $42.

I looks like the Choate "kit" DOES NOT come with a new spring.
Does this mean the original spring is long enough to use with the extension ?

Is the Remington worth the extra price ??

I my case it will be going on a model that will require the "dimples" to be removed. Should that affect my choice ??

Thanks and Happy New Years !!!!!!!!!!

 

[dfariswheel]

The Choate kit DOES come with a longer, stronger spring.

I don't know of ANY extension that DOESN'T come from the factory with the correct length spring.

Whether the Remington factory extension is "worth it" is strictly a matter of how you feel about it.
It's a very good quality unit that been proved in more than 40 years of HARD police and military use.
However, the Choate and Wilson are also very good, with the Choate being around for 30 years.

If you want a Remington factory extension.....shop around, and ask around. They can usually be found much cheaper than the list price.

The fact that your Remington will need the "dimples" removed has no bearing on the brand of extension you buy.

 

[Bix]

I wouldn't let the spring be a major factor in my purchase. They need to be replaced at regular intervals, anyway, and can be had from Wolf, Tank's, and Wilson for $5-$6.

I have the Wilson tube on my gun. My only reservation is that the sling mounting plate is not removable. If you ever opt for a singlepoint sling arrangement, you will find yourself with a superfluous, rattling piece of metal hanging off the front of your gun. If you don't, I expect you'll be very happy with the unit.