Which mag extender for an 870?

[Classified00]

Hello all,

I've been lurking here, sponging up information, for awhile and this is my first post.

I'm looking to add a 2 round extension to an 870 Express. I have a smith who will make the "dimples" go away and polish what remains of them. I obviously want to avoid failure to feed issues.

* Which extenders have proven reliable? I've read about Choat, Scattergun Technologies, and Tacstar. Does Remington make one as well?

* Can anyone point me to a good price?

Thanks in advance!
Brent...

 

[9mmMike]

Howdy and welcome Classified00. I have not heard that one barnd is better than another. The Scattergun and Vang guys like to tout about the strength of theirs but I've never seen a stock one that was damaged. Those guys do make what appear to be very rugged extensions but again, I've yet to hurt one of my stock ones.
I like the stock Remington extensions mostly because I like the factory clamps and sling swivels that go with them.
My extensions are all +3 but the +2's are readily available used. You might ask your smith what he has laying around.
I do think that that +1 Vang job is pretty cool though.
Mike

 

[dfariswheel]

The Remington factory extensions are nice, but expensive and sometimes hard to find. Also, they stick out beyond the barrel about 3/4".

I like the Choate because it's been around many years and has proven itself in hard service. It also comes complete with the barrel clamp, sling swivel, spring, and a heavy-duty magazine follower. Most others either don't have a clamp available, or sell it separately.

The best price I've found is this guy. He sells on Ebay, but also sells direct. He has all the Choate extensions in 7, 8, 9, and 10 shot, blued or parkerized.
Price is $40.00 flat, for the 7 shot, model.

Eldon King
[email protected]

 

[4thHorseman]

dfarriswheel

dferriswheel, e-mail me.

 

[9mmMike]

The Remington factory extensions are nice, but expensive and sometimes hard to find. Also, they stick out beyond the barrel about 3/4".

If you shop around, this is not a problem. I have paid from zero (came in a box of parts) to thirty bucks for factory extensions.
I also like the fact that they extend beyond the barrel. I always figured that this was just a little extra protection for the muzzle in case it gets bumped.
I'm not pushing the factory extensions but those are not detrimental reasons for avoiding them in my opinion.
Mike

 

[Dave McCracken]

The little bit sticking out past the muzzle doesn't seem to have a downside besides esthetics.

Mine get cleaned after each use, and there's no corrosion from blast.

 

[Classified00]

Thanks for all the info guys!

Brent...

 

[Badger Arms]

I'd suggest the Wilson Combat one. You do not need a barrel clamp with this one. It's very well made from a company with an outstanding reputation.

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=12526

 

[Classified00]

Has anyone had any issues with their 870 failing to feed after removing the "dimples" and installing an extender?

Thanks again!
Brent...

 

[Badger Arms]

No, not if you do it right.

 

[greyeyezz]

You need to use a different follower as the stock cheap plastic shifted in my setup and would hang up at the junction mag/extension. I use a steel one from Quality Parts, works well.

http://www.bushmaster.com/shopping/swat/01-05-03.asp

 

[TCW]

For thse of you who use the clamp/sling attachment on your extensions:

How do you clean your shotgun? Do you remove the clamp each time or leave it on and clean from the barrel breech?

TCW

 

[Badger Arms]

Leave it on all season, take it off once a year for a 'thorough' cleaning.

 

[9mmMike]

I take mine off everytime. It's one screw for the clamp. The extension comes off like a mag cap. Easy.
I clean after every outing but then my 870's usually shoot a couple hundred shells everytime I go out and that is a few more than most hunters. I am also one of those weird guys who likes to clean guns.
Mike

 

[Gewehr98]

Vietnam-era USGI...

As sold by Remington, complete with bayonet lug and front sling swivel:

 

[Badger Arms]

Not quite right. Here's the "Real Deal."

 

[Beorn]

I just bought one that was 7+1, but I'm only getting 6... Any ideas?

 

[dfariswheel]

How long is your barrel: 18" or 20"?

What length shells: 2 3/4" or 3"?

 

[Beorn]

My barrel length is 18"

I was putting 2 3/4" number 8 shot shells in it (just to see how many, ya know)...

Maybe I did something wrong?

 

[riverdog]

Line up six rounds of 2 3/4' ammo alongside your mag tube and then think about room for the spring. Six is right.

 

[9mmMike]

Badger Arms,
That is a great picture. Thanks! I sure wish someone would make those clamp/bayo lugs again. They're not very complex and originals fetch an insane price.
Thanks again for the photo,
Mike

 

[Badger Arms]

The Air Force bought a bunch of these for base defense years ago. I had the pleasure of packing one of these for about six months for wildlife control. The people in charge eventually bought rifle-sighted slug barrels and put the old barrels and magazines in storage. I, personally, didn't like having to remove that contraption and clean it every time. Plus it weighed about a pound and a half.

 

[Gewehr98]

Badger Arms, you got it!

Original Remington 870 Mark I's are few and far between these days, so I just replicated one using an 870 Express as the donor gun.

For a while there, I had TWO of the Remington boxes with the mag extensions, springs, and clamps. Now they're like hen's teeth to find.