Remington 870 Flex Tab Conversion & Carrier Dog Follower Spring Upgrade

Tom E Gun

Tom E Gun

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Remington 870 Flex Tab Conversion

In a recent thread concerning 870 shotguns someone posted an interesting video by JD Mcquire (owner or AI&P Tactical in Michigan & builder of custom 870 tactical shotguns for military & police). This video explains in detail what is required for a flex tab conversion and why it is required.

I would post a link to the original thread, but can’t seem to locate it (yes, I tried the search function). Here is a longer version of the video with a better demo of why the flex tab conversion is required:


Although I have been aware, for years, that the newer 870s have a different “flex tab carrier” I was not aware of the other required parts (flex tab compatible breech bolt and slide assembly) until I watched this video. Having experienced a live round getting jammed between the carrier and the bolt on 2 occasions, with 2 different older Wingmasters, I can see the benefit of this modification.

He also mentions another very simple and inexpensive upgrade for WM and Express owners, regarding the replacement of the stock carrier dog follower spring with the 870 Police version, which is actually a Remington 1100 carrier latch spring (Remington part # F16966). This is available from Brownells ($6) and probably most Canadian gunsmiths. Here is the video:


I currently have a WM for sale on the EE. I have been contacted by several potential buyers, asking if it has been modified either to shoot 3” shells, flex tab, or both (the answer to both is no). I’m thinking that if it does not sell at my asking price, I will keep the shotgun and would like to do the flex tab upgrade. This leads me to several questions, I thought I would ask the CGN community for their wisdom. If necessary I will email JD, regarding question 1, and post his answers as well.

Question 1:
Is it absolutely necessary to purchase a new style breech bolt, of is it possible/practical for a gunsmith to modify the old style bolt?

Question 2:
Where to find a, blued, flex tab carrier assembly at a reasonable price in Canada? Checking several sources in Canada, and Brownells, I can only find the carrier in matte black. I can find the entire trigger plate assembly in blued finish, that includes the carrier assembly, but I cannot seem to find just the blued carrier assembly.

Any other hints or suggestions regarding the flex tab conversation are welcome.
Cheers
TEG
 
Butcherbill said:
The only comment I can give you is to not sell that particular WM, it’s just bloody gorgeous. I know I’d kick myself if I owned it and parted with it in a moment of weakness lol.
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I hear you. That's the problem - it is so nice that I haven't fired it in years (I have 4 other 12 Ga shotguns). I am trying to downsize, not just firearms, but in general. Except for a few WWII pistols (Inglis & 1911) I am selling off all my firearms that I don't shoot. I've sold off my entire WWII submachine gun collection. I have gone back and forth about selling the WM a few times. I decided to put a fairly high firm price on it and see what happens.
Cheers
TEG
 
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I've never seen just the blued carrier nor just a blued bolt at any of the regular sources with flex tab.

Yes, gun smiths can mill the flex-tab mods into the slide plate and bolt body. Never heard of one cutting the flex-tab into the carrier however.

It's an essential mod for a home defense 870 imo.

My Police 870's already have i but been thinking of having it done to my Wingmaster Magnums because I'd hate to be bird hunting and jam it up trying to swap a shell while facing down a wolverine or some other angry animal.
 
Tom E Gun said:
IMG-6777.jpg


I hear you. That's the problem - it is so nice that I haven't fired it in years (I have 4 other 12 Ga shotguns). I am trying to downsize, not just firearms, but in general. Except for a few WWII pistols (Inglis & 1911) I am selling off all my firearms that I don't shoot. I've sold off my entire WWII submachine gun collection. I have gone back and forth about selling the WM a few times. I decided to put a fairly high firm price on it and see what happens.
Cheers
TEG
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Yeah I get the downsizing, I try to do it now and then as well. I’ve got a couple milsurps that are on the chopping block shortly, I totally understand the don’t shoot them part of selling something. If it sells I hope it gets used, I s too nice to be a safe queen.
 
madashell;
I was only thinking of modifying the breech bolt. I assume that even if it is possible to modify the carrier it would still need to be refinished.
I found a good price, in Canada, for the complete flex tab kit ($148CDN from remingtoncountrycanada.com) but that is for a matte black breech bolt and matt black carrier assembly. Brownells has the WM chrome breech bolt ($113USD) and the slide assembly ($29USD) but does not have the carrier (in any finish). AI&P has everything I need, but can't export to Canada. The last time I did a third party import from AI&P it took over 4 months and is way too much hassle for a few parts - plus the fees per part would be substantial.

I may try contacting S&J and/or Tac Ord to see if they can source a blued carrier and modify the bolt and slide.
 
Tom E Gun

contact Casey or Pete at Tactical Ordnance - they will sort everything out for you - work and parts wise. That said, it won't be worth doing the mods to the bolt compared to swapping out the bolt completely.

Boltgun
 
Why would you want a heavier carrier dog spring?

All that would do is make the gun more difficult to load.
 
I'd contact Tac-Ord Tom E Gun.

Who's AI&P ? Not familiar with them ?

Tom E Gun said:
madashell;
I was only thinking of modifying the breech bolt. I assume that even if it is possible to modify the carrier it would still need to be refinished.
I found a good price, in Canada, for the complete flex tab kit ($148CDN from remingtoncountrycanada.com) but that is for a matte black breech bolt and matt black carrier assembly. Brownells has the WM chrome breech bolt ($113USD) and the slide assembly ($29USD) but does not have the carrier (in any finish). AI&P has everything I need, but can't export to Canada. The last time I did a third party import from AI&P it took over 4 months and is way too much hassle for a few parts - plus the fees per part would be substantial.

I may try contacting S&J and/or Tac Ord to see if they can source a blued carrier and modify the bolt and slide.
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I recall talking with Casey about doing the mod sometime ago so know they can do it. Again, that's who'd I'd be calling. Don't think they do traditional hot bluing though, could be wrong.
 
Talk to Casey at TacOrd, he can provide you with a new carrier, slide and machine your bolt, he even polished the bolt when he did the conversion. I sent you a pm about the cost.
 
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Thanks for the input guys. Now that I see a way forward, at a significantly lower cost than I anticipated, the WM is off the market and is staying with me for a while longer. I will post more when I get up-to-date info from Tac Ord.
 
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" Supposed to give more positive lift when loading heavier rounds I think?
I put the heavier spring in both of my 870s and didn’t notice too much of a different in force needed to run the guns. "
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That spring doesn't lift the carrier up. It pushes the carrier down.
 
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