870 internal upgrades

[walkabout777]

I'm replacing the factory parts on my 870 and so far I've ordered the Volq extractor and Dlask follower.

Which other parts should I upgrade?

Also any clues where I could find the metal trigger group too?

Thanks

 

[manbearpig]

Why fix what ain't broke?
Many 870s - even Expresses - function for tens of thousands of rounds, getting smoother with use. There's no reason to 'upgrade' the internals.

The best source of metal triggergroups (and receivers) used to be old 2 3/4" Wingmasters with the 28-30" fixed choke barrels: you used to be able to pick em up for $200-250 because noone wanted them.
Now they're going for $900 on the EE...

 

[enefgee]

You could swap out the carrier dog spring for the one used in the "P" models

 

[Butcherbill]

I usually swap out the follower and mag spring, add a jumbo safety, will upgrade the extractor if I find a good price on one but I’ve not had a factory mim one fail. Aside from that I’ll polish the bolt, action bars and chamber it they need it. They will smooth out with use but for 20-30min of polishing it’s smooth as silk, so worth it in my opinion.

I’ve never had issues with the plastic trigger group but they pop up on the ee periodically.

 

[alpining]

...Which other parts should I upgrade?...

The operator?

The internet seems to be full of 870s with broken MIM extractors, jammed plastic magazine followers and broken plastic trigger housings. Personally I don't know anyone who has seen any of these things happen, but maybe we're doing it wrong!

That said, it's fun improving our toys, right? Functionally, I do like putting the stiffer carrier dog spring in. The metal trigger housing does feel nicer to handle. It seems like cheaper wingmasters (with the metal trigger housing) are more likely to be found on the other forums - The CGN EE is very efficient these days.

Aside from farkles, the best way to improve your 870 is to shoot it lots. But carefully polishing the sliding surfaces is a great shortcut to a smooth shotgun. Obviously, polish the chamber if you have extraction issues (this is fairly common with cheap ammunition).

 

[madashell]

Honestly I think the polymer trigger group is somewhat of an upgrade. It's strong and functions perfectly. And all my 870's are Police & Wingmasters, no Express's so it's an honest opinion.

Assuming you're setting up your 870 as a defensive type SG and running the barrel length/type you want only necessary upgrades IMO are:

- S&J follower. All the types are great and work so pick one
- S&J mag spring that comes with follower kit
- over sized safety (Vang Comp or S&J)
- if running bead sight the XS big dot is amazing IMO
- BFG vickers sling. Run the non-padded version on SG's imo.
- S&J mag tube extension. Best there is and must have imo

- the VG extractor is absolutely not necessary, even with the MIM's on the Express. However. all mine are VQ but don't need it

- another not necessary upgrade is the Timney 870 "trigger fix". But once you try it, you'll never not run it IMO.

- shorter LOP stock if you're running it in a squared off stance.

- figure out a way to efficiently carry extra ammo. I'm not so sold on ammo on the gun. Bulky and changes the balance of it.

 

[lerch641]

- figure out a way to efficiently carry extra ammo. I'm not so sold on ammo on the gun. Bulky and changes the balance of it.

Velcro shotgun cards, even if not on the gun, are handy to sort ammo. They can be attached to any velcro surface like mag pouches, or if you get longer ones (5+) they can be slipped in to single AR15 magazine pouches.

 

[madashell]

I've tried all that. Basically just comes down to not liking ammo on SG's.

Tried most options. And old school quality ammo belt seems to be about the best option for me.

Velcro shotgun cards, even if not on the gun, are handy to sort ammo. They can be attached to any velcro surface like mag pouches, or if you get longer ones (5+) they can be slipped in to single AR15 magazine pouches.

 

[SuperCub]

I'm replacing the factory parts on my 870 and so far I've ordered the Volq extractor and Dlask follower.

Which other parts should I upgrade?

Also any clues where I could find the metal trigger group too?

Thanks

I can see one wanting a metal trigger bottom, but why the upgrade for the other parts?

I've been using 870s for 30yrs or more and not had any troubles.

 

[Painkillers]

I run old Wingmasters and am shocked they go for $900 these days. Surely it's an exaggeration? Upgrades for my police clone were a high vis follower, magazine extension, rifle sights (slugs). I disagree with a sling on a pump gun. Your mileage may vary, but in my opinion a sling will just get in the way. Shotguns, even loaded ones with extended magazines don't weigh a great deal, they're meant to be carried. I also disagree with putting shot cards or saddles on the gun, it's just more crap that could get hung up. Let's face it, whatever "it" is, will be all over in less than 4 rounds. While an extended magazine on a riot gun makes sense, strapping another 4-8 shells on the gun doesn't. A belt or dump pouch is your friend.

My other Wingmaster is my goose/turkey gun and is stock from like '78 and still going strong. No, neither are for sale. Not even for $900. Lol

 

[Butcherbill]

I've tried all that. Basically just comes down to not liking ammo on SG's.

Tried most options. And old school quality ammo belt seems to be about the best option for me.

Yeah I agree, I prefer shells at my waist. I made a belt mounted Velcro sleeve I can stick a Velcro card to, I like the shell card and pouch S&J offers but I don’t like them on the gun while hunting. I find it a pain as a lefty while using a RH pump 12g, easier to grab off the belt.

 

[manbearpig]

Honestly I think the polymer trigger group is somewhat of an upgrade. It's strong and functions perfectly. And all my 870's are Police & Wingmasters, no Express's so it's an honest opinion.

Curious as to your reasoning behind this?
I'm about to get my first ever polymer 870 triggergroup so I don't have much experience with them. Until now I've only used metal ones - not due to snobbery, just happened to be the only ones I kept.

I run old Wingmasters and am shocked they go for $900 these days. Surely it's an exaggeration?

So am I. When I posted that there was one in the EE, 2 3/4", 32" barrel w/fixed choke, "field marks on barrel", "well worn action" for $900.
Cheapest one I saw at the time was $750.

 

[mudgunner49]

Yeah I agree, I prefer shells at my waist. I made a belt mounted Velcro sleeve I can stick a Velcro card to, I like the shell card and pouch S&J offers but I don’t like them on the gun while hunting. I find it a pain as a lefty while using a RH pump 12g, easier to grab off the belt.

Take a look at the one from The Wilderness - probably the best shell belt I've ever seen for shotgun...

https: //www.thewilderness.com/shotgun-accessories/heavy-duty-shell-belt[/url]

 

[madashell]

I think it's possibly stronger. It's not like the metal versions are machined metal, it's pressed powdered metal or however they're doing it. Sometimes I think about actually putting the polymer ones in my old Wingmasters in a moment of over thinking and then come back to why fix what's not broken ? (save for the flex-tab lifter upgrade)

Keep in mind the polymer group have 2 or 3 parts that are a different dimension than the metal groups. Can't remember but it might be pin sizes, nothing major.

It's NOT plastic. Can't stand it when guys say that. It's very strong polymer. Do not question that you're "settling" on a lesser trigger group because it's not the metal version. That's FUDD thinking IMO.

Curious as to your reasoning behind this?
I'm about to get my first ever polymer 870 triggergroup so I don't have much experience with them. Until now I've only used metal ones - not due to snobbery, just happened to be the only ones I kept.



So am I. When I posted that there was one in the EE, 2 3/4", 32" barrel w/fixed choke, "field marks on barrel", "well worn action" for $900.
Cheapest one I saw at the time was $750.

 

[Butcherbill]

Take a look at the one from The Wilderness - probably the best shell belt I've ever seen for shotgun...

https: //www.thewilderness.com/shotgun-accessories/heavy-duty-shell-belt[/url]

Looks well built, I’ve got a tactical tailor belt that collects dust. They’re overkill for hunting, this is more what I needed so I made it to use with Velcro cards I already have. When I walk trails etc hunting grouse I load the tube and have a full card, 9 shells is plenty.

12g elastic loops hold .22lr mags as well so I use it when rabbit hunting as well.

 

[mudgunner49]

Looks well built, I’ve got a tactical tailor belt that collects dust. They’re overkill for hunting, this is more what I needed so I made it to use with Velcro cards I already have. When I walk trails etc hunting grouse I load the tube and have a full card, 9 shells is plenty.

12g elastic loops hold .22lr mags as well so I use it when rabbit hunting as well.

Yeah, concur... I don't think I've ever fired 10 rounds in a day of hunting. The shell belt is more of a range thing to avoid continually going back to the table to reload...

 

[alpining]

I've tried all that. Basically just comes down to not liking ammo on SG's....

I'm with you on this, but I think we're in the minority. For certain applications a sidesaddle or velcro card on the receiver make a lot of sense, but not for how I use a shotgun.

When I was serious about 3-gun, belt and chest mounted shell caddies were the clear winner. Shell belts can be handy in the field or at the range, but mostly I use shell cards to keep things organized in my pockets.

 

[manbearpig]

I think it's possibly stronger. It's not like the metal versions are machined metal, it's pressed powdered metal or however they're doing it. Sometimes I think about actually putting the polymer ones in my old Wingmasters in a moment of over thinking and then come back to why fix what's not broken ? (save for the flex-tab lifter upgrade)

Keep in mind the polymer group have 2 or 3 parts that are a different dimension than the metal groups. Can't remember but it might be pin sizes, nothing major.

It's NOT plastic. Can't stand it when guys say that. It's very strong polymer. Do not question that you're "settling" on a lesser trigger group because it's not the metal version. That's FUDD thinking IMO.

Oh come on.. polymer, synthetic, composite, "military grade glass-reinforced co-polymer" etc are just fancy ways of saying plastic while trying to avoid the associated stigma

I'm open to the idea that in some applications plastics can be as durable - or possibly even more durable - than metals.
But let's not kid ourselves: the plastic trigger housing on the 870 is 100% intended as a cost-saving measure by Remington.

Either way I've never heard of anyone wearing out an 870 triggergroup through normal use, whether metal or plastic - and I wouldn't bother 'upgrading' either.
The basic 870 design has been around for nearly 3/4 of a century and (notwithstanding recent fit & finish complaints), it's the most popular shotgun of all time. If it had any serious issues requiring aftermarket parts they'd have been addressed decades ago.

 

[madashell]

Oh come on.. polymer, synthetic, composite, "military grade glass-reinforced co-polymer" etc are just fancy ways of saying plastic while trying to avoid the associated stigma

I'm open to the idea that in some applications plastics can be as durable - or possibly even more durable - than metals.
But let's not kid ourselves: the plastic trigger housing on the 870 is 100% intended as a cost-saving measure by Remington.

Either way I've never heard of anyone wearing out an 870 triggergroup through normal use, whether metal or plastic - and I wouldn't bother 'upgrading' either.
The basic 870 design has been around for nearly 3/4 of a century and (notwithstanding recent fit & finish complaints), it's the most popular shotgun of all time. If it had any serious issues requiring aftermarket parts they'd have been addressed decades ago.

Never said it wasn't a cost cutting measure of Remington. Never even hinted otherwise.

And I do agree most companies are trying to distance themselves from the stigma of plastic.

I hear you but modern polymer plastics being in the plastic category, but it's far from the plastics of yesteryear Remington used on the 600-660 series trigger guards. We are not splitting hairs here. They are that different and I'm sure we both agree.

 

[enefgee]

Polymer (plastic) trigger groups are definitely a cost saver, but probably not the way most folks think. I saw a Ruger rep talking about the 10/22 trigger group and he was asked why they switched. He said that while the polymers are cheaper to produce in the long run, the real issue they had with the metal ones was making them fit. The metal ones all came out slightly different in size (cast metal) and many required pretty precise machining to fit. The polymer ones all come out of the mould exactly the same size and just go together perfectly. He said that the early ones were a little weaker, but as the technology developed the polymer ones are now stronger than the part they replaced.