870 mag tube cap retention without detent

J

J.P.

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Hello folks,

Just wondering what kind of methods are available for keeping an 870 mag tube cap on tight when using a barrel without a detent ball. I don't really want to use a sling plate on this one. I think I remember something about using an o-ring? Does that ring a bell or is my brain playing tricks on me.... thinking just put an o-ring under the cap?
 
J.P. said:
Hello folks,

Just wondering what kind of methods are available for keeping an 870 mag tube cap on tight when using a barrel without a detent ball. I don't really want to use a sling plate on this one. I think I remember something about using an o-ring? Does that ring a bell or is my brain playing tricks on me.... thinking just put an o-ring under the cap?
Click to expand...

O ring works
Knurling the face of the cap works too
Lil blue loctite works too
An aluminum aftermarket cap seems to stay in place too...the softer aluminum likley grips the uneven surface of the barrel ring
 
how much interference fit do I need? Looking ball size vs hole size, or the relationship between the two. Also kinda curious how I can control seating depth when pressing the ball in. Shim material with a hole punched in it centered around the ball? Then I could press it in with a c-clamp. Or is it easy enough to press it in a bit and check

This is sounding like work. Maybe I'll just eat my wheaties and screw that sucker on like I mean it.
 
The hole is the same size as the ball with a spring seated then the ball then the edge of the hole is peened with a punch to lock the ball in place.
 
Can-down said:
The hole is the same size as the ball with a spring seated then the ball then the edge of the hole is peened with a punch to lock the ball in place.
Click to expand...

Yep, real easy to do. At least, it was on mine. Solid friction fit between the hole and the ball on mine, I didn't even need to peen the edge of the hole for it to stay in position.
 
Can-down said:
The hole is the same size as the ball with a spring seated then the ball then the edge of the hole is peened with a punch to lock the ball in place.
Click to expand...

well, that sounds even easier. Maybe I'll do it if I'm feeling bored one day over winter. Any idea where to find that tiny ball and appropriate spring?
 
Brownells sells them for a couple of bucks each, spring and ball (it's actually a pin with a round end). If your barrel already has the hole in it like a lot do, then it's no problem
 
dogzilla said:
Brownells sells them for a couple of bucks each, spring and ball (it's actually a pin with a round end). If your barrel already has the hole in it like a lot do, then it's no problem
Click to expand...

nope, it's a china barrel so I'll be drilling. But that's no big deal now that I understand the game plan.

I'll have to take inventory and come up with a worthwhile brownells order to make the shipping hurt a bit less.

thanks for all the input gentlemen
 
I do recommend installing the ball and spring. A friend of mine did a few of them for me, he had a special circular punch that peened the hole so the ball would stay in. Then you get a mag cap from one with the ball and it works very well as intended.

Number 2.
http://www.brownells.com/userdocs/Miscellaneous/080870010pdf.pdf

Just tightening it up...is great till it starts threading itself off which it will...you end up having to constantly check and tighten it.

Remington installs some extensions by torquing the living crap out of it...so people actually damage the nut trying to take it off. I wish they had just left the design the way it was, which worked very well.

J.P. said:
how much interference fit do I need? Looking ball size vs hole size, or the relationship between the two. Also kinda curious how I can control seating depth when pressing the ball in. Shim material with a hole punched in it centered around the ball? Then I could press it in with a c-clamp. Or is it easy enough to press it in a bit and check

This is sounding like work. Maybe I'll just eat my wheaties and screw that sucker on like I mean it.
Click to expand...
 
Wave Washer

This may be simpler. Install a wave washer. This advice from AIP Tactical:

"....the tube extension magazine tube coupling is held in place by a small detent ball in the barrel ring. If your barrel does not have a detent ball there is nothing to hold the mag tube coupling from turning. Panic not. Go to Brownells in the search block enter the words "Wave Washer" you will see these are about $6 for a pack of three. You simply install the barrel then place a wave washer over the mag tube on to the barrel ring then screw on the mag tube coupling. This washer keeps it tight and that three pack will last you many years. Also, the Wave Washers say for a Remington 1100, but they work on any Remington shotgun."

http://www.aiptactical.com/How-To_Videos.html

http://www.brownells.com/search/index.htm?k=wave+washer&ksubmit=y

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Good luck. Safe shooting.
 
Last edited:
Brownells won't ship the wavewasher. Speedfeed let their export license expire, so nothing speedfeed can be exported anymore unless they've renewed it in the last couple of months
 
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