180grainer
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- Vancouver BC
As the title says. What did you do to it and did you have any problems finding aftermarket accessories? Any pictures of the end product?
Anyone converted a Sportsman 48 into a tactical shotgun?
- Thread starter 180grainer
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180grainer
Member
- Location
- Vancouver BC
My understanding is that a lot of accessories that fit the 1100 will fit the 48. All I'm really looking for is a fiber optic bead sight and a mag extension. Most mag extensions are two or three shells. I have to have one that is only one round so the capacity isn't over 5 + 1 as the gun is a semi auto. I suppose I could get the two round extension and plug it so it's legal. Might go for the synthetic stock as well but really prefer wood.
Well, I see no reason you couldn't...but..remember that the barrel on your 11-48 moves. Mag extensions ought to be carefully considered, as you can't clamp it to your barrel. Also, as you've touched-on, it would be mostly for aesthetic reasons. (re: mag capacity) I tracked-down a spare barrel for mine, fixed full-choke, with the intention of doing something similar. Then I thought...being full choke...maybe I ought to just hunt turkeys with it! lol So, it sits idle while I contemplate. I just bought an 870P, so, I think my tactical temptations for this gun exist no more. On a related note, I do use my 11-48 for crow hunting in cold weather, but, the stubby charging handle is a pain with bare hands...let alone gloved ones. So, hearing what you did (that 1100 components might be interchangeable) I bought an 1100 "Tactical" charging handle. When I got it home and yanked the one from the 11-48, I realized the ball detent on the 1100 is on the back edge....on the 11-48..on the bottom. The geometry of the flat portion that enters the bolt is slightly different too. However, with some careful layout, drill and file work (about 15 minutes total) it fit just fine. Not sure it would classify as a "tactical" upgrade, but it sure is a functional one. Had it out yesterday as a matter of fact~chugged away with no issues.
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180grainer
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- Location
- Vancouver BC
They are nice guns. Have seen some pictures of upgrades on ShotgunWorld. People seem to work around the obstacles. I'm told the TacStar extension for the 870/1100/11-87 will fit but don't know yet. As you mention, I'll have to consider the recoil operation of the gun to any extension I put on it. I've seen pictures of them with 3 shot extensions so it's most likely doable.
^agreed. They sure chug along without complaint, and the 12s sell for next to nothing. Considering how robustly they're made, I'm a tad surprised they're not just a little more sought after. For what I could get for mine, I can't imagine ever selling it. Just works too well. Deciding whether or not to keep the fixed-full barrel I have for it though...as I likely am not going the tactical route with mine.
I've been down the 11-48 road a couple of times.
They are one hell of a good shotgun. Many of the parts are somewhat common with the 870.
But there are some annoying issues with trying to tacticool them.
The threads for the mag cap are the same as 870-1100, but the threads are longer, so most extensions thread on but will not bottom. They need to bottom in order to hold the barrel on properly. I even got my gunsmith to do some machining to the extension and it still wasn't right. It had float/slop despite his best efforts. I did use a big lockwasher flattened out, but then you lose the effect of the little serrations and ball to retain the cap or entension...so you have to keep tightening it.
Yes, you can only add a plus 1 extension due to mag cap laws- 5 rds max in the tube, 2 3/4". It made me wish I had a 3.5" gun like a VersaMax that will run reliably with 2 3/4" shells.
There are no aftermarket stocks or forends for the 11-48.
The forend is special because it has a metal liner because of the big recoil spring. 1100 or 870 forends do not fit.
The buttstock is different than 870 and 1100. The tube with the spring in it is a different length than an 1100. You will not find this information anywhere at all on the internet, except right here in this sentence.
So, if you don't have a good buttstock and forend, or they're cracked, it's hard to improve the situation. Not impossible but hard. You are almost stuck with the stock butt and forend.
I used an S&J Hardware 1100 extended cocking handle, which worked great. The detent method is different and you might need to make a detent notch on the new handle.
If only...the mag tube threads were shorter and the buttstock spring tube was the same length as an 1100. Because the 870/1100 buttstocks slide right on and fit up nicely....but there is no way to hold them on.
It depends on how much buggering around you want to do with it.
Also, I enjoy 12 gauge recoil and riding it...but not everyone does. Now the 1100 gas gun soaks some of it up with the gas system. The 11-48 gives you the whole recoil impulse, sproing.
Really, buying a good, little used 1100 makes more sense...because you can buy off the shelf items to dress it up.
They are one hell of a good shotgun. Many of the parts are somewhat common with the 870.
But there are some annoying issues with trying to tacticool them.
The threads for the mag cap are the same as 870-1100, but the threads are longer, so most extensions thread on but will not bottom. They need to bottom in order to hold the barrel on properly. I even got my gunsmith to do some machining to the extension and it still wasn't right. It had float/slop despite his best efforts. I did use a big lockwasher flattened out, but then you lose the effect of the little serrations and ball to retain the cap or entension...so you have to keep tightening it.
Yes, you can only add a plus 1 extension due to mag cap laws- 5 rds max in the tube, 2 3/4". It made me wish I had a 3.5" gun like a VersaMax that will run reliably with 2 3/4" shells.
There are no aftermarket stocks or forends for the 11-48.
The forend is special because it has a metal liner because of the big recoil spring. 1100 or 870 forends do not fit.
The buttstock is different than 870 and 1100. The tube with the spring in it is a different length than an 1100. You will not find this information anywhere at all on the internet, except right here in this sentence.
So, if you don't have a good buttstock and forend, or they're cracked, it's hard to improve the situation. Not impossible but hard. You are almost stuck with the stock butt and forend.
I used an S&J Hardware 1100 extended cocking handle, which worked great. The detent method is different and you might need to make a detent notch on the new handle.
If only...the mag tube threads were shorter and the buttstock spring tube was the same length as an 1100. Because the 870/1100 buttstocks slide right on and fit up nicely....but there is no way to hold them on.
It depends on how much buggering around you want to do with it.
Also, I enjoy 12 gauge recoil and riding it...but not everyone does. Now the 1100 gas gun soaks some of it up with the gas system. The 11-48 gives you the whole recoil impulse, sproing.
Really, buying a good, little used 1100 makes more sense...because you can buy off the shelf items to dress it up.
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180grainer
Member
- Location
- Vancouver BC
I tried a buddies TacStar extension off his 870. Fits like a glove. Was a bit worried about that as I've read other forums where people do complain about the extensions not fitting just like Cantom mentions. Most likely go with that. I like the contrast of the wood so don't have any plans to look for after market stocks or for-ends. Thinking of going with the 3 shot extension for two reasons. First looks, but I can also use a plug I have to meet legal requirements without having to cut the plug. I don't seem to be able to find a one round extension although I haven't looked real hard either.
Just sticking a plug in does not satisfy legal magazine requirements. It has to be welded/riveted/epoxied or similar.
S&J Hardware sells 1 round extensions, as do many others.
Are you saying the TacStar threads right down and tightens right up against the barrel, eliminating fore and aft slop? If so, that's great. It must have a longer threaded area than the 2 or so types I tried.
S&J Hardware sells 1 round extensions, as do many others.
Are you saying the TacStar threads right down and tightens right up against the barrel, eliminating fore and aft slop? If so, that's great. It must have a longer threaded area than the 2 or so types I tried.
180grainer
Member
- Location
- Vancouver BC
Yes, the extension butts right up and holds the fore-end tight. If I have to do what you suggest to the extension to ensure it's legal I'll have to look a little harder for the one round extension. It'll be a little disappointing if that extension fits like you suggest.
If as you say, the TacStar extension actually threads down far enough to tighten down the forend and barrel securely, and the serrations engage the ball bearing and it locks on, then I'd use it. Nothing else I tried worked right.
Now, is it made of steel? Or aluminum?
If steel, measure how long of a steel rod spacer you need to allow just 1 extra round of 2 3/4", plus a bit of free play, but certainly short of allowing 6 shells in the mag tube. Get the steel rod welded into the middle of the extension such that it doesn't interfere with the spring. The spring goes over it.
Have to be creative but finding an extension that will actually thread down properly is not a small thing with these shotguns.
Now, is it made of steel? Or aluminum?
If steel, measure how long of a steel rod spacer you need to allow just 1 extra round of 2 3/4", plus a bit of free play, but certainly short of allowing 6 shells in the mag tube. Get the steel rod welded into the middle of the extension such that it doesn't interfere with the spring. The spring goes over it.
Have to be creative but finding an extension that will actually thread down properly is not a small thing with these shotguns.
180grainer
Member
- Location
- Vancouver BC
It didn't cover the ball bearing but it fit on pretty tight. Could use a wrench to tighten a bit more i guess but I'll see if it comes loose once I get one and try it out. I was thinking of using an epoxy of some sort instead of welding. That way I could do it my self. Even gluing a piece of a plug in there should be good enough for Johnny Law. It will be permanent and I can make an exact measurement by fitting the plug first. I'm going to cut the barrel and want to put in an Improved Modified choke. Probably have to take it to a Gunsmith to do that as I think I have to thread the inside of the barrel to engage the choke. Have you ever done that before?
No, but have seen it done.(choke tubes installed) It's a gunsmith operation with special tools. Not cheap.
Problem of course is that as you start adding all of these operations and parts together...it starts getting too expensive for fixing up an older gun.
Yes, epoxying the plug would likely work. Others have done that.
Problem of course is that as you start adding all of these operations and parts together...it starts getting too expensive for fixing up an older gun.
Yes, epoxying the plug would likely work. Others have done that.
180grainer
Member
- Location
- Vancouver BC
Yes expensive but hey, it's a Sportsman 48. I like the nostalgia of it all and it will be unique. And the gun only cost me $200.00 so I have some room to keep the price within reason overall.
