Brass follower

BullOnParade

BullOnParade

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I was hunting around eBay and found an ad for a brass follower.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Brass-Magazine-Follower-Fits-Remington-Model-870-12-Gage-Shotguns-/222888962479

Now, I've got some brass laying around from another project many years ago and this would be a fun way to get it out of my tool box ...

Pro:
Low abrasion, brass will not bind easily.
High vis, bright brass is gold in colour, high contrast to a blued receiver. May tarnish, but still yellow.

Anyone think of any downsides to a brass follower instead of the stainless or plastic options on the market?
 
BullOnParade said:
I was hunting around eBay and found an ad for a brass follower.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Brass-Maga...gton-Model-870-12-Gage-Shotguns-/222888962479

Now, I've got some brass laying around from another project many years ago and this would be a fun way to get it out of my tool box ...

Pro:
Low abrasion, brass will not bind easily.
High vis, bright brass is gold in colour, high contrast to a blued receiver. May tarnish, but still yellow.

Anyone think of any downsides to a brass follower instead of the stainless or plastic options on the market?
Click to expand...
Well, it's harder than the plastic ones so wear should not be an issue. The only vey minor issue I can think of is that it may tarnish over time and decrease it's visibility. A quick scrub with steel wool should revive it, however.
 
Brass is heavy, heavier than steel, which may slow down feeding enough to cause an issue if you're a fast shooter.

Beyond that, I'd be concerned about galvanic corrosion possibly occurring if you don't clean your mag tube periodically.
 
870P said:
Brass is heavy, heavier than steel, which may slow down feeding enough to cause an issue if you're a fast shooter.

Beyond that, I'd be concerned about galvanic corrosion possibly occurring if you don't clean your mag tube periodically.
Click to expand...

The difference between stainless steel and brass is approximately 0.0161 lbs (0.25oz) per cubic inch. I highly doubt that would effect the spring unless your spring is already weak.

Corrosion could be an issue. I think I'm going to make a few up and see what happens. I'll probably emulate the styles of follower with holes through the center to help distinguish between a shell and the follower.
 
BullOnParade said:
The difference between stainless steel and brass is approximately 0.0161 lbs (0.25oz) per cubic inch. I highly doubt that would effect the spring unless your spring is already weak.

Corrosion could be an issue. I think I'm going to make a few up and see what happens. I'll probably emulate the styles of follower with holes through the center to help distinguish between a shell and the follower.
Click to expand...

Steel is already heavy for a follower, especially if it was as beefy as the brass ones linked in the OP.

I don't know about other designs, but its possible for a reasonably fast shooter to outrun the feed from the magazine on the 870.

Anything that even slightly holds up the process, whether its excessive friction, a weak mag spring, an out of spec shell latch or a follower that's too heavy, is bound to increase the chances of winding up with an empty chamber.
 
I would prefer to have a bright lime green or orange follower that immediately tells me the mag tube is empty. One like the S&J Type 3 should work and not jam.

https: //www.sjhardware.com/product-category/accessories/shotgun-parts/followers/
 
I have made a few out of titanium, but I still have no qualms about the original that came with the 870. I have a Wingmaster that has been hunted and shot hard for over 50 years and the follower shows little or no wear
 
I prefer the SJ ones from Simon. Even better than the Wilson combat ones for several reasons. Great lubricity for one. I did a write up about the SJ followers many years ago when he first introduced them if you search for it here. I don’t much care for any of the metal ones. I don’t see a benefit for the purpose aside from extra bling on your gun.
 
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