Mulling idea of 870 build (but have limited 870 knowledge)

[geologist]

A +1 mag extension is flush with a 14” barrel, the +2 flush with the 18-18.5” barrel and the +3 extension is flush with a 20” barrel.

870 express models have dimples on the mag tube to hold in the mag spring retainer, you will have to either drill out the dimples or swage them flat with a deep well socket. Drilling is quicker but swagging is better looking and there’s no visible holes to potentially let dirt etc into the mag tube, I’ve gone the swagged route.

14" with an SJ +1.

 

[wedge308]

There are 870 home defense models out there with factory flush +2 extensions. I'm pretty sure I've seen them in synthetic stocks too. The police synthetic furniture is easier to come by. My 870 sits at the front of the safe with ammo close by.

 

[wedge308]

The same shotgun I have is here on the equipment exchange

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/threads/bnib-rem-870-tactical-hardwood.2451363/#post-20655254

 

[Munkey1973]

It has nothing to do with being "period correct", it's simply personal preference.
Mag extension sticking past the barrel is visually unappealing to me. I prefer them either perfectly flush, or the mag extension at most a half inch shorter than the barrel.

Mag extension not being perfectly parrallel to the bore drives me absolutely crazy, yet several mag extension and clamp combos end up this way.

This is how I prefer my mag extensions to look:
View attachment 917073
IIRC this is a Choate extension. Not my first choice at all - I'd have much preferred to keep the S&J - but this combo ended up looking the best (to my eyes).

^^^ this right here is perfect ^^^ so to confirm, this is an 18 barrel with a +2 Choate brand extension?

 

[Munkey1973]

No problem. It is confusing depending on year and factory vs aftermarket. Below is a picture of an older Scattergun Tech 870 with 18” barrel. It’s flush with the barrel.


View attachment 917179

Vs a newer 18.5” barrel.
View attachment 917181

Thanks Leg for pointing that out as it prompted me to research the issue more! I wasn't perfectly sure what you saying in both your until I looked and found a post on some 870 forum. I had no idea that there 2 different "standard capacity" base tubes ... namely 4 rounds and 6 rounds. The 4 being the most common/traditional platform available, and the 6 round was exclusively for the Express Tactical. That being said, I'd likely want to work with extensions and barrel combinations based on the common 4 round tubes.

 

[manbearpig]

^^^ this right here is perfect ^^^ so to confirm, this is an 18 barrel with a +2 Choate brand extension?

18" barrel.
AFAIK a +2 Choate extension.
IIRC the clamp is Tactical Ordnance.

I went through almost every extension and clamp on the market before I found ones that looked OK to me. Most stuck past the barrel. Some clamps held the extension at an angle from the bore. I ended up settling on the Choate even though there are ones that are far better made.

Just keep in mind that mag extensions make your gun barrel-heavy, make it more annoying to remove your barrel, and invariably involve some fuss involving removing divots/mag springs/detents/etc. Consider a short barrel that's flush with the factory mag tube.

 

[Munkey1973]

18" barrel.
AFAIK a +2 Choate extension.
IIRC the clamp is Tactical Ordnance.

I went through almost every extension and clamp on the market before I found ones that looked OK to me. Most stuck past the barrel. Some clamps held the extension at an angle from the bore. I ended up settling on the Choate even though there are ones that are far better made.

Just keep in mind that mag extensions make your gun barrel-heavy, make it more annoying to remove your barrel, and invariably involve some fuss involving removing divots/mag springs/detents/etc. Consider a short barrel that's flush with the factory mag tube.

Yep... when I bought my M4 from S&J they threw in a +1 extension.... then I add the Midwest handguard, and A&S aluminum trigger guard and on the other side I have my really small surefire. She's as heavy as a Chevy for breaking clay, but sure is fun !

 

[Painkillers]

It has nothing to do with being "period correct", it's simply personal preference.
Mag extension sticking past the barrel is visually unappealing to me. I prefer them either perfectly flush, or the mag extension at most a half inch shorter than the barrel.

Mag extension not being perfectly parrallel to the bore drives me absolutely crazy, yet several mag extension and clamp combos end up this way.

This is how I prefer my mag extensions to look:
View attachment 917073
IIRC this is a Choate extension. Not my first choice at all - I'd have much preferred to keep the S&J - but this combo ended up looking the best (to my eyes).

I couldn't agree more, and very few talk about it but there are either clamps or extensions that are 10 or 15 degrees from parallel to the barrel and it looks ridiculous. Bent.

 

[Leg]

Thanks Leg for pointing that out as it prompted me to research the issue more! I wasn't perfectly sure what you saying in both your until I looked and found a post on some 870 forum. I had no idea that there 2 different "standard capacity" base tubes ... namely 4 rounds and 6 rounds. The 4 being the most common/traditional platform available, and the 6 round was exclusively for the Express Tactical. That being said, I'd likely want to work with extensions and barrel combinations based on the common 4 round tubes.

View attachment 917368

All of the pictures I showed used the standard four round tube and +2 magazine extensions. The difference is one barrel is 18” and the second barrel is 18.5”. All current production 870s come with an 18.5” barrel and will only be flush with the Remington factory extension AFAIK.

The rem870.com site does have some decent articles. Here’s one you may be interested in for your project: https:/ /www.rem870.com/2015/06/08/7-magazine-extensions-for-remington-870-shotgun-nordic-components-choate-tacstar-remington-ati-vang-comp-systems-wilson-combat/

 

[Leg]

I’m hopeful that you’ll document your project and post it up here or in the gunsmithing forum. I’ve got a couple of beaters that I’ve long planned on turning into something nicer, but I’m a pretty good procrastinator and could use some inspiration.

 

[Munkey1973]

I’m hopeful that you’ll document your project and post it up here or in the gunsmithing forum. I’ve got a couple of beaters that I’ve long planned on turning into something nicer, but I’m a pretty good procrastinator and could use some inspiration.

I think for this project, I'm simply going to buy (new or used) an 870 Police that already has the factory +2 extension and avoid possible headaches.... but I really do appreciate your advice along with everyone else's on this thread !

But yeah man! I reckon I will post updates here on the Black & Green Shotguns for this project... Eventually.... Right now I am working on a CZ 457 with a Boyds Hardwood Stock, and I needto finish that up this month before I start anything else.

I keep meaning to start a thread on CGN (gunsmithing or DIY) to post some of the work I've done so far.
I'm business member with the CCFR, so I am allowed to post Ads once a week to their Facebook page.
But realistically I only post on there once every couple of months, its still cheap advertising for $250 plus it helps the CCFR.

Right now, I do this for fun/passion on the side.... hopefully someday (when I retire in 10 years) it may take off and I could be a CGN site contributor... who knows.

 

[870P]

I actually prefer an extension that protrudes a bit past the end of the barrel, as it helps protect the muzzle from getting dinged or getting packed with dirt.