old receivers ok for building something tactical ?

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nova_scotian_guy

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i have a 870 that was made in 1955 the gun has had well over 3000 shots fire out of it in its lifetime .. anything from slugs ,ssg ,bird shot ,kitchen sink that sorta stuff.. anyways just wondering if people think the receiver would have any issues if i wanted to build something tactical with it ... or should i start fresh with a new gun all together
 
IMO 1955 isn't really that old in gun years, nor is 3000 rnds a lot of shooting. Only 50 rnds/year...skeet addicts shoot 3000 rnds every...don't even want to admit it! It's quite likely your receiver is higher quality than a modern Express.

I have never tried to customize an old gun..do all modern accessories and barrels fit on a 60 yr old 870? I think they do...
 
The only change likely to have impact is the locking mechanism on the mag cap/barrel retaining cap. In older 870s they use a ball bearing type catch staked into the forward face of the mag tube ring. Newer guns use a plastic ratchet inside the tube. New barrels sold separately I have seen have the ball bearing to work with both systems, barrels sold with new guns are only set up for the new system, but they can be upgraded to dual use pretty easily and cheaply by a smith. If you get a new barrel off a new gun (I.e. A take off) it may need the upgrade.

Older guns do not have the annoying dimple in the mag tube to limit mag capacity, making adding a mag tube extender much easier.
 
The age is of no concern....in fact it guarantees it was manufactured and assembled with exc materials and workmanship.

The amount of use/abuse/neglect etc is the only factor to consider.
3000 rds is of no consequence for an 870 rd wise. The gun will be smooth as glass!

Things to address when going forward are the ejector...they can and do fail...and if you change the ejector U can do it with a 3in version while yer at it which is all the gun needs to shoot 3in shells.
A full strip and ole MK3 eyeball of a competent gunsmith for any issues....new springs and an ejector (if required/desired) and unless there's damage or abuse that should be a very good gun...superior to current manufacture.
 
romurra said:
The only change likely to have impact is the locking mechanism on the mag cap/barrel retaining cap. In older 870s they use a ball bearing type catch staked into the forward face of the mag tube ring. Newer guns use a plastic ratchet inside the tube. New barrels sold separately I have seen have the ball bearing to work with both systems, barrels sold with new guns are only set up for the new system, but they can be upgraded to dual use pretty easily and cheaply by a smith. If you get a new barrel off a new gun (I.e. A take off) it may need the upgrade.

Older guns do not have the annoying dimple in the mag tube to limit mag capacity, making adding a mag tube extender much easier.
Click to expand...

My 870 Police has the barrel ball detent.
 
That gun is perfect for a tac rebuild
Take a look at our website, we have just about all you need for that project.

I have over 80,000 rounds fired in. 3 of my 870.s one I know is over 100k. Only thing worn out are springs and ejectors ,small parts.
Old guns are the best to do rebuilds on
BBB
 
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