Turning 870 into a trap gun...

mgcolley

mgcolley

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Hello,

So I am a hunter who recently has become obsessed with trap but cannot afford to buy a second gun for trap so I use my hunting gun for it (Rem 870 supermag). I was kindly told by a person at trap that it will be very difficult to become good at trap with this gun. He said the gun was made for hunting and is not built to shoot as many shots as you would in trap. Will this be bad for my gun?

Second question, what cheap ways can I improve my gun to make it more trap friendly? Trap barrel? Chokes?
 
Well mr mgcolley, you could Thank the guy for his opinion for what it is worth.
You could surf over in the EE shotgun section and drool over the two 870 WingmasterTB guns that are listed there for under $500.00 dollars or in the general firearms section where there is an 870 with a highly figured monte carlo stock that may or may not be a Trap 870.
You can spend hundreds converting yours to someone else's expectations or you can buy a couple of choke tubes (extra full in flush mount or extended) and just have fun busting clays.

You where" told by a person at trap that it will be very difficult to become good at trap with this gun. He said the gun was made for hunting and is not built to shoot as many shots as you would in trap."
Hog wash, it will last a long time as long as the next guy shooting a Model 12 with routine cleaning and maintenance .
Either Trap is for you or it isnt...Eventually you will need a dedicated gun but thats for you to decide.
Now go and Prove me or the other guy wrong.
This is just my opinion only and others will have theirs as well.
Rob
 
Although that person's intentions may have been the best his advice may not have been. The requirements for a good trap gun is one that you can break trap targets with. Although the 870 would not be my choice it is certainly capable of breaking singles and handicap targets. Gun fit is more important than gun make or model type. Although the express models of the 870 may not be up to the high volume that some trap shooters shoot the Wingmaster model is. An express 870 in good shape will certainly handle all the shooting that an average shooter will do. There are many things that you can do to make your 870 better suited to your style of shooting. Without going into a long list the most important is stock fit that will allow the pattern to shoot where you look or at a point that is suited for rising targets. Choke tubes suitable for the distances you shoot are an economical addition. You may want to look into different sights or a mid bead. The list goes on. I would start with your present gun and make such modifications that are needed and when you are ready you may start looking for something else. For now, enjoy breaking clay.
 
I played exactly 4 trap rounds and fired a shotgun 78 times total before placing 3rd in a tournament......Rem 870 express. Only modification was a home made cheek riser.
First couple games I used a MOD choke, than when I started getting the hang of it and dusting clays I moved to a FULL.
 
I would just get a monte carlo stock in syn for the 870 and have at her. What can really go wrong with an 870 then you can't fix at home for like 30 bucks?
 
I made my cheek riser because of:
1)my experience in wood working
2)The added weight the wood laminate stock offered over the plastic one (my shoulder thanks me after 100+ roundson a Saturday!)
3)Wood,sand paper,paste wax finish,stick back velcro= $10, Rem monte carlo stock=$100
 
I agree, either a cheek riser or some such, I've seen them made from Velcro/leather, not sure where you would buy one or a Rem Trap stock for your gun.
 
~ Add a mid-bead to the rib.
~ Maybe a pad that collapses a bit faster (switch back to your hunting pad later).
~ Pattern the gun/ammo and select a choke for the distance you are shooting.
~ A dedicated trap gun should have a Monte Carlo stock, but if you are going to be hunting with this gun then I would leave the stock alone.

~~~

More shooting always leads to more wear and tear and maintenance.The SuperMag's heavier frame and longer chamber will help with recoil issues.
 
I added a thicker recoil pad to increase LOP and a adhesive soft comb to my full choke Wingmaster field gun and it works great for trap.
 
Are you shooting for fun. If so toss a full choke tube in that 12g super mag and break them all.
Are you going to pick up a few birds with a properly fitted trap gun some day. Most Definately or maybe not , all depends on the shooter.
Best shot here still uses his old model 12 and it is just a field grade. I have quite a few trap guns and guess what I shoot after 40 plus years of hollaring PULL a 28ga wingmaster with a full choke barrel , 7 1/2 shot.Having a ball with this set up and even win the odd round .It all boils down to what you what to get out of shooting trap for me now it is all about fun .
 
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mgcolley said:
I was kindly told by a person at trap that it will be very difficult to become good at trap with this gun. He said the gun was made for hunting and is not built to shoot as many shots as you would in trap. Will this be bad for my gun?
Click to expand...
This person was full of crap. The 870 has been used as a platform for trap and skeet guns for years. The differences are simply cosmetic. It is more than durable enough.

If you are enjoying the game run what you brung and learn more about stance, foot position, gun hold, eye hold and all the other factors that are more important than the gun you shoot. Spend money on shells, not a new stock, recoil pad, mid-bead, or even a new gun.

Keep it simple at first. Focus on technique. Shoot lots. Buy a book or two or watch internet videos on how to shoot. When you feel you've taken the gun you've got as far as you can take it then start thinking about modifications to your gun.

And most importantly have fun.
 
Claybuster said:
This person was full of crap. The 870 has been used as a platform for trap and skeet guns for years. The differences are simply cosmetic. It is more than durable enough.

If you are enjoying the game run what you brung and learn more about stance, foot position, gun hold, eye hold and all the other factors that are more important than the gun you shoot. Spend money on shells, not a new stock, recoil pad, mid-bead, or even a new gun.

Keep it simple at first. Focus on technique. Shoot lots. Buy a book or two or watch internet videos on how to shoot. When you feel you've taken the gun you've got as far as you can take it then start thinking about modifications to your gun.

And most importantly have fun.
Click to expand...

Very well said Claybuster:)
 
have a set of trap woods for sale . if you really need it . started with a 870 . moved on to a over-under . 870 still works great . i cant wear it out .if it fits , just shoot and have fun . my 2 cents !!!!!!!
 
One of the early lessons one is taught is to keep your face on the stock through the shot, as you go along many will remember this and actually press their face down on the stock to some degree. Your eye acts as the rear sight, so if you put inconsistent amounts of pressure with your cheek, you are moving the rear sight, and this won't help your average. The higher comb is meant to curb this as well as to help you see the target that you are shooting at, so that you won't lift your head......Ben
 
I have the same shotgun and I enjoy shooting trap. I tried a few mods and ended up back to stock. I bought a browning shotgun to shoot trap and sold it. Liked my 870 better.
 
Claybuster said:
This person was full of crap. The 870 has been used as a platform for trap and skeet guns for years. The differences are simply cosmetic. It is more than durable enough.

If you are enjoying the game run what you brung and learn more about stance, foot position, gun hold, eye hold and all the other factors that are more important than the gun you shoot. Spend money on shells, not a new stock, recoil pad, mid-bead, or even a new gun.

Keep it simple at first. Focus on technique. Shoot lots. Buy a book or two or watch internet videos on how to shoot. When you feel you've taken the gun you've got as far as you can take it then start thinking about modifications to your gun.

And most importantly have fun.
Click to expand...

Man isn't that the truth! The only differences are in finish and type of wood. All the metal parts are manufactured the same way and with the same materials. They sure as heck don't retool a plant for the sake of stamping "TRAP" on the barrel or receiver! Don't believe it? Ask the Remington Gunsmith's working in the back of the Remington booth at the Grand. They all work at the factory and are not hesitant to tell you what is what if you aren't afraid to ask or aren't afraid of what you may hear.
Shoot what you own and have fun with it. I have won my share of tournaments big and small with a field model gun and I have yet to have one break and let me down in the middle of a shoot.
 
Theres been lots of competitions won with 870's my friend. My first and only trap gun is a 870 wingmaster, mind you its been tricked out a bit but nothing too crazy. In my opinion 870's tend to shoot flat, so a cheek riser/monte carlo stock is a must in my eyes. Shouldnt have to spend a ton either!
 
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