Hey all,

I bought my very first gun in 2005. An 870 express. At some point, I added a magazine extension to it, so I drilled out the detents on the magazine tube. I kinda want to use this gun for turkeys, so i'm thinking I want to remove the magazine extension. I have all of the original parts, but having drilled those detents out, the magazine cap doesn't ratchet. It still holds ok, but I can imagine it backing off after a day of bumping around in the woods. Is there any decent way to use the original magazine tube having drilled out the dimples?


In case this needs to be said: some 870's have a ball detent on the barrel that ratchets and holds the end cap, but on the express the spring retainer is what ratchets against the cap. Since the dimples are gone, there's nothing to hold the retainer in place.

Scattergun Technologies Magazine Tube Wave Washer

The wave washer and an old style Remington magazine spring retainer.
This goes in with the cupped side down...........

The retainer is getting hard to find........$5.00 from Bob's., who's about the only place that has them.
https://www.gun-parts.com/remingtonshotgun/

I assume you want to remove the extension so that you do not exceed maximum magazine capacity. Why not just insert a magazine plug/limiter? That can be simply be a cut length of wood doll rod.

Shell limits on turkey?  Not a federally protected migratory bird.

Anyway - Loctite.

Many states have regulations, Kentucky for example:

Breech-loading shotguns must be plugged to hold a maximum of three shells (two in magazine and one in chamber).

Interesting.  I think Oklahoma has a 5 round rifle limit.

Ordered the wave washer, and a retainer. Thanks everyone. Wave washer looks right, but their description is very strange.

I have no capacity limitation, but as I get older I'm starting to appreciate lighter guns more, so i'm taking off unnecessary parts. And, idk, it just thought there should be some solution for this problem. This also might turn into double duty, turkey and loaner/backup waterfowl shotun. I just want to start using this gun again.

There used to be instructions online for adding a ball detent to 870 barrels and a ball and spring kit. You drilled a hole in the barrel ring then staked the ball and spring in.  This allowed use of the standard magazine cap.

I can't see how you could drill that hole in the correct spot, while keeping the drill parallel to the barrel's longitudinal axis. There wouldn't seem to be enough clearance between the drill and the side of the barrel. The drill could be touching the side of the barrel and still be too far from the spot you would need to drill that hole. Obviously you don't want to drill that hole at an angle, either.

I'm not saying it can't be done, I'm just really curious about how it is/was done. I might have to look for those instructions.

I'm going to look for the plans too, but of course I already ordered the other parts. I bet the angle of the hole isn't very critical though, as long as you don't drill into the barrel. I bet it's tight, but do-able.

It's discussed here, and there's a link to rem870.com with the precise location:
https://www.ar15.com/forums/armory/Remington-870-Magazine-cap-detent/1-504422/

They don’t show the drill in the Bridgeport mill, but you might need an extra long drill bit (like a 12” aircraft extension drill).

Going to need a looooong drill to do my 26" barrel.

It can be drilled at an angle, as long as one doesn't drill into the barrel.

For an update, i bought a magazine retainer for a browning bps for $1.65, and a wave washer. Both fit, look and feel perfect. I was a little skeptical, but I feel very confident in the setup now. Thanks for the help everyone!