I'm looking for advice on adding a front sight bead to 2 different shotguns. I have a stamped 870 and got a donor barrel to cut down. I have filed for a stevens 311 and will want a bead sight on that as well.
While I have cut down barrels before and I'm not worried about that, I have never "drilled and tapped" anything. Are there kits that sell everything I'd need for that? I'm not looking to just slap a FO sight over the 870 barrel and don't have options as the bead in the stevens will need to go between the barrels into the rib.

I own a decent set of tools, dremel, drills, bits, but no drill press. I want to learn how to do it since it would be cheaper than farming out.

Thanks!

I'd want a drill press to do a d&t on any gun parts.

If you're confident (get some scrap steel and practice), you could definitely do it by hand. Go easy and use good cutting oil. Mark your bit to help prevent going too deep.

My biggest concerns are over travel and square to bore axis.

IIRC you need two different taps for what you're doing, one with a taper to start the threads, then another sans taper to bottom out in the hole.

Every machine tool company will offer a drill:tap size chart.

I shot an 1100 for a lot of years for 3 gun, and over that time knocked off a couple of front sights in drop barrels or on stage props... the 21" barrel was vent rib, and I drilled a blind hole for a roll pin and trimmed to size and then painted... not pretty,, but it stayed on... a rounded top solid steel pin with a dab of cylindrical bonding Loctite would work well if you have a vent rib

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I recommend a drill press like mentioned.  It will ensure a straight hole/tap.  Its easier to maintain drill bit position and keeps the bit from walking off the part and damages the part.

Get a set of calipers as well to measure the center for the double barrel. You might be able to eye it up, but calipers will ensure true center.

My apprehension of drilling for the 870 barrel, assuming its a plain barrel, is finding true top dead center.  You could get a top center drill finder.  Drill press would be easier to drill onto a round surface.

Honestly unless you already have this stuff, it might be cheaper to have someone else do it.  Check out Rose Action Sports.  They do all my shotgun work and are well regarded here.  I've used them many times for various projects and I have always been happy with their work.