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Posted: 11/27/2008 7:29:36 PM EDT
| I have a 870 Express with a factory mag extension. I'm not quite sure I like the extra weight on the front end and was thinking of taking the extension off and getting a factory cap. Does anyone know if I need to change out the spring to a different one? I currenty have a side saddle on it and I'm pretty familiar with tactical reloads so I probably won't miss the extra rounds. |
| If it's a 2 shot extension, odds are you'll have to change the spring. Local gun shops generally have new and used springs laying around from extension installations for cheap. You could just cut the sping you have down to fit too. It's not my business, but I have to ask, how much does the extension weight? Can't be but a few ounces, right? The reason I ask is because lots of us are buying extensions. You don't have to load it full up, but it's nice to have the option. Anyway, hope this helps. |
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Extensions are a mixed blessing. Provided they work correctly (not always a given) They still add weight to the front end of the gun, especially when fully loaded, and change the balance...mostly for the worse. They also tend to make it much less likely that shooters will clean the gun well after shooting.
You can just cut the spring that is in the extension or get another as noted. You might also wish to look at the Scattergun one shot extension, which allows five rounds in an 870 mag tube yet does not need a clamp and does not change the balance much at all. It will come with a spring and follower. |
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To go to a standard 4 shot magazine you'll need the following.
A standard length magazine spring. An OLD STYLE Magazine spring retainer. An OLD STYLE magazine cap. Here's the parts at Brownell's: http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/schematics/schemmfg.aspx?schemid=134&m=12&mn=Remington%c2%ae&model=870+Standard+Weight-+12%2c+16%2c+20+ 33. 767-253-750. Magazine Cap. $15.61 37. 767-000-379. Magazine Spring, Police, $5.03 (Police spring is heavy-duty). 38. 767-916-570. Magazine Spring Retainer, Old Style. $4.95 (Note that the spring retainer goes into the magazine tube with the cupped end facing IN. You can often find the old style magazine caps and spring retainers at gun shops. To tell the difference between the Old style mag cap and the new Style, the old style has a series of shallow dimples around the rear face of the outer flange. The New style has a smooth flange with "teeth" on the inside-center of the cap. These "teeth" are machine turned-up burrs. These caps will screw on both types of magazine tubes, but are NOT interchangeable, and shouldn't be switched. Use the right cap for your model. |
| Thanks for all the excellent replies and information. I think i started thinking about changing it around when I saw that almost every police car that I saw with a shotgun in the rack, did not have an extension. I don't know if that is a politically correct action on the police gun or there is some tactical reason. I know the state police and the local county sheriffs do not have the extensions on the ones in their racks. Any LE out there with an answer? |
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