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Posted: 12/30/2012 9:33:35 PM EDT
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I have an 870 Express with 18.5" Cyl bore and standard 4-round tube that I bought years ago and am now wanting to improve upon and set up as a "general purpose" gun. I use my M&P as a nightstand gun, but would like to set the 870 up for home defense as well. Maybe some 3-gun with it, and even more maybe as a back-up for hunting/trap/clays. I'll be getting a 26-28" 870 to handle the last part so this gun being able to do so is not critical. My goal is setting this up to be versatile, what these guns are best at.
I have the Speedfeed I buttstock on it currently, and plan on keeping that on there. I have some things I've decided upon, but others I'm not sure on. Currently my plan is: 1. Add a +1 Wilson extension, gets me an extra round and I wasn't crazy about the factory +2 it used to wear 2. Side sling mount belween receiver and stock to mount the VTAC padded sling so it matches the way my AR is set-up 3. Esstac or O.S.O.E. shotgun card instead of the 4-round cheap side saddle it currently has 4. Replace the forend with either the Magpul and TLR-1, or get crazy and go Surefire 318 5. Replace the safety with an oversize version 6. Put an XS big bot sight over the standard bead However, what I haven't been able to decide on is what to do with the barrel. I'd rather go with something that will give me the ability to use choke tubes, but don't know if I should get my current barrel cut for them, get a replacement Rem Choke 18.5", or get a 21" Rem Choke Vent Rib barrel. Will a choked 18.5" keep the pattern tight enough for stuff other than HD? Would the extra 2.5" of barrel on the 21" hinder the gun too much in HD? This shotgun is going to be a mutli-tool in my mind. Sure it's not the best knife, set of pliers, or screwdriver, but it will do all of those for you. |
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The 18.5" cylinder barrel will get excellent results with any of Federal's buckshot with their 'Flitecontrol' wad. It patterns very well out of cylinder bore shotguns. If I recall correctly, it was made for cylinder barrels. If the gun is strictly for home defense, you don't need to worry about chokes.
I shoot skeet sometimes with a 18.5" cylinder bore barrel and have no issues. 
I wouldn't add anything significant (light, sights, safety, etc) until you use the gun and see what you might want. Use the gun a lot, shoot a lot, reload a lot, and see if the stock bead sight works well enough for you, or how the safety works. The upgrades you listed are quality addons, but you might find that you simply don't need to spend the money on them. ETA: I don't think it's possible to "improve" upon a 18.5" 4+1 capacity stock 870 to any significant level. It's an extremely effective weapon as-is. |
| for 3 gun you are going to shoot the shotgun like a rifle, so I would suggest the 21" RemChoke rifle sight barrel...It helps with 60y slug shots...if you shoot Tactical Optics for 3 gun, you can have a scope on only one of the 3....I'd recommend a mag tube that will hold the allowed 8+1... loading off the side saddle is a lot faster than a card...if you single load (Cowboy load) over the top, a pistol grip on the stock may be an advantage |
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Quoted:
for 3 gun you are going to shoot the shotgun like a rifle, so I would suggest the 21" RemChoke rifle sight barrel...It helps with 60y slug shots...if you shoot Tactical Optics for 3 gun, you can have a scope on only one of the 3....I'd recommend a mag tube that will hold the allowed 8+1... loading off the side saddle is a lot faster than a card...if you single load (Cowboy load) over the top, a pistol grip on the stock may be an advantage I've done 3-gun a few times, but am far from a serious competitor in it. The scope will stay on my AR and I don't plan to use one on a handgun or shotgun. The reason for the card and a +1 or maybe +2 was to keep the shotgun light when I want it to be but still capable of what I need it to be. I am really leaning towards the 21" though, I use a handgun for HD and if I were to go with a long gun in that role I'd probable grab my AR anyway so I'm less and less worried about the lessened manuverability that will bring. |
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Another question, I want to mount a sling to my shotgun and was thinking about using a TLR-1 on the MOE forend's left side. Is it ok to use a side mount sling adapter by the receiver, and a bottom mount on the magazine tube? Or will this cause issues?
Thanks in advance. |
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