I had shot slugs from older 870s in the past (the newest one before this was dated 1967) and the stocks with the recoil pads were ok. Now after my time was up with the department and I wanted to get my own 870 Tactical. The recoil pad on the stock was pitiful, but I took the gun to the range in base form just to get a feel for any shortcomings.
My local range is the Southeast Regional Shooting Range. Normally I can do a session of 25 to 30 rounds of slugs before my shoulder is just too tired of the pounding. This stock left a bruise after 1 box, 5 rounds of just Winchester Super-X. Not even the good Federal High-Shok Maximum rounds, definitely time for a change.
I looked at the offerings from ATI and Blackhawk and decided on the Blackhawk Recoil Reduction Stock for the Remington 870. I found the stock on Amazon and it arrived in about a week.
The stock came with the action grip as well and it was all sealed in plastic rather than an easy to open box. The stock installed very easily as any 870 stock. I elected the sling ring as I also have a Blackhawk sling as well. The real issue was the installation of the matching action. For a well-known and respected company such as Blackhawk to have allowed this action to be placed in the same package is disappointing. The only way to have this action fit was to grind away a significant amount of plastic from the inside of both sides where the rails contact the grip. Once this modification was made the gun went back together just as easily as ever. The action is smooth and it allows smooth cycling. The action grip does provide a better grip than the original Remington piece.
I opted for the Blackhawk sidesaddle with the cheek riser and installed those at the same time. I went ahead and installed the taller cheek piece.
Out on the range I tested the recoil from a bench rest first at a 100 yard target. I used the stock ghost ring sights of the 870 tactical and the same Win Super-X rounds. I was let down by the poor accuracy of the rounds. Now the recoil reduction was a different story. The felt recoil in the shoulder was amazing. The recoil was similar to a hot load .308 rather than a one ounce slug from a 12 gauge. Part of that recoil was redirected upward, and that taller cheek piece meant that upward motion hit me right in the cheek bone, several times. I eventually pulled the sidesaddle off while at the range. I’ll pull the tall cheek piece off later and reinstall the sidesaddle.
I also tested the 870s short range feel from a standing position at 15 yards with Federal 00 Buck. The spread pattern of this 870 tactical is amazing. What is even nicer is the adjustability of this stock to fit the application. I pulled the stock down two notches to replicate an entry position. I was able to keep the sights on target and drain the magazine tube quickly and effectively.
If you only have the ability to pick one modification for your shotgun this would be it. Even with the fitment issues with the action this is well worth the money and effort.
Stock installed with the sidesaddle and high rise cheek piece. I also used a Glock slide-on grip to get a better grab on things.
This has a great shot of the action grip. The gun on the right is my LMT 16".
