Well I decided to add a shell holder on my 870…so here we go on the process.
I designed the parts in CAD and left the retainer open so I can under size the ID so it will flex and pinch the shell in place when jolting the SG during use.
I then sent the .stl file of the 6 shell holder out on my 3D printer. Final part in Black, ABS/Polycarb plastic.
I discovered by racking my forend prior to installing the holder that it was going to interfere in it’s original form. I looked on-line for a smaller one but I found many options with rails and pistol grips which I did not need.
I wanted to keep it a simple HD 870 so I decided to take the sawzall to my spare forend. I cut it in the front end just past the slots for the nut so I have easy access with a tool when R&R is needed. I cut the rear about a 1/4" from the stop and trimmed a full radius on each end to keep any pinch points to a minimum.
I added a little Velcro to both the 870 and holder after I wiped them down with carb cleaner. It was a quick fix and cost a minimal amount. I painted the spare foreend (which came with my action bar in some hunting camo design) with a “Truck liner” which was black in a rattle can. This gave it some texture and was siting in my cabinet waiting to be used.
Looks good. FWIW, Remington, Choate, SpeedFeed, and possibly others offer the short “LE” forends. These are needed for the 6-round Sidesaddles or equivalents. I’ve used them and I’ve also “chopped” the “sporter” forends as you did.
After trying a number of differing set-ups over the years, I’ve found that I prefer the “sporter” forend (and a conventional, albeit shortened, buttstock). For me, the short forend forces the support had just a tiny bit too far forward. The “Sporter” forend is better in this regard. Its use, however, limits one to a 4-round Sidesaddle.
Thanks for your input Rosco. I’m a little confused but do follow your reasoning. My point of confusion is the grip (textured) area on the modified forend is in the exact same place in relation to the chamber before and after I modified it to use a 6 round sidesaddle. Are you commenting on the shortened stock bringing the relationship of forend position and shoulder closer? I can agree with this and would like to modify the stock.
I don’t let the location of the textured area dictate where I grip the forend. With the “sporter” type forend, my support hand is fully on the forend, but back toward the rear of it.
The shorter buttstock is more of an aid in rapidly shouldering the shotgun, rather than an attempt to bring the forend’s location back toward the body. I never really thought of it doing that, but it certainly does. Good observation.
