Hey guys, I decided to purchase a Remington 870 Police Magnum and have a few questions about upgrades to it.
Magazine replacement or extension:
(1) I can’t remove the OEM mag and put a full length mag on it, correct? That is, I have to put an extension on instead of replacing the stock mag with a longer one?
(2) Does the Police Magnum have the “dimples” in the tube that have to be removed?
(3) It has an 18" barrel. What are the “down sides” of adding a magazine that extends a bit past the barrel? I’d like to put a +3 extension on it.
Stock replacement:
(1) I’m consider a different stock, to allow me to square up directly to the target instead of a “bladed” stance.
(2) In your experience, which stock would be the best choice for the Remington 870.
Side Saddle:
(1) Considering a side saddle to carry spare rounds on board. Recommendations?
Light:
(1) What has been the best choice in light and mount in the opinion of others here?
You are correct, you will need an extension for the magazine. The police model should not have the dimples to deal with.
The benefit of shorter barrels, to me at least, is more maneuverability in tight spaces. To negate that with a longer magazine extension means you may as well keep a longer barrel. The three round extension may not be too bad, but I would just go with the +2 personally.
My personal favorite stock, and the one on my primary shotgun is the Urbino with the adjustable riser. It has a slightly shorter pull length than factory, and the riser puts me in just the right spot for my irons. My second favorite is the regular factory stock shortened one inch or so.
I still use a Mesa side saddle, but I see a lot of guys like the Velcro “cards”. I am seriously considering changing to that set up, as it offers greater versatility, lighter weight, and faster ‘re-ups’ of ammo.
I like the Surefire friend lights. Expensive, and some will say overly bulky or heavy, but to me the most streamlined way of mounting a light. For slings I prefer a one to two point adjustable, with the rear attachment point at the rear of the receiver. I find the one point gives me more flexibility moving, with the two point letting me change to a more secure carry if I need it on my back out of my way.
I like the Speedfeed Youth stock. It is approx 13" LOP. Factory I believe is 14" LOP. The Hogue 12" LOP is another option if you want to go even shorter.
Surefire integrated forend light is the way to go for me. I know the price sucks but in terms of durability and ease of use there is no equal. You can find used ones and the old “laser products” versions on ebay for a lot cheaper. if you really can’t swing it, you can get a Magpul forend and install a standard weapon light to it.
2-pt VCAS sling for me. Front is installed in the sling loop of my Vang Comp mag extension. Rear is attached to the stock using a BFG stock adapter.
No opinion on velcro side saddles yet. I’m still using my Tacstar one which has held up fine over thousands of rounds downrange.
(1)Correct.
(2)Shouldn’t.
(3)Only downside would be adding extra weight that far out, +2 should be sufficient but it’s your gun.
(1&2) I’ve tried cut down stocks, pistol grips, pistol grip stocks, adapters for AR stocks, I ended up with a youth sized Hogue with a butt spacer on the 870. Comfortable, and the correct LOP for me.
(1) Mesa Tactical saddles are very well made and sexy as it gets, but for utility and practicality velcro is the way to go. I like the Esstac cards, and use 3M brand loop tape on the side of the receiver.
(1) The Surefire forends are kinda bulky, but I think they’re the best solution.
(1) I use VCAS slings on shotguns because it’s easier to carry that way. Remove slack to carry, run the adjustment out to shoulder. I’ve used single points before, attached between the receiver and stock. This would be great for a range day, but I wouldn’t want to walk a great distance with a shotgun dangling from a single.
The problem with the youth or the speed feed stocks is that essentially what they have done is whack an inch or inch and a half off the end of a standard stock.
For comfort in shooting two-legged game on the ground you want to have your head as erect as possible - this means your shotgun needs to be mounted HIGH into the shoulder.
Posts # 19 and 20 in the thread linked below show a shooter with the shotgun buried low into the shoulder - notice the angle of the shooters head and notice how he comes off the stock a little on each shot. Not being a hater, just pointing out that a lot of us learn to shoot shotgun by wingshooting. You can get away with somewhat burying the stock there because when you raise the muzzle to track the bird your head comes up also - not so when shooting at Freddie Felon.
What does all that have to do with stock length? Well, when you take an inch to inch and a half off a standard stock you loose about 1/2 to 3/4 inch off the toe of the stock, making it harder to get the shotgun high into the shoulder.
I’ve found Choate stocks to have essentially the same length toe-to-heel as a regular stock. They are slightly wider however.
My personal preference is for a conventional stock on a shotgun rather than a pistol grip, understand other folks opinions vary.