[NBT]

My Remington 870 Express Shotgun.
Currently stock and making a tactical rig out of it has been something I have wanted to do...but never got around to it.
I spent an hour or so looking at the tactical pics...reading threads...and searching the web.

What I'm looking to do is increase the ammo holding capacity, add pistol grip, lighting, adjustable LOP, adjustable sight's/better barrel. I thought about adding an external shell holder, but if I increase the gun's ammo capacity...I don't see the need to add 6 more rounds on the outside of the receiver.

Budget for this project $500 dollars...give or take.

TIA for build suggestions/links.

[Buffering]

I'm not trying to be pissy but I have to ask if you've shot the piss out of the gun or know from experience if these changes are necessary v. the fun of building a gun.

1. PG and adjustable LOP. Look at the Mesa Urbino.

2. Light is best addressed with the industry standard Surefire. There are cheaper lights but if this is a tool to stake your life, buy what's designed for the heavy long haul.

3. Mesa side saddle is the gold standard. Available in 4,6 or 8 shot.

4. Mag extension needs can be met with either a Wilson/Scattergun or Vang units.

5. You didn't mention this but you should upgrade the internal parts to 870P standards for about $30.


I'm running an 870P with a Vang extension, Surefire 318, Reminton Youth stock with R3 and a Mesa 4 shot saddle. All of your proposed mods can be done for less than $500.

[NBT]

Originally Posted by Buffering

I'm not trying to be pissy but I have to ask if you've shot the piss out of the gun or know from experience if these changes are necessary v. the fun of building a gun.

Couldn't even guess how much shotgun ammo I've pumped out of an 870...thousands of rounds.
The big reason....
In 2007 I completely ripped my right shoulder apart after taking a bad hit in a football game...I heard it tear in my ear...sounded like ripping a pair of jeans. Shoulder is fixed now with titanium anchors, but shooting a 12 gauge has become downright painful with any repetition. Real bad if we're shooting sporting clay's with overhead or angled shot's. I almost went to a Remington 1100 LT in 20 gauge...but have so much 12 Gauge ammo...it was going to cost me even more to swap gauge.
Last month at camp a friend of mine had his Mossberg 535 Tactical shotgun...I was amazed how having a pistol grip on the gun reduced the impact to my shoulder.
SO...I figured improving the 870 to fit my needs would be easier to accomplish versus re-inventing the wheel.

Thanks for the reply/links...I really like the look of the Mesa Tactical Urbino-w- Cheek Riser & Limbsaver Pad. The LOP is going to be a bit too short at 12.5". Might have to look at adjustable stocks with pistol grips.

[Buffering]

Sorry to hear about your busted wing.

If the Mesa is close to working, look at the Edline buffer that goes into a telscoping stock. Reportedly, although not cheap, it reduces felt recoil by 70%, IIRC.

The Remington Youth stock has a 13" LOP with the R3 pad. Speedfeed IV has the PG and Supercell pad which similar to the R3 which is Limbsaver under the Remington name.

[Inebriated]

Originally Posted by Buffering

I'm not trying to be pissy but I have to ask if you've shot the piss out of the gun or know from experience if these changes are necessary v. the fun of building a gun.

1. PG and adjustable LOP. Look at the Mesa Urbino.

2. Light is best addressed with the industry standard Surefire. There are cheaper lights but if this is a tool to stake your life, buy what's designed for the heavy long haul.

3. Mesa side saddle is the gold standard. Available in 4,6 or 8 shot.

4. Mag extension needs can be met with either a Wilson/Scattergun or Vang units.

5. You didn't mention this but you should upgrade the internal parts to 870P standards for about $30.


I'm running an 870P with a Vang extension, Surefire 318, Reminton Youth stock with R3 and a Mesa 4 shot saddle. All of your proposed mods can be done for less than $500.

There's nothing in this post that I don't agree with...

Originally Posted by NBT

Couldn't even guess how much shotgun ammo I've pumped out of an 870...thousands of rounds.
The big reason....
In 2007 I completely ripped my right shoulder apart after taking a bad hit in a football game...I heard it tear in my ear...sounded like ripping a pair of jeans. Shoulder is fixed now with titanium anchors, but shooting a 12 gauge has become downright painful with any repetition. Real bad if we're shooting sporting clay's with overhead or angled shot's. I almost went to a Remington 1100 LT in 20 gauge...but have so much 12 Gauge ammo...it was going to cost me even more to swap gauge.
Last month at camp a friend of mine had his Mossberg 535 Tactical shotgun...I was amazed how having a pistol grip on the gun reduced the impact to my shoulder.
SO...I figured improving the 870 to fit my needs would be easier to accomplish versus re-inventing the wheel.

Thanks for the reply/links...I really like the look of the Mesa Tactical Urbino-w- Cheek Riser & Limbsaver Pad. The LOP is going to be a bit too short at 12.5". Might have to look at adjustable stocks with pistol grips.

The LOP on the Urbino seemed short to me, until I got it on the gun.. it feels perfect with the PG, though. .

[RedHaze]

Perhaps look into the Knoxx stock by Blackhawk.

Suppose to do a really good job of reducing recoil...

[plouffedaddy]

Here's the newest Knoxx:


Feels a little better in the hand than the Gen1 above. Both will work though.

[bsg1]

Buffering gave good suggestions; on the money.

consider the Mesa LEO telescopic stock with enidine buffer. Limbsaver makes a slip-on recoil pad that fits the Mesa perfectly, and further reduces recoil.

Wilson (Scattergun Technologies) mag extension is high quality, with about $45.00 being the price of admission.

[NBT]

Originally Posted by bsg1

Buffering gave good suggestions; on the money.
Wilson (Scattergun Technologies) mag extension is high quality, with about $45.00 being the price of admission.

Good to know, thanks. I did read that someone went to install a Knoxx stock, and had a fitting issue...which was resolved by tech support from Blackhawk.
The more I read, looks like the shorter LOP will probably not be as big of an issue as once thought.
We have family in town until Friday...after I get them off to the airport...will hitting a LGS down the road....see if they have any of the Mesa or the Blackhawk stocks in.
I picked my Streamlight up for my AR there...so that should take care of my light issues...just need to address the fore-grip. (I need to get a TLR for my Glock(s) as well)
Thanks everyone for the recommendations, it thins the BS down....there's a lot of aftermarket accessories for the 870... most are not mentioned here...telling me that their not worthy.

[NBT]

Well...here is what's coming so far.
Mesa 91550 Urbino Stock w/ Limbsaver Buttpad & Cheek Riser
TacStar Side Saddle
ATI magazine extension

I got the Mesa new, the rest off of an equipment exchange for a significantly reduced price...so if I don't particularly care for them...I can swap them out.
As Buffering suggested....Mesa products are pretty much considered the cream of the crop.
I did measure the barrel on my 870 Express Magnum, and it's only 17 and a half inches ( removed from the gun)
I need to use a rod and measure...but it seems a bit short. I'm waiting for a reply on a used 19" barrel with adjustable night sight's.
Once everything get's here the transformation will begin.
TIA for the suggestions.

Anyone have experience with the SureFire M69 Picatinny Rail Forend?

[NYShooter]

Originally Posted by NBT

Well...here is what's coming so far.
Mesa 91550 Urbino Stock w/ Limbsaver Buttpad & Cheek Riser
TacStar Side Saddle
ATI magazine extension

I got the Mesa new, the rest off of an equipment exchange for a significantly reduced price...so if I don't particularly care for them...I can swap them out.

The Urbino is a great choice, the TacStar not so much. I wouldn't put any ATI product on my gun.

[SCSU74]

Wilson +2 $50
Cdm gear mod c light mount $40
Surefire g2x tactical $60
Shotgun Velcro card - $5
Xs big dot sight $30
Speed feed iv-s stock $80
Total = $265

The Velcro shotgun cards are a lot better than a side saddle IMHO. They hold 6 rounds and if you use all 6 you can just tear it off and slap another 6 on. I have one card on the gun and 4 spares. The cdm light mount is very well made and I haven't had one problem yet. For the money the g2 can't be beat, not a fan of the dedicated for ends. Wayyyy overpriced IMHO. The xs big dot bead is really all you need a shotgun, but of you want something more they also offer ghost ring sights that a lot of guys use at my dept. the speedfeed is a great solid stock with goo lop. If you want adjustable Knox are hard to beat. Brownells should have the springs you need to upgrade to P model for about $10 total. Let me known if any other questions!

http://www.skdtac.com/Esstac-Shotgun-Card-p/ess.106.htm

http://www.cdmgear.com/product.html


Sent from my iPhone... which probably auto-corrected something wrong

[NBT]

Still waiting on ****** to get my order(s) here...I did place a decent order with them after getting my ID approved...so I hope it's worth the wait.
I have:
Mesa Urbino Stock, Limbsaver butt pad -w- adjustable cheek riser.
Trijicon-GL01
Trijicon-GL04
Streamlight TLR-1 and remote for the G-23.
and some CR123's
I also picked up a used Streamlight M69 forgrip, 2 Magpul side panel's, mag extension and side saddle.
Once I get all this on, I will go from there and see what I like.
I did grab a nice barrel with tritium night sight's.
On a side note...anyone have a link for the upgraded 870P internals?

[snewsoG22]

Originally Posted by SCSU74

Sent from my iPhone... which probably auto-corrected something wrong

Your prices on the big dot and velcro cards?

[jb1911]

Originally Posted by snewsoG22

Your prices on the big dot and velcro cards?

I was thinking the same thing. Velcro cards are 12 to 15 dollars, not 5. I have an XS Big Dot on my 870 and I got a deal at 60 dollars.

[NYShooter]

Originally Posted by jb1911

I have an XS Big Dot on my 870 and I got a deal at 60 dollars.

$60 is not a "deal" for the XS Big Dot, that's the retail price.

[SCSU74]

Originally Posted by NYShooter

$60 is not a "deal" for the XS Big Dot, that's the retail price.

Ya I paid $30, install included


Sent from my iPhone... which probably auto-corrected something wrong

[SCSU74]

Originally Posted by snewsoG22

Your prices on the big dot and velcro cards?

Click the skd link for the cards, I think they're $15 iirc. The xs big dot only retails for $60, ghost rings $120


Sent from my iPhone... which probably auto-corrected something wrong

[SCSU74]

Originally Posted by jb1911

I was thinking the same thing. Velcro cards are 12 to 15 dollars, not 5. I have an XS Big Dot on my 870 and I got a deal at 60 dollars.

If you look around on forums you can find them for around 5ish, still at 15 they are still a lot better option than a side saddle


Sent from my iPhone... which probably auto-corrected something wrong

[jb1911]

Originally Posted by SCSU74

Ya I paid $30, install included


Sent from my iPhone... which probably auto-corrected something wrong

Man, you got a great deal there. I also agree with you about the shell cards. I had a Mesa side saddle and switched to velcro and cards and I like them much better.

[snewsoG22]

The velcro cards use some sort of adhesive against the receiver of the shotgun correct?

Does it hold up to rain/conditions/getting knocked around well? I ask because my 870 is also a hunting gun. What if, for whatever reason, you wanted to ditch the velcro? Would it be a chore to clean the adhesive off the shotgun receiver?