Need advice on a mag extension

Josh · May 30, 2001, 10:02 AM

I am currently looking at a Choate 7 shot magazine extension for the Remington Express.

Has there been any problems with this extension or extensions in general?

$39.00-good buy? Itcomes with a spring and bright orange follower.

Romulus · May 30, 2001, 11:29 AM

Josh, I bought a Choate extension ten or so years ago, maybe 8 or 9, and it has worked flawlessly for me...not that I've used my shotgun much, I remain a neophyte shooter after all these years of collecting, but never a bind or failure to feed...

Regarding price: I've seen Tac-star extensions (nigh identical) for $29.00 at Ajax shooters supply

http://www.ajaxgrips.com or (214) 630-8893

imperative · May 30, 2001, 01:04 PM

I second that - I've got a Choate 7-shot and it has worked perfectly for me. It's parkerized to match my gun and feels really solid. I think some of those other brand extensions are plastic, which doesn't really appeal. I think I paid somewhere in the 30s for it.
One thing, I did have to drill out the two little dimples inside the basic tube. They're the bumps that keep the spring from shooting out when you take the cap off. I used a drill, and then I had to do quite a bit of filing. But that's probably just because I didn't make the holes big enough to start.

I really like their orange follower, it's really solid too.

Dfariswheel · May 30, 2001, 10:34 PM

Choate extensions have been around for many years, and been through the mill with the police and military. Other than bent extensions caused by not using a magazine/barrel clamp, I've only seen one problem where the extension didn't want to screw onto a Remington 870 Police model. I think the threads were just 'bumped' a little. After being on and off a few times everything was OK.

I haven't worked with Tac-Star, or Scattergun Technologies enough to see any problems other than Scattergun seems to be a bit complicated with the sling swivel/hand stop.

The plastic extension should be OK, but I don't think I would want to trust one in hard use. Other than price I see no advantage to them.

Dave McC · May 31, 2001, 07:22 AM

One of my 870s has had an extension for almost 20 years, the other with one over ten. One's a Remington Extension. t'other's a Choate. No problems with either...

imperative · May 31, 2001, 01:09 PM

One more thing, I rather like the 'feel' of the extra weight at the end of the barrel. It gives a little bit of heft that feels good when I swing it around.

Dave McC · June 1, 2001, 06:13 AM

The 7 oz a two shot extension adds to the forward end of a "Serious" shotgun aids recoil control no end. Add the weight of two shells and one has cut the Felt Recoil considerably.

Extensions in general seem to be relatively glitchless, they're a simple mechanism.I do recommend a clamp and sling swivel stud, for strength and utility.

swatman · June 10, 2001, 11:01 AM

This may be a dumb question, but does anyone here know if they make mag extensions for the 20 Ga. version?

tyro · June 10, 2001, 01:23 PM

George Stringer (moderator of the TFL Smithy Forum) put a custom-made magazine extension of my 20 gauge 870 Youth Express Deer. I have been quite well satisfied with the workmanship and the service.

Dave McC · June 10, 2001, 02:44 PM

Yes they do, Swatman, but I see few.A 20 ga Youth Express 870 with mag extension handles like an M-1 carbine, and functions better than we do.

B-more narcs seem to have some say in their raid equipment,some use worked over 20 ga 870s w/ extension and slug bbls.

dport · June 10, 2001, 04:00 PM

I've used both Choate and Scattergun extentions. I think the Scattergun is superior by far. The Choate may work, but it seems flimsy to me. The Scattergun is "beefy" to say the least.

I've looked at the Vang Comp extention, and while I like the guys at Vang Comp personally, I can't see paying twice the money for virtually the same extention as the Scattergun.

Also I like the Scattergun's follower, the "nipple" allows you to readily feel the follower, to confirm the magazine is empty. Also the green is a lot easier to see than the orange when checking at night.

Just my opinion and it's worth every penny you've paid.

Romulus · June 10, 2001, 04:49 PM

Wilson must think that a 20" barrels are anathema, consequently he makes extensions for 18" barrels only, with loss of a round...Scattergun Technologies make one- and two-shot extensions alone

June 10, 2001, 11:01 AM	#8
swatman Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2000 Location: Pa. USA Posts: 768	This may be a dumb question, but does anyone here know if they make mag extensions for the 20 Ga. version? __________________ "what gives a government that arms the whole world the right to disarm it's own citizens?" www.humanityonhold.com/intifada.html

June 10, 2001, 04:00 PM	#11
dport Junior Member Join Date: April 17, 2001 Posts: 3	Pay the extra $6 and get a Scattergun ext. I've used both Choate and Scattergun extentions. I think the Scattergun is superior by far. The Choate may work, but it seems flimsy to me. The Scattergun is "beefy" to say the least. I've looked at the Vang Comp extention, and while I like the guys at Vang Comp personally, I can't see paying twice the money for virtually the same extention as the Scattergun. Also I like the Scattergun's follower, the "nipple" allows you to readily feel the follower, to confirm the magazine is empty. Also the green is a lot easier to see than the orange when checking at night. Just my opinion and it's worth every penny you've paid.

May 30, 2001, 10:02 AM	#1
Josh Member Join Date: January 31, 1999 Posts: 77	I am currently looking at a Choate 7 shot magazine extension for the Remington Express. Has there been any problems with this extension or extensions in general? $39.00-good buy? Itcomes with a spring and bright orange follower.

May 30, 2001, 11:29 AM	#2
Romulus Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2001 Location: Kettle Moraine country Posts: 897	Josh, I bought a Choate extension ten or so years ago, maybe 8 or 9, and it has worked flawlessly for me...not that I've used my shotgun much, I remain a neophyte shooter after all these years of collecting, but never a bind or failure to feed... Regarding price: I've seen Tac-star extensions (nigh identical) for $29.00 at Ajax shooters supply http://www.ajaxgrips.com or (214) 630-8893

May 30, 2001, 01:04 PM	#3
imperative Member Join Date: April 17, 2001 Posts: 48	I second that - I've got a Choate 7-shot and it has worked perfectly for me. It's parkerized to match my gun and feels really solid. I think some of those other brand extensions are plastic, which doesn't really appeal. I think I paid somewhere in the 30s for it. One thing, I did have to drill out the two little dimples inside the basic tube. They're the bumps that keep the spring from shooting out when you take the cap off. I used a drill, and then I had to do quite a bit of filing. But that's probably just because I didn't make the holes big enough to start. I really like their orange follower, it's really solid too.

May 30, 2001, 10:34 PM	#4
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	Choate extensions have been around for many years, and been through the mill with the police and military. Other than bent extensions caused by not using a magazine/barrel clamp, I've only seen one problem where the extension didn't want to screw onto a Remington 870 Police model. I think the threads were just 'bumped' a little. After being on and off a few times everything was OK. I haven't worked with Tac-Star, or Scattergun Technologies enough to see any problems other than Scattergun seems to be a bit complicated with the sling swivel/hand stop. The plastic extension should be OK, but I don't think I would want to trust one in hard use. Other than price I see no advantage to them.

May 31, 2001, 07:22 AM	#5
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	One of my 870s has had an extension for almost 20 years, the other with one over ten. One's a Remington Extension. t'other's a Choate. No problems with either...

May 31, 2001, 01:09 PM	#6
imperative Member Join Date: April 17, 2001 Posts: 48	One more thing, I rather like the 'feel' of the extra weight at the end of the barrel. It gives a little bit of heft that feels good when I swing it around.

June 1, 2001, 06:13 AM	#7
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	The 7 oz a two shot extension adds to the forward end of a "Serious" shotgun aids recoil control no end. Add the weight of two shells and one has cut the Felt Recoil considerably. Extensions in general seem to be relatively glitchless, they're a simple mechanism.I do recommend a clamp and sling swivel stud, for strength and utility.

June 10, 2001, 01:23 PM	#9
tyro Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2000 Posts: 404	George Stringer (moderator of the TFL Smithy Forum) put a custom-made magazine extension of my 20 gauge 870 Youth Express Deer. I have been quite well satisfied with the workmanship and the service.

June 10, 2001, 02:44 PM	#10
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Yes they do, Swatman, but I see few.A 20 ga Youth Express 870 with mag extension handles like an M-1 carbine, and functions better than we do. B-more narcs seem to have some say in their raid equipment,some use worked over 20 ga 870s w/ extension and slug bbls.

June 10, 2001, 04:49 PM	#12
Romulus Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2001 Location: Kettle Moraine country Posts: 897	Wilson must think that a 20" barrels are anathema, consequently he makes extensions for 18" barrels only, with loss of a round...Scattergun Technologies make one- and two-shot extensions alone