870 Police; wood vs synthetic

226 · March 23, 2006, 11:42 AM

Greetings. This is harder than I thought. Found some outstanding prices (Kevin Wells) on 870Ps and now it's the kid in a candy store syndrome.

I've got a synthetic stocked 870P (speed feed w/out stock mag tubes). For those who have a wood 870P, is there a noticable difference in weight or handling compared to the synthetic stock? I see that the wood stocks don't have checkering and the forearm on the synthetic seems to have a more aggresive grip than the wood.

Remington LE customer service said that depending on the moisture content of the wood, they will be approximately 1/2 lb heavier. Not something I wanted to hear.

..

Death from Afar · March 23, 2006, 04:58 PM

1/2 lb seems a bit excessive. Apart from Aethetics, I would stick with synthetic. Wood is too easy to get banged up.

Twycross · March 23, 2006, 05:42 PM

I'm a fan of the synthetic stocks. They are lighter, and more durable. Also, I find them a little easier to grip than wood, but thats just me.

And wood just doesn't have that evil tacticool feeling.

Dfariswheel · March 23, 2006, 07:15 PM

One reason for the heavier wood stocked gun, is the usual Remington synthetic stock is HOLLOW and simply weights less.

It all depends on whether you want the durability and water proof synthetic, or the "warmer" feel and appearance of genuine American walnut.

The walnut does scratch and can be damaged by water.
Scratches can be sanded out and the stock refinished when the stock gets ratty looking.

Synthetic can't really have scratches sanded out satisfactorily, and the stock makes a hollow "THONK" sound when bumped, but it's very tough, and is cheap to replace.

Comes down to personal preference.

Logs · March 23, 2006, 08:17 PM

I like the wood for looks, but have noticed the composites feel lighter and hold up better to abuse.

Comes down to what feels better to you, they should both get the job done.

TCman · March 23, 2006, 09:38 PM

I would get the wood just because it is heavier. That extra weight will help with recoil and a follow up shot. If you get the synthetic stock you could always put some weight in it.

Death from Afar · March 28, 2006, 02:56 AM

My 870 P is synthetic. It does seem to have more recoil with slugs and buck then my wooden wingmaster , but heck, A few bruises never hurt anyone...

sthrnfryedyankee · March 28, 2006, 08:02 AM

does anyone know where I can get just a regular oem synthetic forend for a remington 870

rhoffler · March 28, 2006, 08:54 AM

I have a 870 with synthetic stock that i use for dove skeet and sporting claysI shoot this gun in bad and good weather and dont worry about it if it's raining i oil it down and let it go If you wan't a gun to show go wood if you want one to work well?

Skeet are not hard to break just easy to miss

Dave McC · March 28, 2006, 08:59 AM

Wood, unless you know for a fact the synthetic stock fits you. The synthetic stock is much harder to alter.

Wood IS heavier. Not a bad thing. My HD 870 evolved over half a decade and weighs close to 10 lbs. What kick? It has a little mass added to the stock to offset the weight of the extension and extra rounds.

Turns like a cutting horse...

webbee · March 28, 2006, 02:02 PM

You can get rid of the "Thonk" if you fill the cavity with expanding foam. Just make sure you use the light duty foam, so it doesn't over-expand and screw up the stock. You must put a piece of greased sprinkler pipe through to the bolt, so that bolt removal doesn't become a problem. Remove the tube when the foam sets. Easy job.

Dfariswheel · March 28, 2006, 03:25 PM

sthrnfryedyankee:

You can buy Remington OEM fore ends direct from Remington, AND:
http://www.brownells.com/ (Look under the tab at the top for "Factory Gun parts).

http://www.e-gunparts.com/

There are two basic types of OEM fore ends, the Police and the Sporting.

The Police is shorter to allow using side saddles and so the gun can be loaded and unloaded through the magazine, and has grooves as gripping aids.

The Sporting is longer and has commercial-type checkering

March 23, 2006, 11:42 AM	#1
226 Member Join Date: May 7, 2005 Location: USA Posts: 99	870 Police; wood vs synthetic Greetings. This is harder than I thought. Found some outstanding prices (Kevin Wells) on 870Ps and now it's the kid in a candy store syndrome. I've got a synthetic stocked 870P (speed feed w/out stock mag tubes). For those who have a wood 870P, is there a noticable difference in weight or handling compared to the synthetic stock? I see that the wood stocks don't have checkering and the forearm on the synthetic seems to have a more aggresive grip than the wood. Remington LE customer service said that depending on the moisture content of the wood, they will be approximately 1/2 lb heavier. Not something I wanted to hear. ..

March 23, 2006, 04:58 PM	#2
Death from Afar Senior Member Join Date: November 7, 2004 Location: Living the dream in Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND Posts: 1,635	1/2 lb seems a bit excessive. Apart from Aethetics, I would stick with synthetic. Wood is too easy to get banged up. __________________ "Beware of the Man with one gun...he probably isnt into guns enough to be safe with it".

March 23, 2006, 05:42 PM	#3
Twycross Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2005 Location: Montana Posts: 1,187	I'm a fan of the synthetic stocks. They are lighter, and more durable. Also, I find them a little easier to grip than wood, but thats just me. And wood just doesn't have that evil tacticool feeling. __________________ The test of character is not 'hanging in' when you expect light at the end of the tunnel, but performance of duty, and persistence of example when you know no light is coming. - Vice Admiral James Stockdale, USN (ret.)

March 28, 2006, 02:56 AM	#7
Death from Afar Senior Member Join Date: November 7, 2004 Location: Living the dream in Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND Posts: 1,635	My 870 P is synthetic. It does seem to have more recoil with slugs and buck then my wooden wingmaster , but heck, A few bruises never hurt anyone... __________________ "Beware of the Man with one gun...he probably isnt into guns enough to be safe with it".

March 28, 2006, 08:02 AM	#8
sthrnfryedyankee Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2005 Location: SC Posts: 393	speaking of synthetic stocks does anyone know where I can get just a regular oem synthetic forend for a remington 870

March 23, 2006, 07:15 PM	#4
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	One reason for the heavier wood stocked gun, is the usual Remington synthetic stock is HOLLOW and simply weights less. It all depends on whether you want the durability and water proof synthetic, or the "warmer" feel and appearance of genuine American walnut. The walnut does scratch and can be damaged by water. Scratches can be sanded out and the stock refinished when the stock gets ratty looking. Synthetic can't really have scratches sanded out satisfactorily, and the stock makes a hollow "THONK" sound when bumped, but it's very tough, and is cheap to replace. Comes down to personal preference.

March 23, 2006, 08:17 PM	#5
Logs Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 1999 Location: BLUEGRASS STATE KY USA Posts: 1,780	I like the wood for looks, but have noticed the composites feel lighter and hold up better to abuse. Comes down to what feels better to you, they should both get the job done.

March 23, 2006, 09:38 PM	#6
TCman Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 514	I would get the wood just because it is heavier. That extra weight will help with recoil and a follow up shot. If you get the synthetic stock you could always put some weight in it.

March 28, 2006, 08:54 AM	#9
rhoffler Member Join Date: February 26, 2006 Location: North Central Flordia Posts: 48	I have a 870 with synthetic stock that i use for dove skeet and sporting claysI shoot this gun in bad and good weather and dont worry about it if it's raining i oil it down and let it go If you wan't a gun to show go wood if you want one to work well? Skeet are not hard to break just easy to miss

March 28, 2006, 08:59 AM	#10
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Wood, unless you know for a fact the synthetic stock fits you. The synthetic stock is much harder to alter. Wood IS heavier. Not a bad thing. My HD 870 evolved over half a decade and weighs close to 10 lbs. What kick? It has a little mass added to the stock to offset the weight of the extension and extra rounds. Turns like a cutting horse...

March 28, 2006, 02:02 PM	#11
webbee Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2005 Posts: 218	You can get rid of the "Thonk" if you fill the cavity with expanding foam. Just make sure you use the light duty foam, so it doesn't over-expand and screw up the stock. You must put a piece of greased sprinkler pipe through to the bolt, so that bolt removal doesn't become a problem. Remove the tube when the foam sets. Easy job.

March 28, 2006, 03:25 PM	#12
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	sthrnfryedyankee: You can buy Remington OEM fore ends direct from Remington, AND: http://www.brownells.com/ (Look under the tab at the top for "Factory Gun parts). http://www.e-gunparts.com/ There are two basic types of OEM fore ends, the Police and the Sporting. The Police is shorter to allow using side saddles and so the gun can be loaded and unloaded through the magazine, and has grooves as gripping aids. The Sporting is longer and has commercial-type checkering