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May 18, 2009, 09:39 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: February 22, 2009
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Remington 870 express upgrade?
Where I live 870p's are pretty tough to track down, and if you can find them, they're an arm and a leg. I've owned a black 7 shot 870 express before, liked it well enough, but didn't really pull it apart and mess with it any because I didn't know how at the time. My question is since I like the 870 express 7 shots layout the best because it's simple, mag tube's flush with barrel, plain bead sight and such, can I theoretically:
buy this gun, open it up, polish the bolt and chamber, have the gun blasted and duracoated in solid black, replace the mag spring with a Wolff version, replace the trigger assembly/guard with the metal variety, add a sidesaddle and call it a hell of a gun like one would an 870p? Last edited by colostomyclown; May 18, 2009 at 09:45 PM. |
May 18, 2009, 10:56 PM | #2 |
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I want to know the same thing. I bought a Tactical 870 recently, only to find out that it is based on the express model, not the police/wingmaster. I'm debating trading it in for a police, but if I can modify it to be essentially the same then I would keep it. Whats the good word?
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May 18, 2009, 11:55 PM | #3 |
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A mag spring is probably never a bad idea.
1 have come to really dislike sidesaddles due to various issues throughout the years (interference with the foreend or the innards of the action) and also found that I just generally don't like the extra weight. A butt cuff seems to make much less off a difference in the handling of the gun. That's what I will use in the future. I doubt the average shooter will put enough rounds down range to have a problem with the express/tactical style 870. YMMV |
May 19, 2009, 12:06 AM | #4 |
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I'm sure you've seen this list before:
http://www.remingtonmilitary.com/art...Pol6-30-05.pdf There's your template. Last edited by TxGun; May 19, 2009 at 12:19 AM. |
May 19, 2009, 08:31 AM | #5 |
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You can do all of the changes but the cost of having them done may be as much or more than getting the gun you want in the first place. There is nothing wrong with an express model, They are a little rough but are very serviceable. Some of the trap ranges where I have shot (in the local farm county) have lots of express 870s being used by the farm boys with lots of rounds being shot through them each year. If you want to build a gun I would start with a used 870 (as the finish and the inner parts would already be smooth) just my .02 worth. Good look with your project. Bill
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May 19, 2009, 09:09 AM | #6 |
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I build, customize and run these guns in 3 Gun Matches, and I mean run them. The first thing you need to do is break them down and clean them. Lube them with quality products. I use TW25b grease on most of my guns with a few drops of oils. Cycle the action either by hand or by shooting, A LOT. The weak item on the Express is there MIM extractor, replace this with a tool steel extractor, used on the Wingmaster and Police models. This can be purchased from Brownells for about $15.00. Some complain about tight chambers, this is as much a problem with certain cheap ammo as it is with the chamber itself. Either buy different ammo or hone your chamber. I use a brake hone, rap it with very fine emery cloth and use oil, powered with a drill motor. These guns never wear out, they just break in.
Last edited by brhjr; May 19, 2009 at 10:45 AM. |
May 19, 2009, 10:41 AM | #7 |
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I'd put a real recoil pad on an Express before I did anything else.
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May 20, 2009, 09:11 PM | #8 |
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Putting in an aluminum trigger assembly, then replacing your current ejector spring to a magnum ejector spring will make your 870 express "almost like" a police model.
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May 21, 2009, 09:16 AM | #9 | |
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I a nut shell the answer is yes / no. Most of the LE parts to convert are listed below. However, this said THERE is no part # for the understanding and experience of the fitters along the LE assembly line at Remington. Nor do you have folks like Tommy Nagle a phone call away to help smooth out any kinks.
When my state agency switched to 870P magmuns, I was given the job of bringing 200 of these into service, a difficult task. What I found is that after a extensive Remington Armoror's school, help from the factory reps, and a understanding of "how it works" the Wingmaster 870 is one hell of a combat shotgun. I still have a unfired 870P in the safe and recently I hauled it down to the shop to compare with some express HD guns that came in. After examining both side by side my original thoughts STILL stand, you get what you pay for and there is a difference in fit, finish and quality between the 870P and the 870 express regardless of what name Remington packages the Express by. About 6 months ago I wrote in this forum abut the express and some things that could be done to enhance the Express as a "Fighting Scattergun". The gist is below, you can find the rest by doing a search of this forum. Good Luck in your quest and Be Safe Quote:
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May 21, 2009, 09:24 AM | #10 |
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Here is what I did with my Remington 870 HD with factory extended magazine and 18" barrel and factory synthetic furniture.
I purchased and installed a like-new Wingmaster aluminum trigger assembly to replace the Express plastic one (it is oh-so smooth), I removed the cheap plastic follower installed a Vang Comp stainless steel magazine follower, I removed the stupid 'J' lock safety and installed a Vang Comp aluminum large head safety, replaced the extractor, mounted a 4-round Side Saddle on the receiver and finally I polished the chamber (even though I wasn't having any sticking problems). I couldn't be happier with the finished product. It is one sweet HD shotgun! |
January 17, 2010, 03:47 AM | #11 |
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Remington 870 express upgrade?
Hello!
I have recently bought a scattergun for HD use. My choice felt on a basic 870 Express with the Speedfeed II stock and short foreend. The barrel is a original 18" Cylinder bore matte. I have also ordered a heavy duty spring and follower from Scattergun Tech. I am looking for good advices from you about my "HD kit". What should I do more on this scattergun? I have considered get a jumbo safety and 2 shot extension from Scattergun Tech. I know that Scattergun Bob,have talked about changing the extractor and more. Is this a "must" for a HD shotgun? I hope that you can come with good advices for me! Kind Regards! |
January 17, 2010, 10:51 AM | #12 | |
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Quote:
IMHO, MIM parts may be fine for trigger group bodies and the sort but don't feel them really suited for high energy usage like extractors or action components. Brent |
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January 17, 2010, 11:22 AM | #13 |
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Scattergun Bob nailed it- and saved me a whole bunch of typing.
I bought an older Express Special Purpose awhile back and after ironing out a few bumps, deem it as trustworthy as any shotgun in the fleet.
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