Extension tubes

guitar1580 · December 17, 2009, 08:30 AM

I'm considering a 3, possible 5 round extension tube for a Rem. 870, such as sold by midway. Are these 100% reliable, with no chance of causing a jam, etc? Is there anything I should look for, or avoid, when purchasing an ext. tube? Thx,

Josh P

kyle1886 · December 17, 2009, 09:50 AM

I may be wrong, but not all Rem 870's can be fitted with extension tubes. I called Rem about mine (Rem 870 Express Mag) and was told that my model with a screw-on mag cap will not accomodate extension tubes. I've also heard otherwise---so check before you order. (Rem # 800-243-9700)

Scattergun Bob · December 17, 2009, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Are these 100% reliable, with no chance of causing a jam

That's always the million $ question any time we add on to our factory original scatterguns. Over the years of tinkering on 870's for my old agency and for myself, a file cabinet drawer full of "cool stuff THAT DID NOT PERFORM AS ADVERTISED" seems to have accumulated!

I am a believer in having enough rounds in and on our fighting scatterguns. Only our maker will KNOW the exact number necessary. That 2am bump in the night usually means that we will face our moment of truth with what ever # of rounds are in the gun, (unless one sleeps in tacti-cool skivies).

For that reason, I am a fan of magazine extensions of the +2 varity. After many different experiments and tests I have landed on two types of extensions that DO work as advertised. One is the Wilson/scattergun tech one piece magazine extension and the second is Remington's original factory extension. Both of these when properly installed and mated with the correct magazine spring and follower give in my humble opinion the best chance of correct operation.

There may be others that I have NOT had time to play with, but many of the less expensive extensions are just items that will help YOU amass that accumulation of "stuff that doesn't get it done." A good extension, spring, and follower kit these days seems to be in the $50.00 and up range.

kyle1886, is correct. Some of Remington's 870 express scatterguns were produced NOT to accept extended magazines without modification. The easy tell for that is to spin-off the magazine retaining nut and if you see a red/orange plastic thing with teeth sticking out of the magazine tube, then you got some work to do.

Good Luck & Be Safe

rbernie · December 17, 2009, 01:18 PM

870's have used two different mag tube end/cap arrangements, and you'll need to look at what you have before anyone can tell you how easy it will be to make the swap.

I have found that I do not like extended mag tubes, because of the extra weight that they add. They really do not help the handling characteristics of the gun, and make it slower to transition between targets. Having said that - if you're looking strictly at a bastion defense gun (e.g. it's not going to be used dynamically), then perhaps the extra capacity is worth the loss of nimbleness.

noyes · December 17, 2009, 01:40 PM

Xtrema 2 with a Nordic Components +5 shot extension.
No problems.
300 to 400 hundred shells fired each time out.
Gun and tube about 4 months old so, it's only had about 3,200 shells thru it so far.

Now everyone in the group is using a Nordic extention.

arizona98tj · December 17, 2009, 01:49 PM

Nordic makes a nice product. I use their +2 on my Benelli SuperNova. Fit, finish, and function is top notch. They are not cheap....but quality usually isn't.

StuntManMike · December 17, 2009, 10:00 PM

Nordic is good to go.

guitar1580 · December 17, 2009, 11:46 PM

Ahh, thats what I thought. I'm looking at what Scattergun Bob said, and I too suspected that the larger the tube, the more chance of a jam. The +2 unit would probably be fine for me. Is the Wilson you mention, as in Wilson Combat? Remington says that their factory units are only available to the military and police. I suppose a used one for a 20ga wouldnt be easy to find.

I'll look into the Nordic also.

Any suggestions on mounting? or on drilling out the dimples if needed? I'll probably have a gunsmith do it.
thx,
JP

Scattergun Bob · December 18, 2009, 01:04 AM

You are correct, Wilson Combat. You can find Remington's extension in a number of places, try gunbroker. A slight fly in the ointment, very little in the way of magazine extensions are produced for 20 GA scatterguns.

If you use the SEARCH button at the top of the page, you will find pages on how to and should you attempt drilling out the dimples, be prepared to read a lot.

Good Luck in your hunt & Be Safe

guitar1580 · December 18, 2009, 01:10 AM

I found the Choate ones in 20ga from midway, in all sizes. Haven't heard any reviews yet on their performance.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=175569

The Nordic is avail in 5 round, for the 20ga, but not in +2 or 3.

I found a Wilson +2 for $45 in 20ga .... could be the one for me. Bob, can the Wilson be mounted without the sling mount?

http://www.tacticalshotgunner.com/sc...26beb8ebbeefd3

JP

Scattergun Bob · December 18, 2009, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Bob, can the Wilson be mounted without the sling mount?

I've never tried that, Wilson has continued to improve on the original Scattergun Technologies design, the current sling mount retainer looks "bullet proof". I suppose where there is a will there is a way.

Good Luck & Be Safe

December 17, 2009, 08:30 AM	#1
guitar1580 Senior Member Join Date: December 8, 2009 Posts: 189	Extension tubes I'm considering a 3, possible 5 round extension tube for a Rem. 870, such as sold by midway. Are these 100% reliable, with no chance of causing a jam, etc? Is there anything I should look for, or avoid, when purchasing an ext. tube? Thx, Josh P

December 17, 2009, 09:50 AM	#2
kyle1886 Junior Member Join Date: December 16, 2009 Location: CA. Posts: 14	Mag ext. I may be wrong, but not all Rem 870's can be fitted with extension tubes. I called Rem about mine (Rem 870 Express Mag) and was told that my model with a screw-on mag cap will not accomodate extension tubes. I've also heard otherwise---so check before you order. (Rem # 800-243-9700)

December 17, 2009, 01:18 PM	#4
rbernie Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2004 Location: Plain Ol', TX Posts: 713	870's have used two different mag tube end/cap arrangements, and you'll need to look at what you have before anyone can tell you how easy it will be to make the swap. I have found that I do not like extended mag tubes, because of the extra weight that they add. They really do not help the handling characteristics of the gun, and make it slower to transition between targets. Having said that - if you're looking strictly at a bastion defense gun (e.g. it's not going to be used dynamically), then perhaps the extra capacity is worth the loss of nimbleness. __________________ -A conclusion is not a destination, it's simply a convenient place to stop thinking.- -Reading a thing doesn't automatically make it so; repeating it doesn't necessarily make it any truer.- -Every Texan should be a member of the Texas State Rifle Association.

December 17, 2009, 01:49 PM	#6
arizona98tj Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 753	Nordic makes a nice product. I use their +2 on my Benelli SuperNova. Fit, finish, and function is top notch. They are not cheap....but quality usually isn't. __________________ stu-offroad.com Largest Jeep TJ project site on the web! (now with guns)

December 18, 2009, 01:04 AM	#9
Scattergun Bob Senior Member Join Date: February 29, 2008 Location: Nine Mile Falls, Washington Posts: 1,185	guitar1580 You are correct, Wilson Combat. You can find Remington's extension in a number of places, try gunbroker. A slight fly in the ointment, very little in the way of magazine extensions are produced for 20 GA scatterguns. If you use the SEARCH button at the top of the page, you will find pages on how to and should you attempt drilling out the dimples, be prepared to read a lot. Good Luck in your hunt & Be Safe __________________ First, with the most, WINS! Regards, Scattergun Bob

December 17, 2009, 01:40 PM	#5
noyes Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2008 Posts: 1,032	Xtrema 2 with a Nordic Components +5 shot extension. No problems. 300 to 400 hundred shells fired each time out. Gun and tube about 4 months old so, it's only had about 3,200 shells thru it so far. Now everyone in the group is using a Nordic extention.

December 17, 2009, 10:00 PM	#7
StuntManMike Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2007 Posts: 248	Nordic is good to go.

December 17, 2009, 11:46 PM	#8
guitar1580 Senior Member Join Date: December 8, 2009 Posts: 189	Ahh, thats what I thought. I'm looking at what Scattergun Bob said, and I too suspected that the larger the tube, the more chance of a jam. The +2 unit would probably be fine for me. Is the Wilson you mention, as in Wilson Combat? Remington says that their factory units are only available to the military and police. I suppose a used one for a 20ga wouldnt be easy to find. I'll look into the Nordic also. Any suggestions on mounting? or on drilling out the dimples if needed? I'll probably have a gunsmith do it. thx, JP

December 18, 2009, 01:10 AM	#10
guitar1580 Senior Member Join Date: December 8, 2009 Posts: 189	I found the Choate ones in 20ga from midway, in all sizes. Haven't heard any reviews yet on their performance. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=175569 The Nordic is avail in 5 round, for the 20ga, but not in +2 or 3. I found a Wilson +2 for $45 in 20ga .... could be the one for me. Bob, can the Wilson be mounted without the sling mount? http://www.tacticalshotgunner.com/sc...26beb8ebbeefd3 JP Last edited by guitar1580; December 18, 2009 at 01:24 AM.