Removing the forend on an 870 Express

[Homerboy]

I just ordered a ribbed forend for the 870 to replace the smooh polymer one on my 870 Express. How do you get the existing forend off to replace it with the new one?

[MAX100]

Remove the forend assembly. There is a nut on the end with cutout slots. There is a tool made to fit sold at Brownells and the claw on a medium size hammer will fit. You can usually turn the nut with the claw of a hammer unless it is on very tight. Be very careful not to bend the rails. Put it in a padded bench vice with low pressure and put break free on the nut.


GC

[Scattergun Bob]

Good stuff MAX, the only thing that I would add is to saturate the threads of the fore end tube with liquid wrench a few hours before you try to spin the fore end tube nut. Sometimes rust will freeze these parts:(.

If it is a wood fore end be careful not to snap the fore end in two, this DOES happen, every time I said JUST a little more force, snap there went another one:eek:.

Good Luck on your project, and Be Safe

[Homerboy]

Anyone have a link to the tool I need? I didn't realize it was going to be such a deal. The forend on my old Mossberg 500 just slid off. I'm replacing the stock synthetic forend with a ribbed synthetic one.

[Scattergun Bob]

Here you go,

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/productdetail.aspx?p=17206&st=shotgun%20forend%20wrench&s=

This is a different one than came with my armorors package, but looks like it will work just fine.

Good Luck and Be Safe

[Homerboy]

Thanks, Bob. So I just fit the tool to the nut and turn, then slide the old forend off, slip on the new one, and re-tighten? I just ordered it.

[RetiredMajor]

Homerboy, I just replaced two forends. The 870 has a tool within it. The metal slide that the bolt rides on fits into the forend nut slots. I used this to turn the forend nut. It worked very well. Didn't cost a dime and nothing to order.

Major

[Homerboy]

Really? So the slot that the bolt sits in is the tool needed to remove the forend? How does it work? Press the bolt between th two rails? Interesting. I'll see if I can make that work and will the cancel the order if I can.

[K472]

I armor a lot of 870's I've never even thought about using the bolt carrier.

But sounds like a neat way to do it in a pinch

I will give it a try next time.

[Scattergun Bob]

Yes, in a pinch it will work, however, I old wingmasters with "frozen" nuts, it can be a disaster in the making. That is why I ALWAYS suggest buying the right tool.

[Homerboy]

I just used a pair of needle nose pliers. Fit the two blades into the two notches on the nut, and it spun right off. The tool I just ordered (hope I can cancel it in time) looks like it won't even work. The forend extends past the nut so I don't see how I can fit the wrench over the forened to get at the nut anyway.

[dropthehammer]

Excellent thread!!!! I have always taken the whole assembly off of the gun. Never too old or too experienced to learn. Thanks again.

[Homerboy]

By the way, the stock WILL fit on the 870 Express even though it says it is made for an 870, right? As far as I know, the only differerence betweeen the 870 and the 870 Express is cosmetic.