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View Full Version : Build your own Frankenstein....


Dave McC
July 23, 2001, 02:17 PM
My Frankenstein may be the most over publicized 870 in the world, since I keep referring to it here and on other BBs. Here's your chance to bore everyone also(G)...

I went to Valley Gun shop near Baltimore, Md, the place where I bought Frank's receiver in the early 90s and where I went to buy a single shot for my son today. I mentioned buying that receiver while doing the paperwork and the employee replied that they still had a number of those receivers left and for sale...

These were from the tower and wall guns at the old Md Pen, surplussed when they closed the Pen down. Valley sold off the better ones and parted out the rest. I paid $65 for a stripped receiver, bought a trigger group and some other parts, and proceeded to build Frank at the kitchen table.
Total in the early 90s was about $140.

Anyways, if you live in or near Md, have a yen to save some money and putter with a shotgun, they remainder of stripped receivers are for sale for $50. Other parts are available there, and they have the Flextab kits for those that want them.

They have some with stocks, which, like Frank's, are very well used and look like heck. Same price.

Correctional weapons get abused, neglected and dinged up.These are used weapons and the exterior looks bad. Inside, they're close to new, having been fired little.2 3/4 shells are what they're set up for, but their resident smith switched mine over to taking 3" shells for a pittance.

Valley is located on Harford Rd inside the Baltimore Beltway, and the phone #'s 410-668-2171....

Also, they have some surplussed 870s, beaters with Choate full stocks with PGs, extension mags and 18" bbls for around $229, also pretty well dinged up but shucking smoothly.

Hope this helps someone out there.....

C.R.Sam
July 23, 2001, 04:05 PM
Looks ugly, costs little, works well. My kinda gun.

Thanks for the dope Dave.

Sam

Guyon
July 23, 2001, 11:09 PM
Dave,

Thanks for the tip. If I lived nearby, I'd likely take advantage. Just don't like to buy guns sight unseen.

I'm actually planning to piece together a nice dedicated HD gun eventually. So far though, all I have is a set of extra stocks (black synthetic) and a non-PC safety. I just picked them up because they were on sale, and I plan to do the same with the rest of the parts--just wait until I run across a good buy.

I think that if I bide my time, watch the classifieds, and keep going to gun shows and pawn shops, I'll eventually run across a great deal on a used 870 Wingmaster or Express. Then, I plan to add the stocks, switch out the safety, cut down the barrel if necessary, and look around for a mag extension, side saddle, and maybe even tac-light. It may take a year or so, but it'll give me a good excuse to keep looking around.

Hope your son likes his single shot! What did you get him?

Dave McC
July 24, 2001, 07:48 AM
You're very welcome, guys, I hope someone can take advantage of this deal.

When I built Frank, I had the bbl, bolt, carrier, mag spring, mag cap and a few random parts around, I bought the trigger group, forearm assembly,etc and they threw in the worst abused pieces of wood you've ever seen. They work fine, though.

The SS is a NEF 12 ga. Son's not big nor strong, and the 20 ga Youth Express 870 is still too heavy for him. I'm cutting the stock to fit him and working on a VERY light reload to cut the kick from what may be a VERY light 12 ga. I will post some info as the project evolves on a new thread...

Jack R-NJ
July 25, 2001, 06:05 PM
Dave... been reading your posts for the last few months..just wanted to let you know that I (and probably many others) find them interesting,sometimes imformative..and often humerous. I always enjoy your writing style.On another track I have a bunch of shotguns( different makes & styles) but my hands down favorite of the lot.. a Rem870 express..fits good and splatters targets....Regards Jack

Dave McC
July 26, 2001, 06:56 AM
Thanks, Jack, I appreciate the appreciation(G)...