Older sporting 870 and present 870P magazine spring retainer

[sven]

The most annoying experience I had with an 870 that really wreaks havoc to both the user and the end of the magazine tube is a spring retainer that you have to pry out with a screwdriver. I know there are some several fixes on this issue like replacing it with a second spring follower or use a extension tube, but in order to pry the retainer out for the first time could nick and scratch the end of the tube on a new gun so bad that the shells could bind in the joint between an extension tube. It doesn`t matter if someone wouldn`t use an extension in future, but what about some new innovations by Remingtons?

Why cannot Remington Company produce their 4+1 shot 870P`s with a retainer that has two little holes like the Benelli shotguns which you can use a plier by simply pressing it out to remove or install?

[Synchronizor]

Remington did innovate with their spring retainers, they came up with the new-style plastic design that's infinitely easier to install and remove than any press-in retainer.

But if you just want to remove a press-in 870 spring retainer and be done with it, you can get it out without causing any damage at all as long as you know how to do it properly.

[sven]

Many thanks, it was a very informative video.

First time I was very carefull not to press the screwdriver against the edge of the tube when removing, but it took some effort.

[Synchronizor]

Now you have me thinking, though. Could someone with an older 870 who wants to use a spring retainer drop one of those Benelli retainers into their gun? Or maybe a retainer from a Browning, which has similar tensioning holes?



These look like they operate on the exact same concept as metal Remington spring retainers, so I'd imagine they'd be compatible as long as they're designed for tubes with a similar inner diameter. Anyone here with a 12ga Browning or Benelli who could post a magazine tube I.D. measurement?

[dread]

hi all,
Well i couldn't sleep,had a police trade-in apart and the benelli M4 was next to it and so were the calipers.So here are some rough measurements.
M4-OEM tube---------------------.920
M4-carrier comp Ti extended tube---.925
late 70's, 870 ---------------------.920
Looks like it will work for the short tube 870.

[Synchronizor]

Thanks for posting those measurements, Dread. I may just have to order one of these retainers and give this a try.

[Synchronizor]

Turns out a Benelli spring retainer (part # 60406) will work fine in a 12ga 870. Better than fine, in fact; not only do the lug holes make removal & replacement a breeze, its larger center hole also allows a magazine plug to fit through without having to take the retainer out of the tube. This is a definite upgrade over the factory press-in spring retainers. Highly recommended.

For more details:

Click for video

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Thanks Sven & Dread for the inspiration & assistance.