Does changing the Follower matter?

[gWebber]

Does changing the Magazine Follower matter?
I’m going to say yes. The other day I found the original follower that was in my 74/76 Wingmaster when I bought it.
The gun was dirty enough that I had to push (though not very hard) the follower out of the tube,

Here’s some photos on my follower . Not all 870s use the particular follower, but as this thing looks like the cap on cheap lawn furniture, I thing it makes for a good argument as to why one would be wise to buy an aftermarket follower.
(ps. I wouldn’t buy aluminum ones)

[ChillyB]

Conversely, those cheap plastic followers seem to work pretty darned well and I don't think have a reputation for causing reliability issues.

That said, most of my guns have that green one from Wilson, I think.

[gWebber]

Conversely, those cheap plastic followers seem to work pretty darned well and I don't think have a reputation for causing reliability issues.

That said, most of my guns have that green one from Wilson, I think.

I had one person mention they had one of these stock followers like this one wear enough to push it’s way past the end of the tube and cause a last shell feed failure jamming the lifter as I recall.

While that may not be common, I know I prefer to not be surprised by problems at a bad moment.

$20 bucks for any decent follower or even $6 bucks for a used steel Remington one I think is a better choice.

[Scorpion8]

I changed mine to the S&J ones with the hole in the middle, so by reaching a finger in I can tell if the tube is empty without looking. Performance-wise, am not sure there is a big difference. Vitaly might chime in, since he competes with his 870's.

[gWebber]

I changed mine to the S&J ones with the hole in the middle, so by reaching a finger in I can tell if the tube is empty without looking. Performance-wise, am not sure there is a big difference. Vitaly might chime in, since he competes with his 870's.

I’d like to hear Vitaly’s thoughts on assorted follower types. With all the different things he’s tried over the zillion rounds he’s fired, I’m sure he has opinions.

Currently I have a Stainless steel, but after some rethinking I recently ordered a green doughnut from S&J last night.

[Scorpion8]

I’d like to hear Vitaly’s thoughts on assorted follower types.

Do you ever read the base website above the forum? Vitaly wrote those comments about followers and his opinions are pretty well spelled out in the article.

[nugi]

why not aluminum?

[gWebber]

I’d like to hear Vitaly’s thoughts on assorted follower types.

Do you ever read the base website above the forum? Vitaly wrote those comments about followers and his opinions are pretty well spelled out in the article.

Yes, I’ve read them all pretty much and I have his eBooks, and I’ve watch Syncronizer’s videos several times.

Just wondered if he might have any updated thoughts on the Delrin vs Stainless Steel debate. I’ve had a few comments on other forums saying stainless steel will act like a hammer and damage the tube’s lip that keeps the follower in.

While I could see that as maybe possible , I’d think it would take many thousands of rounds fired to do it.

Anyway, I’ll reread his article

[gWebber]

why not aluminum?

Well I’m kinda at odds with aluminum, sure it’s better than cheap plastic, but aluminum can suffer corrosion and being a bit of a softer metal that aspect maybe good or bad.

As with any follower though, I’m sure keeping it clean and lightly lubed makes a world of difference.

[Scorpion8]

I'm not really suer the follower impacts the magazine tube lip with all that much force, as it literally has the "running start" of a single (the last) shotgun shell, say 2-3/4" or 3" for most of us. Even with the Police Magnum spring installed, the last shell doesn't get forcibly slammed onto the feed elevator. So if I were a thinking man, I'd say any and all of the above should work just fine. Actually my 20-GA has a Brownell's aluminum follower and never had an issue with it. Like everything in these instances: keep it clean, keep it lubed, practice with it, and have faith in it.