870 questions

[mbjku]

Got my 870 express couple of month ago and finally decided to rebuild it a bit. Questions:

- Will you suggest magpul butstock kit? any advantage besides better look? anything else with the same quality available? Something that could improve hard recoil?
- I need to install rear site or red dot or something but my two available shotgun holes already busy with extra shot-shells mount, what should I do?

Thanks!

[CDArmsSupply]

Hi -

I can help you with some information. We own http://www.cdarmssupply.com and specialize in tactical shotgun accessories. Everything we sell on our site has been demoed on our guns or are currently installed on our home defense guns. We only sell items we would use ourselves.

As for the stocks - we carry both Mako/Fab Defense and Mesa Tactical stock kits. They are both very high quality and have different options. They each provide standard kits that come with a collapsible stock, pistol grip, and regular buffer tube. They also offer options that come with recoil reducing buffer tubes. the difference being that with the recoil reducing kit you can put a hand on each end and push together. By allowing this the stock absorbs a lot of the recoil with each shot. We personally run these on our home defense guns. If cost is a factor you can always start with a regular kit and then replace the buffer tube.

I prefer the collapsible stocks because it allows me and my wife to both shoot our home defense guns. I am much bigger then here and without that option it would be tough for the both of us. Also depending on the home you might want a smaller gun (still using a stock instead of just a pistol grip).

Magpul stocks are nice, and we sell some, but when it comes to the complete kits I would recommend either the mako or mesa tactical.

As for your site options. You can go a couple ways on this also - you can add a tactical rail (like the Black Aces Quad Rail) that runs along the top and also has a quad rail in the front - this allows for multiple configurations with any accessory that fits on a picatinny rail. If that is not something you like you can always go with something like the mesa rail/holder combo. This is a small picatinny rail on top with an attached side shell holder.

I have posted some pictures of the various options. If you have any more questions just ask me. If you are interested in purchasing anything let me know - they are all available on our website.

[CDArmsSupply]

This is a mako Stock

[Synchronizor]

- Will you suggest magpul butstock kit? any advantage besides better look? anything else with the same quality available? Something that could improve hard recoil?

Magpul makes quality products, and their SGA stock is no exception. The big advantages with that stock are its adjustable LoP and comb height, and multiple sling attachment options. It also has a more vertical grip angle than most factory 870 stocks, so it offers kind of a compromise between a full-on pistol grip, and a more traditional semi-grip. Some people like that, some don't (it doesn't do much for me, personally). I'd suggest trying one out in a gun shop before buying, but if you do like the way it handles, the SGA stock is a solid option that should work with whatever sight setup you end up going with.

As for managing recoil, I recommend installing a Remington SuperCell recoil pad. They're in the $20 range (last I checked), and do wonders for shooting comfort. A quality recoil pad and proper technique is all any able-bodied person should need to shoot a 12ga comfortably. My mom is not much more than five foot and in her mid-50s, and she can handle 3" magnums out of my 870 no problem. These SuperCell pads are pre-fit to a variety of common factory 870 stocks, and there's also an adapter that will let you install one on the Magpul SGA stock, if you decide to go with that.

- I need to install rear site or red dot or something but my two available shotgun holes already busy with extra shot-shells mount, what should I do?

If you want to upgrade your iron sights, you'll probably have to drill and tap your receiver for the rear element, and then change the front sight on the barrel to match. There are also barrels that have both front and rear sights, which are nice for a multi-role gun since you can freely change barrels without having to remove or re-zero the rear sight.


If you want to go with an optic, you'll probably need to put a rail on your receiver. One way to do this is to drill and tap the top of your receiver for a standard top rail. A lot of hunting and tactical 870s come from the factory with these rails, or are pre-tapped for them.


Another option is to replace your current shell holder with a combination shell holder & top rail, like the Mesa Tactical setup CDArmsSupply showed previously.


There are advantages and disadvantages to both options, so the best choice for you would depend on what this shotgun is going to be used for. I would not recommend a full-length rail or quad-rail setup, they're expensive, heavy, and completely impractical. They're only good for making a range toy look like something out of a sci-fi movie.

[Vitaly]

I really like Magpul stock, it is one of the best on the market, here is my review: Magpul SGA Stock and MOE Forend for Remington 870 Review – UPDATED

Different ways to mount a red dot sight:







Here is my recent article which may be useful for you: How to Mount a Red Dot Scope to a Remington 870



And one more article: Drilling and Tapping Remington 870 Receiver to Install Rail (or Ghost Ring Sights)

[mbjku]

This is a mako Stock

Thanks, NJ don't allow collapsable but-stock.

[mbjku]

I really like Magpul stock, it is one of the best on the market, here is my review:

I don't like drilling idea, i wish I could get something like this, but cant pay about same as I pay for shotgun for this part Burris-300245

Anyone making something like this cheaper?

[nbk13nw]

I have had the SpeedBead for over a year now with more than 1k rounds thru it. Nice unit and it has held zero since it was installed.

[Synchronizor]

As far as I know, Burris is the only manufacturer offering red dots like the SpeedBead, that mount between the stock and receiver. There are some aftermarket 870 stocks with integral top rails, but most of these have adjustable AR-style stocks.

You might be able to put a fixed buttstock on one of these and satisfy the laws in your area, but it doesn't sound like that's the kind of thing you're looking for.

If you're not comfortable drilling and tapping your receiver yourself, just about any competent gunsmith should be able to handle it for you. Otherwise, a combo sidesaddle/top rail is an easy-to-install option.

[shootall]

The Blackhawk stock made by KNOX will cut recoil but it is a folder .