Extended Barrel for 870 Tactical

[reuliss]

Hello All--

I recently purchased an 870 tactical with the 18.5" barrel. I wanted to go shoot trap with some friends, so I ordered a remington 28" barrel that is supposed to fit 870s. Turns out the barrel "fits" in that all of the parts fit together, but because of the extended magazine tube on the 870 tactical, the ring on the bottom of the 28" barrel does not line up with the cap at the end of the magazine tube. This means that when I rack the gun, the barrel simply falls out. Again, it is because the placement of the ring on the bottom of the barrel is too far down.

Am I missing something here? Is there a particular model remington barrel that will fit my 870 tactical? Thanks much in advance for any feedback!!!

[Kentactic]

Seems odd. The Locking nut should be in the same place as on any standard 870 without an extention. Your saying the ring on the barrel sits way low so with the extention and nut installed the barrel can still move forward a bit right? Maybe someone else knows something to help.

[reuliss]

Yes, that's exactly my problem.

[Randomguns]

Take a look at this: http://www.rem870.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=325 And when you feel all is lost you can go buy yourself an H&R Pardner Pump and use the barrel off of it. (a bunch of other things too!) Or you can make or have made a spacer that fits over the mag tube between the front of the barrel ring and the receiver side of the nut or extension. If you don't like putting foreign parts (H&R Barrel) on your Remington check out who owns who and then look up the date stamp on the barrel. Have fun!

[reuliss]

Randomguns, thank you. At least I know that I'm not going crazy. As far as your recommendation with the H&R, how can I know that the barrel from that gun will work on my 870?

[Randomguns]

I wish I had that answer for you. If you were near me I'd loan you one but that probably isn't the case. I was in somewhat the same place and didn't mind having another gun if it didn't fit. I actually ended up paying less for the entire gun than I could get just a barrel for. In fact, I bought two. I don't know if you can get just the barrel though, H&R has a barrel program (or at least had one at the time) that if you want a different barrel for one of their guns they will make you a smokin' deal as long as you send them your complete gun less barrel so they can accurately fit and check headspace etc. with the new one you buy. Also, I'm not sure what barrels are available from Remington for your gun but I'm sure if you call they will advise you. Good Luck!

Consumer Services / Parts & Service
TEL: 1-800-243-9700
Fax: 1-336-548-7801

www.remingtonpartsstore.com

[Nugunner01]

I just got into shotguns myself and learning slowly all the nuances around them. I just acquired a brand new Rem 870 Marine Magnum and I am also trying to find out how to modify this so that I can use it for periodic trap shooting. From thefiringline.com, I gathered the following from a contributor (DFarishwheel):
Switching from the home defense configuration of a Marine Magnum model to a sporting model requires a few spare parts:
A new, longer barrel (28 to 30 inches?) with screw-in choke system.
Extra choke tubes in whatever choke is recommended for different kind of shooting.
With removal of the extension tube, a shorter magazine spring is needed (a new Remington factory standard length spring) to replace the long mag spring.
A new magazine cap to replace the extension tube (older style cap, NOT the newer Express cap which will not work).
A new magazine spring retainer.
If hunting some game e.g. ducks, Federal law requires one to plug the magazine so it only holds 3 rounds max.
One can purchase a plug or make one from a piece of wooden dowel rod.
In the same thread/forum topic, I also gathered from another contributor (nfa4U) that one can add a field barrel to the 870 Marine Magnum with the following Remington factory parts:
102979 - Magazine cap for Marine Magnum. (This part is nickel plated just like the finish on the gun and includes the QD swivel stud on the end of the cap)
97615 - Magazine spring Marine Magnum w/o extension. (this is a nickel plated spring for use with the MM when the extension is not being used)
91657 - Magazine spring retainer (to hold the spring in place when the extension is not used).Just a word of caution, these were all posted over 8 years ago and therefore, I am not sure if the parts no. or info are still current. I wonder if another more experienced Marine Magnum shotgunner can shed a little more light to all of these. I wish Vitaly also covered this in his "Remington 870 Shotgun Guide"

[reuliss]

Thanks, everyone, for the feedback. I must admit that I'm frustrated with remington. Why make the barrel on the tactical removable and not have barrels that will fit?!?! Oh we'll. I'll give them a call and report back if I learn anything further.

[Randomguns]

Just FYI: Big 5 has the Pardner on sale right now for $199, if there's one in your area you could at least look at it. I paid $159 at Bi-Mart (I know, western US only), the ones I got were vent rib, had drilled & tapped receivers and removeable choke. Let us know what Remington says when they get back to you. Wandering minds are curious.

[reuliss]

And here is the official word from Remington:

"Thank you for contacting Remingon. Based on what you have described the 870 tactical that you purchased has the "One piece" magazine tube. If that is the case then there is no sporting grade barrel that will fit the configuration of your shotgun. The "One piece" magazine was introduced recently to insure smooth loading and cycling of shells in increased magazine capacity guns."

Again, I ask, if this is the case, then why make the barrel removable in the first place?? Needless to say, I'm none too pleased with this explanation.