Retro 870 Police

[Sticman]

Hey guys (and gals) I am in the process of building up a couple of late 70's Wingmasters to have the "retro" police cruiser look and feel. Bone stock, 20" barrels, walnut furniture etc. nothing fancy just all business. I have been told by someone that should know (an old guy that was a police armorer) that the originals came with green cloth/fabric slings like the old military slings. I've done a little digging but can't find a lead on any.

#1, Is that true they came with green cloth/fabric slings?

#2. Or did they come with a leather sling?

Any direction or help would be appreciated.

[ChillyB]

I thought military guns came with slings. Wasnt aware police used slings. Seems like a snag risk for getting it out of the vehicle. But I dont know much.

My preferred 870 sling is a simple green nylon web with buckle on each end. Snug the front buckle up very close with the tail fed to the outside of the sling, not inward as is customary on most long guns. Purpose is to minimize hardware and fabric that can get pinched by forearm when shucking in a fresh shell. The buttstock end is where you want the adjustment, where it can do no harm.

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[ChillyB]

On an old 1950s gun I use an M1 Garand cotton sling but dispensed with the rattly spring clip that typically affixes to the buttstock, instead feeding the cotton through the buttstock sling loop. The clasp on other end is drawn up very close to the front loop with the free end to the outside.

Whatever you use make sure there isnt free material, buckles, toggles and other stuff up around the forearm where it can get caught when racking the slide. Simpler is better. I may take my slings and sling attachments to shops near local army base to have buckles removed and sew permanent loops to eliminate even one more clattery piece of hardware. Most surplus shops near bases have ability to sew heavy web with stout nylon thread.

[ChillyB]

Owner of this shotgun may be very good with it. But look how much snaggy bits are loitering up around the slide. I'm not a competitive shooter or tactical expert. I am fortunate enough to have had a snaggy sling like this jam up my forearm when it didn't matter. So I dont do that anymore.

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[ChillyB]

But to your question about what would be correct, I suspect there is immense variation between departments so if you want a sling or dont want a sling, I think you'll be correct. I do not think a M1907 type sling would have been widely used on any shotguns.

[gWebber]

While I don’t know, I’d think that maybe the Shotguns kept in the station armory and the ones in the cruisers may have been different. Or possibly depending on time period the cruiser gun may have been in the trunk and not up front like more modern cruisers could be a difference maybe

[Sticman]

Thanks for all of the responses. The point of things catching in the slide is a good point and will be noted. My friend and mentor in gunsmithing was the gunsmith for a local PD and told me that all Remington 870's issued to the PD in the 70's had green slings but could not remember if they were shipped from Remington that way or if they were added by someone else. They had sling loops on the mag tube cap and also in the traditional location on the butt stock. He mentioned they were "military green" and seemed to resemble a Garand sling but again, was not sure of the origin. I'm not trying to win any original accuracy award but would like to get as close as possible. Again, thanks for the input. Long live the 870!!

[superchief]

go to ebay and search "Garand Sling". I think that's what you're looking for.

[Banshee]

go to ebay and search "Garand Sling". I think that's what you're looking for.

“USGI m14/m16 sling” will find them ebay.

[ChillyB]

Neither M14 or M16 are same as Garand sling.