7 Magazine Extensions for Remington 870 Shotgun (Updated: 2024)
This post is about the most popular Magazine Extensions for Remington 870 Shotgun: Nordic Components, Choate, TacStar, Remington, ATI, Vang Comp Systems, Wilson Combat
What is shotgun magazine extension?
Traditional shotgun users are used to loading shotshells into the chamber of their shotgun before they fire it. That is true for single or double-barreled shotguns.
A shotgun magazine extension is an upgrade that can be attached to a shotgun to increase its ammunition round count. Many modern shotguns (both pump-action and semi-auto) have a tubular magazine located under the barrel, which can hold a specific number of shotshells (4-8) depending on the shotgun’s design and intended use.
A magazine extension is an aluminum/steel tube that is attached to the existing magazine tube of a shotgun, extending its length and allowing for additional shotshells to be loaded. Some shotguns like Remington 870 have dimples on the end of the mag tube which need to be removed before mag extension installation.
By adding a magazine extension shotgun owner can increased the original capacity. This can be advantageous in various shooting applications, such as competitive shooting (IPSC, IDPA or 3-Gun), self-defense, or hunting, where having more rounds readily available without the need for reloading can be beneficial.
It will then add a few extra rounds of ammunition to your shotgun. Many of the newer extensions include a barrel/extension clamp that secures the extension to the barrel of the shotgun for additional support.
What magazine extension do you use? (Poll)
Dear readers, please answer question below to find out what is the most popular magazine extension.
Loading ...Usually, magazine extension is the first upgrade which every Remington 870 owners installs:
Remington 870 Express with Magazine Extension
High quality magazine spring and follower are extremely important for reliable feeding:
Best Magazine Tube (Extension) Springs for Shotguns
The shotgun magazine tube extension and magazine tube follower is very important for reliable feeding but there is one element which is often overlooked by shotgun owners. The magazine tube spring is one of the very important elements which can dramatically improve feeding. Either that or it can be the cause of numerous malfunctions. Many no-feed problems are often caused by short or weak magazine tube springs.
There are many manufacturers of the magazine tube springs but I think that there are only two companies which manufacture the best magazine springs for shotguns: Nordic Components and Wolff Gunsprings. These two companies are well known for their high-quality firearm related products. Wolff Gunsprings makes many types of gun springs including magazine springs for shotguns. This company is well known for their springs and many shooters choose their products. Nordic Components makes magazine tubes and magazine springs for firearms. Their springs quickly became popular because they are well made, include protective coating, and don’t weaken over time.
Nordic Components Shotgun Magazine Tube Spring
Both Wolff Gunsprings and Nordic Components magazine springs work well and are very well made. But there are some differences between them too.
The price of the magazine springs is almost the same:
Wolff Gunsprings XP Magazine Tube Spring (40″ long) is $5.39
Nordic Components Extension Tube Spring 12 Ga.(45″ long) is $5.55
Nordic Components Extension Tube Spring 12 Ga. Heavy Duty (50″ long) is $7.50
I have measured 2 new springs right out of the package and they were a little longer than advertised. The Wolff magazine tube spring was 41 inches long and the Nordic magazine tube spring was 50 inches long.
Wolff Gunsprings have XP springs. XP means Extra Power and they are designed to have approximately 15-20% extra power over the original factory springs. They also have springs which are trimmed to fit into your Remington 870 shotgun. There are springs for 3-5 and 6-7 round magazine tubes. These magazine springs are shorter than general magazine tube springs but have higher prices. So, I recommend getting the universal spring and cutting it to the proper length. We’ll talk about finding the proper length of the magazine tube spring later.
Wolff Gunsprings Shotgun Magazine Tube Spring
Nordic Components has universal springs of two types: 45″ and Heavy Duty 50″. The Heavy Duty spring requires less free space than the standard strength spring.
You may be surprised that both companies manufacture and sell long magazine tube springs. The reason is very simple; competition shooters use shotguns with very long magazine tubes. They are used in 3-Gun and IPSC (USPSA, Practical Shooting) competitions. Many competitive shotgun shooters have magazine tubes with the total capacity of 12 rounds or more. That is why they need very long magazine tube springs to ensure proper feeding.
How do you find out if you need to replace a magazine tube spring?
The most common problem of a weakened magazine tube spring is that it doesn’t feed when the spring doesn’t have enough power to push the next round into the carrier. Usually, that happens with the last rounds in the magazine tube.
How to find the proper length of the spring for your magazine tube?
Nordic Components recommends starting with the following lengths of spring, extending past the end of the magazine tube as a starting point:
Semi-auto shotguns: 14-16″
Pump-action shotguns: 8-12″
That is correct for most shooters. I recommend having the maximum recommended length available. But make sure that it won’t take up priceless magazine space. Check to see if you can load as many rounds as you could with the old spring or if you can load as many rounds as the magazine tube extension is supposed to add.
Please note that the spring will become shorter (“settle” down) after some use, so make it a little longer than needed.
How to trim a magazine tube spring for competitions (3-Gun, IPSC, USPSA)?
The shorter the spring, the easier it will be to load a magazine tube. But don’t make the mistake that many newbies make by cutting it too much. Yes, it will make it much easier to load the magazine tube but it will also make the shotgun less reliable. If the magazine tube becomes dirty, the magazine spring will become less effective and the chances of it malfunctioning will grow. Also, remember that the magazine spring settles down over time and use. That is why I recommend being careful when trimming the magazine tube spring.
What is the shotgun extension spring’s lifespan?
The magazine spring will settle and weaken over time. The more compress/decompress cycles you make, the weaker it becomes. Cheap springs have a very short lifespan. High-quality springs from the Nordic Components and Wolff Gunsprings have very long lifespans and will be in good working order, even after thousands of cycles. If you are not a professional shooter which trains on a daily basis, then one spring will serve you well for years. Professional shooters which dry fire and train to load their shotguns at least 30-60 minutes a day will usually replace their magazine extension springs on a regular basis.
Can you leave a shotgun with its magazine loaded? Is it safe for the magazine tube spring?
It is not recommended to load a shotgun to the full capacity and then leave it for long periods of time. If you want to store your shotgun while it’s loaded, at least don’t load it to the full capacity. That will prevent it from settling down. If you store your shotgun while it’s loaded, then it is recommended to unload it on a regular basis. That way, the magazine tube spring will be decompressed regularly and will serve you longer.
Which magazine spring to choose: Wolff Gunsprings or Nordic Components?
Both manufacturers make very good and high-quality springs but I prefer Nordic Components. They are used by most competitive shooters around the world. Shooters which use their shotguns for competitions usually shoot more often and they use their firearms under all possible weather conditions. In other words, they really use their firearms as hard as possible. Also, Nordic Components springs have a black protective coating. The 45″ extension spring is going to fit most of the shotguns. You may need the Heavy Duty 50″ spring only if the capacity of your shotgun is more than 12 rounds.
Wolff Gunsprings magazine tube springs are well known amongst shooters. They make high-quality springs which work very well.
So, actually you can’t go wrong with both manufacturers.
Recommended Products:
 |
Get Nordic Components Extension Tube Spring 12 Ga. 45″ on Brownells |
 |
Get Wolff XP Magazine Tube 12 Ga. Spring on Brownells |
Must Read Article: Remington 870 Magazine Followers Review:
Remington 870 Magazine Followers
Remington 870 18 inch Magazine Tube Extension
Usually, magazine extension is one of the first upgrades shotgun owners get. It is understandable because standard 4+1 round capacity is very limited.
One of the popular questions: What magazine extension for Remington 870 should I get to have it flush with the barrel?
Wilson Combat +2 Magazine Extension and Nordic Components Clamp
If you want to get a magazine extension for Remington 870 with 18 inch barrel, get a +2 round mag extension tube. If you want to add magazine extension that will not exceed the barrel length of 20 inch barrel Remington 870 get +3 round mag extension.
You will find magazine extensions compatible with most 12 gauge shotgun models. The shotguns alone typically hold up to five rounds of ammunition, but when you add the extension you should be able to hold up to ten rounds. The people who use magazine extensions are usually those who practice at a shooting range or like to hunt wild animals. This wouldn’t necessarily be for people who are trying to aim and land a precise hit on their target. Instead, it is for people who want to shoot at a target closer to them while firing multiple consecutive rounds. Police and members of law enforcement commonly have these extensions on their department issued shotguns. That way they don’t have to worry about running out of ammunition too quickly when they are shooting at suspects or enduring a tough situation where they wouldn’t have too much time to reload. As for homeowners looking to protect their families, it is your choice as to whether or not you feel that an extension is necessary. Usually you will be shooting close range at an intruder, so you may not need additional ammunition unless you are worried that you will miss your target. But it is better to be safe than sorry so you mine as well purchase an extension anyways.
Shotgun magazine extensions run about $50 on average. The Remington models are the most preferred extensions, which will work even better with Remington model shotguns. Check with your local gun dealer because they will be able to recommend the best extension for any shotgun that you have or are looking to purchase.
Best 7 Magazine Extensions for Remington 870 Shotgun:
- Nordic Components
- Choate
- TacStar
- Remington
- ATI
- Vang Comp Systems
- Wilson Combat
| Magazine Extension | Rating | Price | Buy Online | |
| Nordic Components |  |
$85 | Brownells | |
| Choate | |
$46.99 | Brownells | |
| Vang Comp Systems | |
$79.99 | Brownells | |
| Wilson Combat | |
$46.99 | Brownells | |
| TacStar | |
$61.99 | Brownells | |
| Remington | Temporary Unavailable | $64.99 | ||
| ATI | Discontinued | |||
This is new version of the review of Magazine Extensions for Remignton 870 shotgun. This time I added new information about the extensions I reviewed earlier and reviews about the new ones.
Magazine extension tube is one of the first upgrades shotgun owners usually buy and install. This is understandable because shotguns have very limited number of rounds. There are a lot of different magazine extensions available on the market. You can get magazine extension separately or complete magazine tube extension kit.
You will see advantages and disadvantages of each of the magazine extensions.
Nordic Components Magazine Extension Tube for the Remington 870
Nordic Components is a well known company which makes magazine extensions for different shotguns for many years. Most of the competitive shooters use their magazine extensions without any problems.
The difference is that this magazine extensions consists of 3 parts (tube, tube cap, tube nut). So you need to buy the nut that fits your shotgun and then magazine tube of needed capacity or length nad nut. This puzzles some of the shotgun owners but that is very simple to order needed parts.
This is the best magazine extension you can get for the competition shotgun. Other companies offer +1, +2 or +3 magazine extensions but with Nordic Components you can get +7, +8 and even +9 magazine extension!
Bundle:
Extension (consists of 3 parts)
Spring
Nordic Components Extension
This extension is made of aluminium, it is lightweight but pretty reliable. This extension comes with high-quality spring with black coating. And the best thing – a lot of shooters use these extensions and have no problems with them.
Now let’s have a closer look at all advantages Nordic Components extension gives to a shooter. This extension is lightweight. If you compare it to other ones you will see a great difference in weight. Remington 870 is a heavy shotgun and it is nice to have such a lightweight extension.
It consists of 3 parts: tube, tube end cap, tube nut. This eliminates joint which can be found in monolithic construction extensions. This also allows you to have one +5 tube for competitions and one +3 tube for home-defense. +5 tube allows to have more rounds but it sticks out too much, it is much better to have a shorter tube for use in close quarters.
Also, after installation, you can take out the end cap and look inside your magazine tube to check if everything is ok.
This extension comes with one of the best magazine springs. It will fit any magazine extension you can find.
I have also tested the follower from Nordic Components and it works great.
Pros:
3-part Сonstruction
Made of aluminum, lightweight
High capacity magazine extensions available
Cons:
Steel is still sturdier
The price of this magazine extension tube is about $80. One of the best magazine extensions you can choose for your shotgun.
Recommended Product:
 Nordic Magazine Extension for Remington 870 |
Get Nordic Magazine Extension for Remington 870 on Brownells |
Choate Magazine Extension for the Remington 870 Shotgun
Choate extension is inexpensive and works properly but you need to replace magazine follower and spring.
Bundle:
Extension
Spring
Clamp (with swivel)
Mounting screw for clamp
Orange follower with tail
Choate Magazine Extension
This is one-piece extension made of metal. It is available in polished blue or matte blue finish.
The price is about $40-50
Thanks to Wesley Stump for this small review:
The first thing I noticed upon receiving the extension was that they had sent me the matte blue finished tube instead of the regular blued finish I had ordered. Not an issue as far as quality goes, but aggravating none the less. The tube comes with the appropriate length spring, barrel clamp, and plastic shell follower (orange in color). All of which were of high quality except for the follower.
The follower seems to be an injection molded piece and had some excessive flash from the mold which affected the fit it with the mag tube. The follower was too right and was going to require modification to work properly. I ended up using the factory Remington follower.
Overall I’ve been happy with the product, the tube and spring are well made and I haven’t had any feed issues at all using the Choate tube, supplied spring and my factory follower.
Recommended Product:
 Choate Magazine Extension for Remington 870 |
Get Choate Magazine Extension tube for Remington 870 on Brownells |
Vang Comp Systems Magazine Extension Tube for Remington 870 Review
Founded in 1990 by gunsmith Hans Vang, Vang Comp Systems, Inc. offers a variety of gunsmithing and refinishing services, but is perhaps best known for the system of barrel modifications that they offer for combat shotguns. The company also produces a handful of tactical shotgun parts and accessories, including a line of magazine extensions. Vang Comp’s shotgun accessories have an overall positive reputation across the shotgunning community for quality and durability, and their Remington magazine extensions, offered in +1 and +2 varieties, are popular choices for combat and defensive 870 builds. They are also notably used on Nighthawk’s extremely high-dollar custom combat 870s.
Extension Design & Construction:
The Vang Comp extensions are single-piece designs, meaning that the extension is a single, rigid assembly that installs just like an elongated magazine cap. Monolithic construction is a nice feature.
Remington 870 Vang Comp Systems Magazine Extension Tube
Remington 870 Vang Comp Systems Magazine Extension Tube Pros:
• Extremely sturdy all-steel monolithic construction
• Single-piece design simplifies installation & removal
• Sealed end cap prevents ingress of any foreign material from the front end
• Standard 1” outer tube diameter is compatible with many clamp-on accessories
• Sling plate can be reversed, removed, & replaced with basic tools
• +2 with pretty much any SAAMI-compliant 2.75” or 3.5” shells
• Potentially a +3 with the right spring, follower, and/or shells
• Will not extend past any standard barrel longer than 18”, even if under-cap accessories are used
• Sling plate location compatible with any barrel with a muzzle at least 1.2” ahead of the guide ring
Remington 870 Vang Comp Systems Magazine Extension Tube Cons:
• Stainless steel follower is heavy, jam-prone in extensions, and the same color as many shell cups
• Weak magazine spring loses stiffness rapidly with use, and causes multiple different feed malfunctions
• Flat, shallow knurling on extension does not provide much grip
• Excessive internal gap can lead to hang-ups, especially with the included follower
• Use of under-cap accessories can negatively affect reliability
• Extension’s interior is not fully bored-out, limiting capacity & adding extra mass
• Roughly-machined internal tube surface causes noticeable additional drag
• Included sling plate will fit very loosely with most barrels
• Sling plate can only be oriented to the left or right, no vertical option to match the sling studs on most factory stocks
• Ridged cuts at the base are shallow, soft, and do not engage magazine cap detents very positively
• Kit does not include anything to help secure extension on barrels without magazine cap detents
• Light-duty black oxide finish rubs off easily
• Price is high compared to other kits with similar features & functionality, and fixing out-of-the-box issues will require additional effort & expense
Price: $69.99-$79.99
Recommended Product:
 Vang Comp Magazine Extension Tube for Remington 870 |
Get Remington 870 Magazine Extension on Brownells |
Wilson Combat Magazine Extension Tube for Remington 870 Shotgun
Remington 870 Wilson Combat Magazine Extension
Remington 870 Wilson Combat Magazine Extension Tube Pros:
• Sturdy all-steel construction
• Single-piece design is simple & easy to remove or install in any setting, and does not require a clamp
• Sharp knurling on base provides excellent grip for tool-less installation & removal
• Vent hole in end cap serves several beneficial functions
• Follower tail helps to stabilize follower, and its length is a good match for the included spring
• Dimpled base borrows from factory magazine cap design to secure extension on barrels with magazine cap detents
• Included wave washer helps to secure extension on barrels without magazine cap detents
• Standard 1” outer tube diameter is compatible with most clamp-on accessories
• A variety of options for sling plates, including a lack thereof.
• +2 with pretty much any SAAMI-compliant 2.75” or 3.5” shells
• Potentially a +3 with the right spring, follower, and/or shells
• Will not extend past any standard barrel longer than 18”
• Rear-mounted sling plates can be paired with any barrel with a muzzle at least 1.25” ahead of the guide ring
Remington 870 Wilson Combat Magazine Extension Tube Cons:
Thanks to Synchronizor for this review.
• Follower’s manufacturing quality leaves something to be desired; best to remove center post before it can cause problems
• Internal tube gap and sharp-edged follower can lead to hang-ups with damaged or poorly-crimped shells
• Use of under-cap accessories can negatively affect reliability
• Overly-thick end cap limits capacity, may only be a +1 with longer 3” shells
• Sling plates are permanently-attached and can only be oriented one way
• Sling plates will not fit properly with some barrels
• Extension is somewhat overbuilt and heavy, with unnecessary mass in the base, end cap, & sling plate
• Extension’s finish is not an exact match to factory 870 finishes
If I’m being honest, the Wilson Combat +2 is not terribly refined. With its slightly short length, chunky construction, and thick end cap, this isn’t a great choice if you’re looking to build a maximum-capacity magazine configuration that matches an 18.5” barrel, or if you’re after a really lightweight kit for hunting, packing, or competition. Its single-piece design and permanently-attached sling mounting hardware is not terribly versatile, even compared to other single-piece extensions. Both of these areas could be improved upon with some very simple design tweaks.
I also would like to see Wilson Combat expand their lineup. A slightly-extended +2 (a +2+, if you will) that is a half-inch longer to line up with 18.5” barrels would be great; with the right spring and follower, it could easily be a +3 with many 2.75” shells. A full +3 sized to match 20” barrels would also be welcome. Both of these additions would be as simple as attaching the same base, cap, and sling plate parts to a longer length of tube.
Recommended Product:
 Wilson Combat Magazine Extension for Remington 870 |
Get Wilson Combat Magazine Extension on Brownells |
TacStar Magazine Extension for the Remignton 870
Bundle:
Extension
Spring
TacStar Magazine Extension
This is one of the most popular magazine extensions for Remington 870 shotgun. You can select polished blued or matte parkerized variant. The tube is made of solid piece of metal. Some of the users of this magazine extension say that parkerized coating was not very durable. Other that that it works perfectly and does not need any modifications.
The of this extension is about $50-60
Recommended Product:
 TacStar Magazine Extension for Remington 870 |
Get TacStar Magazine Extension tube on Brownells |
Remington Magazine Extension for the Remington 870
Original Remington extension is on the 2nd place. It is good extension but it has a lot of differences.
Bundle:
Extension Tube
Spring
Clamp (without swivel)
Mounting screw for clamp
Remington Magazine Extension
1. Remington magazine extension is a little longer than the other ones. There are many theories about the purpose of this nose cap in the end of the tube, but the truth is that it allows attaching a bayonet (for example, M7 bayonet).
If you want to add a bayonet to your shotgun you will need an additional bayonet adapter. For example, the one from S&J Hardware, the price is about $80-100. Original military U.S.M.C. M870 MK1 Bayonet Adapter/Magazine Bracket (which is no longer manufactured) is difficult to find and will cost you about $250.
2. This extension has a groove around it that provides an interlock for the mounting screw of the barrel clamp. It positions the clamp on the extension and locks it in position. This is one of the advantages of the Remington extension because clamp can’t move under recoil. Some of the shooters say that other barrel clamps are not as reliable as the one by Remington.
ATTENTION: This groove may cause a follower from the Vang Comp Systems to stick inside the magazine tube.
3. Extension consists of two parts. This allows smooth feeding. Some other extensions (TacStar and Choate) are made from solid tube and have small “step” inside tube which can cause jamming of the spring or follower to malfunction. This extension is the most expensive one; the price is about $100-120
Remington 870 +2 Magazine Extension Tube Pros:
Thanks to Synchronizor for this review.
• Solid, well-proven design that has successfully served in military, law enforcement, and civilian applications since the 1960s
• Kits & parts manufactured in the USA by Remington themselves
• Multiple finishes available to handle different environments and/or match the look of your gun
• Durable all-steel construction, yet relatively lightweight compared to other steel extensions
• Modular design with the ability to add extension tubes for more capacity options
• Bracket reinforces extension against impacts & rough handling, and keeps extension in place even on barrels without locking detents
• Bracket groove locks bracket & sling mount securely in place
• Follower stop helps to prevent spring over-compression, improving reliability and extending spring life
• Spring sized for use in +3 extensions ensures strong and reliable feeding in the +2, even when worn
• Vent hole in end cap serves several beneficial functions
• 7/8” end cap allows standard M16 bayonets to be attached with the addition of a bayonet lug
• Standard 1” outer tube diameter compatible with most clamp-on accessories
Remington 870 +2 Magazine Extension Tube Cons:
• Reliability & function highly dependent on proper installation
• Relatively high factory price tag means you’ll probably have to do some searching to find good prices
• Internal tube joint sensitive to even minor gaps or misalignment
• Effectively a +1 with longer magnum shells
• Follower stop fixes capacity, changing or trimming the spring will not increase space
• Solid-bodied followers can over-compress the low-compressibility stock magazine spring
• Need for a clamp or bracket complicates take-down & reassembly, and can make it difficult to use this extension with some barrels
• Factory bracket & sling stud can only be installed at one location; may interfere with other accessories
• Free-spinning sling stud rattles, and can allow slings to be come twisted
• Limited thread length on extension tube can lead to internal gaps & function problems with some under-cap accessories
The Remington factory +2 extension’s two-piece design and relatively complex installation means it may not be the best choice if you take apart or reconfigure your 870 frequently. I wouldn’t necessarily call this a deal-breaker, but if quick & tool-less take-down is really important to you, or if you’re using a non-standard barrel, you’re probably not going to be a fan of the Remington extension bracket. If you want something fast, tool-less, and hard to install wrong, a well-designed single-piece extension may be a better fit for you. There’s also the issue of 3” or longer magnum shells, which the Remington extensions weren’t designed for. If you want to have a full 6+1 capacity with these longer magnums but you don’t have the means to build a custom extension tube without a follower stop, you should probably look elsewhere.
However, this extension’s all-steel construction, included reinforcing bracket, and excellent reliability with 2.75” shells make it well-suited for the application for which it was originally designed – a dedicated combat or defensive 870 build that won’t be kept loaded with 3” magnums and will not be taken apart or reconfigured every day. If you’re looking for a +2 to build a simple & dependable personal/home defense or duty weapon, the time-proven Remington +2 is an excellent choice. And because of its ability to accept alternate factory and relatively easy-to-make custom-length extension tubes, a Remington extension is also a solid option if you want to be able to have a variety of capacity options without paying for multiple complete extension kits or an expensive multi-capacity competition setup.
Recommended Product:
 |
Get Remington 870 Magazine Extension on Brownells |
ATI 7 Shot Fluted Magazine Remington 870 Extension Review
UPDATE: Discontinued by manufacturer and no longer available for purchase.
Special thanks to Tactical887 for this review of the new ATI 7 Shot Fluted Magazine Extension.
The new ATI 7 shot fluted magazine extension, is not just all about aesthetics. It is constructed of military type 3 anodized, 6061 T6 aluminum. The standoff cap is designed for breaching doors, however the 7 shot extension runs fairly flush with the bore of an 18.5” barrel (see the first picture below). If one were anticipating to use this extension as a breaching tool, then I would recommend you purchase the 8 shot extension. The 8 shot extension will protrude past the bore further than the 7 shot, making it easier to jam into door wedges. ATI makes an assortment of different end caps. If the standoff end cap (shown in the picture above) is not your style, ATI makes plain and swivel stud end caps.
ATI, incorporated a ratchet base for a tight fit. This is a nice feature because there is no need for magazine clamp, commonly found on the factory Remington 7 shot extension. I have fired about 100 rounds through my 870 with the new ATI 7 shot fluted magazine extension, and it did not loosen from the recoil.
Another advantage is that the extension runs flush with the shotgun barrel lug (see picture below). This gives the 870 a mean but yet unified look, the barrel lug would also supply extra support to the extension during the breaching process.
Cons of the Remington 7 shot magazine extension:
A magazine clamp is needed in order to keep the extension from coming lose during recoil. The magazine clamp will scratch the barrel as well as the extension upon removal and reassembly. The magazine clamp is added weight and prolongs take down time.
The bayonet mount creates a smaller internal diameter which shortens the magazine spring and creates more tension, only allowing for six 2 ¾” shot shells to be loaded in the magazine tube and one in the chamber. Technically making the 870 have a 6+1 capacity. But when you think about it, it really is only a 6 shot extension even though it’s marketed as a 7.
Pros of the ATI 7 shot fluted magazine extension in regards to the Remington factory mag ext.
No magazine clamp
Military type 3 anodized, 6061 T6 aluminum construction
Fast take down time
Allows the magazine spring to have proper tension, the magazine tube will hold seven 2 ¾” shot shells and one in the chamber for a total of a 7+1 capacity.
New ATI 7 Shot Fluted Magazine Extension
New ATI 7 Shot Fluted Magazine Extension for Remington 870
There are several other extensions available on the market today, I will add information about them when I have a chance to test them. Please leave a comment if you have any experience with magazine extensions for Remington 870 shotgun.
More Magazine Extension Reviews
This article contains information from following post about magazine extension tubes for Remington 870 shotgun:
- Remington 870 Wilson Combat Magazine Extension Tube Review
- Remington 870 +2 Magazine Extension Tube Review
- Remington 870 Vang Comp Systems Magazine Extension Tube Review
- ATI 7 Shot Fluted Magazine Extension Review
Broken TacStar Magazine Extension
TacStar Magazine Extension consists of the tube pressed into a nut. During the competition, after 5 stages, shooter has found out that something is wrong – he couldn’t reload a shotgun.
Here is what happened to the TacStar magazine extension:
Broken Tacstar Magazine Extension
Broken Tacstar Magazine Extension
Broken Tacstar Magazine Extension
He has already sent a message to TacStar. We’ll see how they will deal with this situation.
Personally, I think that Remington and Nordic magazine extensions are more reliable because they have better construction. Remington extension consists of 2 parts, Nordic extension consists of 3 parts.
Minor Problem with Nordic Components Magazine Extension
Nordic Components magazine extension is one of the best on the market. It is made of aluminum, it is lightweight, it is very popular among competition shooters.
But lightweight aluminum construction means that walls of the tube are very thin, that is one of the things to take into account.
Here is photo from my friend from our shooting club:
Minor Problem with Nordic Components Magazine Extension
As you can see, small piece of the tube was broken, that caused problems with feeding. When this piece was removed everything was back to normal.
So my advice is to check your shotgun regularly. I didn’t have such problem with Nordic Components extension on both Remington 870 and Benelli Supernova.
Do You Know Why Remington Magazine Extension is a Little Longer than the Other Ones?
If you have seen different Remington 870 magazine extensions I think you have noticed that the original Remington magazine extension is about 1 inch longer than the other ones: Choate, TacStar, Vang etc. I’ve heard so many different theories on why it is longer but the truth is that it allows you attaching a bayonet to your shotgun!
Remington 870 2-Shot Magazine Extension
M7 Bayonet
You will need additional bayonet mount if you decide to add a bayonet to your shotgun. There are several variants of the Remington 870 bayonet lug mount.
The first one is made by the S&J Hardware. The price of this bayonet adapter is about $80-100.
Bayonet Lug Mount (S&J Hardware)
The second one is U.S.M.C. M870 MK1 Bayonet Adapter/Magazine Bracket which was used by military and it is no longer produced. Sometimes you can find them on eBay or GunBroker for about $150-250.
Military Bayonet Adapter
Some people believe that bayonet is a useful addition to a shotgun. For example, it may be useful in Close Quarter Combat or Home Defense when you are out of ammo. Other use of it is a crowd control but I don’t think that many shotgun owners need this feature. :)
Make Your Own Remington 870 Extension, Scheme
Remington 870 hand made extension from Nat_usp from Remington 870 Forum:
Remington 870 Extension Drawing
Remington 870 Extension Drawing
Remington 870 Extension
Remington 870 Extension
Remington 870 Extension
Remington 870 Extension
Remington 870 Extension
New Remington 870 Magazine Extension +3 Rounds, 18.5 Flush – Temporarily Unavailable
One more addition to Remington 870 accessories. Remington company introduced the new magazine extension.
New Remington 870 Magazine Extension +3 Rounds, 18.5 Flush
• Optimized for a flush mount when used with an 18.5” barrel
• Can be utilized for tactical or hunting purposes
• Kit includes +3 round mag tube extension
• Kit indludes new premium M-Lok accessory barrel clamp for the utmost in durability and added functionality
• Designed for use with 870, 1100 & 11-87 standard mag tube
About Choate… I just got the extension package in… should I not bother with it and move on to another instead?
I need to updated the review. I have Choate extension installed for some time now and it works good. But I recommend to order different follower and magazine spring.
why are they so fucking expensive it’s just a tube?, spring, follower, I’ve seen them a lot cheaper, i know when the word tactical is used the price goes up? i also know almost every manufacturer uses the term tactical for almost any part whether it’s a pistol, rifle, or shotgun. i also know inflation is high but $ 50 to 100 bucks is absolutely ridiculous!!! i hope the manufacture [ s ] will read this and change their marketing strategy . unfortunately they won’t because of the almighty buck. what I’ve seen here on this site every thing should be no more $30 bucks!!!!
it is just a piece of tubing?
Marty, they all need to buy equipment, buy materials, pay for transportation, advertising, pay salary to engineers, workers, administrative personnel, pay taxes and earn something.
Sorry Rem 870, but manufacturers don’t pay taxes. Well they pay it then pass it along. The consumer pays the taxes. A good example would be a $30,000 Ford Taurus. What do you think it would cost if you removed all taxes from it? The answer is $13,000. So taxes are never paid by manufacturers, only by the consumer. Everything else in your statement is correct.
Great, I will tell the IRS that I don’t have to pay taxes because I am a manufacturer. I will tell them Fred said so.
No, as a manufacturer, you’ll pass costs–including taxes–on to buyers. What’s hard to understand about that?
It’s just a tube? That’s like saying a gun stock is just a chunk of wood. If you think these pars are too expensive TRY MAKING THEM YOURSELF! Go to your local machine shop and see what they’ll cost. Try making a spring. These OEM and aftermarket gun parts are specialized items catering to a very tiny niche market. In the big picture there’s very little demand for them. It’s not like they’re making toilet paper. Get real…..
If you think it’s that easy, go ahead and make your own $30 extension kits. If you’re actually able to market them for that price and stay afloat, you will make money. But I think you’ll find that magazine extensions aren’t as simple as a piece of tube. You need a coupler or base component with threads machined in, you need a properly-designed interface so that shells and the follower don’t hang up at the joint, you need to add features or parts to keep it in place under recoil, you need an end cap that won’t come off if the gun gets dropped, and there should be something on the outside so that folks can grip the thing for installation & removal. Also, most extensions include a sling attachment point of some kind, so don’t forget that. You’ll also want to include a new spring, at the very least, so make sure that’s engineered properly and capable of handling sufficient cycles; and most kits include a new follower that the manufacturer knows will run reliably in their extension.
Then you need either people (easy, but expensive) or machines (cheap to operate, but expensive to buy/build and get/keep running properly) to design & make the the extension and other parts, package stuff, and ship it all out.
To be honest, I’m impressed that the companies making budget kits in the $40 – $50 range can make a decent profit. I’ve worked in manufacturing, I know how much engineering and manpower goes into even relatively simple products.
Or one could just design the thing and then let folks overseas carve it out of a solid block of chinesium for 3.50$ a pop.
Its all outsourced and made in china or worse, or the parts are made there and assembled in the USA (so they can say its american made) and shipped here. Its pennies on the dollar that way. The markup is alot tho
then buy another brand and then you can complain because it does not work well. the nordic is the only one that works absolutly flawlessly. they spend lots of money on r&d and pay employees to develop things before they make a dime on it. the first one that works is worth a few thousand dollars. even at the retail price it will take a long time to see a proffit on the part.
Sorry, but this is no place for the ‘F’ word.
You forgot S&J Hardware
Unfortunately, I didn’t have a chance to try it.
I did a review of the new S&J +2 extension. You can read it here:
http://www.rem870.com/2017/08/08/sj-hardware-mk-ii-2-extension-kit-review/
Vitaly, Solution Components make this aluminum 2 round extension: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Remington-870-1100-11-87-105-CTi-2-Tube-Extension-12ga-Two-Round-12-Gauge-/352026203178
I hope you try it and post your findings. Larry
Larry, thanks for the info!
I got one of them there plastic extender from ATI decades ago. It is an absolute piece of crap. Bends to the left like Nancy Pelosi and my… And dont tell me it aint plastic…Fleebay add doesnt say its not. And who buys from Fleebay, gamblers?
An extender worth its salt should be at least made of steel or robust aluminium, add two 3″ shells, have a forward stabilizer bracket secured onto the barrel and a swivel sling attachment.
I use a Nordic extension on my 870 IPSC gun, it kept coming loose as I don’t have a ball detent on the front of the barrel ring.
I couldn’t find the correct size wave washer so I tried an o-ring barrel seal from a Rem 1100. It’s been working fine for a couple of thousand rounds so far – cheap fix !
I have a Remington 870 Wingmaster with an 18.5 inch barrel an ATI side folding tactical stock and an ATI 8 shot (+3) fluted mag extension with the stand off cap. I just ordered a Black Aces Tactical rail system. I love the look of the mag extension. It sticks out about 2 inches past the barrel which is what you’d want. Pointless to have the breaching teeth flush with the barrel and no it wont affect or get in rhe way of the shot coming out of the barrel. My only issue is that I can’t find barrel clamps large enough to fit its diameter. Have looked for weeks. So I’m finding it difficult to add any picatinny rails to the front of the gun because of the large diameter. Its 1.25 inches as opposed to the 1 inch diameter of most mag extensions and barrels. Black Aces Tactical has assured me that their product will fit around my mag extension. I guess I’ll see as soon as it gets here. Does anyone know where you can find clamps that will fit this mag extension? Otherwise if my Black Aces Tactical rail system wont fit it, I’ll have to buy a regular 1 inch diameter mag extension. I really dont want to have to.
Remington 870 20 gauge magazine extension has been discontinued. As for Nordic comp they only wholesale to brownells et al’ which have none in stock and in the near future. Thus far I haven’t found anywhere to get a +3 extension kit.
Only Choate +2, but research in this brand seems substandard compared to the NC type.
Do you know where I can find this item?
Which is the shortest plus 2 Mag extension for the Remington 870? I know that one of the companies makes what is said to be a “1 and a half” extension when used on the Tac-14, is that the Nordic? I am reconfiguring my Tac-14 with a longer barrel and a shorter grip and have to keep the OAL to greater than 26″ to be US legal. Since the barrel is going to be longer, it would be nice to gain an extra round, if only with 2.5″ shells.
Is there a magazine extension compatible with the 870 tactical? The stock magazine tube has rivets on each side that protrude into the tube and prevent shells from passing beyond that point. The only option I’ve been able to come across is to drill out and sand the indents but I’m not very enthusiastic about exposing the inside of my magazine tube to water and other debris. Any suggestions? Thanks for the advice!
Jack, there is no magazine extension which will work without removal of the dimples. Here is how to remove them: http://www.rem870.com/2016/04/25/removing-dimples-in-magazine-tube-of-remington-870/
Vang comp Spring and follower work much better than the originals. One word
Benelli.
I just installed a Remington +2 extension on a 1980s manufactured 870 Wingmaster. Even with “complications” (see below), installation was intuitive and fast. If you know how to disassemble and re-assemble your 870, you’ve kept it clean, and can use a screwdriver, installation is quick and easy. If not, a nearby child who plays with Legos can probably assist.
I have no idea what installation would be like on a poorly maintained 870. ;)
I purchased the extension from a 3rd party seller. It appeared to be an open/returned item. The box said it came pre-assembled, and on-box instructions include walk-thru of taking the assembled pieces apart and then installing. Inside the box were directions to install a different product — weaver rails. (Eyebrow raise #1), the nut was on the tube the wrong direction (eyebrow raise #2), and the screw wasn’t in the bracket.
It took me about 5-10 minutes to install, including reading all instructions before starting and cleaning parts. Just have clean parts, don’t cross-thread, and it’s hard to mess up.
If you change barrels so often that undoing 1 Phillips head screw is too much of a hassle, I suggest buying another 870.
Does anyone have a link to the (New Remington 870 Magazine Extension +3 Rounds, 18.5 Flush) that was mentioned above?
On Remington website: https://www.remington.com/shop/870-12-GA-MAG-TUBE-EXTENSION-%2B3-ROUNDS-18-5%22-FLUSH/p/19542
Hello,
I have a Remington 870 with 18 “barrel and I am looking for an extension magazine tube of such length that it ends up with the upper barrel! … Unfortunately looking on the internet there is none of this (most part end either before or after the upper barrel as they are for 18.5 “) I am aware that remington does a +2, but that it is out of production … can you help me? tnx for your attention
Hi Antonio. I bought my 870 with a +2 extension built in, it was basically a police model but with some tactical parts like ghost ring sights. So I’m not sure who manufactured the extension but it fitted the 18.5” barrel perfectly, which sounds like what you are looking for. So maybe research what parts are used on the police and tactical models? Good luck!
Does anyone know which barrel clamps will work on a Remington 870 Super Express with a Choate tube extension? The Nordic clamp BCL-12 has huge gaps and doesn’t fit flush.
I have the Nordic+3 on my 18.5” 870. Really great product. It sticks out past the barrel maybe a half inch but that’s fine, the gun doesn’t feel longer and I’m happy for the extra shells. Even more with mini shells obv. Feels like a good balance for home defense. Nordic seems like the best vendor for mag extensions IMO.