Matrik wrote:1) How can I determine how the receiver is finished, i.e. Parkerized, Cerakote ?
Express Tacticals only come in two finishes, a matte bluing, and Cerakote. And unless I'm forgetting something, the only 870s that are factory Cerakoted are the Magpul Editions. Everything else should have the matte bluing.
Matrik wrote:2) Is there something I can put on the receiver to prevent scratches that might occur from contact of the Magpul MS3 sling connection to the GG&G sling swivel attachment that I installed between the receiver and stock? I was thinking of using spray adhesive under a layer of black, cloth sports tape, but don't want to damage finish when I ultimately take the tape off, replace it, etc. Any other ideas?
I think sticking something on would probably look worse than a bit of honest surface wear. Could you replace the metal sling attachment hardware with plastic parts instead? Or maybe you could cover up the metal clips with something that would prevent direct metal-on-metal contact. While I was I fixing up a Jeep for my mom last summer, I used a spray-on rubberized undercoating to touch up ares of the frame and underbelly. Something like that might work.
Really though, if you use an 870, it'll show, especially if your gun has the basic Express matte bluing. I wouldn't be too concerned about it; missing finish on the mag tube, action bars, carrier, and around & inside the ejection port just indicate that an 870 is run-in and functioning the way it likes to.