Greetings from the Pacific Northwest.

[Synchronizor]

I’ve been lurking here for a while, and finally decided to join up. I’ve posted in several other threads already, but wanted to take a minute for a formal introduction.

I only look like I have a belly because of the pistol and shotgun shell pouch on my belt, under the shirt.

Tree Hunting 2012.jpg (144.3 KiB) Viewed 2125 times

I’ve lived all my life in America’s Pacific Northwest. My longest stint was growing up in the panhandle of Alaska, but I’ve also lived in Washington & Oregon, and now hang my hat in rural Idaho.

I’m an engineer by trade, though I’ve worn a number of other hats in my time. While my primary focus is automotive technology, I’ve also done design work in industrial casting equipment, process optimization for Boeing, and built several parachute test platforms for NASA. I’m currently doing research on next-gen powertrain technologies for hybrid-electric automobiles.

My trusty 870 was the first gun I ever bought, and started life as a synthetic Express. I’ve spent a lot of time tinkering with and fine-tuning it, and it’s become a sweet gun - smoother than any new Wingmaster I’ve handled. I’ve replaced a number of internals and collected a fair quantity of different barrels, mag parts, furniture sets, and other accessories. I love how versatile a platform the 870 is, and I’ll swap different parts on and off the same receiver to create a number of different builds for different roles.

Basic build. I usually prefer to keep it simple.

870 HD_small.JPG (20.34 KiB) Viewed 2125 times

One of my favorite builds, shown here, is simply a +2 extension, 18.5” cylinder bore barrel, and mag tube clamp. The furniture is a great old hardwood police set I got as a Christmas present. I’ve kept the old armory inventory number, along with all the dings and dents it picked up in the line of duty. I could strip it down and refinish it all pretty-like, but then it wouldn’t have nearly as much character.

[Vitaly]

Synchronizor, welcome to the forum! Really like your posts, they are very informative and useful!