How to Change a Follower
How to Change a Follower
So I watched a couple of YouTube videos on how to change a follower and all of the ones I found have tube extensions on them and when you take off the tube extention the spring and follower basically fall out. However I have a Remington 870 Express Tactical Magpul and there is no tube extension, it comes with 6+1 capacity. When I unscrew the end cap there is a serated end peice that matches serations on the inside of the end cap and it doesn't just come out. How do I remove it so that I can replace the follower. I'm really new to shotguns and am trying to get mine set up right right off the bat, but being new I don't know much and unfortunately don't know anyone who can teach me so I'm relying on you guys and your experience to help me out. Thanks in advance for your help.
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rythomas0704
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Re: How to Change a Follower
Ok, it is VERY simple. First of all before I tell you how to do this I recommend that you read your manual as well as download a version and watch some videos on how to disassemble and reassemble your 870. It is very informative and important to know this in order to achieve the maximum life from your 870.
That "serrated" piece of plastic in the end of your mag tube is also known as the spring retainer. It's job is to keep your spring from blasting out of the mag tube when you remove the cap. It is a rather clever design. However, when you add an aftermarket extension that retainer is no longer used.
Look down the tube "into" the retainer and you will see a slot for a flathead screwdriver (or your fingertip). Use your finger or a screwdriver and push it down into the tube and give it a quarter turn until it releases. At this point your spring can and will come flying out of the tube. So will the black plastic retainer. After you have removed the retainer and spring you need to remove the mag tube dimples. You can do that a few ways. I used a dremel. Other people drill them out. You can also buy a tool (stupid idea). Google "mag tube dimple removal 870", or something to that effect and you will get PLENTY of how to videos and tutorials.
MAKE SURE THAT WHEN YOU REMOVE THE DIMPLES YOU ENSURE THAT THEY ARE SUPER SMOOTH OTHERWISE YOUR FOLLOWER WILL GET HUNG UP.
If you have any more questions let me know and I will give you a lot more details. Good luck.
That "serrated" piece of plastic in the end of your mag tube is also known as the spring retainer. It's job is to keep your spring from blasting out of the mag tube when you remove the cap. It is a rather clever design. However, when you add an aftermarket extension that retainer is no longer used.
Look down the tube "into" the retainer and you will see a slot for a flathead screwdriver (or your fingertip). Use your finger or a screwdriver and push it down into the tube and give it a quarter turn until it releases. At this point your spring can and will come flying out of the tube. So will the black plastic retainer. After you have removed the retainer and spring you need to remove the mag tube dimples. You can do that a few ways. I used a dremel. Other people drill them out. You can also buy a tool (stupid idea). Google "mag tube dimple removal 870", or something to that effect and you will get PLENTY of how to videos and tutorials.
MAKE SURE THAT WHEN YOU REMOVE THE DIMPLES YOU ENSURE THAT THEY ARE SUPER SMOOTH OTHERWISE YOUR FOLLOWER WILL GET HUNG UP.
If you have any more questions let me know and I will give you a lot more details. Good luck.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
- George Orwell
- George Orwell
Re: How to Change a Follower
Wow, easy peasy thanks. Unfortunatly I don't have a manuel to look it up in, do you know where I can download a manuel?
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Synchronizor
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Re: How to Change a Follower
You can download the 870's owner's manual from Remington's website in PDF form here.
Rythomas0704 is correct on how to remove the retainer, but you only need to drill or grind out the dimples inside the magazine tube if you want to add a magazine extension. Without those dimples, you won't be able to re-install the plastic spring retainer, and you'll need to use a press-in retainer or your old magazine follower.
You could also use your old follower as a retainer with the dimples, to make it easier to take the magazine apart; but if you're just putting your cap back on and don't plan on messing with your magazine much in the future, it may be more convenient to just keep using the original retainer.
Rythomas0704 is correct on how to remove the retainer, but you only need to drill or grind out the dimples inside the magazine tube if you want to add a magazine extension. Without those dimples, you won't be able to re-install the plastic spring retainer, and you'll need to use a press-in retainer or your old magazine follower.
You could also use your old follower as a retainer with the dimples, to make it easier to take the magazine apart; but if you're just putting your cap back on and don't plan on messing with your magazine much in the future, it may be more convenient to just keep using the original retainer.