NEW MEMBER FROM OKLAHOMA

[lockoutmonkey]

Good afternoon all.
I am 36 years old and have been shooting and hunting all of my life. I have had a 870 express for years. My dad installed the steel follower and bigger safety and slotted my carrier before he gave it to me. Never had any issues at all with it.
I wanted a home defense shotgun so while looking for a used 870 I came across the H&R 870 clone. It was only $155.00 and came with 18.5" barrell and synthetic stocks.
Once purchased I disassembled and it is almost identical to the Remington. The only difference is where the barrell ring is located.
I have cut a slot in the carrier, installed steel follower, Wilson big safety, sling, and the coolest stock. Speedfeed's "birdhead" grip stock. I can't wait to put a couple of hundred rounds through this one to see how well it handles.
I love this website. Lots and lots of awesome info. I think I will change the extractor and the carrier spring and the sear spring next.

What advantages are ther to changing the forend? The one I have is black synthetic and has a real deep checkering to improve my gripping.

[Kentactic]

Some run a hogue forend for really sticky grip and minimal wear on the hand. When you work the action fast that hard plastic tends to make your hand a little raw in my experience.

[Synchronizor]

Some people also like to upgrade to a fore-end with an integrated light, or one with rails that they can use to mount accessories or a vertical grip.

If you're happy with the way your current fore-end feels, and you don't want to hang any gear on it, I'd just stick with what you've got. The two fore-ends I have for my 870 are just basic, cob-style police fore-ends; one wood, the other plastic. I never really felt the need to replace them.