Finally got one!

[RISC_Taker]

Hello all!

For as long as I can remember I have wanted a Remington 870 Police (I had no idea that it was a "Police" until I started looking seriously recently). I just always wanted the shotgun I saw in police cruisers while growing up. Not that I spent any time inside the cars mind you, but there were a couple of officers in the family where I grew up in VA.

Well, I found one on an auction site a couple of weeks ago, for a price I could afford so I went for it. I picked it up yesterday from my FFL. As I'm sure most of us do if we buy a used firearm, the first thing I did was start taking it apart.

It was a CA DOC shotgun, and either the barrel was replaced, or this thing was never fired, just carried. Could be the stories I have heard about police dept armorers are true as well, but its like looking down a round mirror. The only thing on the shotgun that shows any wear is the wood where it was placed in/removed from the storage rack, or maybe hit a wall or desk.

It had a side saddle shell holder on the left of the receiver, which will be going in a box for safe keeping.

Now I just need to figure out what "should" be in the holes the screws that held the side saddle on/trigger assembly in place so I can make it look like I remember.

I have been looking at these:
http://www.brownells.com/shotgun-parts/ ... &aid=51123

I am in Southern California, so I hope I did not finally get what I have wanted for years only to have it taken away.

[Vitaly]

Welcome to the forum! It would be great if you could post some pics!

Anti-walk trigger pins are much better than standard trigger pins, recommended.

[Synchronizor]

Nice find, I love old LE/military 870s. You should post some pictures.

You can order replacement trigger plate pins directly from Remington's customer service department for $3 or $4 each. The factory trigger pins are perfectly fine, there's a reason Remington and other gunmakers avoid using screws in firearms whenever possible. I've never seen a factory pin walk out, but even if they do, there are ways of dealing with it that don't involve expensive and pointless aftermarket replacements that can damage your finish and make the gun more complicated to take down.

Whatever pins you end up getting, you should check to see if the trigger plate pin detent springs are still installed in the trigger plate assembly. If they were removed when the shell carrier was installed, you'll want to order a set of those as well. I have a video here with some more information.

[RISC_Taker]

I sure wish I had read your post earlier! I ordered the anti walk pins before I read the post and watched the video. Much appreciation for the info. I'll be watching more go the 870 tips and tricks! I'll try to take some decent pics to put up soon.

[Synchronizor]

I sure wish I had read your post earlier! I ordered the anti walk pins before I read the post and watched the video.

If the order hasn't shipped yet, and you've really changed your mind about the aftermarket pins, you can probably cancel it. It's up to you, really.

It's not like the aftermarket pins won't work, they're just kind of pointless unless you really hate having any play between the receiver and the trigger plate assembly and absolutely must eliminate it (even though a little movement is completely normal, and will have no effect on function). Even then, they could have been designed better. Using a barrel-type fastener with a screw on one side instead of a threaded pin with screws on both sides would have been simpler, stronger, and made for half as many screws that can back out under recoil. The flat-head screws are kind of dumb too, they're slower than other drive types, and can let the screwdriver slip out and gouge the finish on the receiver.