Need assistance on dressing my new 870

[CynicZ]

Hey there guys. So recently I picked up a 870 for what i assume was a good deal. i did my research and came across a
remington 870 wingmaster (older model) for 150$. It is chambered in 2 3/4 12gauge. Now on top of that price it had a brand
new magpul sga stock and MOE forend. I planned on buying a new rem 870 and putting these 2 additions on it and when i
found one for 150, not only that but wingmaster which is better than the express i was going to buy I couldnt pass it up.
The only thing I have purchased so far was a 4" magpul picatiny mount to mount to the bottom of the MOE forend to attach
my magpul 45 AFG from my AR15.
The gun had SLIGHT rust specks on the outside of the barrel and reciever. However I planned on replacing the barrel with a
18.5" vented barrel. as well as cerakoating the whole gun white (everyone does black HD tactical scatterguns so I wanted to
switch it up) therefore the slight rust didnt bother me as a good sanding and repainting will take care of it.
I asked the guy after i bought it why he had it priced so low and he said "its broke and wont eject shells" so I laughed as a
18$ extractor and spring is already a mandatory upgrade IMO when I purchase used shotguns.
So as a HD shotgun solely for looks (hoping I never have to use it in a HD situation) here are some upgrades I have planned.
Need positive or negative reviews.

Barrel: 18.5" (Need help finding a 18.5" 2-3/4"shell barrel also with a changable front/rear sight for ghost ring/trijicon tritium nightsights)
Light Mount: Magpul 3" Picatiny rail for MOE foreend (mount light and sling mount
1" Steel Weaver Scope rings - silver
Light:Fenix TK22 Special Edition
Accessories:
Mag extension (dont know which one I want, Want it to work well with a 18.5" barrel.)
Jumbo Head safety
Brownells red aluminum follower
NON-MIM extractor
Extractor spring
Firing pin
Magpul SGA sling mount
Magpul sling mount
trijcion nightsight ghost ring

As I said all additions/input/criticism well appreciated.

Here is a pic as she sits how I picked her up.

[Chief Brody]

First of all.... You stole that thing. Awesome score, well-bought, sir!
All of your mods sound like good ones, worthwhile changes. As for the mag extension, any 2-shot extension will be great for your length of barrel (this most common for HD shotguns). The only thing you might be missing, since you seem to be covering all your bases here, is a method of carrying more shells. That usually comes down to an aluminum side saddle, (my preference) the newer velcro detachable side saddles, or a cuff around the stock.

Welcome to the forum, by the way. Looks like a great project, have fun and shoot safely.
Steve

[CynicZ]

Thanks for the reply!
So how does this magazine tube sound, will I need anything extra with it to run this?
Nordic component magazine extension tube +2 for rem 870 - 75$

So glad you mentioned something about a shell holder! I plan on running a Side saddle, along with cheek riser for my stock but wanted to kind of buy the other parts so I can kind of visualize what will look better on this shotgun. I thought about aliminum but was kind of iffy on the retension of the shells. I feel like aluminum would allow the shells to drop out as of now this is the side saddle im looking at mesa tactical, after i looked into them I realised they used rubber inside to retain the shells haha i really enjoy mesa equipment.
6 shell holder

also I actually have a old magpul 2point sling laying around in my range bag I plan on running with the shotgun, thats why I put the sling point pieces in the to-buy list with no sling haha

any recomendation on the barrel? i cant find 18.5" barrels for 2-3/4 shells, and i was always told dont run a barrel for 3" shells on a reciever thats made for 2-3/4 as it leaves a gap or something and causes the loads to not match up with it well.

[Synchronizor]

So how does this magazine tube sound, will I need anything extra with it to run this?
Nordic component magazine extension tube +2 for rem 870 - 75$

My personal opinion is that lightweight aluminum extensions like the Nordic kits are suited more for hunting, recreational, and competition applications, and that a stronger steel extension with a reinforcing bracket is a better choice for a defensive build. Nordic makes quality stuff though, and realistically, if you do ever have to defend yourself with your shotgun, the material of the extension tube is most likely not going to be a determining factor in the encounter.

any recomendation on the barrel. i cant find 18.5" barrels for 2-3/4 shells, and i was always told dont run a barrel for 3" shells on a reciever thats made for 2-3/4 as it leaves a gap or something and causes the loads to not match up with it well.

That may be true with other shotguns, but with the 870, there are no problems with combining a 2.75"-only receiver and a 3"-chambered barrel, or even a 3.5"-chambered barrel. You could even fire 3" shells if you had to; they run at the same pressure as 2.75" shells so there's no danger of damaging the gun, the only issue is that the non-magnum ejector and ejector spring in your receiver won't reliably eject unfolded 3" shells. Those two parts are the only differences between magnum and non-magnum receivers.

[CynicZ]

So how does this magazine tube sound, will I need anything extra with it to run this?
Nordic component magazine extension tube +2 for rem 870 - 75$

My personal opinion is that lightweight aluminum extensions like the Nordic kits are suited more for hunting, recreational, and competition applications, and that a stronger steel extension with a reinforcing bracket is a better choice for a defensive build. Nordic makes quality stuff though, and realistically, if you do ever have to defend yourself with your shotgun, the material of the extension tube is most likely not going to be a determining factor in the encounter.

any recomendation on the barrel. i cant find 18.5" barrels for 2-3/4 shells, and i was always told dont run a barrel for 3" shells on a reciever thats made for 2-3/4 as it leaves a gap or something and causes the loads to not match up with it well.

That may be true with other shotguns, but with the 870, there are no problems with combining a 2.75"-only receiver and a 3"-chambered barrel, or even a 3.5"-chambered barrel. You could even fire 3" shells if you had to; they run at the same pressure as 2.75" shells so there's no danger of damaging the gun, the only issue is that the non-magnum ejector and ejector spring in your receiver won't reliably eject unfolded 3" shells. Those two parts are the only differences between magnum and non-magnum receivers.

Excellent points! on that note can you recommend a heavy duty steel magazine tube, I really enjoyed the look of the attachment nut on the nordic but dont mind switching. I will always be all ears when someone more knowledgable that me recommends stuff hence why I posted here
Here is a barrel I found thats 3" 18.5" long and has sights so should be able to mount those trijicon nightsights, however if i already have nightsights stock on the barrel should I really spend 175$ on new sights?
18.5" remington barrel with sights

[Synchronizor]

Excellent points! on that note can you recommend a heavy duty steel magazine tube, I really enjoyed the look of the attachment nut on the nordic but dont mind switching. I will always be all ears when someone more knowledgable that me recommends stuff hence why I posted here

There are a number of good steel extension kits out there. We have a long-running thread here that would be worth reading through for ideas.

Here is a barrel I found thats 3" 18.5" long and has sights so should be able to mount those trijicon nightsights, however if i already have nightsights stock on the barrel should I really spend 175$ on new sights?

What kind of sights do you want? If you want rifle sights and the ones that come on that barrel do the job for you, I don't see a reason to change them out.

[CynicZ]

I originally wanted the trijicon tritium ghost ring night sight but if that comes with tritium sights wether it's ghost ring or pedestal mount I don't think a simple ring is worth 175$ to me personally so that barrel looks fine I assume I'll probably make these purchases tomorrow

Also I have decided to go with the Wilson combat mag extension for 45$ with sling mount and save 20$ on a sling mount, save 35$ on the extension and 20$ on a follower

Further looking if I got this barrel and got the trijicon ghost ring sight can I swap that front sight out? I thing personally I'd rather a picatiny mounted rear sight or atleast one d&t in the reciever for a further line up distance for a more accurate aim

[SignessSG]

I just started ordering parts for my 870P build. I decided to just keep the 20" rifle-sight police barrel rather than spending extra money for an 18-1/2" barrel. So, I'm replacing the rifle sights with Ameriglo/Trijicon tritium night sights. Those are on back order for about 8 weeks. Also just ordered a Mesa Tactical 6-shell side saddle and a Streamlight TLR-1 HL rail mounted tac light. Next, I'll be ordering Nordic Components +3 mag extension, Nordic barrel clap with rail (for the light), and the Nordic follower. That's about all I plan on doing other than possibly the stock. I'll wait until I get the night sights and do some shooting before I determine that. If I do go for another stock, it will either be a Hogue or Magpul. I may or may not keep the stock police forend. A Hogue overmold forend might end up there.

[Synchronizor]

Also I have decided to go with the Wilson combat mag extension for 45$ with sling mount and save 20$ on a sling mount, save 35$ on the extension and 20$ on a follower

The WC extensions are pretty good, I have one of their +1s and I really like it, but I can't recommend the follower that comes with them. If you really feel you need to have an aftermarket follower, I'd suggest getting one with better engineering and materials, like the Delrin followers from S&J Hardware.

Further looking if I got this barrel and got the trijicon ghost ring sight can I swap that front sight out? I thing personally I'd rather a picatiny mounted rear sight or atleast one d&t in the reciever for a further line up distance for a more accurate aim

You can change beads on a bead-sight barrel (though some drilling and tapping may be required), but a front bead is meant to be used on its own with no rear sight. That makes it extremely fast on target, but still accurate out past 50 yards (about the maximum effective range of buckshot) in the hands of a competent shooter. Personally, I'm a big fan of a front bead, and it's usually what I recommend for HD.

But if you really want a barrel to pair up with a receiver-mounted ghost-ring rear sight, you should look for something with a dovetailed base for a front blade, not a bead pedestal. Then you can choose your rear element and pick the right front sight to match. Here's an example setup on an 870P:

[CynicZ]

Also I have decided to go with the Wilson combat mag extension for 45$ with sling mount and save 20$ on a sling mount, save 35$ on the extension and 20$ on a follower

The WC extensions are pretty good, I have one of their +1s and I really like it, but I can't recommend the follower that comes with them. If you really feel you need to have an aftermarket follower, I'd suggest getting one with better engineering and materials, like the Delrin followers from S&J Hardware.

Further looking if I got this barrel and got the trijicon ghost ring sight can I swap that front sight out? I thing personally I'd rather a picatiny mounted rear sight or atleast one d&t in the reciever for a further line up distance for a more accurate aim

You can change beads on a bead-sight barrel (though some drilling and tapping may be required), but a front bead is meant to be used on its own with no rear sight. That makes it extremely fast on target, but still accurate out past 50 yards (about the maximum effective range of buckshot) in the hands of a competent shooter. Personally, I'm a big fan of a front bead, and it's usually what I recommend for HD.

But if you really want a barrel to pair up with a receiver-mounted ghost-ring rear sight, you should look for something with a dovetailed base for a front blade, not a bead pedestal. Then you can choose your rear element and pick the right front sight to match. Here's an example setup on an 870P:

Thanks for all your help I originally wanted a decent reflex that would look nice and could never find one (dont like tube style red dots) so i figured id go GR style. HOWEVER i decided i liked the sightmark ultra shot.
I had a 26" barrel so i bought the 18.5 since 8" is a big difference and dont like waving a flagpole around in the idea of home defense.
I ordered 600$ in parts last night with 2day shipping so I will update with pics once its all installed.

I went with WC +2 and plan on using stock follower as it seems to be in good condition.
sightmark ultra shot reflex, accompanied by a mesa 5" rail which I will have a gunsmith D&T the reciever to mount the rail.
got the 3" magpul picatiny made for the MOE forend to mount my fenix TK22 SE light mounted by the scope rings I linked.
18.5" barrel with fixed imp cyl choke.
mesa 6 shell saddle
secondary magpul AFG2 so i can keep my original on the AR as I really enjoy it.
jumbo head safety
magpul sling adapter for SGA stock
Then some mandatory (in my opinion for my circumstance) internals being the firing pin, extractor and extractor spring.

one question I got is will I need some sort of brace for the mag extension to the barrel?