Good IC flush-fit Choke tube & +3 ext for rem 870 Tactical?

[El Bandito]

Talked to a gunsmith today regarding choke selection, he recommended IC for my uses. Not real familiar with the quality levels of different choke manufacturers. Also looking to install a good, rugged (preferably parkerized steel or aircraft aluminum) 2 or 3 round extension to replace the factory 2 round ext. currently installed- if possible. My research so far has not turned up an extension that will fit flush with an 18.5 inch barrel AND give a 7+1 capacity, which is really what I would prefer for 3gunning and wouldn't hurt for HD either. Looking for the highest quality I can afford or trade for. While I'm at it, which clamp is more immoveable and quicker to remove, Mesa or Nordic? Thanks!

[Synchronizor]

Talked to a gunsmith today regarding choke selection, he recommended IC for my uses. Not real familiar with the quality levels of different choke manufacturers.

Flush tubes aren't complicated, so they're hard to get wong. You should be able to find a Remington or Carlson's flush IC tube at a local store or online for around $20. Used, you can find them for half that. It's important to pattern-test your choke & load combo, so you know exactly how it will behave. If money's tight, you may first want to see if a friend with a Remington 12ga can loan you an IC tube so you can test it and be sure it's what you need.

Also looking to install a good, rugged (preferably parkerized steel or aircraft aluminum) 2 or 3 round extension to replace the factory 2 round ext. currently installed- if possible. My research so far has not turned up an extension that will fit flush with an 18.5 inch barrel AND give a 7+1 capacity, which is really what I would prefer for 3gunning and wouldn't hurt for HD either. Looking for the highest quality I can afford or trade for. While I'm at it, which clamp is more immoveable and quicker to remove, Mesa or Nordic? Thanks!

Getting 7+1 capacity without going past an 18.5" barrel is probably doable, but it would likely take some work. Capacity depends on your extension tube, magazine spring, follower, and the shells. With fold-crimped 2.75" shells you'll have about 2.5-2.75" left between the end of the first shell and the muzzle; kind of a tight fit for the follower, compressed spring, and the end of the extension tube. To make this work, you'll probably need a cup-style follower, a spring with fewer turns (shorter solid length), and an aftermarket or custom-made extension tube with no follower stop. Shorter shells would help as well.

But having a magazine tube longer than the barrel really isn't a functional problem. For a defensive gun, having a magazine tube shorter than or equal to the barrel length has some durability advantages, but it's not unusual to see magazine tubes that extend several inches past the end of the barrel on competition guns. Here's what a Remington +3 extension looks like under an 18.5" barrel:

+3 tube_18.5in barrel.JPG (33.14 KiB) Viewed 3025 times

If you don't mind the look, all you'd have to do to have a 7+1 capacity on your gun would be to order a +3 extension tube from Remington; just the tube, not the whole kit. The Remington factory +2 and +3 extensions use the same spring, coupling nut, and clamp; the only difference is that the +3 extension tube is longer. Since you already have a +2 kit, all you'll need is the +3 tube.


You can order the tubes by themselves through Remington's customer service department. They're steel, are available with a Parkerized finish, and only cost $26 (2012 price, plus shipping). Some aftermarket +3 extension kits are a little shorter and/or lighter, but many aren't as durable or reliable as the factory Remington extensions, and none will cost less new then just ordering a +3 tube.

[El Bandito]

Thanks Sync! Probably will end up with the +3 extension. Checked out the SS IC chokes at Carlson's last night and really like em.