FBI Rem. 870 shotgun

[DaveC]

Bill Vanderpool, " 'Bring Enough Gun': A History of FBI Long Guns" American Rifleman (October 2013), p. 85: "The FBI still uses the 870. The present version has a matte-black finish, composite stock and most are 3" magnums. Neither folding stocks nor extended magazines are used. Youth stocks are put on some models used by slight-statured agents. Most of the guns have 14" barrels, and some are being retrofitted with recoil-absorbing stocks, SureFire fore-ends with lights and a shell holder on the left side. Although the guns are 3" magnums, the issue round is the 2 3/4", 00 buck with nine pellets."

[Chief Brody]

Out of all that, one thing I don't get is the "no extended magazines"... Why not?

[Synchronizor]

These sound like synthetic 870Ps:


A 14" barrel only leaves about 2.25" in front of the guide ring. Not a lot of space for for a magazine extension, especially if you still want to have a sling swivel stud.

Last I heard, the US Secret Service still uses the 870 as well, though I haven't been able to find a recent confirmation for this.

[mercman]

On one of my 18" barreled 870's I run a +3 extension. The profile of the mag extension protrudes past the end of the barrel and looks goofy but does not affect function. Many competitors run mag tube extensions that protrude several inches past the muzzle to avoid having to reload during events. Again, looks goofy but not an issue.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlXrdhibiKo
.
Of course, LEO's may keep the mag tubes short to enhance handling and concealability

[Synchronizor]

You'll often see extensions sticking past barrels on competition guns, in order to reduce weight or to just stick with a preferred barrel, but on a combat/LE shotgun, there's no reason not to match the barrel to the magazine tube. If the FBI wanted more magazine capacity, they would just buy 870Ps with 18" or 20" barrels and magazine extensions.