Trigger Plate Assembly

[bdd9484]

I have an 870 express that I have been slowly buying upgrades for. I read on other sites that some people like to replace the standard Trigger Plate Assembly (Remington #: F112040) with the Police Trigger Plate Assembly (Remington #: F102203). Is it worth it to buy, or should I save my money for other upgrades?

[Chief Brody]

I've heard the polymer trigger guards are actually a little more durable than the metal version on the 870P. Truth be told, the metal guard was one of the reasons I bought my Police Magnum, and I don't regret it for a second - but if I were in your position, I'd put that money toward other upgrades. What have you done so far?

[ponycarman]

I think it would be a waste of money but thats just my opinion. The polymer is more impact resistant. I have an express with the plastic and a wingmaster with the metal one. I can't really see any benifits to the metal over the polymer. You upgrade your lifter spring to the same as a police model. Some like to do that to give the lifter extra power to lift up the shell. I haven't had a problem with the factory ones in my 870's yet so they are staying put for now. Welcome!

Sent from my LS670 using Tapatalk

[bdd9484]

I've heard the polymer trigger guards are actually a little more durable than the metal version on the 870P. Truth be told, the metal guard was one of the reasons I bought my Police Magnum, and I don't regret it for a second - but if I were in your position, I'd put that money toward other upgrades. What have you done so far?

I currently have on my 870: S&J Follower, non-mim extractor, the yellow competition sear spring, ATI Talon Tactical Shotgun Ultimate Professional Stock, UTG Shotgun Tactical Metal Forearm with the Tactical Weaver Rails, Mako Quick Release Ergonomic Vertical Foregrip, and Leapers Tactical Picatinny Rail Scope Mount.

There are also a few things on backorder: Remington Tactical Choke Tube, Remington 3-Round Magazine Tube Extension.

The next part I want to get is a good red dot or reflex sight. Do you know any good ones that won't break the bank?

[Synchronizor]

You upgrade your lifter spring to the same as a police model. Some like to do that to give the lifter extra power to lift up the shell. I haven't had a problem with the factory ones in my 870's yet so they are staying put for now.

The carrier dog follower spring isn't actually responsible for lifting the carrier up; the slide assembly has a notch on the bottom that catches the carrier dog itself, pushing it down and popping the carrier up. This is a direct mechanical actuation that doesn't work through the spring. The carrier dog follower spring is responsible for holding the carrier dog against the slide assembly (so it can engage), retaining the shell carrier in the "up" position once it's there, and also for holding the carrier in the "down" position when the action is closed.

Upgrading it will make it function a little more positively, and a stiffer carrier will help keep dirt or mud out of the action (which is the main reason I like it); but it will also make the carrier stiffer to push out of the way when loading, and require a little more force to work the slide. I consider a heavier carrier dog follower spring to be more of a preferential thing, not as necessary an upgrade as people usually make it out to be. Of course, it also has an attraction to some people because it's the "official" police part, and if that floats your boat, go for it. For a few dollars, it's not like it'll break the bank, and you can always pop the lighter spring back in if you decide you liked it better that way.

[rythomas0704]

I have an 870 express that I have been slowly buying upgrades for. I read on other sites that some people like to replace the standard Trigger Plate Assembly (Remington #: F112040) with the Police Trigger Plate Assembly (Remington #: F102203). Is it worth it to buy, or should I save my money for other upgrades?

To be honest with you I wouldn't change the trigger group. I was thinking about doing the same thing (as mine had some serious movement and I attributed it to being polymer, not metal) but a wise old shotgunner *cough Synchronizor cough* persuaded me otherwise. After some research I found that the polymer trigger group assembly is tougher than the cast aluminum police assembly. To eliminate the movement in the assembly I simply ordered the Mesa Tactical 6 Shell Shotshell Holder and the provided bolts hold my assembly firm.

I did however upgrade by giving it a trigger job. I myself prefer an extreme hair trigger (but not to the point of sacrificing safety). I shaved a little material off of the spring to take her from 5.2 lb pull to 1.45 lb. I also polished all mating surfaces in the assembly to insure a smooth, solid pull. IF you do not understand what I am talking about then DO NOT ATTEMPT.

[ponycarman]

You upgrade your lifter spring to the same as a police model. Some like to do that to give the lifter extra power to lift up the shell. I haven't had a problem with the factory ones in my 870's yet so they are staying put for now.

The carrier dog follower spring isn't actually responsible for lifting the carrier up; the slide assembly has a notch on the bottom that catches the carrier dog itself, pushing it down and popping the carrier up. This is a direct mechanical actuation that doesn't work through the spring. The carrier dog follower spring is responsible for holding the carrier dog against the slide assembly (so it can engage), retaining the shell carrier in the "up" position once it's there, and also for holding the carrier in the "down" position when the action is closed.

Upgrading it will make it function a little more positively, and a stiffer carrier will help keep dirt or mud out of the action (which is the main reason I like it); but it will also make the carrier stiffer to push out of the way when loading, and require a little more force to work the slide. I consider a heavier carrier dog follower spring to be more of a preferential thing, not as necessary an upgrade as people usually make it out to be. Of course, it also has an attraction to some people because it's the "official" police part, and if that floats your boat, go for it. For a few dollars, it's not like it'll break the bank, and you can always pop the lighter spring back in if you decide you liked it better that way.

Your right. I think I knew that. Might be how i worded it. Or because I have to visualize the internals to remember how they work haha

[Synchronizor]

I was thinking about doing the same thing (as mine had some serious movement and I attributed it to being polymer, not metal)

To eliminate the movement in the assembly I simply ordered the Mesa Tactical 6 Shell Shotshell Holder and the provided bolts hold my assembly firm.

Actually, complex shapes can be manufactured to tighter dimensional tolerances more easily with polymer than with the older powder metallurgy techniques. That's another reason firearms companies are using them more these days.

I don't know how much play your trigger group had, but being able to wiggle it a little isn't anything to worry about. None of the interactions between the trigger plate assembly parts and the bolt, slide assembly, or action bars requires a lot of precision. The Mesa Tactical sidesaddles are mounted using Chicago screws, which aren't intended to carry a lot of tension. Take care not to overtighten them and break the fasteners, because unlike sidesaddles from other manufactures, those aren't common fasteners that you're likely to find in a hardware store.

[rythomas0704]

Yes I agree. You must be careful not to overtighten. However, the screw system is quite nice as it makes it VERY hard to over tighten them and they are almost perfectly matched to the old pins.

As for the movement. I own a few firearms and NONE of them have a trigger group that move like the polymer one that comes with my Express. It actually worried me quite a bit as I was worried that it would maybe not fire when I needed it to. Although that has NEVER happened. They do sell "Anti Walk Trigger Pin" sets which eliminate the movement and walk but they are identical in appearance to the bolts that are supplied with the Mesa.