Shotgun Followers Overview (Remington 870)

Posted on March 10, 2010

Every owner of the Remington 870 shotgun knows that standard Remington 870 follower is not as reliable and sturdy as we want it to be. Orange plastic follower is the first thing to upgrade in Remington 870 shotgun.

Happily, there are a lot of different alternatives of the Remington 870 follower and I think that more will come in future. The information in this article is intended to explain the differences in what is on the market today.

Main advantages of the alternative followers are:
1. Tail of the follower which improves feeding and prevents spring from kinking. But tail takes some space in the magazine tube.
2. Projection on the head which allows to check an empty shotgun magazine by your finger.
3. Made of better material (metal or plastic).
4. Different color.

Attention: new Remington 870 shotguns have two “dimples” in magazine tube and followers without slots in the sides will not work with them. You will need to drill out the dimples or modify a follower.

There are many followers available on the market:
Remington
Scattergun Technologies
Choate
Vang Comp
Different steel followers (for example Brownells)
S&J Hardware

Let’s start with standard Remington follower

Standard follower is made of thin orange plastic. It is very thin and easily destructible. Several times I had problems loading shotgun which were possibly caused by this follower. They gone when I replaced it. It should be replaced with better one as soon as possible.

First alternative follower is Scattergun Technologies (Wilson Combat) Follower.

This follower is one of the most popular followers and can be easily found everywhere. There are a lot of positive comments about it. This is high- visibility, fluorescent green follower which has a tail which improves feeding and projection in the head which allows to check the magazine by your finger. It is made of ABS nylon and looks reliable. But there is weak point. The middle part (projection) of the follower is not solid and I was able to brake it loading a magazine (it stuck and I had to use force on it).

Next follower in this review is made by Choate

It is orange, made of plastic and has a very long tail. I didn’t have problems with it but I know shooters which had problem with it: follower is too big and diameter need to be reduced to slide freely in a magazine tube.

In my opinion the tail is too long and takes too much of a magazine tube space. Also it doesn’t allow you to check a magazine by your finger but it is made of highly visible orange plastic.

Another popular follower is made by Vang Comp Systems

This is steel follower with a hole in the front part. You can use hole to check the magazine by your finger. I didn’t have a chance to use it but readers of the blog shared their experience with me. It is very sturdy and virtually indestructible.

The only one known problem is use of the Vang Comp Follower with original Remington magazine extension. Shells can move follower to the groove inside the extension and it will stuck.

There are a lot of other aluminium/steel followers on the market, for example the one from Brownells

The follower on the photo is made by unknown manufacturer. You can purchase aluminium followers of many different colors. They are tough, reliable and I have used one for a very long time without any problems. Metal followers slide inside the magazine tube very easily.

They are less visible than acid green or orange followers and can’t be identified by touch but they are still a good choice for your tactical shotgun.

Attention: some people think that metal followers can damage mag tube but I don’t know any facts and don’t know any cases of the damage caused by metal followers.

The last follower in this review is made by S&J Hardware

This shotgun follower is the best I have ever used. Let me start with advantages it gives to a shotgun owner:
1. Bright orange (close to red) color.
2. Tail which prevents spring from kinking and improves feeding.
3. Allows to check an empty shotgun magazine by your finger.
4. It has slots in the sides so it can be used in the Remington Express and other non-Police models (which have dimples in magazine tube).
5. Followers are CNC machined from 2″ thick piece of DuPont Delrin® material. Which is a type of teflon impregnated plastic. Delrin is hard enough to machine, soft enough for use and very slippy. So its ideal for a shotgun follower.

This follower is not hollow inside and doesn’t have weak points (like Scattergun follower). It will not break down with cleaning products and hard use. I was looking for a such follower for a very long time.

I highly recommend to use this follower and think that this follower is the best on the market.

Remington 870 Blog

Posted on March 3, 2010

Blog had more that 5000 visitors in February. Thank you for coming back, writing comments and sending me your letters.

This month I will have some very interesting articles and updated overview of the Remington 870 followers. If you have ideas about new articles or want to see overview of particular products please leave a comment or send me a message to info@rem870.com

IPSC Shotgun Competition, Kiev, Ukraine, 20 February 2010

Posted on February 22, 2010

Wow, that was great! I love to participate in competitions because you can test your skills and receive real experience. This was my 3rd competition and this time I was 10th out of 19 shooters, I am very happy with this result and will work to improve it.

You can see some videos here: IPSC Competition Video

Remington 870 Safety, Wilson Combat (Scattergun Technologies), S&J Hardware, Vang

Posted on February 18, 2010

This is new post about Remington 870 safety and alternatives. I have tested most of the Remington safety buttons available on the market and want to share my experience with you.

Factory Remington 870 Safety

Standard Remington 870 safety which works properly but too small to be quickly disengaged in stress (combat, self-defense, sport) situations. The only one safety which has a red stripe which is visible when safety is disengaged.

Wilson Combat (Scattergun Technologies) Jumbo Head Safety

My favorite safety which I have installed on my shotgun. Works great and can be easily disengaged. Also, it doesn’t stick out much. After more than 5 months of use you can see marks on it but there is no damage on the material of the safety button.

Also, this is the only one oversized safety which can be used with Knoxx recoil reducing stocks.

Vang Oversized Safety

Vang Comp Systems is a good safety but there are several problems with it:
1. Material is too soft. After 2-3 months of use I saw that material of the safety button was damaged, there were deformations on it.
2. Sticks out too far.
3. Cannot be installed with Knoxx recoil reducing stocks.

S&J Hardware Jumbo Safety

This safety is great, I would be happy to use it if I could install it together with my Knoxx recoil reducing stock. But it looks like it cannot be used with it.

The shape of this safety button is great and it doesn’t stick up much. I think this is the best choice for a standard stocks.

Summary
In my opinion the best choice for a recoil reducing stock is Wilson Combat (Scattergun Technologies) safety.
The best choice for a standard stock is S&J Hardware safety.

Bianchi Patroltek Belt, Hatch Specialist Shooting Gloves, California Competition Works Speed Strippers

Posted on February 18, 2010

Here is some equipment that I use and recommend: Bianchi Patroltek Belt, Hatch Specialist Shooting Gloves, California Competition Works Speed Strippers

Bianchi Patroltek Belt
Very good belt which can be easily adjusted and also has very convenient Tri-Release polymer buckle.

Hatch Specialist Shooting Gloves
I was afraid that they will not allows fast reload of a shotgun but they are so good that you feel them just like your second skin, very convenient and breathing. Be sure to order gloves of your size.

California Competition Works Speed Strippers
Very good equipment which allows faster reload.

Remington 870 Forend Wrench

Posted on February 11, 2010

J.R. sent me info about the Remington 870 Forend Wrench he received:

“I purchased it from barnesgunparts.com for $25.00 shipped. It looks cheaply made at first but after a closer look you can see that it is actually very well made and assembled by hand. I have seen different forend wrenches for about the same price and twice as much but poorly designed. Brownells forend wrench is what I originally wanted because of the design but this one is very similar and half the price.

http://store.barnesgunparts.com/index.html”

J.R., thank you very much for sharing information about Remington 870 Forend Wrench with us!

Remington 870 Repair Kit

Posted on February 6, 2010

There is a Remington 870 Repair Kit which you can buy to have parts most often required for repairs.

But I have made my own list of parts to have for an emergency repair:
TRIGGER PLATE PIN DETENT SPRING
TGR PLATE PIN DETENT SPRING REA
EXTRACTOR PLUNGER
EXTRACTOR SPRING
EXTRACTOR, 12/16/20, NON-MIM
FIRING PIN RETRACTOR SPRING
FIRING PIN
FIRING PIN RETAINING PIN
EJECTOR SPRING

Update:
+SEAR SPRING

But I hope that I will never need those parts and my Rem 870 will work without any problems for years!

Hogue HandAll Universal Grip for Knoxx SpecOps Stock

Posted on February 5, 2010

Hogue HandAll Universal Grip fits the Knoxx SpecOps Stock perfectly. It really improves handling of a shotgun. The rubber non-slip surface and palm swells make it easier to hold and control a shotgun. This upgrade is cheap ($10) and effective. If you don’t like it you can remove it anytime.

Remington Ghost Ring Firesight Set by Williams Gun Sight Company, Inc.

Posted on February 3, 2010

Ghost ring sights are popular on shotguns, especially on tactical versions. Such sight is very convenient and has several advantages:
1. It is fast and easy to use.
2. It obscures a target less than other sights.

The most popular ghost ring sights are made by Vang Comp Systems and Scattergun. But they have several disadvantages:
1. Rear sight can be installed only on receiver and requires drilling and tapping.
2. Front sight requires difficult installation too.
3. Rear sight is too close to the eye.
4. The price of set is very high: $160-200

Remington Ghost Ring Firesight Set
The only sights which can be installed on the place of standard sights are Remington Ghost Ring Firesight Set from Williams Gun Sight Company, Inc. One of the other advantages of this sights is that they have light gathering elements (fiber optic dots) which make them even easier to use. The price of this set is $32.

Installation
Installation is very easy and takes just 15 minutes. You will need just small screwdriver to install the rear sight and a hammer to install the front sight.

Zeroing
After installation of you will need to adjust sights.

Rem 870 Blog

Posted on February 2, 2010

Dear readers of the Rem870 blog, thank you for coming back and sending me your letters. More than 5000 visitors in January and growing!

This month I plan to have a lot of new posts. My new digital camera will be delivered today and I will be able to post a lot of new and interesting materials.

If you have interesting information or photos please send them to me: info@rem870.com

The tactical shotgun in urban operations

Posted on January 29, 2010

Interesting article by Ryan J. Morgan about use of tactical shotguns during Operation Iraqi Freedom: The tactical shotgun in urban operations

Candewman (CDM) Clamps – Story of Creation

Posted on January 23, 2010

Scott Dew, owner of the CDM Gear shared the very interesting story of creation of his unique clamps:

So, I started making clamps about 4 years ago but I actually started out doing a lot of custom, one-off stuff for people. I was also designing an adapter like the Mesa Tactical stock adapter about the same time they did. This all started with the FN TPS shotgun. You may know that it has a stock that adapts an AR15 stock and pistol grip to the shotgun. I liked the look and started developing my own.

Mine was a little more complex and had a built in scope rail. It was going to be investment cast and then machined. It was really nice and better than anything on the market. I didn’t make it because Knoxx was coming out with a recoil reducing stock and I felt that it would revolutionize the stock adapter industry.

I didn’t want to sink a lot of money into something that was going to be outdated so I stopped development. Looking back, I should have continued ahead with my plans…and I still might.

In the meantime I was still making clamps but they looked like everyone elses out there. I like simplified form and after looking at the clamp assembly with the scope ring and the rail and everything I felt there was a better way. It litterally came to me in my sleep and I got up about 3 in the morning and started drawing the cad work for the MOD-C, which stands for Multi Optional Design Clamp. I’ve included a .jpg so you can get an idea of where the idea came from.

I also worked on the patent, which is still in process. I have a provisional patent that will be converted to a regular patent application in February. I will be doing the actual patent work as well.

The clamps can interchange with other components as well, such as rails and the Sling Swivel dock. The sling swivel dock is made out of steel, instead of aluminum. I believe the steel to be a better way to go than aluminum for long term durability.

Since the sling swivel dock needed a hole for the sling swivel, I lined it up with the bolt hole for the clamp. I followed through with the rails putting an access hole in the same place for the clamp.

With other clamps you need to take the rail off to take the clamp apart. You don’t need to do that with mine. I am the only maker that does this. I also wanted to have the light or laser as close to the shotgun as possible. I don’t believe there is another railed clamp out there that holds the light as close to the shotgun as mine does. It is also the lightest of it’s kind on the market.

Scott, thank you very much for sharing this story with me and readers of the Rem870 blog!

More information about CDM Clamps: http://www.candewman.com/

Military Grade RD410E Open Red Dot Sight

Posted on January 19, 2010

Some more information from Theodore:

I have also replaced my Nikon Monarch Dot sights (cylindrical) with a Military Grade RD410E Open Red Dot sight (33mm aperture) which gives the gun a more tactical rather than hunting look and feel. I also greatly prefer the open sights due to the much better Field Of View and improved aim ability you have.

See my previous post : http://www.rem870.com/2009/11/15/remington-870-in-greece-sights-scope-mount-swivel-stud-swivels/

It is also much easier to aim with having both eyes open with the new Open Red Dot sight. I am sorry to say that my Nikon sights – now useless, cost me 5X more than these new sights – Lesson – do your research. It will save you a lot of money $$$€€€€.

Removing Dimples on Remington 870 Magazine Tube

Posted on January 17, 2010

A lot of Remington 870 owners want to install a magazine extension on their shotguns. But there are dimples in magazine tube which must be removed first. And all of us are afraid to break our favorite shotgun during this process.

Theodore has sent me a fantastic instruction on dimples removal. I know that many Remington 870 owners are searching for such instructions and I am happy to share it with you. Many thanks to Theodore for his work and photos.

How to Remove Dimples in Magazine Tube of the Remington 870 Shotgun:

This is Theodore, and after following your holiday poll on shotgun gift ideas, I too decided to buy myself one of the most sought after shotgun X-mas present: a +2 Rounds Magazine Extension. Being loyal to the Remington brand I purchased a original Remington +2 mag extension (SKU. 19420) which was in stock from my country’s official Remington importer.

This is a quality extension and has a great fit and I strongly recommend it. It is exactly as you describe it on your site: http://www.rem870.com/2009/09/07/original-remington-870-2-round-magazine-extension/
The reason I was weary of installing such a product until today is because I could not find in my heart to to use a drill, dremel, or file on my gun to remove the dimples in the magazine. It gave me the impression of damaging my gun. Of course, hammering a socket inserted in the magazine tube to force out the dimples is out of the question – and should NOT be attempted. You will only damage your gun!! This site covers this topic very well here: http://www.rem870.com/2009/08/06/how-to-install-remington-870-magazine-extension-and-remove-dimples-in-magazine-tube/

Reading the comments from the above posts, a reader named Ken posted on November 10, 2009 an alternative “dimple curing” method on the Rem870.com Blog, using a combination of the socket method and then a basic metal working method such as auto body work for a smooth final finish.

After some thought, I decided to attempt and remove the dimples from my gun without the use of a drill or dremel. I decided to modify Ken’s method above and replace the hammer and socket method of the first phase of his procedure, with a vice build to fit exactly around the inner (~23mm) and outer (~25.5mm) surface of the magazine. I initially wrapped a single layer of paper masking-tape around the outer front of the magazine tube to protect it from scratches. Tightening the vise initially flattened the dimples 80-90% of the way. You will be surprised at just how hard and strong the magazine tube metal is. You will need to apply as much pressure with the vice as you can, to make sure the dimples pop out as far as possible. Too much pressure it not enough! – just make sure your inner and outer guides fit your magazine tube flush on both the inner and outer side.

Then I could insert an oiled socket (approx 23mm diameter) which would fit snugly in the magazine tube and apply a basic metal working method such as auto body work for a smooth final finish. Make sure you have a good handle on the socket and that you can easily remove it if required. Do NOT force or hammer the socket into the magazine tube. It should fit snugly – if not, it is the wrong size. The secret is to use a metal working hammer (soft metal and light weight) and GENTLY tap on the OUTSIDE of the tube (over dimples) until the “dimples” blend in with the rest of the tube. The use of the socket in this instance in NOT to force out the dimples the remaining 10-20%, but to act as a counterbalance to the gently tapping action you are going to be applying on the outer area of the dimples and make sure that your magazine tube remains perfectly round in the process.

It really does work very well …. and you do get a perfect round finish. Done properly, the magazine will retain its finish. If not, a little gun-blue will mend any markings.

The method I describe above if done properly, results in minimal modification and no damaging of the original part. However, I think that you need to feel confident “very!!!” about how good a “handyman” you are. If not, I recommend that you use the drill or dremel method instead which always and quickly gets you the required result, every time!

Here follows some pictures, steps and parts required if you wish to try this out.

This is a simple 2-piece water hose connector. The reason I chose it was that it had the correct diameter required for the outer guide of my vice (~25.5mm). Copper is also a soft and easy to work with metal that won’t damage your magazine tube as it is much softer. Just cut it and retain the part you need. As long as you get the diameter right use what you find.

To create the inner guide of my vice I used a spanner bolt bit that was the correct diameter (~23mm) for the inner guide of my vice and also acted as a socket.

After cutting it, the one piece acted as the vice guide (Note the one ended is grinded to allow it to fit in the magazine tube as initially the dimples will stop it from entering), and the other longer piece acts as your socket.

This is the vise I used.

You will require some nuts & bolts.

This is what you are trying to make and assemble.

This is how you need to assemble your vice. Note the inner guide is grinded down on the bottom end so that it will initially fit into your magazine tube over dimples.

This is everything you will need.

Prepare your magazine tube for the procedure. The paper tape protects the tube from any markings and allows for a nice tight fit – no slack. It is very important to mark the areas you are going to be working on.

Insert the vice and apply as much pressure as you can. If your inner & outer vice guides are the correct size, there is no way you can damage the tube. Be sure you carefully align the application of pressure exactly on the dimple. This should pop 80-90% of the dimple out. Apply on both dimples.

Now you can insert the socket and gently start tapping out the remaining dimple. The secret is to use a metal working hammer (soft metal and light weight).

You end up with the dimples completely remove. If you insert your finger you will not be able to feel them at all.

Gun Blue the area where the dimples used to be – inside & outside.

Even though the inside of the tube has no dimples, you will still be able to see a mark on the outer side of your magazine tube created by the factory punch.

Finished Product. I am very happy with my Remington +2 Rounds Magazine Extension. It really looks sexy.

I never added the original Remington magazine clamps as it is much easier to clean and service your weapon without it on. Furthermore, the clamp is such a tight fit that it will scar your barrel and magazine extension. The magazine extension is such a sturdy fit that you also don’t need it – apart for mounting a sling. Therefore, I am planning to use a front and endplate sling mount instead (many manufactures to choose from, I’ll keep you posted).

Having successfully cured my “dimple problem” I am extremely happy with my original Remington upgrade, knowing that my magazine tube has retained its factory finish with no visible modifications.

Special thanks to Ken who started me on this idea. Also, thanks Vitaly for providing a platform where we can learn from each other and exchange ideas.

Best Regards,
Theodore

Remington 870, Command Arms Cheek Piece, Mesa Tactical Stock, Single Point Sling

Posted on January 10, 2010

Dear readers of the Rem870.com blog,

J.R. have sent me update about his Remington 870 shotgun. I am really happy to receive photos and updates from readers of the blog. Here it is:
“Hi Vitaly, Just an update on the 870 project. I have installed a Command Arms cheek piece on my Mesa Tactical stock to raise the cheek height for my optics. The cheek piece fits and works perfectly. I have also made a custom single point sling which works great and I am very happy with.”

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