Do You Know Why Remington Magazine Extension is a Little Longer than the Other Ones?

Posted on August 28, 2009

If you have seen different Remington 870 magazine extensions I think you have noticed that Remington original magazine extension is about 1 inch longer than the other ones: Choate, TacStar, Vang etc. I’ve heard so many different theories on why it is longer but the truth is that it allows you attach a bayonet to your shotgun!

You will need additional bayonet mount if you decide to add a bayonet to your shotgun. There are several variants of the Remington 870 bayonet lug mount.

The first one is made by the S&J Hardware. The price of this bayonet adapter is about $80-100.
http://www.sjhardware.com/870Bayo.html

The second one is U.S.M.C. M870 MK1 Bayonet Adapter/Magazine Bracket which was used by military and it is no longer produced. Sometimes you can find them on eBay or GunBroker for about $150-250.

Some people believe that bayonet is a useful addition to a shotgun. For example, it may be useful in Close Quarter Combat or Home Defense when you are out of ammo. Other use of it is a crowd control but I don’t think that many shotgun owners need this feature.

What to do with Magazine Follower Jam or Stick

Posted on August 26, 2009

Sometimes you may experience situations when your follower jams or sticks in magazine tube. How can this be fixed?

There are several possible solutions:
1. Check if follower is not broken, this could happen to a factory Remington follower, because it is not very durable.
2. Oil the magazine tube a little.
3. If you have installed magazine extension be sure to check that you have removed “dimples” completely.
4. Replace weakened magazine spring with a new one. Also, you can install an extra power Wolff spring.
5. Replace magazine follower with the one which has a “tail” that prevents kinking of a spring.

Hope this helps.

Shotgun Acronyms/Abbreviations

Posted on August 25, 2009

Here are some of the commonly used shotgun abbreviations:

LOP – Length Of Pull, is the distance between the front face of the trigger and end of the butt plate or butt pad.
CQB – Close Quarter Battle
CQC – Close Quarter Combat
SD – Self Defense
Cyl. – Cylinder
IMP CYL – Improved Cylinder
VCS – Vang Comp Systems, http://www.vangcomp.com

Do you know any other abbreviations? Please leave them in comments.

Recommended Video About Tactical Shotguns and Self-Defense

Posted on August 24, 2009

There are a lot of different videos about tactical shotguns, I want to recommend you this one:

1. Tactical Shotgun for Self Defense by L.O.T.I. Group (with Gunsite Training Center and Sand Bee).

Contents:
Introduction, useful general information about shotguns.
Information about different tactical upgrades and accessories for a shotgun.
Gun Safety Information
How to Load a Shotgun
Information About Shotgun Barrel, Chokes and Ammunition (Buck, Vang Comp, Cyl.)
Readiness Positions (Low Ready, Indoor Ready etc.)
Shooting Positions (Kneeling, Prone etc.)
Shotgun Tactics, Situations (House Clearance)
Ammunition, Loads, Pattern, Sights, Ghost Rings

This video is really good and will be useful for all shotgun owners, it covers almost anything you need to know about your shotgun. Also, you will find useful information on building of a tactical shotgun, upgrades, barrels, tactics and many other things.

As I know it was released in 2001 but it is still one of the best videos you can find.

Dimples in Magazine Tube of Remington 870

Posted on August 23, 2009

I have received answer about dimples in magazine tube from the first hands, directly from the Remington:

“The dimples in the magazine tube is to keep the new style retainer in place. If the
dimples are removed, the retainer would not stay in place. We do not recommend these
dimples to be removed. This style was introduced in the late 80’s.”

Thanks to the Remington for this information.

But if you want to install magazine extension you still need to drill them out first.

How the Knoxx SpecOps Adjustable Stock Works and Things to Remember

Posted on August 21, 2009

There are several important things you should know about the Knoxx Specops stock for Remington 870. If you know your equipment, its weaknesses and strengths you can use it better and avoid mistakes and when we talk about weapons even injuries.

Attention: When we talk about Knoxx stock, be sure to check which one you have. There are two types of the Knoxx stocks, one has built-in recoil suppression system, and the other one don’t. The Knoxx stock which doesn’t have the recoil suppression systems is “Knoxx Adjustable NRS Stock”. The NRS stands for “No Recoil Suppression”.

First of all let’s see how the Knoxx Adjustable Stock reduces recoil. This stock has two recoil compensating systems, one in pistol grip and the second one in stock itself. During recoil shotgun moves rearward over the pistol grip and this is the moment when systems work and reduce recoil. I have made a simple animation which shows how the Knoxx SpecOps Stock works:

Now when you understand how this recoil suppression stock for Remington 870 works you need to have several things in mind.

Use of Scope with Knoxx SpecOps Stock
Due to the about 1 inch move of the shotgun a scope without proper eye relief will come back and hit your head. This may cause injury. So be sure to have enough space between your eye and scope and always warn about this people you give your shotgun to.
One more animation which shows you why you need to be careful using Knoxx stock and scope:

Use of Oversized Safeties on Remington 870 with Knoxx Stock
Manufacturer of the Knoxx SpecOps stock recommends to use only Wilson Combat Safety (Tactical Response Jumbo Head Safety by Scattergun Technology). This is because other big safety buttons, for example Vang Safety stick up further and when shotgun moves rearward button will hit the stock and damage it and even may cause injury.

Spacer Between Receiver and Stock on Remington 870
Some people don’t read installation instructions carefully or just forget to remove the metal spacer which is needed for the factory stock. Remember that you need to remove it installing the Knoxx SpecOps stock or otherwise you will have a gap between stock and receiver.

Does it Reduce 95% of Recoil?
In my opinion – no, it doesn’t reduce that much recoil BUT it reduces recoil significantly and I highly recommend it. Why I think it reduce less than 95% of recoil? Because if for example you install Remington SuperCell Recoil pad which reduces advertised 54% of recoil you should feel no recoil at all!

How Can I Disassemble the Knoxx Stock
Do not attempt to disassemble Knoxx SpecOps stock because you will destroy the internal mechanisms. Blackhawk! says that internal springs have a 30,000+ round life expectancy, so I am sure you will be able to use it without problems for years.

The Stock Hits Me When Fired
There are shooting tips page in the Onwer’s Manual which have some recommendations on how to avoid a “cheekslap”, it says clearly that you need to have several inches back from the flare.

To Be On the Safe Side (Gun Safety)

Posted on August 19, 2009

Before making any modifications to a shotgun or installing any accessories or upgrades make sure that the shotgun is UNLOADED. Check the chamber and magazine tube making both visual and touch verifications.

Blackhawk! Knoxx Adjustable Recoil Reducing Stock and Forend Review

Posted on August 18, 2009

This is review about one of the most popular recoil reducing stocks for Remington 870. It is Knoxx Adjustable stock.
They come in black or orange “less-lethal” color. And also Knoxx Stocks are about two time less expensive compared to other recoil-reducing solutions for the Remington 870 shotgun. For example, Mesa Tactical Recoil Reducing kit for Remington 870 costs about $260 compared to $115 for the Knoxx Stock (with free forend included).

So what comes in a package when you order Knoxx stock?
Adjustable Recoil Reducing Stock
Knoxx Tactical Forend
Installation Instructions
Installation tool

Knoxx Tactical Forend is a really good bonus and it is very useful. Knoxx forend is built of light-weight polymer
and has integrated texture grooves. It is much more convenient than a standard Remington forend. Another advantage and useful feature of the Knoxx Tactical Forend is that even if it pulled back you still have access to magazine tube.

I really like how it feels when you hold this forend, it is not some kind of cheap plastic which can hurt your skin when you reload your shotgun, it is not too hard and it is very convenient to reload the shotgun. Also, I really like the ergonomic texture grooves which guarantee that you will be able to reload your shotgun even if your hands are wet.

Attention: You will not be able to use 6-Round or 8-Round receiver mount side saddle with Knoxx Forend.

Knoxx stock has a lot of advantages compared to other stocks:
1. Stock is adjustable. You can adjust it as you wish and it will be comfortable for people
with long hands and with shorter hands. For example, you do not need to install youth
stock on your home defense shotgun and then change it to a standard one when you go hunting.

2. It has dual Knoxx recoil compensating systems and greatly reduce the felt recoil.

3. The installation is very easy.

4. It is built of high-quality materials and there are thousands of users which use Knoxx stocks for years.

5. Can be used in all weather conditions.

6. Pistol grip. Very good option for home defense / tactical shotguns.

Use of Knoxx Adjustable Recoil Reducing Stock with Oversized Safeties

Warning: Knoxx Adjustable Recoil Reducing Stock can’t be used with Vang Oversized Safety because it will damage the stock and may injure shooter or somebody close to the shooter.

I have sent a question about oversized safeties to Blackhawk! and received following answer:

“The only over sized safety we recommend is the Wilson Combat Safety that you can purchase through scattergun technologies.”
It is now sold as Tactical Response Jumbo Head Safety by Scattergun Technology.

Why Choose Knoxx Stock?

I have spent a lot of time searching for different options of the recoil reducing stocks for my Remington 870.
When I saw a photo of Knoxx stock I really liked it but it seemed to me that the thin part of the stock doesn’t look
reliable. But when I received my stock I understood that it is more durable than I thought. The stock is made of thick
plastic and looks very reliable.

Some shooters say that they don’t like Knoxx stock because it has moving parts which can be broken BUT Blackhawk! guys say that internal springs have a 30,000 round life expectancy and knowing that you don’t need to worry about anything.

Receiver Mount Shell Holders and How to Install TacStar SideSaddle on Remington 870

Posted on August 14, 2009

Due to limited magazine capacity of the shotguns, owners want to have ammunition on the shotgun for easy and convenient access. One of such options is ammunition carrier which is mounted on receiver of a shotgun.

A Little More Information About Dimples in Magzine Tube

Posted on August 14, 2009

Dimples were not in magazine tube forever, Remington started to punch them into magazine since 1990 or little later. Their purpose is to stop owner from using a magazine extensions. There are no dimples in Police version of Remington 870 (standard Remington 870 Express magazine capaciy is 4+1, or the one with factory magazine extension is 6+1, but it has dimples too)

Some owners say that drilling them out leads to rusting of your magazine tube so you may find it useful to cold blue it.

UPDATE: Dimples in Magazine Tube of Remington 870

Remington 870 Magazine Follower Overview and Alternatives (Choate, Scattergun Technologies, Original, Stainless, Vang)

Posted on August 11, 2009

Good follower is very important for a shotgun and some of them add reliability even to the most reliable shotgun – Remington 870.

Good tactical shotgun follower has several important features:

1. Allows to easily identify if magazine is empty.

2. Prevents magazine spring from kinking.

There are several magazine followers on the market:

1. Original Remington Follower.

2. Scattergun Technologies Follower

3. Choate Magazine Follower.

4. Different Aluminium Followers.

5. Vang Comp Stainless Magazine Follower.

Now we’ll  take a closer look at each of them. Let’s start with the standard Reminton 870 follower which comes with your shotgun:

Standard Remington follower is made of plastic, it is orange and doesn’t have tail which prevents magazine spring from krinking. But that also means that it doesn’t take the additional tube space.  Standard follower works properly and I have not heard about any problems with it but it is very thin and doesn’t look reliable. Several times I had a problems loading shotgun which were possibly caused by this follower. They gone when I replaced it.

This follower is very easy to scratch or brake. I know that there were cases when follower was broken and caused jam. I highly recommend to replace it with another one.

There is only one follower which allows easily check the magazine by touch, this is next follower in overview, it is Scattergun Technologies (Wilson Combat) Follower.

This is high- visibility, fluorescent green follower which has tail which improves feeding. You can easily check the magazine by your finger. I highly recommend to use this follower in your tactical / home defense shotgun.

It is made of ABS nylon and I really like it. It looks reliable and I am sure that it will last for a long time.

UPDATE: Recently I was experimenting with my Choate magazine extension and broke the center part of the Scattergun Technologies follower (it stuck and I had to add some pressure to it), so it is not as reliable as I thought. Replaced it with aluminium follower. I think that metal follower slides in the tube better than the plastic one.

Next follower in overview is Choate follower. It is orange, made of plastic and has very long tail. I didn’t have problems with it but have heard that some shooters had a problems with feeding. In my opinion the tail is too long and takes too much of the magazine tube space. Also it doesn’t allow you to check the magazine by your finger but it is made of highly visible orange plastic.

The next follower in overview is red aluminium follower. There are a lot of different aluminium followers on the market. 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.

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.

There are a lot of different magazine followers for Remington 870 shotgun, they have different features, made of different materials and made in different colors. You can choose the one you like. I use Scattergun Technologies High-Visibility follower and very happy with it, highly recommended.

The only one follower which I haven’t reviewed is Vang Stainless follower. I will review it when I will have it in my hands.

How to Install Remington 870 Magazine Extension and Remove Dimples in Magazine Tube

Posted on August 6, 2009

Shotguns are powerful and versatile weapons but they have very limited magazine capacity. That is why this is one of the first things for a shotgun owner to improve when he starts building his tactical / home defense Remington 870 shotgun.

We can extend shotgun magazine capacity/bearing amount using several methods:

1. Install magazine extension (1, 2, 3, 4+ rounds)

2. Add  ammo cheek pad (carrier) to stock (usually holds 5-8 rounds)

3. Install side-saddle on receiver (holds 4, 6, 8 rounds)

4. Add shotgun sling with bandolier (shell holder).

Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. I will have posts about each method later but today I want to describe the first one: how to install magazine extension on a Remington 870 shotgun.

There are many different extensions on the market today:

1. TacStar Magazine Extension
2. Choate Magazine Extension
3. Nordic Components Magazine Tube Extension
4. Original Remington Magazine Extension
5. Scattergun Technology Magazine Extension
6. Vang Comp Systems Magazine Extension

Attention: Manufacturers of extensions consider that the standard capacity of the Remington 870 Express shotgun is 5 rounds (4+1), that is why when you want to buy magazine extension for 2 rounds, you need to choose the 7-shot magazine extension.

Instructions on installation of the magazine extension on Remington 870 Express

If you have standard 4+1 Remington 870 Express shotgun (or even the one with factory +2 extension) the process will be longer than on Remington 870 Police which doesn’t have dimples in magazine tube. Remington 870 Police shotguns with previously installed magazine extensions do not have “dimples” in magazine tube and will readily accept any magazine extension.

Sometimes there are no dimples on older Remington 870 shotguns.

Remington 870 Express with 4+1 capacity has two dimples in magazine tube. You need to remove them for follower to go through.

There are two known methods to remove them:

1. Drill them out using dremel tool
Drill out the dimples. You will have two small holes in magazine tube.
2. Socket method using 16-17mm socket.
Hammering the socket inserted in magazine tube to press out the dimples.

I highly recommend to use the dremel method and to drill out the dimples in magazine tube. I have used both of them on my shotgun and think that diameter of the magazine tube became bigger because of the socket method. I had some problems installing magazine extensions and sling mount. Also, I’ve heard about the similar problem from another Remington 870 Express owner.

Also, I know that socket can stuck in your magazine tube, I’ve even heard that somebody couldn’t get it out of the magazine tube and ended up buying a new shotgun!

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