Video which shows drilling and tapping of the Remington 870 receiver to install.

Thanks to Andrew and Bill for help and comments. Thanks to S&J Hardware for the rail.

Drilling Machine

Drilling Machine

If you have Remington 870 Express and want to add rail or ghost ring sight you will need to drill and tap you receiver. Rail can be used to attach scope or red dot.

Drilling and tapping is often considered as very difficult procedure. You can order drilling and tapping from gunsmith but this can cost you from $25 for one hole.

I have received an S&J Hardware rail for Remington 870 and decided to drill and tap the receiver of my Remington 870 to show you how to do this.

Drilling and tapping of the receiver is also required for installation of ghost ring sights, so this post is going to be very useful for all Remington 870 owners which want to upgrade their firearm.

Equipment required for drilling and tapping

ATTENTION! Safety First! Use Protective Equipment when Working! This modification cannot be undone. Do it only if you know what you are doing and have required skills.

ADVICES: High quality drill bits and taps are very important. If one snaps off during the process, you are screwed. Using cutting oil during the process of both drilling and tapping helps reduce the heat and provides smoother cutting.

You will need a drilling machine to make accurate holes in the receiver. It is also important to have high-quality drills and tap.

Number 31 Drill Drilling of the Remington 870 Receiver

Number 31 Drill Drilling of the Remington 870 Receiver

6-48 Plug Tap for Tapping of the Remington 870

6-48 Plug Tap for Tapping of the Remington 870

Most of the sights and rails come with standard screws but it is better to ask manufacturer what drill and tap do they recommend to use. In case with S&J Hardware I have bought following items:
#31 Drill
6-48 Plug Tap

I have bought several of them to have a spare one, but it turned out that one drill and one tap was enough.

Drilling and Tapping: Preparation

Use ruler and pencil to find and mark the center of the receiver. My shotgun is Dark Flat Earth, so I could use black pencil, if you have black shotgun, you will need white pencil.

Preparation for Drilling and Tapping

Preparation for Drilling and Tapping

Center Line on the Receiver of Remington 870

Center Line on the Receiver of Remington 870

Frame the drill target with duct tape for easier use of center punch and to protect the adjacent area.

Duct Tape on the Drill Target

Duct Tape on the Drill Target

When you have found center line, you can mark the places where you want to make holes.

Preparation for Drilling and Tapping

Preparation for Drilling and Tapping

Use a center punch to mark the target:

Use a Center Punch to Mark the Target

Use a Center Punch to Mark the Target

Secure the Receiver under the Right Perpendicular Angle:

Secure the Receiver under the Right Angle

Secure the Receiver under the Right Angle

Drill the hole in the receiver:

Drill Remington 870 Rceiver

Drill Remington 870 Rceiver

Tap the hole in the receiver:

Tapping Remington 870 Receiver

Tapping Remington 870 Receiver

I recommend drilling and tapping first hole on the beginning of the receiver to check the rail alignment. Then drill and tap hole in the end of the receiver and check alignment again. Then drill and tap two other holes.

Receiver of Remington 870 is very thick, but there is one place where it is thinner and screw needs to be sanded down:

Screw Needs to be Sanded Down

Screw Needs to be Sanded Down

You will need to drill and tap 4 holes in the receiver of your Remington 870. After this, your shotgun will have a rail which makes it look very good and enables you to attach additional equipment:

Remington 870 with Drilled and Tapped Receiver

Remington 870 with Drilled and Tapped Receiver

Drilling and Tapping Remington 870 Receiver (Video)

Drilling and Tapping Remington 870 Receiver (Video):

Do you have experience with drilling and tapping? And questions or advices?

Recommended Products:
6-48 Premium Tap

6-48 Premium Tap

6-48 Premium Tap
#31 3-Flute Carbide Drill

#31 3-Flute Carbide Drill

#31 3-Flute Carbide Drill
Mark on Anything Pencils

Mark on Anything Pencils

Mark on Anything Pencils
Tap Wrench

Tap Wrench

Tap Wrench