How to Change Forend on Remington 870

Unload your shotgun making sure that there are no shells in the magazine tube and chamber.

1. Disassemble your Remington 870 shotgun and take out the old forend.
2. There is a nut on the front of the forend. You need to unscrew it using forend tool or pliers (insert them in two notches on the nut).
3. When you have the nut unscrewed just slide the forend off.
4. Slide on new forend and reverse the process.

Following video shows how to change a forend on Remington 870 using forend removal tool:

Shooting Timer

You will find some basic drills which you can do with your shotgun and timer to measure your progress.

All drills can be done from several load conditions:

1 – Chamber loaded, magazine loaded, safety on.

2 – Chamber empty, magazine loaded, safety off.

3 – Chamber empty, magazine empty, safety off.

Time of the first shot – shooting timer shows how fast you make first shot. It is very important to shoot fast and accurately. Start with your shotgun at a waist level. Try to shoot as fast as possible.

Load four shells and make a first shot -  this way you will see how fast you load 4 shells into your shotgun.

Load eight shells and make a first shot – shooting timer will show how fast you load eight shells.

Make two shots – shooting timer has special “split” time which shows how fast you do follow up shots.

Always keep record of your results, this will help you to see your progress.

The only disadvantage of a timer is price but you can get free shooting timer for your iPhone from Surefire:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/shottimer/id295005845?mt=8

Leave a comment with your results. I will record a video of my results this weekend.

Eotech Forend with Integrated Light

Surprise! EOTech Forend with Integrated Flashight for Remington 870!

So, now we have two forends with integrated flashlights for Remington 870 available: one from Surefire and second one from EOTech. It would be really interesting to hear opinions when it will be available for ordering.

The price of EOTech Integrated Fore-end Light for Remington 870 Shotguns is $249, the price of Surefire Forend for Remington 870 is about $400. So new forend is more affordable. It is good to see competition on the market of tactical accessories because end users will benefit from this.

EOTech Insight Forend with Integrated Flashight for Remington 870

I always wanted to buy and test forend with integrated flashlight but price was too high. EOTech Forend with Integrated Flashight for Remington 870 is affordable and I really want to order it when it is going to be available.

The integrated flashlight has 120 lumen output, uses one CR123 battery which is enough for an hour and a half of runtime. It is waterproof to 1 meter and can handle 3,000 rounds with 12 gauge slug.

Also, I like that it is low profile and doesn’t stick out much like Surefire forend.

Here are specifications from the Eotech:
IFL LED Integrated Fore-End Light Specifications
Minimum Output: 120 Lumens (NEMA)
Minimum Run Time: 120 Minute (NEMA)
Operating Temperature: -10 to +50 °C
Storage Temperature: -30 to +70 °C
Dimensions: 8.6”L x 2.1”W x 2.8”H
Weight: 12.2oz (345.8g)
Drop Height: 48 inches (MIL-STD-810G)
Weapon Shock: 3,000 rounds with 12 gauge slug
Selectable Modes:
Waterproof: to 1m for 30 Minutes
Battery Power: 3 Volt Lithium, One (CR123)

Eotech Insight Forend is not available yet, you can get only Surefire Forend at the moment:

What do you think about EOTech Forend with Integrated Flashight? Do you like it?

“I wanted to tell you about a recoil stock I was working with before there were recoil stocks like Knoxx and Mesa Tactical. The company was called Stock Shox. The owner was known as Adam O. The Stock Shox used a patented process of shock absorption used in a bicycle seat shock absorbing system designed by Adam. Very few were made and sold in the USA and I have one of them. They worked extremely well and my hope was to use that stock system in a stock adapter of my own design but that was not meant to be.”

Recoil Reducing Stock

Recoil Reducing Stock

Recoil Reducing Stock

Great minds think alike and idea of the recoild reducing stock is not new. Thanks to Scott for the story of the first recoil reducing stock and photos.

Scott is now well known for his accessories for shotguns and has his own company CDM Gear: http://cdmgear.com/

I really like this flashlight/laser combo, it is lightweight and easily attaches to a rail. TLR-2 is low profile and doesn’t stick out much. Streamlight TLR-1 which doesn’t have laser is even smaller.

Some good features of the Stremalight TLR-2:

• Ambidextrous momentary/constant switch which is very convenient to use with just one finger of the weak hand.
• Switch which allows you choose one of the three modes: flashlight only, laser and flashlight, laser only.
• Shock-proof C4 LED which means that you can use it on your shotgun. Also, LED doesn’t need much energy, so you can use it for several hours on two CR123 batteries.
• Built-in mount, which mounts directly to rail without additional accessories and keeps it low profile.
• Integrated laser sight which enables you to shoot from the hip level

Streamlight TLR-2 C4 LED Rail Mounted Weapon Flashlight with Laser Sight

Streamlight TLR-2 flashlight is very powerful and bright. Manufacturer guarantees that it is shock-proof, so you can use it on your shotgun. Power of this flashlight is enough for most situations.

What I love is very nice and unique flashlight’s switch, it is very easy to use it using your weak hand. You can switch it on/off using just one finger.

Integrated laser sight

I don’t like laser sights on shotguns. But this one is good, the dot is so big and so easy to see that it must be very easy to use it even under stress. Laser sight is a good addition to Streamlight TLR-2 but it makes it rather expensive.

Laser sight enables you to shoot from the hip, which is almost impossible with iron sights or even holographic sight. But remember that your enemy sees the dot too.

The Streamlight TRL-2 Flashlight/Laser combo doesn’t stick out much when mounted. It is low profile and here is photo where you can see this:

Streamlight TLR-2 C4 LED Rail Mounted Weapon Flashlight with Laser Sight

Remember that TLR-1 doesn’t have laser and it is smaller and cheaper.

Streamlight TLR-2 C4 LED Rail Mounted Weapon Flashlight with Laser Sight

Highly recommended upgrade but I am not sure that you need Streamlight TLR-2 with laser sight, Streamlight TLR-1 with flashlight is enough.

First of all they announced prices for their new products.

The price of Magpul SGA™ STOCK – REMINGTON 870 SHOTGUN is $109.95
The price of Magpul MOE® FOREND – REMINGTON 870 SHOTGUN is $29.95

Magpul SGA™ STOCK – REMINGTON 870 SHOTGUN

Magpul stock looks very unusual but it is very interesting how it will work in real life.

Magpul MOE® FOREND – REMINGTON 870 SHOTGUN

I like the grooves and hand stops on the forend but I am not sure what material they are going to use.

Stock is rather expensive but forend is affordable. Anyway, I want to get both of them for tests.

Also, Magpul added to their website accessories for their new products:

OEM BUTT-PAD ADAPTER for REMINGTON 870 SGA STOCK

HIGH CHEEK RISER KIT for MAGPUL REMINGTON 870 SGA STOCK

LOW CHEEK RISER KIT for MAGPUL REMINGTON 870 SGA STOCK

RECEIVER SLING MOUNT for MAGPUL REMINGTON 870 SGA STOCK

It will be interesting to see new Magpul products in real life and test them. Stock looks ugly and I have heard a lot of jokes about it but maybe it gives shooter some important advantages?

What do you think about the new Magpul products for Remington 870?

Companies are listed in random order.

Wilson Combat, USA

Custom Remington 870 from Wilson Combat (Photo from http://www.wilsoncombat.com)

Wilson Combat is a well known company which offers 4 variants of the custom Remington 870 shotgun: Standard, Border Patrol, Professional, Remington Steal.

Shotguns from Wilson Combat have custom finish and enhanced follower, safety, ghost ring sights and magazine extension. This company manufacturs upgrades which can be seen on many tactical shotguns.

Official website: http://www.wilsoncombat.com

Vang Comp Systems, USA

Custom Remington 870 Shotgun from Vang Comp Systems (Photo from https://vangcomp.com)

Vang Comp Systems is another well known company which offers custom Remington 870 shotguns. This company is famous for its ported barrels, oversized safeties and stainless steel followers which can be seen on many tactical shotguns.

Official website: https://vangcomp.com

Tactical Ordnance, Canada

Custom Remington 870 from Tactical Ordnance (Picture from http://www.tacord.com)

Remington 870 shotgun by Tactical Ordnance is customized using components from many different manufacturers of tactical accessories: VCS, Wilson Combat, Hogue, Mesa Tactical, Wilderness Tactical and others. Also, this company enhances finish of the all metal parts using Teflon coating.

Official website: http://www.tacord.com

Grizzly Custom Guns, USA

Custom Remington 870 by Grizzly Custom Guns (Photo from http://www.grizzlycustom.com)

Grizzly Custom Guns offers custom Remington 870 ehnanced in many ways. Custom shotguns hasve many tactical upgrades installed: safety, sights, extension, sidesaddle, finish, barrel, stock, forend etc. Also, they do upgrade internal parts.

Official website: http://www.grizzlycustom.com

AI&P TACTICAL, USA

Custom Remington 870 by AI&P TACTICAL (Photo from http://www.aiptactical.com)

AI&P TACTICAL offers more variants of the custom Remington 870 than any other company. They have about 20 confugurations listed on their website. Custom Remington 870 shotguns are built from parts from many manufacturers: Knoxx, Speedfeed, Wilson Combat, Surefire, Trijicon etc. It is very easy to choose the configuration you need.

Official website: http://www.aiptactical.com

NOVAK, USA

Custom Remington 870 Shotgun from NOVAK (Photo from http://www.novaksights.com)

Remington 870 from NOVAK can be customized in many ways, you can choose lots of the variants listed on their website: ghose ring sights, side saddle, extension, sling, Wayne Novak Custom Choke, Tritium sights, follower, etc.

Also, NOVAK offers a lot of individual modification options.

Official website: http://www.novaksights.com

Nighthawk Custom, USA

Custom Remington 870 from Nighthawk Custom (Photo from http://www.nighthawktactical.com)

Nighthawk Custom offers Remington 870 shotguns with military sights, side saddle, Hogue (or alternative) stock and forend, oversized safety, smooth action, picatinny rail, etc. You can order any other upgrades.

Official website: http://www.nighthawktactical.com

United Arms Service, USA

Custom Remington 870 from United Arms (Photo from http://www.unitedarmsonline.com)

United Arms Service offers custom Remington 870 with Duracoat finish and many tactical upgrades to choose from.

Official website: http://www.unitedarmsonline.com

Do you know any other companies which offer custom Remington 870 shotguns? Have you used Remington 870 from one of the companies listed above? Please leave a comment.

I use ShortStock with 12″ LOP which makes shotgun compact and increases mobility in close quarters. Hogue shortstock is a shorter version of the standard stock and makes your shotgun compact and easier to handle. Short LOP stock may not fit shooters with longer hands. Also, you need to find proper position of your strong hand because you may hit your nose with your thumb. But after several shots you will forget about this problem forever.

Hogue suggests to use the shortstock with body armor or winter clothing.

Hogue Short LOP Stock

Recoil Pad
Recoil pad is nice and soft. Rubber finish ensures very good non-slip grip. The pad doesn’t have holes for the screws, so you will need to add some oil to insert a screw driver into the pad (see installation video below).

Rubber Finish

Material and texture of the Hogue stock and forend are unique and assure excellent feel and a non-slip positive grip. Hogue rubber finish is much better than plastic on other stocks/forends.

One of the advantages is that it is very comfortable to hold this stock/forend even in cold weather.

Hogue Overmolded Forend

Hogue forend is a very good choice, it is very comfortable and handy. This forend is short and will work with a 6-shot sidesaddle.

Hogue Stock and Forend Installation on Remington 870
Hogue stock and forend are very easy to install and installation takes just 10-15 minutes. This video will help you to install stock and forend:

I still think that this is one of the best stocks for Remington 870 shotgun. This stock and forend is a good upgrade for any tactical, competition or home-defense shotgun.

The price of the Hogue stock and forend set is about $80. You can get this set from many shops.

Official site: Hogue, Inc.

Magpul website says that they will be launching a new line of accessories for the Remington 870 Shotgun at SHOT Show 2012. It is extremely interesting for me because I know that Magpul manufactures well thought-out and high-quality products.

New line of accessories for the Remington 870 by Magpul

New Line of Accessories for the Remington 870 by Magpul

Usually, Magpul products give a lot of advantages to the shooter. Products are made of high-quality materials and made in USA. I hope they will introduce more accessories for shotguns in future.

The Magpul SGA Stock for Remington 870

The Magpul SGA Stock fro Remington 870

The SGA Stock has a spacer system for length of pull adjustment. That looks interesting but it’s not as convenient as adjustable M4 style stock. I think that shooter will need some tools and time to adjust the length of pull.

Another feature of the Magpul Remington 870 stock is improved grip ergonomics. Photo shows interesting grip but it will be interesting to try it on the range.

Magpul added recoil-reducing butt-pad, I am not sure if they used one of the available on the market or created their own.

Optional cheek risers for use with optics/raised sights look useful and solid, very good feature.

The Magpul SGA Stock for Remington 870 looks interesting but I would like to see version with pistol grip and M4-style adjustable stock.

The Magpul MOE® Forend for Remington 870 Shotgun

Magpul MOE® Forend for Remington 870 Shotgun

The Magpul MOE® Forend for Remington 870 Shotgun replaces standard forend. It has hand stops and groves for improved weapon manipulation. This forend is compatible with many other Magpul accesories so you can build any configuration you may need.

I hope to get Magpul stock and forend for tests when they will be released. Magpul promised to show more details in mid-January 2012.

Shotgun accessories page on Magpul website: http://store.magpul.com/prod_detail_list/shotgun