Dimple removal...again

[cwebb]

I know this topic and various methods have been discussed at length. Despite this I still have a few questions regarding methods. Especially considering that there is no such thing as an easy replacement of an 870 mag tube should a mistake be made.

I've listed out the methods that I am familiar with though there may very well be others. Would love to here from folks who have experience with any of these methods. How it worked out, what if anything you'd do differently, etc. Thanks in advance for any info you share.

1. XS Sights dimple removal tool: Trickiest part might be finding one. That aside is this a safe (i.e. mostly foolproof) method? On paper I like this method the most, that said I don't know anyone who has done it. Is there still a risk of bulging the barrel with this tool?

2. Drilling holes: So just get a big enough drill bit to eliminate ALL of the indentation? Looking at the dimples in my mag tube it seems that a fairly large hole needs to be drilled in order to eliminate all of dimple's indentation of which even the slightest remaining bit could cause feed problems. That's two big holes for dust and debris to enter the mag tube. That said I'm guessing this is essentially a non-issue given how common this method seems to be...?

3. Custom dimple removal tool: Very cool solve as it seems to mitigate the risk of bulging the mag tube. Honestly though it's a bit more work to make the tool than I would like to attempt. For instance, requires cutting a socket in half...No metal bandsaw in my garage so I would have to go find someone to do that.

4. Grinding: I've seen folks grind the dimple flush inside the mag tube. How that doesn't create a hole in the mag tube I'm sure I don't know. Seems to rely on a lot of "freehand" work which for me open's the door fairly wide to an "oops" moment.

It sure would be great if Remington did away with these dimples given how common mag tube extensions are...including their own. Preaching to the choir, i know.

Thanks again!

[Vitaly]

It would be interesting to hear Remington 870 owners which used one of those methods.

Here are several posts with different dimple removal methods used:

http://www.rem870.com/2014/04/04/drilli ... ngton-870/

http://www.rem870.com/2010/01/17/removi ... zine-tube/

http://www.rem870.com/2011/02/14/how-to ... zine-tube/

[cwebb]

Thanks Vitaly! These are great instructionals. I may just have to go through the trouble of making that dimple removal tool.

[Synchronizor]

2. Drilling holes: So just get a big enough drill bit to eliminate ALL of the indentation? Looking at the dimples in my mag tube it seems that a fairly large hole needs to be drilled in order to eliminate all of dimple's indentation of which even the slightest remaining bit could cause feed problems. That's two big holes for dust and debris to enter the mag tube. That said I'm guessing this is essentially a non-issue given how common this method seems to be...?

Since the holes are covered up by he barrel guide ring when the gun is assembled, you don't have to worry about dust and other foreign material getting in. It's not exactly a hermetic seal, but compared to the magazine's completely open receiver end and the front vent hole that many magazine extensions and caps have, a couple holes under the guide ring really aren't going to cause problems.

As for the size of the holes, remember that you'll be deburring the inside of the tube after drilling anyway, so there's no need to use a huge bit to try to remove everything in one operation. You just need to get the bulk of the material extending into the tube, and that doesn't take that large of a hole.

[cwebb]

Thanks Sychronizer. Well, that does it. I'm drilling them out for the easy solve!

[redgoat]

I have noted on some older Wingmasters (probably dating back to the mid-sixties and older) that I've examined that they came from the factory with one hole in the side of the magazine tube in almost the same location as would occur when drilling out the dimples in the Express models.

What was the purpose of the hole? It was used to secure a heavy weighted plug in the end of the magazine tube. This puzzled me until I finally stumbled onto a couple of oldies with that plug still in place. Evidently the plug served a three-fold purpose. 1. It limited magazine capacity to two rounds to meet hunting regulations, 2. The heavy weight of the plug made the guns more muzzle-heavy and added more momentum to the swing (something that some shotgun aficionados find desirable), and 3. It eliminated the need for a magazine spring retainer. Also, the weight of the plug (and it is solid steel also) enabled the use of that end of the gun as a fine club for hand to hand combat when you run out of ammo!

Once I discovered this, it made me feel much more comfortable with the idea of simply drilling out the dimples in the 870 Express models. The only caveat that I would give is to be certain to open up the magazine tube and wipe it out, then apply a light film of oil after using the gun out in the wet elements. Some of those old 870s with that single hole that I've seen had some very noticeable rusting going on in there. Others I've examined looked like they were better cared for and didn't show any more sign of rusting than those I've seen without any holes in the side of the tube. On the other hand I have seen some 870s without any holes in the side of the magazine tube with atrocious rusting in there, so it's really all about common sense and maintenance.

Clean your gun, remove the moisture and apply a thin film of oil after you've used it out in the elements, and drilling out the dimples shouldn't be an issue.

Drilling seems far safer to me than trying to "iron out" the dimples. I get some bad nightmares from envisioning the things that could go wrong with the "ironing out" approach. But then, I am a dangerous fool once I get going with a big hammer!

Bottom line: Listen to the "old guns"!