SBE Precision Followers

[RomeoPapa]

I recently received some SBE Precision followers, and I'm impressed with the quality of their products. They manufacture two models for 12 gauge 870s: a Sport/Tac model with clearance cut outs for dimpled magazine tubes, and a Tactical model with a tail. Both models are machined from 6061-T6 aluminum and anodized orange for visibility. Also, both feature a MIL-L-46010E (whatever that is) low-friction coating on the sliding surfaces.

SBE also has a 20 gauge Sport/Tac model that is Teflon coated. The Sport/Tac model has a raised bump for tactile identification, while Tactical model is counterbored. Prices are $20 for the Sport/Tac and $21 for the Tactical.

I've had great results with my use of the Tactical model, and would recommend it to anyone considering a similar upgrade.

http://www.sbeprecision.com/Shotgun_Followers.html

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[hector.jacob]

good review...thanks...

i've used molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) on metals before...like pistons for honda cars( racing motors) for wear proctection....really wear is not visible after a lot of miles on the motor...

personally i use the wilson combat one....has been good so far... thinking of adding a dry film lubricant spray to it...

[RomeoPapa]

Thanks, Hector. I was wondering about the durability of the coating SBE is using, but it seems like it's pretty tough stuff.

I've had good results with the Wilson's as well. I put one of the SBE Sport/Tac followers in a 25077 that has had around 1,000 rounds through it, replacing an anodized aluminum one. I just checked the old follower with my Mitutoyos, and it's pretty much cylindrical, with no discernible taper from front-to-back. I haven't compared it to the diameter of the magazine tube, but the only wear showing up is on the leading edge of the follower where it would be contacting the shells, or the stop at the mag tube end.

I guess the point being, tolerances here are not very tight, so the benefit of any anti-friction coating is probably minimized to some extent. Compared to higher tolerance situations, it would appear that the follower is sort of rattling around the magazine tube.

If you look at the attached crappy cell-phone pic, you can see where the anodizing has worn off the leading edge.

I'm not saying this is a problem, but it is an interesting wear pattern. (Well, at least to me, since I sorta geek out on this stuff.)

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[RSMJR87]

I gave this SBE Tactical Follower a try out of my 870P with a +3 Tac Ordnance Magazine Extension and it kept getting hung up. The follower was getting beat up too, I found that because it does not have tapered or rounded edges their is a flaw in its design. It may work for you but sadly it will not work well with my set up.
However I did sand the edges down myself with some 2000 grit wet sand paper and I'm going to need to test it out, I'll post back on the results.

[RSMJR87]

I After Sanding down the edges on my SBE Tactical Follower I noticed it was still Hanging up in between the shot tube and the Extension Magazine. I decided the problem might not be with the SBE Tactical Follower and starting to trouble shoot the problem and ultimately found that my Barrel/Magazine clamp was the culprit, It was putting just enough tension to cause the shells to jam up. The failure I am seeing is blamed on two aftermarket parts on the Remington 870P, Tac Ordnace +3 Extension Tube & Mesa Tactical Barrel/Magazine Clamp. These are both great products, Sadly the Mesa Tactical is pushing the Barrel and the Tube just enough to cause failure...

[RomeoPapa]

Interesting you posted this. I had the same problem when I tried a Magpul barrel clamp on an an Express 25077 with the one-piece extended magazine. To keep the clamp from squeezing the mag tube out of round, I had to reduce the torque on the clamp's screws until they were barely finger tight. I tried a Mesa Tactical and it worked out fine for me. I thought it may have something to do with the larger Mesa clamp spreading the clamping pressure on the tube due to it's increased surface area.

But you experienced the same problem with the Mesa.

Now you've got me wondering about the wall thicknesses of mag tubes across various manufacturers.

BTW, nice looking gun.

[RSMJR87]

Yeah, I did some more tinkering around and found that the flaw may very well be over tightening the Mesa Tactical Magazine Clamp and I mean barely over tightening the Clamp will cause this malfunction that I was experiencing. I re installed the clamp and it is very important to install any clamp without it being snug from the start. Either take the clamp apart and then tighten it or loosen it as much as you can then slide it on without tension being applied to the barrel or magazine. The clamp should not be over tightened it should only be snug so get it fastened on and then give a quarter turn on each side. I am now feeding shells without any jamming and Both SBE Tactical and my Brownells Stainless Steel followers work fine.

[Synchronizor]

It's strange that your 870s are so sensitive to being clamped. Like the rest of the gun, 870 magazine tubes are built pretty solid. I've never experienced issues with any of my clamps, and I torque my stuff down hard. I wonder if the issue might be your followers. Both of you are running aftermarket metal followers, and if they're too tight inside the magazine tubes, the tiny bit of compression from the clamps might be enough to make them hang up. I use a Delrin polymer S&J Hardware follower in my 870 (as well as the factory orange plastic one for some builds), and both have a decent (though not excessive) amount of wiggle room. Maybe the "precision machining" on these followers is a little too precise for the 870.

[RSMJR87]

Yeah, I have no Idea man I talked to Nokick.com where I got the Clamp and even Talked to Mesa Tactical directly and they were both real helpful and offered the option to send it back and try something else. Mesa Tactical wanted me to send them pictures so they can confirm if it is the right model for the 870, I sent them a handful pictures but they haven't replied back yet. Apparently my Mesa Tactical Magazine Clamp can be over tightened with the Tac Ordnance Extension, and it causes feed failure every time. I don't think its any of the followers because I noticed it is hanging up on a shell, In fact some of the shells are dented from hanging up and trying to clear the jam.

[Synchronizor]

The Mesa Tactical clamp is most likely designed around the Remington factory extensions, so if the dimensions of your aftermarket extension are different enough, it could be what's causing your problems.