870 "dimple removal" & other mods

B

BlackJack

New member
Sorry if this is already over covered but I just wanted to be sure I have the current story on this. I bought a new Rem 870 Express with a 28" barrel for use hunting, and with modifications for IPSC 3-gun competition. The main modification will be making it a 10-shot gun by adding a Choate mag extension. This requires removing the "dimples inside the original mag tube. It seems to me these could be dremeled off from the inside or simply drilled out from the outside. But I still have couple of questions before I start cutting/drilling.
Has anyone come up with a way to keep the plug in place after removing the dimples, maybe a pin through the new holes or something like that? I want to be able to go back to the 5-round capacity for hunting.
What kind of finishes can be applied to the cut/drilled steel to prevent rust--in particular, what will most match the 870 finish
Also I'm curious about why everyone seems to hate the key lock safety so much. I don't find it difficult to manipulate and it seems to function properly. I can see where an enlarged version might be helpful in the heat of competition, but I don't see the key lock version as defective at all. Am I missing something?
Thanks in advance for any advice anyone can offer.
 
There are many ways to eliminate the dimples. I dremel'd my first ones off. I used the hammer/dolly (socket actually) method and little filing for the second SG. The dimples are hidden under the retaining ring on the barrel so paint match is not really an issue. I used a satin black after taping up the rest of the SG. It matches close enough to the express finish and it is covered by the barrel ring anyway.
As far as using the spring cap thingy, I just go without. You could put it back in and just wait for the day that you launch it into orbit I guess.
I have no experience with the new fangled lock but there were reports that the eraly ones could be twisted (or vibrated) into locking without the key. A bad situation you'd probably agree.
Mike
 
I had 'Dremel'ed mine out also. The Choat I put on my 1187 (after replacing a TacStar) has serrations on the end that attaches to the gun's mag. I crank the Choate tight and the serrations dig into the forearm a little bit and help keep it in place. I haven't yet had the mag unscrew itself.

For hunting, why not just put an extended magazine restricter rod or simple dowel inside the Choate extension that would prevent you from loading more than 5 rounds?
 
Thanks for your comments so far. Hksig & Led, the main reason to remove the extension for hunting is that I will be mounting a 20" barrel for deer hunting and carrying this thing long periods between shots, so weight becomes a factor. There's no limit on no. of shots for deer hunting so I wouldn't need any change if I were using the 28" bbl and didn't mind the weight. I only need a plug for the 3-shot restriction when duck or dove hunting and that hasn't been too good down here lately. The reason the weight and long barrel are ok for IPSC is that you cart your weapon between stages and shoot over very short time periods. Here, the high number of shots far outweighs the length of barrel and weight.
 
Other mods...

Take the recoil pad off(oil the screwdriver for an easy fit) and take a look at how it's made. Then replace it with a good one. Your shoulder will thank you when you're blasting your way through that extension mag.

John
 
The easiest method of changing back to a standard tube, is to just buy a Remington magazine tube spring retainer. This is a cup-shaped device that is used on the Police and older 870 guns. Many gun shops will have one, you can buy them from Gun Parts, Brownell's, or ask here for somebody who has one they don't need.
It installs into the end of the mag tube, cupped end down, and keeps the spring in place.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top