870 HD Project Complete

G

Guyon

New member
Got an order from Botach in this afternoon and finished my 870 HD project by finally adding an M3 tactical light.

I was pleasantly surprised by the mount. After I'd already placed the order, I found out that at least two different mounts exist for these lights. One is made by Streamlight and involves a bracket attached to a ring that seats under the magazine cap or magazine extension. I actually thought I was getting this mount. What I got instead is the mount made by Insight Technologies. It clamps around the magazine extension and is secured by three hex screws. Seems like a much more stable design, and it puts the light controls right at the fingertips of my fore-end hand. If you're thinking of adding an M series tac light to your shotgun, this latter mount is the one I would recommend.

So here's what I've added to the stock 870 Express.

20" IC barrel with rifle sights
Choate 8-shot magazine extension
Choate hi-vis follower
Tac-Star 4-shot side saddle
Old-style safety (non-locking)
ITI M3 tactical light
ITI shotgun mount
Pachmayr butt pad
Uncle Mike's sling stud in the butt stock
Nylon sling

It's done. Finished. No pistol grips, heat shields, thermometers, French presses, lava lamps, or other wacky gadgets. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. And if I ever have to hunt in a shotgun only area, this gun will be quite sufficient if I strip it down a bit.

It's kept "cruiser ready" with two shells of birdshot followed by four Estate SWAT 00 Buck in the mag. On the side saddle are two more 00 Buck and a couple of slugs (just in case).

Where did I learn how to set up a shotgun for HD? Well, right here at TFL, of course. Thanks folks.
 

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Looks good, my friend, bet it shoots nice also.

How about a range report over on the new bb when you get a chance? Thanks...
 
Dave, I've shot the new barrel a couple of times already. Offhand, it consistently put slugs into a paper plate at 100 yards. I also patterned the 00 at 25 yards and seemed to get pretty good patterns. What I'd like to do next is pattern the gun at 5, 10, 15, 20 yards with birdshot and just see how much the patterns spread.

I haven't shot with the light yet, but Insight tells me these lights will stand up to the rigors. They've even designed a new backplate for the lights so that the plate doesn't pop off when fired on a shotgun.

One thing I do like about the light is that it puts those rifle sights into a stark silhouette when it's on. Very easy to pick up the sights and get a proper sight picture.
 
Guyon, I'd wager the usual flagon of mead some bench work with divers slugs will shrink those groups down below the 5" range. Amongst the candidates, try those KO Brennekes that have been filling my freezer these last two seasons. Also, the Fed and Winchester Forster types deserve a shot, pun intended.

Before heading out Bambi-stomping, check your state regs about that light. Some Critter Constabularies take a dim view of enhancing the light levels around your target, be it animate and hooved.

Chances are mounting a peep/GR sight will aid sight acquisition as well as accuracy, but you know your needs best....
 
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