870 Magazine extension. Will it compromise My gun for hunting?

J

Jamie Young

New member
First off, are there any reliability problems with any of these magazine extensions?

I'm trying to figure out how much I want to extend the magazine. This thing has to be plugged during hunting season and I wasn't sure if I will still be able to plug this thing if I go all the way to max capacity (10rds I think?). Are there any potential problems I could run into?
I'm new to shotguns by the way. :) Pour out your wisdom.:D
 
Reliability? Yes, less is more.

The problem with Tommy Tactical extended mags is weight as well as reliability. Every skul I've been to when the guys who show up with the Tommy Tactical guns, they all reconsider when they have to hold on the threat. "It's heavy!" Sling it up. "But I need it." Get it out. "But it's too heavy." On and on and on. . . .

Maybe if you just had it in a fixed location it would not be as bad.
 
Mag extensions can be removed/replaced as easy as unscrewing the cap. Reliability? get a better follower, longer, steel. test fire 100 rds.
 
THE reliability issue I've run into with an extension tube on an 879 Express is those damnable dimples.

They must be removed totally or the follower can hang up. & if that follower hangs up, you've essentially got a gravity, rather than spring fed shotgun - not good.

Just unscrew the ext tube & go stock w/plug when hunting. Even unplugged, a stock 870'll hold 5 shells. How fast can you miss? ;)
 
One of mine has a 2 shot extension, one has a 3. Neither has given any trouble at all.The 2 shot extension has over 20 years of use behind it, and has been kept loaded to one under capacity for most of that time.

IMO, the best compromise between capacity and handling is the 2 shot. I see little difference in handling between the 2 and 3 shot extensions, but I'm a behemoth. Average folks will do better with the 2 shot extension.Like KS says, when it comes to carry, extra weight shows up fast.

You have some options when it comes to hunting.

For deer, I leave mine on, Md law has no limits on mag capacity, but limits the ammo to 8 rounds.

The limit on mag capacity for birds and small game is 3.You could plug your extension down to 2, but I'd just take it off and throw the usual 2 shot plug into the standard tube.

HTH....
 
To get the mag extension on, you have to remover the dimples that hold the keeper in. The keeper is the black plastic thingie that you see when you take off the cap.

With no dimples the keeper will not hold the spring in. Either get an older keeper from a pre dimple 870 (Brownells Catalog) or leave it out. But then every time you remove the end cap the spring will pop out!

I would spend the money on more ammo to practice with. Extensions look cool but are not conducive to good handling.


When am I gettin the ransom money:D
 
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