Rem 870 Mag Extension woes...little help here, fellas!

J

jmg

Inactive
Have a new j-lock 870 Express Super Magnum. Just received my Choate 7 shot extension. I ground down the dimples in the mag body 'almost' flush--cordless Dremel died at the end, but I can get the old follower out/new follower in. Some concerns:

1). I can only get 5 2 3/4" shells in the "extension".

2). The spring is a royal pain to get captured by the extension and screwed on.

3). The rounds aren't jumping into the feed tray once the forend is pumped fully back--seems like the follower is sticking somehow, and not feeding.

Is the spring too long? Is the follower too tight (in it's O.D.)? When I screw the extension on, the spring seems to twist also. Once the wife is out of the house, I'll grind the dimples TOTALLY flat and see what's up...


HELP GUYS... this 870 was purchased for my primary HD gun (Have a Glock 32 and a Colt Gov't )---I just want the thing feeding right and reliable...

I got the impression that this little project would be pretty straightforward and simple--drill/grind the dimples, slap on the extension, and have at it.
 
Should work pretty easy. What type of follower are you replacing the factory follower with? Is it metal or plastic? Do all the shell not pop onto the lifter, or only the last one?
Denny
 
The reason I ask is that I have seen several metal followers with sharp leading edges leave a burr on the inside of the magazine. No idea why you can't get six shells in the mag tube (one in the chamber brings it to the seven-shot capacity) The functioning problem sounds like there may be a burr on either the follower or inside the magazine towards the rear of the tube. With the spring and follower out, pop up the lifter and run your finger around the inside to check. Check the follower as well. You might also try assembling the shotgun with the factory follower and sees what happens.

Another possibilty is that when you used the Dremel some small metal shavings fell down and may be hampering function. Make sure no foreign objects are in there.

Let us know how you come out.
Denny
 
Just switched back to the factory follower--the SPRING ITSELF seems to be getting stuck in the fully compressed position--just loaded 6 shells, and the last one won't pop into the loader--the damn spring/follower isn't even TOUCHING tthe last shell. Are there compatability issues w/ 870 Synthetic Super Magnums and Choate ext. magazines? I seem to recall something on Remington's website that 870's couldn't accept certain aftermarket modifications...they would't want you to just buy the cheapest 870 model and add aftermarket stuff by yourself, now would they? Would't want to lose $...I dunno...
 
I ground down the dimples in the mag body 'almost' flush--cordless Dremel died at the end
Click to expand...

Is the Dremel recharged yet? :D

I'm banging my head on the desk as I should have thought of this first. It's a real possibility that the spring is hanging up where the mag tube and extension fits together. "Almost" flush is not going to cut the mustard--especially for a piece you plan on using for HD. It needs to be very smooth at that point. Also, any tool you can put in a Dremel, for the most part, is going to leave some scratches. Finish the job with a very fine grade of sandpaper or emery cloth.

Denny
 
hi,load the whole thing up as many as it will take,rack out 4,loosen the magazine extension,listen for the sound of the spring.if it pops,its binding,on the lip between the mag tube and extension.if its doing this,you need to bell out the mag tube,new remingtons have a lip at the end of the threds on the mag tube,just don't go to far.
 
I just received my Choate +3 extension for my 870 (pre-dimple model). The bright neon yellow follower that came with the Choate kit will not even fit properly in the tube. The follower was way too tight and would not slide down the magazine tube! I was forced to use my stock metal follower.
:mad:

In contrast, the +2 extension from Wilson Combat fits and works great on my other 870.
 
success!

just took a little more grinding o' the dimples to make 'er run right. As mentioned in the previous response by Jato, the Choate follower (orange) I recieved won't even fit in the mag tube.

Thought that I'd try the grinding method versus the drilling method. Used a Dremel and the brown, cylinder shaped tip that came with the kit. Realized (after the fact) that it would be a good idea to pack the mag tube w/ paper toweling to prevent shavings/grinding material from reaching the reciever. Just used compressed air and FP-10 to remove debris. Thanks all for good info, and thanks TFL!
 
I've purchased several Choate magazine followers and they would all cause sticking,jamming,and even not fit all the rounds in the tube.There are other manufacturers that have the tolerances correct for the followers,Choate is not one of them.Some of Choates stuff is relly great,and some is not.
 
Had the same issue with follower. I put the dremmel on it and then a little light sandpaper until it fit the tube. Seems fine now. Try to keep it nice and even by turning while you grind and sand. If it doesn't work you still have the original folower. The extra long spring likes the longer (Choate) follower though. Good luck. EdC

PS If your not comfortable with this stuff you can always bring it to your local smith.
 
This is why I prefer Wilson Combat/Scattergun Technologies magazine extensions. They just seem to work without any problems. You may want to consider sending back the Choate unit and contacting Wilson.
 
Yup, Denny was right. Almost flush won't do it. I put a 7 shot Choate on my 870 Express. Used a Dremel like you to grind the dimples.

But then I also used repeated applications of Flitz along with a buffing wheel on the Dremel to get a really smooth inside finish. I just kept applying Flitz, letting it dry, and then buffing it off. Made for a really smooth magazine where the dimples used to be.

Glad you got it working.
 
Had the Remmy out yesterday for a test run. Tha choate follower has to go. Not only is it too tight, it sticks out too far into the receiver blockng the carrier assembly causing feeding problems. Though after a little grinding it would be OK, but no go. :rolleyes: I'm gonna get a follower from Wilson or Vang. For now I'm using the one that came with the gun. That seems to work fine for now, but it's kind of chinsy. Good luck. gd
 
FWIW:

I use Choate extensions on the shotties I build but I don't use their follower. Too many problems with them. I now install Vang followers, because they are slicker (read self lubricating).

BHP9
 
I had the same problems with my Choate extension tube so I just recently gave up on it and the spring that came with it. I purchased a Wilson Combat extension with side sling attachment from Brownell's and an 18-inch barrel to go with it. It came with a Wolff power srping and I purchased an aluminum follower. So far so good and I will be using this Shotgun in a Course at Paris, TN this weekend. We'll see how well it holds up.

The Choate extension I have was starting to seperate and would loosen up with extended use as well.
 
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