tactical 870 build help
- Thread starter jwf1989
- Start date
Technosavant
New member
A choke is a tube that restricts the bore for the purposes of getting shot to pattern in a certain way. Usually, tactical shotguns have a cylinder bore- no choke at all, but if your barrel is threaded for a choke, then just get the appropriate cylinder choke for it to protect the threads.
As far as a sling... you're planning on shooting slugs through a PGO (pistol grip only) shotgun? You're a braver man than I...
As far as a sling... you're planning on shooting slugs through a PGO (pistol grip only) shotgun? You're a braver man than I...
oneounceload
Moderator
A choke is the amount of constriction near the end of the muzzle that helps the payload maintain a certain desired pattern at various ranges. Many guns today achieve that by using a changeable choke tube that can come in a variety of constrictions. Older guns, many high-end doubles and even certain inexpensive guns do not have removable tubes - the choke is "fixed" and is the way the barrel was made. Many HD-style guns will come with a barrel that might be Cylinder (.000" constriction), or possibly Improved Cylinder (typically .010" constriction in 12 gauge).
Many do not advocate a sling on a HD gun as it may get snagged on something hindering your ability to properly use it in an emergency.
IF you are referencing a PGO stock, you might want to rethink that and try a regular stock first
Many do not advocate a sling on a HD gun as it may get snagged on something hindering your ability to properly use it in an emergency.
IF you are referencing a PGO stock, you might want to rethink that and try a regular stock first
> is there anything else worth adding ?
Some folks like the idea of having additional ammo with their gun. There are ammo carriers that attach to the left side of the receiver and others that are on the right side of the stock.Speaking of ammo… as a new shooter, you'll probably be best served by getting a lot of ammo, before you do anything else, and becoming well acquainted with your gun by turning cartridges into hulls. If your your 870 is a tactical model, it's ready to go as is (after an initial cleaning) and doesn't really need any accessories.
scorpion_tyr
New member
Unless you're on a SWAT team just get an 870 with an 18.5" barrel.
Maybe, just maybe add a side saddle.
Use a standard sling on a standard stock. Pistol grip only on a shotgun is for mall ninjas or people who really know what they're doing and have an acutal use for it.
Now go out and shoot living crap out of it. Take it home, disassemble it as far as you dare, do a good detailed cleaning and lube job, put it back together.
Repeat these steps as many times as you can afford.
Maybe, just maybe add a side saddle.
Use a standard sling on a standard stock. Pistol grip only on a shotgun is for mall ninjas or people who really know what they're doing and have an acutal use for it.
Now go out and shoot living crap out of it. Take it home, disassemble it as far as you dare, do a good detailed cleaning and lube job, put it back together.
Repeat these steps as many times as you can afford.
Ol' Zippy is a polite feller! Diplomatic and tactful too...
I will never knock you for your choice of HD gun setup but don't think you will come on here with a Pistol Grip Only (PGO) equipped gun and tell us old gray hair fellers that you done solved the enigma and found the HOLY GRAIL of self/home defense shotguns...
Since zippy beat me to the punch i will reword his statement regarding ammo...
ADD SEVERAL THOUSAND ROUNDS... (hundreds at least)... but make sure they go in heavy and cold and exit lighter and warmer... Take a pic or 20 of your blown up targets (any sort but melons are just for fun) and your pile of hulls! If you can't see your boots 'cuz they are buried in empties... you get bonus points!
In just one word... "GET VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE EXACT ITEM YOU WILL BE WILLING TO BET YOUR LIFE ON!!!"
Okay it was more than one word...
Brent
I will never knock you for your choice of HD gun setup but don't think you will come on here with a Pistol Grip Only (PGO) equipped gun and tell us old gray hair fellers that you done solved the enigma and found the HOLY GRAIL of self/home defense shotguns...
Since zippy beat me to the punch i will reword his statement regarding ammo...
ADD SEVERAL THOUSAND ROUNDS... (hundreds at least)... but make sure they go in heavy and cold and exit lighter and warmer... Take a pic or 20 of your blown up targets (any sort but melons are just for fun) and your pile of hulls! If you can't see your boots 'cuz they are buried in empties... you get bonus points!
In just one word... "GET VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE EXACT ITEM YOU WILL BE WILLING TO BET YOUR LIFE ON!!!"
Okay it was more than one word...
Brent
Brent,
Thanks for the expansion -- boot deep in hulls sounds good to me.
But, there's one thing we seem to forget when suggesting that newbies get serious with their new guns...
During our shotgun familiarization and training we often overlook an important element: shooting in darkness or near darkness. Unless there's a range with lights and night shooting near-by, most shooters haven't tried their guns in limited lighting. Don't let a HD situation be the first time you use your gun in darkness. The muzzle blast in a midnight hallway
is quite different from an afternoon shot in the punkin patch.
Thanks for the expansion -- boot deep in hulls sounds good to me.
But, there's one thing we seem to forget when suggesting that newbies get serious with their new guns...
During our shotgun familiarization and training we often overlook an important element: shooting in darkness or near darkness. Unless there's a range with lights and night shooting near-by, most shooters haven't tried their guns in limited lighting. Don't let a HD situation be the first time you use your gun in darkness. The muzzle blast in a midnight hallway
is quite different from an afternoon shot in the punkin patch.
oneounceload
Moderator
There was an article I read recently about a gent from N. Ireland who went to Argentina and holds the one-day record for shots fired - 10,000+ and kill ratio - 77%+.
THAT would break in that pump very thoroughly I imagine (not to mention your shoulder) - he used either a Beretta or Benelli
THAT would break in that pump very thoroughly I imagine (not to mention your shoulder) - he used either a Beretta or Benelli
spacecoast
New member
A magazine extension is a pretty good mod, increased the capacity on my 12 gauge Wingmaster from 4 to 7 rounds. Mine is pictured below, not shown is the barrel clamp I just added to make everything as rigid as possible. Also not shown is a just-added Limb Saver recoil pad, as I plan to take a training course where I might shoot 200 rounds in a day. It will also make shooting this beast easier on my wife (and her shoulder).
We will be throwing clays this weekend and rifles too, yes rifles. A friend just got a ar-15 stag made at the BX on base. He is coming, another ar will be there and a lot of handguns. My shooting site will be boot deep as it was 2 weekends ago. We go thru 3 or 4 cases of white flyers they hold up to a auto thrower, them orange ones from wal mart break up on the pull.
Stop by and bring something fun we all share.
Stop by and bring something fun
we all share.A detached pistol grip, or AR-type, stock is preferred by some -- typically LE and MIL types who have considerable training and experience with ARs. For HD use, many consider the conventional stock to offer the most flexibility and smoother gun handling. If you have a Mossberg, using an AR-type stock makes operating the thumb-slide safety awkward -- not a problem with the 870's safety location.
Scattergun Bob
New member
The winning edge!
No matter what you chose to hang on your fighting scattergun, your ability to defeat your enemy lays between your ears, not how much you paid to enhance your scattergun. That can only be accomplished be real experience or by SPENDING the money to have Clint or Louie make you better.
So my first concern when I think about defense with a fighting scattergun is NOT what I hang on it, it is how this weapon will fight in MY battle plan. I am of the option that a fighting scattergun in the hands of a skilled operator, loaded with the right ammo, at the CORRECT DISTANCE is a winning prescription. The question is HOW GOOD are your hands.
Besides wear marks as our moderator suggests, the most important adder to a fighting scattergun is how WE fight with it. It is the one thing that few if any discuss or advocate. The difference between a load of 12gauge buckshot and a 230 Grain .45 bullets is how WELL we apply it. The difference is that within evenly matched combatants BIGGER is better. This discounts that those with less training will far no better with a bigger impact or diameter.
No matter what you chose to hang on your fighting scattergun, your ability to defeat your enemy lays between your ears, not how much you paid to enhance your scattergun. That can only be accomplished be real experience or by SPENDING the money to have Clint or Louie make you better.
So my first concern when I think about defense with a fighting scattergun is NOT what I hang on it, it is how this weapon will fight in MY battle plan. I am of the option that a fighting scattergun in the hands of a skilled operator, loaded with the right ammo, at the CORRECT DISTANCE is a winning prescription. The question is HOW GOOD are your hands.
scorpion_tyr
New member
I will be the first to admit that I don't like the look of an AR15 stock on a 12 gauge pump at all. It's just plain ugly to me, but I've handled quite a few and it does feel really good.
If possible I would try to shoot one to see how you like it, if not at least get a feel of one. Whatever feels best try it out, whatever you shoot best, keep.
Technosavant
New member
The AR stock type stocks are indeed hideous on a shotgun, but IMO, pretty is as pretty does.
I have a Knoxx SpecOps recoil reducing stock on my 870 Tactical, and it works well. The only functional issue is that it's a little difficult to get a good cheek weld- that results in inconsistent fit, which means iffy accuracy when you try to shoot clays with it. With large human sized targets at HD distances, that's not a real big issue- shotguns aren't precision weapons anyway (I'm not saying "just point it in the general direction," just that a couple inches one way or the other means little in that scenario, unlike when you're on the skeet field).
I might also recommend looking into stocks like the Speedfeed- they let you keep a few extra shells ready to go.
I have a Knoxx SpecOps recoil reducing stock on my 870 Tactical, and it works well. The only functional issue is that it's a little difficult to get a good cheek weld- that results in inconsistent fit, which means iffy accuracy when you try to shoot clays with it. With large human sized targets at HD distances, that's not a real big issue- shotguns aren't precision weapons anyway (I'm not saying "just point it in the general direction," just that a couple inches one way or the other means little in that scenario, unlike when you're on the skeet field).
I might also recommend looking into stocks like the Speedfeed- they let you keep a few extra shells ready to go.
Wear marks are essential.
I have some experience with the AR platform in rifles. The AR type stocks on shotguns slow me up some. Of course, there's a large pile of empties behind me from the traditional style stocked shotguns.YMMV.
The most effective fighting shotguns I have run across and own have a fairly short list of addons. Essentials include a stock that fits both you and the mission, sling capability( QD studs for starters) and a decent trigger.
Add other stuff ONLY after some rounds fired.You'll have a better idea of what is needed.
If anything.
I have some experience with the AR platform in rifles. The AR type stocks on shotguns slow me up some. Of course, there's a large pile of empties behind me from the traditional style stocked shotguns.YMMV.
The most effective fighting shotguns I have run across and own have a fairly short list of addons. Essentials include a stock that fits both you and the mission, sling capability( QD studs for starters) and a decent trigger.
Add other stuff ONLY after some rounds fired.You'll have a better idea of what is needed.
If anything.