The Remington 870 is a legendary pump-action shotgun, renowned for its ruggedness, reliability, and versatility. Its popularity in law enforcement, home defense, and competitive shooting circles has led to a vast aftermarket of modifications and accessories designed to enhance its already impressive capabilities. This guide dives deep into popular Remington 870 tactical mods, exploring their benefits and considerations to help you build the perfect shotgun for your needs.
Understanding the Remington 870 Platform
Before diving into modifications, it's crucial to understand the Remington 870's inherent strengths and weaknesses. Its robust design makes it highly durable, able to withstand harsh conditions and heavy use. The simple, reliable pump action mechanism is largely self-explanatory and easy to maintain. However, some factory components might not meet the demands of heavy use or specialized applications. This is where tactical modifications come in.
Key Areas for Tactical Upgrades
Tactical modifications for the Remington 870 typically focus on these areas:
- Ergonomics: Improving the gun's feel and handling for enhanced comfort and control during rapid firing or stressful situations.
- Sights: Replacing the standard bead sight with more advanced options for improved accuracy at longer ranges.
- Stock and Forend: Upgrading the stock and forend for better ergonomics, customization, and the addition of accessories like slings and tactical lights.
- Action: Smoothing the pump action and improving reliability through upgrades like improved springs and buffers.
- Accessories: Adding accessories like pistol grips, rails, and tactical lights to enhance functionality.
Popular Remington 870 Tactical Modifications
1. Enhanced Sights
The factory bead sight is adequate for close-range work, but it falls short for longer distances or low-light conditions. Upgrading to ghost ring sights or red dot sights dramatically improves accuracy and target acquisition:
- Ghost Ring Sights: These offer a larger sight picture, making target acquisition faster and easier, even under stress.
- Red Dot Sights: These are excellent for close-to-medium range engagements and are particularly helpful in low light. Mounting a red dot usually requires a receiver rail.
Example: Mesa Tactical's SureShell Stock with integrated ghost ring sights offers a significant upgrade to the stock and sights simultaneously.
2. Upgraded Stocks and Forends
The factory stock and forend are functional, but they lack the ergonomics and accessory mounting options of aftermarket components. Popular upgrades include:
- Tactical Stocks: These are often shorter and more robust than the factory stock, offering a more secure grip and improved handling. Materials like polymer offer a lightweight alternative to wood.
- Pistol Grips: These offer a more compact and controllable grip for rapid firing. However, some jurisdictions restrict pistol grips on shotguns. Check your local laws before installing one.
- Side-Saddle Shells: These attach to the stock and provide quick access to extra shells.
Example: Magpul’s SGA stock offers a modern ergonomic design and plenty of customization options.
3. Rails and Accessories
Adding Picatinny or Weaver rails allows you to mount a variety of accessories, such as:
- Tactical Lights: Essential for low-light situations. A good light will dramatically improve your ability to identify threats.
- Laser Sights: These can improve accuracy at close range and speed up target acquisition.
- Vertical Foregrips: These improve control and stability during shooting.
Example: A Magpul MOE M-LOK handguard adds plenty of mounting options without significantly increasing the weight.
4. Action Improvements
While the Remington 870 is known for its reliability, some users find the action a little stiff. Upgrades to address this include:
- Enhanced Extractor Springs: These improve the reliability of extraction, especially with heavier loads.
- Buffer Systems: These reduce recoil and can improve the smoothness of the action.
5. Extended Magazines
Extended magazines significantly increase your ammunition capacity. However, this will impact the overall length and balance of your shotgun.
Considerations: The longer and heavier the magazine, the more it will affect your shotgun's handling and balance. Overly long magazines can also increase the likelihood of malfunctions.
Case Study: Building a Home Defense Remington 870
Let's illustrate these modifications with a home defense build:
Base Gun: Remington 870 Express Tactical
Modifications:
- Ghost ring sights: For improved accuracy in low light.
- Magpul SGA Stock: For improved ergonomics and comfort.
- Side-saddle shell carrier: For quick access to extra shells.
- Surefire M600 Ultra Scout Light: A powerful and reliable weapon light.
- Enhanced extractor spring: For improved reliability.
This configuration provides a balanced blend of improved accuracy, ergonomics, and practical accessories suited for home defense.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Mods for Your Needs
Remington 870 tactical modifications can dramatically enhance its performance and versatility. The optimal configuration depends entirely on your individual needs and intended use. Carefully consider your priorities—accuracy, ergonomics, capacity, and accessories—and research specific products before making any modifications. Always prioritize safety and ensure that any modifications are done correctly and professionally.