870 and 1100LT questions

[farscott]

I wonder what work Wilson does when they "convert the chamber" to accommodate 3" shells. There is a note that states refinishing is necessary, and chamber suggests the work is on the barrel. I do know that converting the ejector to 3" costs a lot more from places (Remington charged $70 in 2013 with refinishing being additional) other than Wilson than the $45 Wilson charges for the chamber work. My suspicion is the work is to just lengthen the chamber and remark the barrel as a lot of 870s will eject just fine with the 2-3/4" ejector if one cycles the pump with authority.

[mmc45414]

Thanks gato, I wasn’t aware that was an issue but it explains why a couple of weeks ago someone suggested sending it to Vang for steel inserts (at least that’s what it sounded like he said).

I had one of these, the receiver is thicker at the radius. DA-Mar brand, but Brownells no longer seems to list them:



Also, a friend recently sent a gun to Vang and said it was well done and turned quickly, by the new crew (Hans is retired and sold the business, IIRC).

[awp_101]

Thanks everyone for the comments and suggestions. Here's my random thoughts so far in no particular order.

When I initially posted, I just got the info off the box (yes I tend to keep the boxes new guns come in. Even the ones I bought 15+ years ago. I inherited my Grandfather's pack rat gene ). This morning I actually got the 870 out and looked. It's an Express Mag so it's already a 3" chamber and it came with the Flexitab parts installed at the factory. That's 2 things on the WC package I don't need done but I highly doubt they'll discount it.

My use case for this one is straight up HD. I'd like upgraded sights (preferably a dot), WML and a sling. I'll probably go with a side saddle over a butt cuff. I've already got Magpul furniture on it and a +something mag extension.

Should I be looking at the Vang Comp barrel work? Are the ports going to be as bad as a comp or brake on a rifle in a closed structure? Vang has a sight package that includes a rail for $450 but for ~$350 more (plus shipping) I can get the whole enchilada including barrel work, mag extension with upgraded spring and follower and cerakote refinish. OTOH I've already got most of the extras on hand to install or already in the shotgun. The only real extras would be the barrel work and refinish so maybe not quite as good a value for this particular project.

On the WC ala carte list I can get a fiber optic front sight ($70), receiver rail ($150 - I missed this the first time I looked at the list) and the Vang barrel work ($255) so $475 plus shipping both ways.

Thoughts on just a front sight paired with a dot? I'm still thinking 50 yards and in as the realistic engagement range. If I'm having to step outside my house to take a longer shot (urban/suburban residential area), shit has gone seriously sideways and a rifle is coming to the party.

[gato naranja]

Thoughts on just a front sight paired with a dot? I'm still thinking 50 yards and in as the realistic engagement range. If I'm having to step outside my house to take a longer shot (urban/suburban residential area), shit has gone seriously sideways and a rifle is coming to the party.

I am a belt-and-suspenders type of cat, but even I would have no problems with a dot-equipped shotgun having an easily visible, simple as a brick front bead and no rear irons. As long as it is a quality optic, the mounting is solid, and the bead is meant as a backup, then a good bead is adequate, IMHO. I don't say that lightly, because I used to believe otherwise. If you were going to specialize in slugs, that might change my opinion some.

With no dot on it or ever expected on it, I'd want better irons right out of the gate.

[TCinVA]

Thanks gato, I wasn’t aware that was an issue but it explains why a couple of weeks ago someone suggested sending it to Vang for steel inserts (at least that’s what it sounded like he said). I looked and didn’t see anything on their website so maybe that’s another call to make.

@TCinVA or @LHS, are y’all seeing very many dotted 870s in classes?

I've seen a few.

The lower the mount, the better. Mounts like the Scalarworks or the Aridus CROM are better than a standard rail because they give the optic less leverage on the fasteners holding the rail to the gun. I've watched more typical rails like the aforementioned Mesa rip clean off of a number of shotguns when they get run seriously.

The LPA rail/sight combo Vang installs on some of their guns seems to stay put fairly well, too. But I'd rather have the CROM or the Scalarworks even so.

I'd be perfectly happy with a good quality dot as the lone sighting system on a shotgun.

[TCinVA]

My main teaching 870 is an Express gun made around 200. I bought it for like $300 at Wal-Mart if I remember correctly.

When I turned it into a dedicated teaching gun I upgraded the safety to a Vang Comp dome head, put an 870P sear spring in it, and upgraded the carrier dog spring. I replaced the barrel with an 18.5" rifle sighted 870P barrel. (Improved Cylinder) I had the barrel's forcing cone relieved by a local gunsmith who already had the correct cutter to do it with a 12 gauge. He cut a little, then I patterned, then he would cut a little more, I patterned, etc. That part worked great as the barrel patterns cheap buckshot fairly well and shoots FFC well, too.

I had him refinish the gun in Cerakote, which was a goddamn nightmare because after six months the fucker still just hadn't done it. It was always an "I'll get around to it" thing until I started showing up daily asking for my gun because I needed it to teach a class. It finally got done literally the day before I used it in a class. I'll never darken that fuckstick's door again because I'm still mad enough to punch him in the mouth.

For refinishing I'd have been much better off sending it to Wilson for their finish. The finish they use is slicker than owl snot and will actually make the gun run smoother. I've had the chance to run multiple samples of 870 refinished by Wilson and the operation of the action is so smooth you can legitimately shoot sub 1/4 second splits with it. Best I can manage on my 870 Express with Cerakote is .28. On Rob Haught's Wilson signature gun...which is an extremely nice spec...I can get .24's out of it. Doesn't sound like much but there's less disruption of the sights while working the action that hard

I've had a gun completely worked over by Wilson and the end result is solid. I don't use it much because it's stuck with a 20" barrel.

The Wilson work isn't the bargain it used to be, but it's still a pretty damn good option for shotgun work.

Another option worth mentioning is Cotton Branch Customs. I've now had the chance to handle multiple samples of their work and it's art. As an example, they took a friend's Winchester model 12, cut the barrel down, cut the stock, extended the mag tube, and put ghost ring rifle sights on the gun making it handle like a modern shotgun, only far more beautiful. It ran beautifully in Shotgun 360 in 2020 without missing a beat. When I need shotgun work next I'm going to send it to them.

[awp_101]

The lower the mount, the better. Mounts like the Scalarworks or the Aridus CROM are better than a standard rail because they give the optic less leverage on the fasteners holding the rail to the gun. I've watched more typical rails like the aforementioned Mesa rip clean off of a number of shotguns when they get run seriously.

Is the potential significantly lessened with smaller sights like the RMR?

I got on a couple of wait lists for a CROM but OOS seems to be standard for a lot of Aridus items. Not a knock on them because when you can sell every item you make, I'm sure they want to make more than they currently can. Another issue is finding someone to do the install. There's no one I know of in the DFW area that I'd trust. There's lots of parts changers but few gunsmiths and most of them are 1911 specialists.

If Vang will do just the rear sight/rail and not require the front sight, I can see going that way as well.

EDIT: I'll check out Cotton Branch, thanks!

[Lon]

Big Tex Ordnance has the RMR CROM if you’re looking for that one.

https://www.bigtexordnance.com/produ...ic-mount-crom/

[farscott]

Possibly dumb question: Would the Aimpoint S1 mounted to the barrel rib work? Maybe not for a LE gun that is going to get banged around due to regularly going in and out of vehicles and buildings, but for HD usage it seems to be sufficient.

As for the barrel porting, I would tend to not want porting unless I find I cannot control the gun with my chosen ammo.

[Lon]

My main teaching 870 is an Express gun made around 200. I bought it for like $300 at Wal-Mart if I remember correctly.

When I turned it into a dedicated teaching gun I upgraded the safety to a Vang Comp dome head, put an 870P sear spring in it, and upgraded the carrier dog spring. I replaced the barrel with an 18.5" rifle sighted 870P barrel. (Improved Cylinder) I had the barrel's forcing cone relieved by a local gunsmith who already had the correct cutter to do it with a 12 gauge. He cut a little, then I patterned, then he would cut a little more, I patterned, etc. That part worked great as the barrel patterns cheap buckshot fairly well and shoots FFC well, too.

I had him refinish the gun in Cerakote, which was a goddamn nightmare because after six months the fucker still just hadn't done it. It was always an "I'll get around to it" thing until I started showing up daily asking for my gun because I needed it to teach a class. It finally got done literally the day before I used it in a class. I'll never darken that fuckstick's door again because I'm still mad enough to punch him in the mouth.

For refinishing I'd have been much better off sending it to Wilson for their finish. The finish they use is slicker than owl snot and will actually make the gun run smoother. I've had the chance to run multiple samples of 870 refinished by Wilson and the operation of the action is so smooth you can legitimately shoot sub 1/4 second splits with it. Best I can manage on my 870 Express with Cerakote is .28. On Rob Haught's Wilson signature gun...which is an extremely nice spec...I can get .24's out of it. Doesn't sound like much but there's less disruption of the sights while working the action that hard

I've had a gun completely worked over by Wilson and the end result is solid. I don't use it much because it's stuck with a 20" barrel.

The Wilson work isn't the bargain it used to be, but it's still a pretty damn good option for shotgun work.

Another option worth mentioning is Cotton Branch Customs. I've now had the chance to handle multiple samples of their work and it's art. As an example, they took a friend's Winchester model 12, cut the barrel down, cut the stock, extended the mag tube, and put ghost ring rifle sights on the gun making it handle like a modern shotgun, only far more beautiful. It ran beautifully in Shotgun 360 in 2020 without missing a beat. When I need shotgun work next I'm going to send it to them.

I just checked out Cotton Branch on IG. He does NICE work.