870 to HD/Camp Defense

[troglodyte]

I received a 20" Improved Choke Rifle Sighted barrel the other day from Midwest. It was a Remington OEM. About $160 inc. S&H.

Picked up a sling from Academy that had a replacement cap with the front swivel and a velcro stirrup for the butt. Nothing fancy but it works well enough. About $20. When bird season comes I can just slip it off and replace the cap and plug, maybe a five minute job.

Now my bird gun is more suitable as a home defense/camp gun.

I chose a smooth bore over the rifled bore for use of buckshot or rifled slugs.

Overall I don't know that the sights will be that useful as I will probably never use the gun to hunt deer, etc. I went with the rifled sights over a bead in the off instance I may have to take a longer shot. I figured the rifled sights would give better aim. At closer range they can just function as a bead sight. Regardless I don't think there was much, if any, price difference.

I have debated over a mag extension but have come to the conclusion, at least for now, that it is really not needed in my foreseeable, and not so forseeable, situation. If five rounds of OO/slugs doesn't do the job I'd better be grabbing something else by that time. If I was breeching the door to the local crack house it would be different.

Thought I'd share for those who can't or don't want to get a "tactical" shotgun and have a bird gun already handy. For about half the price of a new tactical (and most used I've found)shotgun you can "tacticalize" your bird gun. If you get a used shotgun the savings are even more.

I may pick up an honest to goodness tactical shotgun someday but it will be far down on the list now.

As an aside, I was recently in my local funshop when I spotted a Mossberg 500 for $159. That seemed like a good deal on a good gun. Good used 870s and 500s are pretty easy to find around here and the prices are usually worth looking.

As another aside, I have an 870 Express Magnum. I had a Wingmaster at one time and another Express. I sold them for various reasons but went back to Express. It is not as pretty as the Wingmaster but it shoots just as well and is just as reliable. Matter of fact, I like the parkerized look better anyway.

[NcongruNt]

Good to see you got something useful with just a bit of cash. I bought myself my first shotgun a few months ago, and went the tactical shotgun route. Mine is an 870 Express Synthetic 18 1/2" 6+1. I've been quite satisfied with mine, and have found it to be VERY fun in moving and shooting drills at the range. While I agree that 5 shots is likely to be more than adequate for defense purposes, it doesn't hurt to have more available if the need arises (think multiple intruders, which is common in home invasions). As for the sights, mine has only a bead sight, but I have found it more than adequate for any of my purposes. I've shot it at multiple distances, and it puts holes right where I aim it, all the way out to 15y - the distance I shot it the first time (with rifled slugs), where it made 3" groups. To me, rifle sights wouldn't be useful, and possibly a hindrance to quick sighting. The only thing that I do wish I had on mine was a barrel shroud. Doing moving and shooting drills can heat up the barrel in a hurry, so a shroud would be useful in reloading between rounds. I'm still searching for a good (see NOT a one-size-fits-all clamp-on) barrel shroud to add to mine.

[atxbandit]

I was thinking about doing the same thing. I am looking at a barrel by Mossberg. A local shop can order me one for $95. I already bought the sling at Academy last year.

[WarHawk-AVG]

We need pics!!!!

[Furyataurus]

Check this out. http://www.mesatactical.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; I plan on adding some goodies from Mesa Tactical to my 870.