Anyone prefer no tube extension on HD shotgun?

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You really don't need anything else besides a butt cuff and maybe some rifle sights...Spend the extra money on plenty of good quality reduced recoil 00 buck. In 12ga, I recommend 2 3/4 00 buck reduced recoil loads from Remington (green shells with thick amber brass) or Hornady TAP (Blue shells with thick amber brass). I also like to buy some cheap bulk birdshot loads from Walmart and just blast away in the woods.

I tell you what, out of all the guns I own, the pump shotgun is the most fun to shoot!
 
No need to argue -- I can see both opinions. From my experience with my 11-87, I'm thinking that I would prefer no mag tube extension, but I will need to head out and compare the handling of my 11-87 to my 870 and get a better idea. I may try a one-shot extension to give me 5 rounds in the tube.

I have a lot of different buckshot and slug loads ... the ones that I keep most handy are federal premium low recoil. 3 inchers are a no-go for me for HD--I have found that they kick like a mule, and I can't imagine that I would need that extra power in a home scenario, even if I were punching through a wall. They are great for making cantaloupes completely vaporize though.

By the way, I am still convinced that the absolute best HD gun is a short 20 gauge pump. so easy to wield and control, and although you lose a lot of power, I can't imagine anyone not heading other way after a few 20 gauge rounds are sent their way.
 
No extensions on my 870s. Home defense means UP CLOSE. Up close means speed and power of first hit is KEY to winning.

A standard 5 shot 870 is faster handling than a 7 shot 870.

P.S. Standard tube has less to go wrong.
 
Part of the learning experience with the defensive shotgun matches I've started shooting is that I realized I needed to develop reloading skills to avoid hearing CLICK instead of BANG with my 4+1 Express. Admittedly, I've got another project 870 with +2 and +3 mag extensions to play with, but I think my HD gun will likely remain the 4+1. Now that I can keep feeding it, I don't think hanging more ammo on the front end is going to enhance it's effectiveness -- but I'm going to find out for myself.
 
My thought: keep one for HD and one for whatever else. And for HD, keep it light and compact. My Moss 500 is for HD only, and I can carry it down my hallway unencumbered (that is sideways, horizontal). :)
 
In a HD event, I'm not exploring the house. I'm bunkering down where I can see down the hallway and holding my ground. For that reason, I went with a 'mall ninja' setup (lol first time I've heard anyone say that). I have 7+1 granted the +1 is empty, so I can cycle the gun in the dark once. I have +6 with the sidesaddle. I have a forestock light. The light is so I can identify the shadow before I open fire. My cell is on the dresser I would be covering behind. Now that I typed all this up, I stashed more 00 buck on the dresser as well. Now I have 38 RDs at the end of this dark hallway. :)
 
I certainly have zero complaints about the +2 tube on my 870P. I'd rather have the ammo on tap.

Youll get familiar with the different feel if you practice, and if you dont, well 4oz less metal isnt going to save your ass.
 
I like HD shotguns without a tube extension. If I need more than three 3" 00 buckshot shells and a 3" 1.5oz slug, then I'll transition to my AR (if I have the chance... 4 rds of 12ga is pretty formidable firepower for it to not be enough). I like the weight savings vs the extra ammo, and tactical reloads aren't too tough with a pump gun.
 
I use my chinchester 1897 riot for HD duty. 5+1 no extension and a custom leather butt cuff with 4 extra rounds. I shoot CAS as such I'm very familar with it. I have plain old 9 pellet OO buck in the gun and Fed 9 pellet OO buck with flightcontrol wads in the butt cuff for extended ranges.
 
I put a factory +2 on my 870 Police, and it was much more awkward than the stock 4. But, I have been practicing with it quite a bit and it is feeling much better. Practice, practice, practice. Train like you fight, cuz your going to fight like you train.

My larger issue is finding a buttstock that works for me, but that is for another post.
 
I prefer to have more rounds available because, more than likely, a break-in will involve two BG's or more. I can't see how a lightweight extension and a couple rounds of ammo would make THAT much difference in speed and handling. Hey, I'm definitely NO pro competition shooter so I won't make much difference to me unless the weight/balance is substantially altered.

The above stated, I opted for a Saiga .410 as a primary HD firearm because I prefer semi-auto and pre-loaded magazines at hand. And... IMHO, a .410 is plenty for home defense.

ETA: A .410 with 2x 3" #4 buckshot with remaining rounds 00.
 
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Seems someone previously mentioned (here or another thread) concern that a mag extension might get knocked off and thus fail to feed.

Is there any credibility associated with this concern?
How fragile are mag extensions, assuming the support brace is properly installed?
Any experience here with a tube mag extension that failed -- gun was dropped, or whacked against a barricade, or... or... ???
 
I use the choate mag extension on my 870 which gives me an extra 2 rounds. I practice with it every weekend at the range, and yes it does add extra weight. But I much prefer the extra 2 rounds and now it feels right and I'm use to it, so it works well for me. YMMV!
 
For simple HD if you are not in a riot zone you are OK. If you are in a riot zone you need more gun, such as a carbine.

I have a handgun backup with a holster. If 6 shots of buck won`t handle it then 5 rounds of 44 special should.

There are any number of ways to carry more ammo. I put 3 shells in an elastic holder because just having 3 in a 5 shell holder makes it easier to pull them. Reloading `blind`on a pump is easy to learn. If you get metal snap caps you can even practice safely in the house.

I had an 8-shot riot gun years ago. It was a little nose-heavy for my tastes. Not a bad gun, I`m just more comfy with the standard magazine.

If you do get an extention, get quality and install it right. Aftermarket parts can sometimes lead to malfunctions. Having 7 or 8 shots doesn`t count for much I you die while the first shot jams.
 
I prefer no magazine tube extension for the following reasons:

1) Harder for me to take the gun down to clean.
2) More things to go wrong such as shells getting hung up at the extension interface.
3) Gun becomes so muzzle heavy that my swing/point gets messed up. There is such a thing as too much weight out front for me.
 
I prefer no extension tube and no ammo attached to the side of the weapon.

Next best is a reasonable-length extension tube and no sidesaddle.

At a FAR distant third, is sidesaddle and no extension tube.

Bottom, worst, an abomination, is both an extension tube and a sidesaddle. Such a shotgun balances horribly.

I would rather carry the extra ammo on my person, than encumber the shotgun. Of
course, there is not always time or presence of mind to grab the extra ammo; there is no free lunch. I try to keep a pocketable handgun and an ammo carrier with shoulder strap, with the
shotgun, at home. On duty, there are multiple other firearms. The good thing is that a shotgun's introduction into an encounter tends to settle things one way or the other right quickly. One will probably run out of time before running out of ammo.

I have two Remington 870 pump guns for duty, HD, and SD. One has the stock magazine, with no extension. The other has a two-shot extension. My 12-shot carrier, with shoulder strap, is made my Eagle Industries. I also have a now-discontinued 24-round chest carrier rig, made by Eagle Industries, for really bad times.
 
A tube extension gives you a couple of extra rounds and, for anyone who's got a reasonable level of upper body strength, shouldn't present any serious additional challenges to maneuvering the gun.

As for whether it's a necessity or not, well, it couldn't hurt and it might help.
 
Split the difference.. leave the extension on but only load 5 rounds in the magazine.

I know my 870 feels significantly 'bigger' with the extended mag on it, and even more so when fully loaded. Rather that mess with swapping magazine springs and end caps I just tried it with fewer rounds.. 5 instead of 8, makes a big difference in the feel of it.

Over time if you practice with it enough you won't notice the extra weight as much. Add an extra round until you're comfortable and confident with it.

Sidenote:

I suspect this perception comes from those of us used to hunting with a shotgun plugged to carry only 3 rounds total. If you bought your SG with an extended tube and don't hunt/shoot clays you might think we're all a bunch of wimps--but read on. Bird hunters are used to a shotgun with a balance point at just about where the magazine begins.. and this makes it point very fast for 'swinging through a bird' vs. a 8 round tactical shotgun where the balance is out further, putting more weight in your off hand. It just feels weird. The balance is all wrong.

The use of the tactical/HD shotgun varies greatly from the use of the bird gun.

Most shooters won't make a tricked out tactical gun 'swing' like a featherweight trap gun... they just don't shoot enough.

Again, if all you've ever owned is an extended magazine gun, you might not 'get' this. You haven't had to learn how to use your shotgun twice.
 
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A tube extension gives you a couple of extra rounds and, for anyone who's got a reasonable level of upper body strength, shouldn't present any serious additional challenges to maneuvering the gun.
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Well, it's not really a question of making the gun too heavy to maneuver as much as it makes the gun lose its innate swing. Shooting at laterally moving targets places a premium on gun balance and swing, and on those shotguns I do not like extensions. Shooting at target stands or from a barricade position (poke and shoot) places less emphasis on balance and swing and for those uses an extension may make sense.
 
My HomeLand Security Shotgun is the Maverick 88, 5+1, with the 18-1/2" cylibder bore barrel.

I have tried a couple of shotguns with the extended tubes, and fully loaded, they felt aahhhhh 'un-balanced' to me

Your Mileage Will Vary
 
My first shotgun was an 870 express with a +2 and synthetic stock. Balanced like a pig for me. I traded it away and picked up a stock 4+1 Police 870 Magnum with good ol' wood furniture. Balances like a dream. Quick, nimble, and gives me the real warm and fuzzies.
 
Mossberg 500. 5+1. I want the shortest barrel I can get for HD, so here it either 18" or get an AOW. That said, I don't have room for a tube. But I guess it doesn't really matter since my shoulder went out, I have to depend on an M4 now. But for HD, nothing really beats a plain pump with a plain stock and an 18" (or 14" if you can) bbl. All I'd put on it is a side saddle, I like those on shotguns, and maybe a light if it is for HD.
 
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