Can't find a Flexitab kit, any suggestions?

[Texasrpbrock]

Tring to find a Remington Flexitab conversion kit for my 1981 Wingmaster 870 police. Brownells is back ordered as well as Remington. Anyone know where these can be found?

Thanks for the help,
Texasrpbrock

 

[Fred Fuller]

As long as your shell latches are working properly and you load shells fully into the magazine before letting them go, going without one shouldn't be a problem. One 'old school' fix was to mill out a slot in the original lifter so a key or the like could be used to force a 'slipped' shell back into the magazine, but I never did that. Most were taught to briskly whack the butt down onto the ground (or whatever surface) with the shotgun held vertically while pulling back on the forearm to clear the jam. That was kinda hard on stocks sometimes, but not as bad as getting the operator shot would be.

I've never had any problem with the old style lifter, and never had a shell slip to get caught by any of the 870s I've used that had a flexitab lifter, unless I deliberately set it up to happen.

Might check with AI&P here - he might be able to help.

 

[Virginian]

I have never experienced the issue in 40 plus years with 870s. Have never owned one with the flex i tab. I have seen it. A pocket knife solved the problem.

 

[dfariswheel]

The issue is one of operator error....failing to properly load the gun.
The Flex-Tab is a good idea and good insurance, but the best "fix" is to practice with the gun until you don't botch the loading.

To do that, buy some action proving dummies from Brownell's.
These are dummy shells the EXACT size, weight, and even balance of real ammo.
When asked how he got so fast and good with his custom Ithaca Model 37 shotgun in Vietnam, founding SEAL Chief James "Patches" Watson said he and another SEAL practiced until their hands bled.

I'd still get the Flex-Tab conversion when they're available again, which shouldn't be that long.

 

[Texasrpbrock]

Yep, I agree with the operator error. With a consistent rack there is no problem. Worse comes to worse I can clear a jam with the safety on and a sharpie marker pretty quick and safely. Was just wondering if the Flexitab kit would make it 10-15% less likely for a jam in the event of a short stroke.

I can rack without a problem but my wife... not so much. Good with a handgun but the 870 is giving her a few fits. I have 4 dummy/snapcaps that I've been letting her practice with lately. Just takes time to get the consistent actions needed for a new pump shot shooter. I'll get her there. Like dfariswheel mentioned about his SEAL friend, I'll just keep her ejecting and reloading with the dummy rounds until her hands bleed. When the Flexitabs are available again I'll see at that time if its worth investing in.

Thanks for the help and replies!

 

[dfariswheel]

The Flex-Tab is just another level of protection from an error that could really cost you.

There was enough of a problem with people who didn't train enough that they developed the Flex-Tab assembly.
Operator induced or not, I'd have it in any defense gun I owned.

The Flex-Tab doesn't prevent the mis-feed condition, it just makes it possible to clear the stoppage with a harder pull on the fore end.

 

[AI&P Tactical]

Not necessary on a sporting 870 as birds and bunnies don't shoot back.

It is necessary on a defense weapon such as duty, hd or bear defense. For all the talk about training resloving the issue, don't care how much you train when the SHTF and your A** is on line you can make mistakes. I have as much training as anyone here and more then most, mostly because I am 60 and it is a wonder I got this old after some of the stupid Sh*t I did. For those of you that have never been it and are preparing for the first time, of course train, train, and train as this increases your chances of being the last man standing, however, take every advantage of your equipment and those chances get higher

So yes, the flex tab conversion is mandatory on the older models if they are fighting weapon.

Also, I am not aware that Remington sells them to civilians. They are LEO restricted but the bums will sell you the parts separatly. You simply buy the breech bolt, slide and carrier and that is the flex tab conversion. When at the factory I asked why they did this and got some mess about the "Kit" is priced such to allow departments to upgrade their older 870's and are not needed on sporting models so not sold to civilians. Well it is sold just by parts at a much higher price. Bunch of bums if you ask me because many of these older guns are in the hands of civilians serving as defense weapons or doing double duty.

 

[Striker]

Remington does sell them to the public, but I find getting them from Brownells to be easier and quicker.

http://www.brownells.com/shotgun-pa...934.aspx?ttver=2&avs|Manufacturer_1=REMINGTON

EDIT: Just re-read OP, and confirmed they are out of stock at Brownells, my bad. So Remington direct may be your only option at this point.

 

[rcmodel]

Not in stock they don't.

rc

 

[Texasrpbrock]

Yep.... As with everything else, back order, back order, back order.....

Maybe get one later in the year. So far, fast and consistent rack, no problems. May not need it. My Sig and CZs never have FTEs so I'm not too worried.

 

[Virginian]

Does anyone know why they made the bolt different?

 

[rcmodel]

The bolt has clearance slots cut in it to give the Flex-Tab room to flex.

It's not just a lifter with a slot cut in it so you can push rounds back in the magazine.

The Flex-Tab allows you to just pump harder to clear the mis-loaded round, and keep right on going.

rc

 

[Texasrpbrock]

after a fully detailed field stripping on the old Wingmaster and after trying her out on the range. I see no need for the Flexitab kit. As long as I'm doing my job, she does hers. No feed issues at all. Now i can easily understand why so many of you said to leave it alone and let it be. All I've added was the Limbsaver and Rem Oil in all the right places. Amazing piece of machinery! Thanks for all the tips and suggestions.