If I buy the wood stock 4 round version of the 870, can I just change the magazine so it can hold as much as the tactical version? Or would I be better off starting with the tactical express and buying the longer barrel for hunting? I kind of like the look of the tactical, but have iffy feelings about plastic parts on a gun.
How modifiable are shotguns?
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It is easy enough to add a magazine extension. It should be cheaper to buy a defense barrel than a hunting barrel also.
This one?
I don't know that Remington makes longer barrels for the newer, extended magazine version of the Model 5077... but a call to 1-800-243-9700 should get you an answer.
Best bet is probably the standard 4-shot magazine ... in a Wingmaster, an older pre-magazine tube dimple Express, or a Police gun. Even a Sportsman Pump if you can find one. I wouldn't add a magazine extension to a newer model Express with mag tube dimples for love nor money for a variety of reasons...
That is the model. Is the Express cheaply made compared to the other lines? What are magazine tube dimples?
Seems there's a lot of keyboard commando hatred for the Express guns out there on the Intarw3bz for some reason. I can't figure why, I have owned a dozen or so of them, all bought used, and the only problem I ever had was with a used Police barrel I put on one, once upon a time.
Several years ago Remington changed the design of the magazine spring retainer and magazine cap detent on the 870 Express. Rather than the old style spring steel cup-shaped insert to retain the mag spring, and a spring-loaded detent set in the barrel ring to retain the magazine cap, they went to a molded plastic part inserted in the end of the mag tube to do both jobs. That plastic part is retained by two 'dimples' pressed into the magazine tube near the threads at the end. Those dimples get in the way of installing magazine extensions, and are a pain in that regard. I quit bothering with newer 4-round Expresses that have mag tube dimples - just too much trouble.
The only problem I know of with the newer version 5077 is getting a sporting barrel to fit it. With an older version of the 5077, the one with the factory magazine extension, that won't be a problem - there are LOTS of sporting barrels around for that version of the 870. All you will need to do is get a standard 4-round mag spring and an old style magazine cap plus a magazine plug if you intend to hunt migratory birds, and you'll be in business.
For a dedicated defensive shotgun, the new model 5077 with the one piece extended magazine tube is a great starting point IMHO. I look forward to finding a good used one to start playing with and maybe working on a bit down the road ...
Several years ago Remington changed the design of the magazine spring retainer and magazine cap detent on the 870 Express. Rather than the old style spring steel cup-shaped insert to retain the mag spring, and a spring-loaded detent set in the barrel ring to retain the magazine cap, they went to a molded plastic part inserted in the end of the mag tube to do both jobs. That plastic part is retained by two 'dimples' pressed into the magazine tube near the threads at the end. Those dimples get in the way of installing magazine extensions, and are a pain in that regard. I quit bothering with newer 4-round Expresses that have mag tube dimples - just too much trouble.
The only problem I know of with the newer version 5077 is getting a sporting barrel to fit it. With an older version of the 5077, the one with the factory magazine extension, that won't be a problem - there are LOTS of sporting barrels around for that version of the 870. All you will need to do is get a standard 4-round mag spring and an old style magazine cap plus a magazine plug if you intend to hunt migratory birds, and you'll be in business.
For a dedicated defensive shotgun, the new model 5077 with the one piece extended magazine tube is a great starting point IMHO. I look forward to finding a good used one to start playing with and maybe working on a bit down the road ...
The mag tube dimples aren't major issue as long as you have no intention of removing the mag extension. You can either use a punch and bang them out from the inside, or take the easier route and drill them out (just remember to run a file along the inside of the mag tube to get rid of any burrs).
Either is a permanent modifcation, so only take this route if you plan to keep the extension on there. You can still use a wooden dowel to plug the tube for waterfowl if you so choose.
Either is a permanent modifcation, so only take this route if you plan to keep the extension on there. You can still use a wooden dowel to plug the tube for waterfowl if you so choose.
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