Rem 870 bead removal?

[[email protected]]

I have a 870 HD and I want to replace the bead sight with a fiber optic I bought. The only problem is, I can't seem to get the old bead off. I tried vise grips and a piece of leather but it still marred the bead and failed to budge it. Now I have messed up bead and I can't get it off.

What is the deal with this bead? I can see some threads on one side but not the other. It looks like it was cross threaded maybe. Would the factory cross thead it this bad?

Any tips or tricks on getting it off? I have to get it off now since it looks like crap.

 

[rantingredneck]

Some Remington beads are threaded and some are press fit into the barrels. There is also no easy way to tell which you have. If it's press fit you are in deep doodoo.

If you look at the package on the fiber optic it may say something to that effect. I bought one recently with the intent of putting it on my 870. I got home and noticed the fine print and decided to put it on my Mossberg 835instead.

 

[[email protected]]

I can see the threads on the barrel so I assume that it is theaded. Are they soldered in place or do I just have to use more force?

 

[Oldnamvet]

I had the same problem with a bead I didn't like a few months ago. I finally ended up twisting off part of the bead. So I had to carefully file a flat on the top and then, after a lot of set up and clamping, I drilled out the old bead. Fortunately, it was one of the smaller threaded sizes so I was able to drill it out and tap it again for a larger size. Everything came out OK but I wouldn't want to go down that road again. Too much chance of really screwing things up. I'd take it to a smith. They have the jigs to center a drill bit to drill it out if nothing else works. They can then tap the hole for a new sight.

 

[The Deer Hunter]

Get one of those slip on fiber optic ones. They are short money(mine was like $15) and they work great. I have one on my benelli.

 

[eldomatic]

I think the front beads of the 870HD are brazed on.

Bought an 870HD in Cody Wyoming and had to have the gunsmith drill and tap the barrel for a new fiber optic sight. He charged me $15 plus the cost of the sight and did it while I waited.

 

[Oldnamvet]

Eldomatic -- I think you got a deal. After having done it myself, I'd say that gunsmith (and probably most good ones) is obviously underpaid.