FYI; extended shotgun mag tubes

paintballmagnet · #1 July 30th, 2010, 08:12 AM

I've been working on an 870, rebuilding one that had seen better days. Last thing I did was install a plus two extension tube which failed to feed shotshells due to it binding SOMEWHERE. Figuring the spot it was hanging HAD to be the attachment joint, I spent two hours cussing and fussing trying to get it to feed properly, with no luck. Almost giving up, I finally decided to cut about six inches off the spring, the binding issue went away. This might be something to look at if anyone has this issue at some point. (The mag spring that came with this extension, Choate brand was one foot longer than the factory tube and extension together)

guncrazy · #2 August 2nd, 2010, 12:29 AM

Yeah one time my 1187 follower got stuck and I wondered why, but its only done it once. Might need to come over and switch out those tubes like we talked about. Hate for it to happen again when I need it the most.

paintballmagnet · #3 August 2nd, 2010, 01:44 AM

Yes, you do. I had intended on swapping them earlier but as we know, life happens. I'll check out a couple other potential hang up points I've discoverd in the last few days while I'm at it if you'd like.

Chief351 · #4 August 2nd, 2010, 08:27 PM

IIRC, late model (say, the last 20 years or so) Rems have a "dimple" in the mag tube that prevents the follower from passing that point. It's purpose, of course, being to prevent a civilian user adding an extended mag tube.

It's for the children, you know.

You can either swage the dimple out somehow (maybe drive just the right size socket down the tube?), or just drill out the dimple (probably easiest).

paintballmagnet · #5 August 6th, 2010, 03:26 AM

Chief, I have a piece of drill rod turned on a lathe tapered to .003 under typical internal 870 tube dimensions. I stick this inside until it gets tight then use a plastic hammer to remove the dents a bit at a time, inserting the rod further down the tube until the dents are gone. The hard plastic hammer does no damage to the finish on the outside of the tube. Takes a bit longer than drilling but the results are worth it. (also works well removing "accidental" dents if the shotgun hits something a bit too hard)