The Remington 870 Express is a legendary pump-action shotgun, renowned for its reliability, durability, and versatility. Whether you're a seasoned hunter, a competitive shooter, or a home defense enthusiast, maximizing your 870's potential requires the right accessories. This guide explores a range of upgrades and additions to elevate your shooting experience.
Enhancing Performance: Stocks, Forends, and Sights
The stock and forend are crucial contact points, directly impacting your shooting comfort and accuracy. Upgrading these components can significantly improve your performance.
Stocks:
- Adjustable Stocks: Consider an adjustable stock if you need a customized fit. These allow adjustments for length of pull and comb height, crucial for proper cheek weld and eye alignment. This is particularly beneficial for shooters of different heights or builds.
- Tactical Stocks: For tactical applications or home defense, tactical stocks offer features like pistol grips, cheek risers, and sling mounts, enhancing control and stability.
- Thumbhole Stocks: Thumbhole stocks provide a more secure grip and improved control, particularly useful during rapid firing.
Forends:
- Tactical Forends: Similar to tactical stocks, these forends often include Picatinny rails for attaching accessories like lights or lasers, expanding the shotgun's capabilities.
- Extended Forends: An extended forend can provide a more comfortable grip and improved control, especially during rapid reloading.
Sights:
- Ghost Ring Sights: Ghost ring sights offer a fast target acquisition, ideal for close-quarters shooting or hunting in low-light conditions.
- Fiber Optic Sights: Fiber optic sights are excellent for low-light conditions, providing increased visibility and accuracy.
- Red Dot Sights: Mounting a red dot sight on a rail-equipped shotgun significantly enhances accuracy at longer ranges.
Expanding Capabilities: Rails, Lights, and Lasers
Modernizing your Remington 870 with tactical accessories allows for greater versatility and effectiveness.
Picatinny Rails:
Adding a Picatinny rail to your shotgun opens up a world of possibilities. Rails are typically mounted on the receiver or forend, allowing you to attach various accessories.
Lights:
A weapon-mounted light is essential for low-light or nighttime situations. Choose a light with sufficient lumens and a durable design. Consider lights with pressure switches for hands-free operation.
Lasers:
Lasers provide a precise aiming point, particularly useful in close-quarters engagements. A visible laser is best for daytime use, while an infrared laser is suitable for nighttime use.
Enhancing Reliability and Maintenance: Extended Tubes and Cleaning Kits
Investing in these accessories will not only enhance the longevity of your firearm, but also improve its performance and dependability.
Extended Magazine Tubes:
Extended magazine tubes increase the shotgun's ammunition capacity, crucial for hunting or home defense situations. Be sure to check local laws regarding magazine capacity.
Cleaning Kits:
Regular cleaning is essential for maintaining the Remington 870's reliability and accuracy. A comprehensive cleaning kit includes all the necessary tools and supplies for proper cleaning and maintenance.
Choosing the Right Accessories:
When choosing accessories for your Remington 870 Express, consider your specific needs and intended use. Think about the environment you'll be using the shotgun in, the type of shooting you'll be doing, and your budget. Research different brands and read reviews before making any purchases. Remember that quality components are essential for optimal performance and safety.
Disclaimer: Always practice safe firearm handling and adhere to all applicable laws and regulations when using firearms and accessories. This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice.
