shotgun question, Remington 870

none | self

[jdub]

I had decided to buy a reasonably priced shotgun, and yesterday at a gun show I bought a Remington 870 express. Previous shotguns I have owned have either been double barrel or single shot. I went to load it with standard 2 3/4 shells, but only could get 2 into the magazine. The third would not quite go in all the way. I unloaded it and tried again, but still got the same result. Is there some kind of plug in older models of this gun, and if so can I get it out? I can't believe that the magazine capacity is just two shells. Thanks in advance.

[M Kehoe]

The 870 has a plug in the magazine to allow only three shells.

Some states require that, although you can take the plug out.

Hope that helps.

5.56mm

[brewcrew]

Each Rem. 870 comes with a long green plug that can be inserted into the magazine to prevent the user from having more than 3 rounds in his/her gun at any one time. Some states and counties require this when hunting, and I believe there are some competitions that require this as well. Unscrew the end of the magazine and take it out.

[Sir Beowolf]

Yes there is a plug in the magazine and it can be removed. Please read the manual

[umgud]

2 in the magazine and one in the chamber. Yes, there is a plug but it is illegal to have it out while hunting (in most states).

[brewcrew]

Ya beat me to it. Back to typing class for this hombre.

[backhoe]

Well, I always liked the old Ithaca M-37 Military & Police riot gun- just funky looking.... a very good site & forum for firearms is:

-TheFiringLine--Tech info, good forum

[go star go]

almost all shotguns have plugs you insert into the tube to keep them 'legal' for certain game hunts. ie, there are laws limiting the number of shells your gun can hold. the plugs make them legal. you take them out and put them in depending on what you're hunting.

[blam]

My 870 will accept eight shells. Bought it in a gun store (used) that way back in 1991 in Texas. I have another 870 Magnum (new), it will accept only five.

[dhuffman@awod.com]

My 870 is off at Wilson Combat Arms/Scattergun Technologies for an upgrade. When it returns, it'll get the longest magazine extension that won't interfere with the muzzle and combat furniture - folding stock etc.

[Lonman219]

put 2 in then jack 1 in the chamber and then you will be able to put the 3rd on in.

[Lonman219]

I just love it that everyone in here knows about guns. Makes me feel warm all over.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

The Rem 870 is an excellent, dependable almost trouble free shotgun. When the 870 has been mastered, suggest moving on (or up) to a Browning Auto 5. Now, there's some real steel !

[Don Myers]

Hint: Get an extended magazine at your local gun store.

[Don Myers]

That assumes, of course, you want to use it for home defense. I have the riot shotgun variety of the 870.

[cyberaxe]

.....the most used method of loading the 870.....

.....pull pump back, opening action.....

.....put one shell directly in chamber.....

.....push pump foward and load two shells in bottom.....

.....ready for birds.....

[USMCVet]

Ah yes, the great M-37 Ithaca! A John Browning design that is light, strong and if you have one of the Military and Police "slamfire" versions, very fast shooting...

[Eagle Eye]

Has anyone mentioined that there is a plug in the tube to limit the number of shells when hunting?

[backhoe]

Yep, that was the type I had- you could lay down a nice barrage... I think it had a seven-round magazine- or was it six in the tube & one chambered? I like the closed side, too- less grit got in the works.

[RIGHT IN SEATTLE]

I'm extremely fond of my Franchi SPAS 12.