Rem 870 Tactical for HD

[TheKlawMan]

Is this overkill for a double duty home defense and screwing around shooting tagets gun? Maybe I would later get a long barrel for skeet/fowling.

http://www.turners.com/engage/displayads.php

I think I like the ghost ring sights. Otherwise I would go with a regular 870 from Big 5 with a 2 shot factory magazine extension.

http://big5sportinggoods.shoplocal.com/big5/default.aspx?action=detail&flashbrowse=y&storeid=2503892&pagenumber=6&listingid=-2085023093&ref=%2fbig5%2fdefault.aspx%3faction%3dbrowsepageflash%26storeid%3d2503892%26pagenumber%3d6%26promotioncode%3DBig5-101225

I was also thinking that I may get more use out of a short barrel if it was threaded for choke tubes, though a cylinder bore is all that is needed for HD.

[CDMJ]

Klaw man, in my opinion you really want to avoid ghost ring sights for HD. Ghost ring sights are great for duty situations were you are likely to engage targets at longer ranges and where the use of slugs may be needed. In a home defense situation every thing you are going to be doing is close up, 10 to 20 feet. A bead sight is really idea for this situation. It is going to be simple and fast. Out of those two types of guns you posted I would go with the one from Big five. The money you save can me used to make practical upgrades like adding an XS big dot front sight.


It epoxies over the Remington bead using JB weld. It will give you a nice night sight, perfect for HD. They are $60 from XS sights (http://www.xssights.com/store/shotgun.html) The one you will need is SG-2001-3.

After that all you need is a good inexpensive light mount and a weapon light. This is an area I have a lot of experience in. Right now for the money it is hard to beat the Elzetta ZSM. http://www.elzetta.com/zsmFAQ.htm This light mount doesn't have a resonance problem under heavy recoil or heavy loading like some other clamps on the market that will cause it to slide down the barrel while shooting and possibly ruin the finish on your gun. It is made out of a high impact polymer that is very durable. It will fit any hand held light you have from a Stream Light Poly Tac C4 LED (one of my personal favorites) to the Surefire G series lights (0.70 to 1.05 inches in diameter lights).

So for around the same price as that Remington "tactical" gun with the useless Remington Tactical choke, you can build yourself a solid HD gun that will fill it's role. A quality light is a must on an HD gun. Ghost ring sights and a spikey choke is not. By the way I run IC on all of my fighting guns. However you are correct cylinder bore is good to go for HD. Personally if I were you I would go with the Big five gun and buy an extra barrel for skeet.

[TheKlawMan]

CDMJ, I think your words are worth listening to. Thanks.

[stphnman20]

Either or is fine.

On my 870, I didn't put any fancy sights on it. Still have and use the bead sight.

[DougJ]

I bought the Remington at Big 5. It's a fine shotgun and a joy to shoot.

I would also say the you do not want sights on it, the bead is fine. Keep the gun simple and you'll be happier and more effective with it. I did add an adjustable stock to make it a little easier to weild indoors, a flashlight, and a sidesaddle for extra ammo. I live in the country and often end up outside checking something out, so it's nice to have extra ammo with me. If I was in town I wouldn't bother with the sidesaddle, it does add a bit of weight when loaded.

[WhatsTCP]

I would suggest getting the one from big 5 OP and calling it a day, its simple yet very effective at doing the job. IMO a weapon light is too much but to each their own

I have the same exact one but with a desert camo stock on it and with this

http://tacticalshotgunner.com/bayonet-lug-mount-for-the-remington-870-p-137.html

and a m9 bayonet for those close encounters

[furfam4]

Forgive me in advance as I'm as green as green gets noob but what are the bennys of having a light attach. For HD doesn't that just give the perps your location? I just got my first SG and am trying to figure out what accessorys I should add if any.

[aippi]

A light can be needed to identify a threat. You would not turn it on till needed. Would you shoot someone you have not identified in the dark? If they shoot the issue is mute but it is my intention to identify and deal with a threat before they shoot and a light is needed for that.

The thought that a light gives your position away makes me think that a person who says that is going to sneak up to someone and shoot someone with out identifying them or even seeing if they are armed. You have to identify a threat to use deadly force against it and at night that takes a light. Knowing how to use that light affectively is the key. So yes, for a dedicated HD or Duty weapon a light is a good thing.

[ZX-10R]

Depends...I got my Remy 870 for Skeet and home defense but I realize I have so many guns that it does not matter to me anymore. I have guns and all I know is I can place them accurately enough no matter what.

You could buy different barrels but the 870 platform is so cheap that for under 750 bucks you can have two shotguns one for skeet and one for HD. Not a bad deal at all.

Good luck.

[DougJ]

Lots of debate about the use of lights.

In my case I put one on because when I go outside it's often pitch black and the light is a must. Again, I live in the counrty and I'm very likely to be after a 4 legged critter. I can choose to just not turn on the light if it's a 2 legged critter I'm concerned about and the situation makes the light a concern.

As I mentioned, keep it as simple as possible. I have a couple of add-ons specifically for my situation which includes the outbuildings and acreage around me.

[furfam4]

Aippi makes sense and I just talked to a cop I work with and he explained how to use them effectively. Obviously I need to take a class. as of now if I were to ever have to use it my plan is to get my wife and kids into one room and have the perps come to us. Door opens they'll be sayin hello to my lil' friend

[TheKlawMan]

Grrrrrrrr. Called a Big 5. They didn't have a 7 shot in stock but said they would get one for me during the 11 day waiting period. I drove out to to it an hour before closing and the guy started to sell me an 8 shot with a 22" barrel. When I said they were supposed to order me a 7 shot with an 18" barrel he looked at me like I was crazy and told me there was no Jaimes working there. After I confirmed that this was the store I called, Jaimy walks up and remembered me calling two hours earlier, but still no one knows how to do the paperwork and I am to come back before the end of the year. (Jaimy said why not just put 7 in the tube instead of 8). They were nice guys but give me a break!

[Dhena81]

Grrrrrrrr. Called a Big 5. They didn't have a 7 shot in stock but said they would get one for me during the 11 day waiting period. I drove out to to it an hour before closing and the guy started to sell me an 8 shot with a 22" barrel. When I said they were supposed to order me a 7 shot with an 18" barrel he looked at me like I was crazy and told me there was no Jaimes working there. After I confirmed that this was the store I called, Jaimy walks up and remembered me calling two hours earlier, but still no one knows how to do the paperwork and I am to come back before the end of the year. (Jaimy said why not just put 7 in the tube instead of 8). They were nice guys but give me a break!

Ya don't fall for the get one during your wait because if they don't have your guns serial number that's just a big fat lie.

[Mr_Monkeywrench]

Just wanna tag this. Might want to pick one up soon

[TheKlawMan]

Bought a 12 gauge 870 at Big 5 and now have to wait out the ten days. Got the plain Jane with a factory 2 round magaizine extension on an 18" barrel with a bead sight. They market it as the 7 shot "Security" model.