870 Mods

[Hopy]

My wife is looking for "her own" 12 gauge since she does not like sharing my 870 express. She likes the express except for the fact that she is of smaller frame and really stretches her out when handling (that's what she said) anyways, I am pretty sure the only mod that can be made "legally" is in the stock. Any thoughts on how to shorten the length and if not, any ideas of a 12 gauge HD that would work best for someone of small frame?

[m16]

She would probably like the 12" LOP Hogue stock, it's short and comes with a nice recoil pad.

Here's a pic, 12" Hogue on the left, uncut factory walnut stock on the right:

[NapalmCheese]

Does it have to be a 12 gauge? I bought my girlfriend an 870 express compact. It's 20 gauge, and comes with spacers to adjust LOP from 13 or so inches to 14.25 inches.

Otherwise, some of the 870 express shotguns came with a forearm that extended back a way under the receiver when cycling the gun. This had the benefit of giving short armed people a way to grab the forearm. You might try finding one of those if there isn't one on there.

Magpul how has an adjustable non-pistol grip stock for the 870, don't know how it feels or if I'd like it for shooting clays but it might be worth a look.

Assuming her gun has a 28 or 26 inch barrel, you can always find something shorter. The 870 express compact 20 gauge comes with a 20 or 21 inch barrel, this helps the balance of the gun and makes it really quick handling and significantly lighter.

There are also youth stocks available for the 12 gauge 870.

[350skylark]

pistol grip . j/k maybe something like this ? http://www.amazon.com/Speedfeed-Remi.../dp/B0050GFHWU, says ideal for small framed shooters

[realgreenfire]

my girlfriend has been hunting with an 870 express junior sized shotgun in 20GA since she was 13 or 14 years old and still fits her for hunting and clays today at 23, she is 5'10 tall and doesn't have the longest arms (around the average for a grown woman now a days). i would take her to the LGS or big 5 or whatnot and see if you can find one of the junior models and see how it fits her. hers weighs alot less than my 12GA with a 28" barrel and on occasion i favor hers over mine because is is a little easier to take up the side of hills and mountains due to its shorter size and weight makes it alot easier to climb and hike long distances with.

good luck! remember that in the end she is going to need to go out and see how different shotguns feel and fit for herself to know for sure!

[Hopy]

Our current 870 express has the 18.5" barrell and overall length of around 39". I'll take a look at the youth model 13" set. That looks like it could work. Thanks everyone for your thoughts