When discussing pump action shotguns in this nation, two particular models often come to mind. The first is the Mossberg 500 series, and the second is the Remington 870. Both of these shotguns have extensive histories of use in hunting, service, and defense. They are highly regarded and come in a wide range of configurations. Determining which one is superior ultimately boils down to personal preference. However, Remington did fall behind in one aspect until recently.
Throughout the years, the Remington 870 Stock has been utilized by police and military forces. However, there was always a caveat: these models were not readily available to the civilian market. Remington seemed to prioritize hunting throughout the decades, even going so far as to incorporate dimples within the magazine tube to prevent the acceptance of extensions without permanent modifications to the firearm. In contrast, Mossberg offered the 500 and 590 series, which were accessible to anyone and featured heat shields, ghost ring sights, and full-length magazine tubes.
Remington 870 Stock has made a significant comeback despite its recent bankruptcy, and it seems that the legacy of the 870 shotgun is set to continue under new management. In their 2020 catalogue, Remington offers five different models of the 870 shotguns, all labeled as "tactical." This doesn't even include their newer box magazine fed variants or the "Tac-14" models.
One notable feature of the Express Tactical model is its extended choke tube, which is equipped with aggressive teeth and circular vents. Although it may appear to serve as a combination compensator and a tool for dealing with annoying problems, its true purpose is to facilitate the use of breacher rounds for forced entry through doorways. While I'm unsure if it helps mitigate recoil when firing slugs, I have observed that it releases a significant amount of smoke. Therefore, using this device at an indoor range, even with proper ventilation, can quickly fill the area with smoke. It might be wise to have a standard choke tube available as an alternative.
Below is a magazine tube that is longer than usual and can hold a total of six rounds of 2 3/4" shells. Unlike the Mossberg and some other Tactical Shotgun Stocks, this one has a standard-length tube with a factory extension. I'm not entirely sure why they chose to go with this design. Not only is it inconvenient to reassemble, but there is also a sling bracket that needs to be removed using a Phillips screwdriver before you can detach the barrel. Additionally, to remove the sling bracket, you have to take off the cool-looking muzzle device. It's quite a complex process, and the sling bracket tends to cause wear on the parkerized finish.
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