HD shotgun conversion, Part 1

[K_W]

Stopped in to Pop's (Family Indoor Shooting Range) and saw they had a nice display of shotgun parts as part of their remodel. The prices seemed reasonable so I picked out three items to start my HD conversion of my Remington 870 Express Magnum. I chose...

ATI 6 position AR style collapsible stock $60
ATI collapsible stock shell holder $15
ATI Tri-rail forend $30

Then I stopped by Gander and picked up a sling and went home and started work. An hour of work (took my time), a trip to the store for a big screwdriver, and a busted thumb later (my fault), I was done. I topped it off with a Nebo Protec 190 lumen weapon light from my P95 to try out the rail.

Part II will be deciding what shorter HD barrel I want (18" bead or 20" rifle sight) and a shotgun rated light.

Before...

After...

I am happy with all the parts, they seem very well made and went together fine, other than I sliced my thumb open on a sharp piece of the plastic forend trying to get it back apart after realizing I was supposed to have removed the little "bridges" they have for shipping reinforcement.

Here is the parts...

 

[jb1911]

You posted the same picture twice.

 

[darend505]

Looks like a good transition! Have not been to Pop's Guns in years.

 

[backfire]

Looks good!

 

[K_W]

You posted the same picture twice.

Fixed.

 

[sloughfoot]

If you shoot that thing, won't it drive the shotgun shells into your right eye? How do you get a cheek weld without pain?

 

[bloodandgutsmurphy]

That is pretty cool looking

 

[IndyBeerman]

Part II will be deciding what shorter HD barrel I want (18" bead or 20" rifle sight) and a shotgun rated light.

Go with the 18 and use the ATI heat shield with ghost sights.

 

[K_W]

If you shoot that thing, won't it drive the shotgun shells into your right eye? How do you get a cheek weld without pain?

The shell holder is on the right side my cheek and eye is on the left.

 

[IndyBeerman]

Go with the 18 and use the ATI heat shield with ghost sights.

New Houge front forend on the mossy, mere 15 bucks from TSG at this weekends show. Putting bicycle tube on the handgrip also because that grip is a little on the slick side.

 

[K_W]

Beerman, What has been your experience shooting with the ATI stock?

Is it harder recoil than original? strange sight angles? strange behaviors?

 

[IndyBeerman]

Beerman, What has been your experience shooting with the ATI stock?

Is it harder recoil than original? strange sight angles? strange behaviors?

I'm going to be really honest, I have not shot it since before I had my shoulder surgery and it had an old metal folder on it.

But I've had it up drawn up to my shoulder looking at the sight lines many times practicing dry fires and pumps each and every time I have made a change to it. First when I put the ATI stock on, then when I put the ATI heat shield with ghost sites on and just yesterday when I put the new Houge forend on it.

Sight angles, position seemed just fine to me, but right now I'm not planning on firing that 12 gauge bad boy unless I have to, or if I go buy a Knox recoil reducing stock (same profile as the ATI). I shot my buddies Mossberg 930SPX with both 3 inch magnums and standard 2 3/4 inch shells with 00 buck and my surgically repaired should can't take the beating.

Now if I can figure out how to attach something more than a standard AR butt pad cushion to save me money, I'll be all over it.

 

[K_W]

1.5

Picked up an 18" barrel today... now I just need a TLR-1

 

[Sureshot129]

I had an ATI on my 870 and could not get on the bead sight yours looks better but I switched to a Mesa Tactical and it was all better not to mention I can use the same RRA operator stock and MIAD grip that I have on my rifle.

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

Ahh, much better. I was going to ask why you had all that barrel on there. Once you got that swung around you wouldn't have to aim, but there's all that swinging it around to do! Burglars aren't clay pigeons, you know. Need a mag extension next, nudge nudge wink wink. Oh no, you're not done, definitely not done...

 

[TRL]

good looking shotgun!

 

[K_W]

Ahh, much better. I was going to ask why you had all that barrel on there. Once you got that swung around you wouldn't have to aim, but there's all that swinging it around to do! Burglars aren't clay pigeons, you know. Need a mag extension next, nudge nudge wink wink. Oh no, you're not done, definitely not done...

The shotgun is the bedroom gun and there is only one place I would take cover and shoot from, which is my side of the bed kneeling on the floor aiming diagonally over the bed towards the door, while my wife would hide underneath.

Barrel length was not a major concern.

Now that the shotgun is hallway friendly, I may expand it's territory a bit.

As for the mag extension, I would love one, however, the gun has the dimples in the mag tube, and while they can be removed, the gun will be used for clays at times, and the 28" barrel does not have a detent ball nor does the cap have dimples. I would have to remove the dimples, drill the 28" barrel's ring, install the ball and spring and replace the cap with a new dimpled cap.

 

[blamecharles]

Lot of nice shotguns in here. I am looking at doing the same HD project that i see going on in here. May send out some pm's to ask some of you guys what you have.

 

[blamecharles]

Should any of the internals be upgraded on a mossberg 500?

 

[blamecharles]

I recently traded for a New Haven 12ga. this is a Mossberg 500 clone. I am going to be using it as a HD gun and want to do some upgrading on it and had a few questions on the barrel / magazine extender relationship. I would prefer a 18.5" barrel and plan to use a ATI heat shield with the ghost ring sights like Indybeerman's. My main question is how would this affect a magazine extender? I will also be using a Knoxx recoil reducing stock with the power pack accessory and side saddle eventually. Any issues with this setup?