Introduction
The Remington 870 shotgun is a popular firearm used for hunting, home defense, and sport shooting. Replacing the factory forend can make your shotgun feel better and work better. This guide will show you how to install a new remington 870 forend. We’ll focus on being safe and doing it right. A new forend can make your shotgun easier to hold and use. This guide will help you do the job confidently, whether you know a lot about guns or are just starting to customize yours.
Key Takeaways
- Safety is very important – always make sure the shotgun isn’t loaded before you start
- You need the right tools and to be prepared to do this well
- Follow each step carefully so you don’t damage your gun
- A new forend can give you a better grip and more ways to customize your shotgun
- Always test that everything works after you put it back together
Tools and Materials Required
Safety Equipment
Before you start, make sure you have safety glasses to protect your eyes, work gloves to protect your hands and help you grip things better, and a mat to work on that will protect your table and gun parts.
Recommended Tools
You’ll need these tools to install the new forend: a special wrench for taking off and putting on the forend, a flathead screwdriver, some punches to push out small pins, a soft hammer that won’t damage metal parts, a set of screwdrivers made for working on guns, some needle-nose pliers for small springs and parts, and a flashlight to see better in tight spots.
Removing the Factory Forend
Unloading and Verifying the Shotgun is Safe
Being safe is the most important thing when working with guns. First, take off the cap at the end of the magazine tube. Then, pull back the forend to make sure there are no shells in the gun. Look inside the chamber and magazine tube with your eyes and fingers to make sure they’re empty. Put the safety on, and always point the gun in a safe direction while you’re working.
Disassembling the Remington 870
To get to the forend, you need to take apart some of the shotgun. Take off the barrel by unscrewing the magazine cap all the way and pulling the barrel out. Separate the main body (receiver) from the stock by finding and removing the bolt that holds them together. Take out the trigger group by pushing out the pins that hold it in place. Be careful with any springs or small parts when you lift out the trigger group.
Detaching the Factory Forend
Now you can take off the old forend. Find the nut inside the forend, usually at the front. Use the special wrench to loosen this nut. Slide the forend off the magazine tube, being careful not to hurt the metal bars inside. Check these bars and the magazine tube to make sure they’re not worn or damaged. Clean all the parts you can see before you put on the new forend.
Installing the New Forend
Preparing the New Forend
Before you put on the new forend, check it for any problems like cracks. Make sure it’s the right kind for your Remington 870. Look at any special features it might have, like rails for attaching things. Read any instructions that came with it. Lay out all the parts of the new forend, including any extra pieces that came with it.
Sliding and Securing the Forend
To put on the new forend, line it up with the metal bars and make sure they fit in the right spots inside the forend. Carefully slide the forend onto the magazine tube. Don’t force it if it doesn’t slide on easily. Once it’s in place, use the special wrench to tighten the nut inside. Check that everything lines up right and the metal bars move smoothly inside the new forend. If your new forend has places to attach things like lights, put those on now if you want to.
Reassembling the Shotgun
After you’ve put on the new forend, it’s time to put the shotgun back together. Put the trigger group back in, making sure all the little springs and parts are in the right spots. Connect the main body back to the stock and tighten the bolt that holds them together. Put the barrel back on by sliding it into place and tightening the magazine cap. Double-check that all the parts are connected right and everything moves like it should.
Function Test and Inspection
Before you use the shotgun, you need to test it. Make sure it’s not loaded, then pull the trigger to see if it works right. Move the action back and forth several times to make sure it’s smooth. Check that all the parts are tight and nothing moves in a way it shouldn’t. Look at the new forend to make sure it fits right. Test all the safety parts to make sure they work. If you can, have someone who knows a lot about guns check your work before you shoot the shotgun.
Maintenance Tips After Installation
To keep your new remington 870 forend in good shape: Clean it and the metal bars regularly. Check that the nut inside is still tight, especially if you use the gun a lot. Put oil on the moving parts to keep them working smoothly. Keep your shotgun in a cool, dry place so the new forend doesn’t get damaged by moisture. If your new forend lets you attach things to it, check that those attachments are tight every so often. If your new forend is made of wood, you might want to put something on it to protect it and make it last longer.
Why Replace the Remington 870 Forend?
Performance and Ergonomics
Replacing the factory forend can make your shotgun better in several ways. It can give you a better grip, especially when it’s wet or cold. You might be able to attach things like lights or lasers to it. It could be lighter, making the gun easier to hold for a long time. It might fit your hand better and make the gun more comfortable to use. Some new forends can help keep the gun cooler when you shoot a lot. It might also make the pump action faster and smoother.
Durability and Material Considerations
New forends are often made of better materials that last longer and resist damage from things like water, sunlight, and extreme temperatures. They can make your shotgun look cooler. They might be stronger and less likely to break if you drop the gun. Some are made to resist chemicals you might use to clean your gun. A new forend might even help reduce how much you feel the gun kick when you shoot.
Final Thoughts
Replacing the factory remington 870 forend can make your shotgun work better and look cooler. By following this guide, you can safely put a new forend on your Remington 870. Always be safe, and if you’re not sure about something, ask someone who knows a lot about guns for help. If you install and take care of your new forend properly, it will make your shotgun better for a long time. Think about how you use your shotgun and what features you want when you choose a new forend. The more you practice with your upgraded shotgun, the more you’ll see how the new forend helps you shoot better.
