Remington 870 Defense Shotgun Review and Rebuild
Buckshot, Buckshot, Deer Slug, Buckshot, Buckshot, Deer Slug
Buckshot, Buckshot, Deer Slug, Buckshot, Buckshot, Deer Slug
For me a shotgun has always been a hunting firearm, but the venerable 12 Gauge is one powerful beast in the field and definitely for defending the home. A couple years ago the wife and I had some idiot attempt to break into our home. Though the intruder was sent running by two gun toting home owners, it made us think about up'ing our personal defense arsenal with a dedicated high capacity defense 12 gauge. The result was my wife backing me on the purchase of a Remington 870 Synthetic 7-shot 12 gauge for home defense. A screw up by my local gun dealer, and an I'm sorry discount allowed me to walk home with a smoking $220 deal on the shotgun I would have bought anyway at $295.
RANGE DAY ONE
So day two of new new elephant gun ownership and the wife and I hit the range. Unlike my wife (don't get ahead of me), I am used to 12 gauge shotguns. My wife did not find it amusing I randomly stacked 2 3/4" #8 shot, 3" 00 buckshot and 3" deer slugs in the tube magazine.
So day two of new new elephant gun ownership and the wife and I hit the range. Unlike my wife (don't get ahead of me), I am used to 12 gauge shotguns. My wife did not find it amusing I randomly stacked 2 3/4" #8 shot, 3" 00 buckshot and 3" deer slugs in the tube magazine.
Of Course this was a training aid, but the result was that both the wife and I were begging for a little recoil relieve after 100 rounds of random 12 Gauge shells.
RELIEF IN SIGHT Though the stock wood or synthetic stocks are just dandy if you are walking the field and maybe only click through a half a dozen shells while missing all manner of potential edible critter, however something cushier is needed for extended tactical training or extended shooting of high power loads. Our savoir came in the form of the Blackhawk Knoxx recoil stock kit which advertises up to 95% felt recoil. Internet videos show one handed 3" slugs shots with little recoil and nearly zip muzzle rise. I was sold and picked one up.
FEATURES & INSTALLATION
The stock kit is available in black and hunting camo pattern and comes complete with simple but sufficient installation instructions, long allen wrench for installation, recoil reducing buttstock and improved forend. A Phillips screwdriver is used to remove butt pad and a large standard screwdriver is used to remove the stock. The forend requires typical front end barrel removal and disassembly for installation. The only hiccup I had was the front end took a little coaxing for install, but nothing a couple minutes of patience didn't cure.
The stock kit is available in black and hunting camo pattern and comes complete with simple but sufficient installation instructions, long allen wrench for installation, recoil reducing buttstock and improved forend. A Phillips screwdriver is used to remove butt pad and a large standard screwdriver is used to remove the stock. The forend requires typical front end barrel removal and disassembly for installation. The only hiccup I had was the front end took a little coaxing for install, but nothing a couple minutes of patience didn't cure.
The Knoxx stock screws right in with the included hex bolt and Allen wrench. The forend requires typical front end barrel removal and disassembly for installation.Presto... done.
The Knoxx stock features two recoil reduction systems, one at the grip and the other in the stock. The pistol grip features a sprung cammed system that allows the gun to slide back on a track slightly at an angle. The second recoil reduction is in the adjustable shoulder stock via a standard horizontal sprung mechanism. My expectation was the the Knoxx stock would feel springy, but I have to say that super light clay/skeet loads probably won't budge the springs noticeably. In fact if pressed you could still use the butt to exercise an authoritative Hollywood mob shotgun head check. Suffice to say the springy recoil reducing stock still is plenty stiff and takes excessive force exerted from my fatass to move manually.
Having the shoulder stock adjustable is awesome and also a feature I didn't think would be all that useful. After you shoulder the gun in a t-shirt and then put on a thick jacket you will quickly appreciate that the stock length can be easily and quickly changed with just the lift of a lever even in a field or tacticle situation. Thia feature should be on every field gun.
RANGE DAY ONE
Finally I had a chance to blast away and get some range time on this beast. I LOVE IT. I think 95% recoil reduction is bullshit, but significant recoil reduction is obvious. I think the springs could be a little softer, however they may loosen up after some longer shooting sessions. The biggest noticeable improvement was secondary shot follow-up. My wife still does not feel comfortable with full 3" buckshot and slug loads for more than a couple shots, but with the shorter buckshot and slug loads are a pleasure to shoot.
Finally I had a chance to blast away and get some range time on this beast. I LOVE IT. I think 95% recoil reduction is bullshit, but significant recoil reduction is obvious. I think the springs could be a little softer, however they may loosen up after some longer shooting sessions. The biggest noticeable improvement was secondary shot follow-up. My wife still does not feel comfortable with full 3" buckshot and slug loads for more than a couple shots, but with the shorter buckshot and slug loads are a pleasure to shoot.
