Tacticalize 870P or leave it be?

GymB

GymB

Picking it up slowly.
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So purpose is HD for my wife and daughters, so eventually I’ll have 3 of these. Building one now because I nothing about it. Probably start with the short “firearm” version vs the “shotgun” version (I can’t recall the model names by maker) for the next two, it’ll be less expensive!

Step 1 is SBR, but that’s pretty easy, do paperwork and either have barrel cut or install 14” barrel.
Step 2 is sights. I like a ghost ring site, but who makes one and is getting the receiver d&t’d an issue? Any reason for an optic for this purpose?
Step 3 is forend, I like the idea of a light, any disadvantage? Good options?
Step 4 is grip and stock, and here I’m really lost. Pistol grip seems to make sense, as does a recoil reducing stock, but are their downsides? Better to just load/buy something a little softer shooting than magnum buckshot or slugs? Even birdshot at home/apt distances is gonna leave a mark.

or

SBR it and leave everything else including the bead sight alone?
 
GymB said:
SBR it and leave everything else including the bead sight alone?
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This.

Take them out and teach them to use the bead (cheek on the stock, eye on the bead…). If they’re using it for SD it’ll be close range. You want them shooting instinctually rather than trying to remember how to get a sight picture, etc.

I KNOW it’s not the same thing, but I see a ton of new 3 gunners come out with shotguns with all sorts of sighting systems. Unless they’re several-times-a-month shooters they all seem to struggle. Whereas the guys who just pull out grandpa’s old dove gun with a bead seem to do just fine.
 
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GymB said:
Step 3 is forend, I like the idea of a light, any disadvantage? Good options?
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Turn out all the lights then stand in your hallway at 2am. Can you see to the far end? I really doubt a light is necessary and it’s another thing for an amped up scared homeowner to think about.
 
number one item in the scenario (inexperienced small stature shooters) is finding something they are confident with-can load it, operate it and not be afraid of recoil. Everything else (stopping power, tactical cool stuff) is just noise.
I am biased against pump guns in this scenario because you need practice running a pump gun effectively which they realistically will not do and combined with shorter arms short stroking is a real possibility. I personally think pistol grips make this situation worse but that is just my biased opinion as I have a hard time running a pump gun with a pistol grip.
If you want to go shotgun 20 gauge semiautomatic with a youth stock. I would not bother with extend tubes. If they get 5 blasts off the threat will be gone.
I feel this is a situation where a PCC shines. Easy to load, shoot and add lights and red dots. Most of all they are fun to shoot and easy to make hits with 50 yards and under. After a few range trips they will be confident in their abilities which is the #1 goal.
 
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HD for my wife and daughters
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Are they going to train with this thing or are you creating a point-and-click solution for them?

A tac'd out short barrel boom stick with a birds head on it sounds like a blast for you and me - but my wife would drop it after the first shot.
 
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Catfish said:
Are they going to train with this thing or are you creating a point-and-click solution for them?
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I’ll get them to a range enough that I’m confident that they won’t shoot their toe off, but beyond that it’ll be up to them. One daughter is engaged, and he might have an interest in learning so they could maybe do it together.

Maybe I should get a 20gauge and have them break some clay pigeons. Light target loads, and more engaging than paper.

I’m kinda focused on the end product and not how to get them there.

keepcalmandcarryon said:
something they are confident with-can load it, operate it and not be afraid of recoil.
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Yes, never really works to try to form a new shooter to a gun without intense interest and extended training. Better to start with something that works for them. My concern with the auto loader is ftf if not well supported, but that might not be as big as issue as I imagine it is.
 
keepcalmandcarryon said:
I feel this is a situation where a PCC shines. Easy to load, shoot and add lights and red dots. Most of all they are fun to shoot and easy to make hits with 50 yards and under. After a few range trips they will be confident in their abilities which is the #1 goal.
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^^^
 
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2) beads are fine, but I'm a big fan of dots. It's every bit as simple as a bead, get a ainpoint or a holosun, change the battery once a year. There's a number of companies making extremely low profile m500 and 870 aimpoint micro mounts.

3) a dedicated light/forend combo is imo the best way to get a light on a scattergun. The surefire and streamlight forends seem to be rock solid.

4) I hate pistol grip shotguns, opinions vary though... I'm a big fan of the Magpul stock which can be configured for a nice and short LOP for women/kids and maintains classic ergonomics. I would recommend reducing recoil by careful load selection. How much less effective do we really think 1250fps 00 is going to be as opposed to 1600fps 00? The low recoil buckshot is going to be much more approachable and allow for better follow up shots, even for experienced shooters.

I also think shotguns are mediocre choices for novices, to parrot comments above. Any manual action may be difficult to be ran properly under stress by an inexperienced shooter.
 
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GymB said:
But guys, I don’t want to give up any of my PCCs!

Guess I could build more if I have too, and I can make teach them to make ammo for themselves
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FIFY
 
Just the sound of it racking will send people runnin' like russian soldiers from the Ghost of Kiev.
You don't even aim it, just point it towards the ceiling and everyone gets blown out the windows.
 
There may even be a nice one for sale in the classified section... Just sayin'... 😜

I know a guy who will give you a brace for it too if you ask nicely 😁
 
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This is like top 5 gun internet arguments I guess, but I feel pretty good about my chances with a pump with the longest shot in my house being 12 yards.

If my PCC and shotgun were next to each other inside the house, I'd grab the shotgun. If the rifle were there too, I'd grab the rifle instead.

All that said, I'd rather hand my wife something she is comfortable with and knows how to use. If they gravitate towards the PCC it's a no brainier. Hell, I'd rather she have a 10/22 if she would actually practice with it and become proficient.
 
bigfelipe said:
There may even be a nice one for sale in the classified section... Just sayin'... 😜

I know a guy who will give you a brace for it too if you ask nicely 😁
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Lol, I was going to make this comment, but wasn’t sure it wouldn’t fall flat. Sadly, can’t get to you any time soon.
 
I’m assuming you mean the Tac-14 when you say the firearm version? If so, there’s nothing to do once the Form 1 is approved as far as the barrel goes. It’s already a 14” barrel. Swap the birds head grip for a stock and you’re done.

You could start with the Tac-13 and do the same thing if you wanted to go semiauto instead of pump.
 
You could also go with the Mossberg Shockwave if you wanted to use a 590 base. And you’d get 5+1 that way instead of 4+1.
 
I would arm my wife and children with the firearms they shot proficiently, didn't jam, and they could operate easily under duress. I agree with the people above saying the best answer for that is a PCC. Shotgun is cool but shot placement, ease of use and their comfort and training regimen are more important.

For actual shotgun recommendations, I agree with everything @Cole_McD said in his post and give his statements a big +1. The Magpul SGA stock is my personal favorite 500/870 stock, and I too like a red dot on a shotgun, as long as that red dot is able to take shotgun recoil without losing zero (Something to be tested and ensured before relying on).
 
BigWaylon said:
My first recommendation would be to SBS it…not SBR it. 😳🤣
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Other things on my mind, but curiously if I put a rifled barrel on it what does it become, a 70cal SBR?

BigWaylon said:
I’m assuming you mean the Tac-14 when you say the firearm version? If so, there’s nothing to do once the Form 1 is approved as far as the barrel goes. It’s already a 14” barrel. Swap the birds head grip for a stock and you’re done.

You could start with the Tac-13 and do the same thing if you wanted to go semiauto instead of pump.
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Yes, I can’t remember which model name goes with which brand. I have a shockwave and a little insert thing so it’ll cycle mini shells. Have never shot it.

But now I’m leaning towards PCC built as light as possible. I have a couple spare 9mm barrels, plenty of Glock mags, and enough ammo. So here’s the plan, I’ll first build the shotgun that I think I’d want, and then I’ll build a lightweight 9mm PCC that I also think I’d want, and then I’ll ask what they think. Probably pack it all off to the farm for a day of shooting.
 
GymB said:
Other things on my mind, but curiously if I put a rifled barrel on it what does it become, a 70cal SBR?
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Destructive Device? 🤣
GymB said:
But now I’m leaning towards PCC built as light as possible. I have a couple spare 9mm barrels, plenty of Glock mags, and enough ammo. So here’s the plan, I’ll first build the shotgun that I think I’d want, and then I’ll build a lightweight 9mm PCC that I also think I’d want, and then I’ll ask what they think. Probably pack it all off to the farm for a day of shooting.
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If you want to have them try out a 14” 12 gauge, just let me know.
 
FWIW, I'm eventually going to get a walnut stock and fore-end for my 870P. If I'm ever in a court of law, I want the impression to be I defended myself with pawpaw's hunting shotgun. At the end of the day, it should be their choice but they should be able to run whatever is picked effectively. That might mean a PCC or, as mentioned above, even a 22. They should enjoy shooting it enough to get them to put in time at the range.
 
Don't overthink the shotgun. And I don't know if a 12ga. is the best choice due to handling, recoil or load capacity.
Personally, for my family, I'm focusing on the 10/22. Easy to handle, not intimidating for the shooter in either recoil or muzzle blast, accurate, a little range capacity with scopes. Extended mags. And I like the CCI Velocitors. Aiming point, the triangle between armpits and top of head.
Anyway, that's my current thinking. Next is .22 conversions for the AR's as a migration path to 5.56.

YMMV
 
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Just-A-Ripple said:
FWIW, I'm eventually going to get a walnut stock and fore-end for my 870P. If I'm ever in a court of law, I want the impression to be I defended myself with pawpaw's hunting shotgun.
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So I should be safe with my wood-equipped 870 Police Magnum?

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keepcalmandcarryon said:
Those seem like they would be ext unpleasant to shoot.
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The two SBS aren’t…

The AOW hasn’t been shot enough for me to call it unpleasant. I just wanted a red $5 stamp. 🙄
 
If you do decide on shotguns, these are a fantastic deal:

www.gtdist.com

Used Gun Remington 870 Police Magnum 12GA Shotgun (Modified)

Trade in Police Magnum (Modified) Parkerized body and magazine - 18.5 inch, bead sight, cylinder bore, and blued finish Mossberg shot barrel Condition shown is typical. The law enforcement version of the Model 870, the Police Magnum, is chambered in 12 gauge 3" magnum. These models feature a...
www.gtdist.com www.gtdist.com

I bought two and am very happy with them.

BigWaylon said:
The two SBS aren’t…

The AOW hasn’t been shot enough for me to call it unpleasant. I just wanted a red $5 stamp. 🙄
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I have a friend with a 07 FFL/SOT who is going to turn a TAC-14 I have into an AOW (~11.5" barrel) and then transfer it back to me just so I can have a $5 stamp. It is a sickness. :)
 
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