870 Express Mag Synthetic for home defense

[arodgers]

My wife gave me an early Christmas present yesterday and as I already own an 870 Express Mag with walnut furniture, this one is going to be strictly a home defense shotgun. I have several questions though that I'm hoping you folks can answer.

I want to throw an 18" barrel on it and they sell for around $120 on eBay. Anywhere I can get it cheaper?

I read something that said the Express 870's don't accept extended tubes without modification to the firearm. If this is true, how extensive is the modification?

If I want to install ghost-ring sights, do I need to get the receiver tapped?

[zzzarkt]

The 870 express shotguns do have dimples in their magazine tubes that have to be taken out before a magazine extension will function proeprly. Unless it came from the factory with a magazine extension.

Some folks use a dremel to grind them down then polish them out, but I just took a drill with a 1/3" bit and drilled them out. Either way works but the dremel is more effort.

As for the ghost ring sights, you will need to drill/tap the receiver to install the rear sight.

Check your PM's for the barrel.

[arodgers]

I'm assuming either way leaves a noticeable hole in the factory tube?

Sent you a reply to the PM.

[zzzarkt]

If I remember right the forend assembly covers the hole, I cannot tell for sure right now as my 870 is off getting refinished, but I do not recall ever seeing the hole while the gun is fully assembled.

[ElectricZombie]

When the gun is assembled, you cannot see the holes.

[arodgers]

Here it is so far. I haven't modified the mag tube yet so the spring isn't in the shotgun. Barrel and Wilson Combat +2 tube were purchased from GT user zzzarkt. Excellent service and I would definately do business with him again. I have a hunch there is a new power drill or dremel or both under the tree so I should be able to finish installing the tube Christmas day.

http://whiplash.catheadlabs.com/shotgun2.jpg

Doesn't look like such a bird gun any more.