4 Tips for Upgrading a Remington 870

Whether you’ve been around firearms your entire life or you’re new to owning them, a Remington 870 shotgun is easily recognizable. Originally released in 1950, this has become one of the most popular shotguns of all time because it is reliable, accurate, and durable, making it both a fantastic first firearm and an excellent addition to a growing collection. While it is reliable straight from the factory, you can totally revamp your Remington 870 with some upgrades if you want to take its performance to the next level. From adding a grip to the handguard to installing a red dot sight, choke tube, and much more, there are tons of ways to personalize your shotgun to your exact needs. If you’re interested in making some changes, here are a few tips for upgrading your Remington 870.

Start With an Optic

One of the best ways to upgrade any firearm is to add an optic, as this can immediately improve your accuracy and consistency when shooting. For shotguns, it’s often impractical to put a large rifle scope on the receiver, so most people opt for a red dot sight. However, adding an optic to a Remington 870 isn’t as simple as it is for most pistols or rifles, as many configurations don’t have rails that allow for quick and easy mounting. Thankfully, you or a gunsmith can fix this issue by drilling and tapping the receiver and installing shotgun rails, which is a simpler process than it sounds like.

Once your shotgun is capable of supporting an optic properly, you have tons of options to get the perfect reticle, size, sight picture, and more. One of our top picks for a shotgun red dot sight is the Holosun 507C-X2 Reflex Sight. Unlike larger red dot sights, the 507C was originally designed for pistols, giving it a small frame and window. This works well with the Remington 870, especially for a home defense firearm, as you don’t need a large sight picture for short- to medium-range shooting. Alternatively, the Vortex Viper red dot sight was designed for use on shotguns, featuring an enclosed shroud design and low mount height to keep the firearm accurate and streamlined.

Swap the Handguard

The factory handguard on a Remington 870 is reliable and durable, but it doesn’t offer all the benefits of modern shotgun handguards. For example, many replacement handguards come with built-in tactical rails that allow you to attach other accessories to your shotgun easily, such as a weapon light, foregrip, or laser sight. While many people assume these upgrades are pointless if you aren’t building a “tactical” shotgun, this is untrue. A reliable weapon light can be crucial for even casual shooters and hunters, as it allows you to illuminate your surroundings without taking your hands off your firearm. This keeps you in control and allows you to react if you encounter an issue, such as a coyote, bear, or other predator crossing your path. Similarly, a laser sight lets you aim quickly in tense situations, and a foregrip gives you even more control over your aim, increasing your accuracy.

Additionally, modern shotgun handguards use lighter materials, so if you have an older 870 that’s primarily steel and wood, you can reduce the overall weight by swapping to a polymer handguard. Even though the classic wood furniture looks great, it isn’t the most practical for a firearm that you use regularly, as it requires a lot more care. By swapping to a polymer or aluminum option, it becomes a lot easier to clean, as these materials are not as sensitive as wood. These materials are also easier to grip than hardwood, especially in wet conditions, so you can pump the shotgun and take follow up shots quickly.

Consider the Barrel

Each firearm is built with a purpose in mind, and many factory options are built as “general purpose,” which means they’re pretty good across the board. While this is not an issue for most shooters who do a little bit of everything, if you’re only using your Remington 870 for a specific purpose, then some of the factory choices might not be beneficial. The biggest example of this is the shotgun barrel. Generally, the Remington 870 is a hunting shotgun, which means many configurations come from the factory with a 26-inch or 28-inch barrel. This gives slugs and buckshot a lot of space to reach velocity and stay accurate at range, which is especially useful for deer hunting and waterfowl hunting. 

However, if you want to make your 870 a home defense shotgun, it’s going to be awkward swinging a long barrel through hallways. Alternatively, this is too long for other types of hunting as well, such as turkey hunting. In this case, you can swap the barrel entirely and completely transform your Remington 870. There are countless shotgun barrels in various sizes, so you can pick the one that matches how you use the firearm.

Another barrel upgrade you can make is installing a choke tube. Choke tubes are barrel inserts that restrict the internal dimensions to tighten your pattern when shooting. They are most commonly used for hunting birds, as a shotgun choke prevents the pellets from spreading out too much before they exit the barrel, ensuring your placement is accurate at longer ranges. If your shotgun already has a choke tube designed for this, you can remove the choke or get a new one that’s more suited to your style.

Upgrade the Stock

The shotgun stock is often underappreciated, as there are plenty of stock variations you can install to make shooting the weapon easier and more comfortable. This is especially true with the majority of Remington 870 models, as they use a straight-comb stock that doesn’t include a pistol grip. This is the classic style, and while it looks excellent and works well for hunting, skeet shooting, and target practice, it isn’t always the best option for tactical or defense situations. In these cases, it can be better to swap the classic stock for something a little more modern. For example, the FAB Defense AR15/M4 Collapsible Buttstock is a great modern option that comes with a pistol grip and lets you shorten or extend the length of the stock to ensure that you are comfortable when shouldering the shotgun. It’s also made of aluminum with an option for a built-in shock absorber that helps you manage recoil and stay on target when you’re firing. There are even polymer folding stocks that make transporting and storing the shotgun much easier when you’re not using it.

Make Your 870 Work for You!

Here at OpticsPlanet, we’re proud to offer all the equipment, accessories, and gear you need to accomplish your goals. Whether you’re looking for a full component overhaul for your Remington 870 or just want to stock up on shotgun ammo before your next hunting trip, we have plenty for you to choose from. From 12 gauge shells to an entirely new shotgun trigger, our goal is to help you create your dream scenario. Check out everything we have to offer today!