Upgrade Your Remington 870: Stocks, Parts & More!

Mr. Remington Stamm MD 12 May 2025

Ever wondered why the Remington 870 remains one of the most beloved shotguns in American history? It's not just about tradition; it's about relentless adaptability, a platform so versatile that it can be customized to fit virtually any need, any shooter, any situation. From the seasoned hunter to the tactical operator, the 870's enduring appeal lies in its modular design and the sheer abundance of aftermarket parts available to tailor its performance.

The Remington 870, particularly the 12-gauge variant, stands as a testament to functional design and enduring reliability. The availability of parts is a cornerstone of its popularity, allowing owners to maintain, repair, and upgrade their shotguns with ease. Whether you're seeking a replacement barrel chambered in 12, 16, 20, or 28 gauge, or perhaps even the .410 bore, the market caters to every conceivable configuration. Companies like MGW (Midwest Gun Works) offer an expansive catalog of components, from replacement barrels and stocks to forends, recoil pads, sights, trigger assemblies, and magazine tube components. Even the smallest parts, such as recoil springs and pins, are readily accessible, ensuring that your Remington 870 remains in peak operating condition for generations to come.

Category	Information
Model	Remington 870
Type	Pump-Action Shotgun
Gauge Options	12, 16, 20, 28 gauge, .410 bore
Common Upgrades	Stocks, Forends, Barrels, Sights, Trigger Assemblies
Stock Material Options	Synthetic, Wood, Thumbhole
Aftermarket Manufacturers	Magpul, Boyds Gunstocks, Remington
Primary Use Cases	Hunting, Sport Shooting, Home Defense, Tactical Applications
Notable Features	Modularity, Reliability, Wide Availability of Parts
Website	Remington Arms Official Website

The beauty of the Remington 870 lies in its adaptability. Want to transform your field gun into a specialized turkey hunting machine? A simple stock and forend swap can make all the difference. Numerous manufacturers, including Remington themselves, offer stocks specifically designed for this purpose. The Remington ShurShot stock and forend, often finished in Mossy Oak Obsession camo, provide an ambidextrous design, ergonomic grip, and molded-in sling swivel studs, catering specifically to the needs of turkey, deer, and predator hunters. These stocks often feature a thumbhole design, enhancing control and reducing felt recoil.

The quest for the perfect stock doesn't end there. Thumbhole stocks, in particular, have gained considerable popularity among Remington 870 owners. These stocks offer a unique grip configuration that many find to be more comfortable and conducive to accurate shooting. Several companies, including Boyds Gunstocks, offer thumbhole stocks in various materials and finishes. Boyds' Sterling stock and AP forend, often finished in pepper laminate, provide a classic look and robust performance. Numrich Gun Parts also offers a wide selection of Remington 870 stocks, including black synthetic thumbhole models with textured inlays. These synthetic stocks are particularly appealing for their weather resistance and durability.

MidwayUSA is another prominent retailer offering a vast array of Remington 870 stocks and stock adapters. Their extensive selection ensures that you'll find the perfect fit for your needs and preferences. The availability of stock adapters further expands the customization options, allowing you to use stocks designed for other platforms on your Remington 870. This level of interchangeability is a testament to the 870's modular design and the ingenuity of the aftermarket parts industry.

Beyond stocks, the Remington 870 offers a plethora of options for enhancing its performance in specific roles. For turkey hunters, a 21-inch vent rib barrel is a popular choice, providing the optimal balance and maneuverability in dense cover. These barrels are often paired with specialized chokes, such as a turkey super full choke tube, to maximize pattern density at longer ranges. The Remington 870 SPS (Special Purpose Synthetic) is a factory configuration designed specifically for turkey hunting, featuring a 21-inch barrel, Mossy Oak Obsession thumbhole stock, and bead sight. This model showcases the 870's versatility and its ability to be tailored to specific hunting disciplines.

For those seeking a more tactical configuration, the Remington 870 Tactical offers a range of options, including side-folding stocks. These stocks provide a compact profile for storage and transportation, while still offering a stable shooting platform when deployed. The Magpul SGA stock is another popular choice for tactical applications, offering adjustable length of pull and cheek rise to accommodate different shooters and optics. The Magpul MOE forend provides enhanced grip and accessory attachment points, further enhancing the 870's tactical capabilities. When Magpul released these upgrade parts in 2011, Remington 870 owners quickly recognized their value and embraced them as superior alternatives to the original factory parts. The enhanced ergonomics and modularity of the Magpul SGA stock and MOE forend significantly improved the 870's handling and performance.

The availability of aftermarket parts extends beyond stocks and forends to include a wide range of other components, such as sights, trigger assemblies, and magazine tube extensions. Truglo, for example, offers a 30mm red/green dot sight that can be mounted on the Remington 870 for improved accuracy in low-light conditions. These sights are particularly useful for turkey hunting and other applications where quick target acquisition is essential. Magazine tube extensions increase the 870's capacity, making it a more formidable weapon for home defense or tactical applications. These extensions are available in various lengths and capacities, allowing you to customize the 870 to your specific needs.

Maintaining the Remington 870 is also a straightforward process, thanks to the availability of replacement parts. Over time, components such as recoil springs, pins, and extractors may wear out and need to be replaced. Fortunately, these parts are readily available from various sources, including MGW and Numrich Gun Parts. Regular maintenance and timely replacement of worn parts will ensure that your Remington 870 continues to function reliably for many years to come.

The Remington 870's enduring popularity is a testament to its robust design, reliable performance, and unparalleled versatility. Whether you're a seasoned hunter, a competitive shooter, or a homeowner seeking a reliable defense weapon, the 870 can be configured to meet your specific needs. The vast array of aftermarket parts available ensures that you can customize your 870 to your exact specifications, creating a shotgun that is truly your own. From thumbhole stocks to tactical forends, from extended magazine tubes to red dot sights, the possibilities are endless. The Remington 870 is more than just a shotgun; it's a platform for personal expression and functional excellence.

When considering upgrades, it's essential to prioritize those that will provide the most significant improvement in performance or handling. A high-quality stock, such as the Magpul SGA or a Boyds thumbhole model, can dramatically improve comfort and control. A new forend, such as the Magpul MOE, can enhance grip and provide accessory attachment points. A specialized barrel, such as a 21-inch vent rib barrel for turkey hunting, can optimize performance for specific applications. And a reliable sight, such as a Truglo red/green dot, can improve accuracy in various lighting conditions.

Ultimately, the best way to customize your Remington 870 is to experiment with different parts and configurations until you find what works best for you. The 870's modular design makes it easy to swap out components and try new setups. Don't be afraid to try different stocks, forends, sights, and chokes until you find the perfect combination for your needs and preferences. With a little experimentation, you can transform your Remington 870 into a truly customized and highly effective shotgun.

The Remington 870s heart lies in its simple yet robust pump-action mechanism, celebrated for its reliability. This, combined with the sheer volume of available aftermarket parts, cements its place as an icon. Owners can easily replace original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts with upgraded versions, enhancing ergonomics, recoil management, or tactical capabilities. Whether it's a simple swap of the forend or a complete overhaul with a new stock and barrel, the possibilities are nearly endless.

Furthermore, the Remington 870's adaptability extends to various gauges. While the 12-gauge is the most common, the 870 is also available in 16, 20, and 28 gauge, as well as .410 bore. This allows shooters to choose the gauge that best suits their needs and preferences. The availability of parts for all of these gauges ensures that owners can maintain and customize their 870s regardless of the chambering.

In conclusion, the Remington 870 stands as a shining example of American ingenuity and enduring design. Its simple yet robust construction, combined with the unparalleled availability of aftermarket parts, has made it one of the most popular and versatile shotguns in history. Whether you're a seasoned hunter, a competitive shooter, or a homeowner seeking a reliable defense weapon, the 870 can be configured to meet your specific needs and preferences. With a little knowledge and a few well-chosen upgrades, you can transform your Remington 870 into a truly customized and highly effective firearm.

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Upgrade Your Remington 870: Stocks, Parts & More!

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