Upgrades/ work to do on a 80's-90's Remington 870 Police Magnum?

[Wooohah]

Hey guys,
Finally found myself a Remington 870 Police Magnum from before Remington was bought out.
It is going to be randomly picked from a pile of Police Surplus.

I don't need anything fancy for this, just need a reliable shotgun. Externally, all im planning on doing is Magpul fore-end and stock, SKD shotgun placards via velcro and an extended magazine tube.

Internally what should I do? I know older Remington 870's are already rather reliable, but I will be getting a used surplus gun that I don't know what it's gone through.
Also, how should I check the internal condition? What should I look for?

I'm new to shotguns.

Thank you!

[GH41]

Hey guys,
Finally found myself a Remington 870 Police Magnum from before Remington was bought out.
It is going to be randomly picked from a pile of Police Surplus.

I don't need anything fancy for this, just need a reliable shotgun. Externally, all im planning on doing is Magpul fore-end and stock, SKD shotgun placards via velcro and an extended magazine tube.

Internally what should I do? I know older Remington 870's are already rather reliable, but I will be getting a used surplus gun that I don't know what it's gone through.
Also, how should I check the internal condition? What should I look for?

I'm new to shotguns.

Thank you!

Make sure the card will work with the MP forend.

[sierra 223]

Might change out mag tube spring for a Wolff Xtra Power.

[Buckaroo]

Tell us where you found this! Please?

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[26 Inf]

Depending on when it was actually made it may have a heavier sear spring in it, which you can easily replace if desired.

The shell carrier, should have a 'flex-tab' cut in it, if it doesn't I'd save myself some heartache and just buy a new trigger plate. The flex-tab allows you to cycle throw a bottom-side double-feed from the mag tube.

http://rifleshooter.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/870-FLEXITAB-CARRIER.png

One of the first things I would do is open the action and look to see if the ejector tip is present -

Intact: http://s201.photobucket.com/user/Rastoff/media/870Ejector.jpg.html

Broken: http://www.rem870.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/broken_ejector_remington.jpg

The ejector tip also serves to locate the barrel and keep it oriented properly. Replacing the ejector is usually either a trip to the warranty repair station or gunsmith.

There are a couple things you can look at on the trigger plate, first make sure the hammer pin washer is in place on the hammer pin - in the linked picture below the hammer pin washer is 'A.' They are most often black/blued rather than silver. If it is gone the hammer pin can work out a little bit and possibly impact the operation of the action bar lock.

http://s201.photobucket.com/user/Rastoff/media/Rem%20870/H-PinActionLockSpring.jpg.html

'B' is the action bar lock spring. You can see the other end of it coming around the front of the trigger plate and ending below the hammer pin washer.

The spring itself looks like this: https://media.midwayusa.com/productimages/880x660/Primary/393/393611.jpg

This is often broken on 870's that had been used and abused. If it is broken the action bar lock won't function surely. Bad news is to replace it you have to remove the hammer pin (and washer) in order to get the action bar lock out to route it. Generally you can look in through the ejection port with the action completely open and see if the end of the spring is in place.

The ejector tip, and the action bar lock spring are quick and dirty checks you can do by just opening the action. To check the trigger pin washer you'll have to remove the trigger plate.

I would want to remove the trigger plate to see if the action bars are properly staked into the receiver, if they aren't once again warrany repair station or gunsmith unless you are willing to give it a shot.

You'll also want to remove the forearm and ensure the action bars aren't bent or cracked. And while you are at it, make sure the barrel detent ball is present http://www.rem870.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/magazine_cap_detent_barrel.jpg.