Remington 870 Tac-14 Modifications

Zee

Some might remember I got a Remington Tac-14 awhile back. 

It has been through several mod variations since then. For one reason or another, I didn’t like any of them. Until now. 





Took it to the range today to sight in the Aimpoint and test the recoil with 2-3/4” Reduced Recoil 00 Buck. Checking the pattern as well. 



Head is the result of a 10 yard shot pattern. 

Chest is from a 20 yard shot pattern. 

Recoil was very mild and while buckshot is not a long range endeavor and generally not my favoritte load, this set up should suffice for HD. 

I will be testing the recoil of slugs next, with the arm brace. Determine if they are a viable option (and the reason for the Aimpoint) and check zero. 

Jayhawker

That looks like it will work...nice job!

earlyagain

I recently viewed a print of a photo of some guns used by John Dillinger. One was a sawed off A5 with a short buttstock. I also read once that the 60's/70's era NYPD had some Ithaca 37's so configured for clearing buildings. In one of John Plaster's books about SOG operators in VN he describes one individual's preference for that type of gun.

So there is past presidence. 

Fisheadgib

Surprisingly that looks very similar to the Magpul 870 DM that I bought last spring but with 4" less barrel. When I posted about it on here, it was ridiculed by some. Picture that shotgun with a six round detachable magazine.

Zee

Fisheadgib said:

Surprisingly that looks very similar to the Magpul 870 DM that I bought last spring but with 4" less barrel. When I posted about it on here, it was ridiculed by some. Picture that shotgun with a six round detachable magazine.

The mag doesn’t make sense to me. Especially with the existence of the tube remaining. But hey, your gun, your preferences. 

Folks probably think my little gun is stupid or weird. No worries. 

Don’t remember your shotgun. Got pics to refresh my memory?

👍🏻

breamfisher

The tube makes sense as a support structure for the pump action. 

Zee

True

Zee

At room distance, there is no denying the payload. Especially with slugs. They are the hand of God. 

A shotgun  is easier on the ears as well. 

But, an AR has considerably less recoil. Decidedly more precision. While being much easier to manipulate. 

Think of it this way, my shotguns are the howitzer for the living room to the front door. 

My ARs are for hunting and moving. 

bullsi1911

Buddy of mine has the Mossberg version.  Been kicking around the idea of getting one and setting it up with a 'brace' like that.  Seems like it would be a fun gun to mess around with

Ernie Bishop

Curious to see how this works with the slugs.

Zee

Could be painful. 

Ernie Bishop

Zee said:

Could be painful. 

It looks that way to me

Ernie Bishop

Zee

Well, I got a wild hair to go try it tonight. Drove out to the gun club and used headlights. 



2-3/4” Reduced Recoil Slug (x2)
2-3/4” Reduced Recoil 00 Buck (x1)



5yrds = Waist
10yrds = Head
20ytds = Chest

Slug recoil was considerably more than the Buck. Tolerable, though. It ain’t a Range gun. 

Ernie Bishop

Do you prefer the reduced recoil slug for home use?

das68

earlyagain said:

 I also read once that the 60's/70's era NYPD had some Ithaca 37's so configured for clearing buildings. In one of John Plaster's books about SOG operators in VN he describes one individual's preference for that type of gun.

So there is past presidence. 

Pistols are for show offs, amateurs and the desperate. 12 bore is for killing.

I do know of a shoot keeper who carries his Ithaca 37 Deerslayer Police Special on a quad for when he needs to slamfire 8 x 2& 3/4 birdshot at his "fecking ferals".

Zee

Ernie Bishop said:

Do you prefer the reduced recoil slug for home use?

It’s what I got. 

10canyon53

I use the Winchester PDX1 Defender slugs.  Nothing reduced about the recoil on those.  Try them in a gun with a brace like that and you will likely have to get your shoulder surgically re-attached. 

Zee

I can’t imagine them feeling good. 

Zee

So, I will pose the question to the masses. 

If the anticipated distance was +/- 10 yards to the front door.........

Given to same effectual zero at that distance but a disparity in recoil.....

Which load would you use?

Slug or Buck?

Ernie Bishop

I think for home I would use the reduced slugs versus heavy loads....Distances are close and I would rather be able to control it easier, especially if I am not using the most solid stances/positions.  I don't see the benefit myself of a heavy slug load in that close.

Zee

I was actually referring to buck or slug. 

Sorry for the lack of clarification 

Ernie Bishop

Zee said:

I was actually referring to buck or slug. 

Sorry for the lack of clarification 

I don't know.

I guess slug for precision. 

It may be so close though that the buck shot would be just as precise.

Zee

Well, I have seen both slug and buck be absolutely devastating at close range on soft targets. 

I have seen soft armor stop buck and slug but, the slug was still fatal. 

Buck penetration sucks!  Slugs win in that area. 

Buck, while effective up close on soft targets, loses its effectiveness quickly as distance increases. 

Slugs are effective from point blank to wherever their accuracy renders them unsafe to engage. 

So, the only advantage I see to the Buck is lower recoil and faster recovery shot to shot. 

earlyagain

Price is another advantage to buck shot. Possibly not an applicable one but one nonetheless.

Ernie Bishop

I will stay with slugs.  That is what mine is loaded with.

CHIRO1989

I vote slug, we wear heavy coats in MN part of the year, more mass focused on a specific point. IIRC, didn't you run some range test on steel targets comparing buck and slug, you videoed yourself running and gunning? I thought you were in the slug camp after that.    

Zee

Oh, I’m firmly in the slug camp. 

Zee

But, I match the load to the tool, to the purpose. 

10canyon53

I have wavered between slugs and 00 buck.  Currently I keep my VEPR loaded with a 10 round magazine of 00 buck and a 10 round magazine loaded with the Winchester PDX1 Defender slugs as a backup.  This is a 5 round group of the Winchester slugs out of my VEPR at 50 yards, so I don't think accuracy is an issue at any distance I am likely to be shooting in self-defense.

Diver43

Buck it will do the job with less felt recoil, in case you need a follow up or have more than one target.