Remington 870 Replacement Stocks

Howdy,

I have a Remington 870, 12 ga. It’s been a good reliable gun, but…..

I’ve always thought it had the ugliest stock ever put on a production gun. The “pressed checkering” and that plastic finish, just ugly.

One thought would be to buy replacement wood, fit it and finish it myself. The other thought would be to try and get that nasty plastic stuff off the original stock pieces and refinish it in oil or something.

Thoughts?

SR

This why I miss the old Herters store in Waseca. I haven’t seen a semi-finished wood stock for an 870 since that place was up and running.

I would say it’s probably down to how much time and effort you want to put into it vs money spent.

The plug/play solution is something from Boyds or another replacement company. Take a look at what Boyd’s has to offer, they do walnut and laminates.

On the refinishing end, it is possible and there are lots out there who have stripped that plastic coat and refinished. From reading several web forum posts on this, it’s a big PITA, messy, stinky, etc. But it can turn out well and it preserves the factory stock.

Grouse

Several years ago I needed a replacement stock for an 870. I went to Ahlmans gun shop in Morristown, MN and they had a whole box of unfinished and finished stocks, some used and some new for 870’s. I got an unfinished used one, finished it my self and installed. Worked perfectly.

I also bought a new Browning Citori in 1983. The first thing I did was strip all the glossy finish off of it, put 12 coats of oil on it. It still looks fantastic, but is much better finish for a hunting gun.

If you want to take the time to refinish it yourself I would do that if the wood is decent. That way you know the stock fits the gun already. If the wood is really ugly, then just get a different stock.

Zip strip, a wire brush and 220 grit sandpaper will get the old stuff off. Like sticker said, 8-12 coats of oil and 3-5 of gun stock wax will get it looking more the way you want it. I’ve done several for myself and others. It becomes a labor of love.

Buddy of mine put a Sterling stock on from Boyd in the nutmag color. perfect fit and has held up well with his abuse. The laminates will add a little more weight though

@rootski What ever became of this project?

Ralph Wiggum wrote:

@rootski What ever became of this project?

Nothing. Replacement wood is expensive.

I ended up using my old muzzle loader all season and never did use the 870. So I’d classify it as a back burner deal for the time being.

SR

Refinish and lemme know how it goes.