I own a Remington 870 Express Super Mag Synthetic 12 gauge. I’d like to get a better option for home defense. I could buy an 18" barrel (I’m seeing $200), mag extension, and stock. But as I’m pricing this out, I’m wondering if I’m just better off buying a new shotgun specifically designed for home defense. I paid $300 for the shotgun in 2007 (it’s in excellent condition).
Thoughts?
Welcome to the community @Jason144!
@Jason144 Welcome. Ya, with the price of parts I think you would be as well off to buy another gun. 
Besides, you never know when you will need a hunting gun. My thoughts. 
@Jason144, Welcome to the community, train hard and stay safe brother. 
My initial inclination is to always buy another gun 
That said in the context of funding being in short(er) supply I would consider finding a cheaper “take off” tube via your local gun plumber or on line. All 870 Tubes will fit in any 870 Receiver the question will be what is stamped on the barrel itself. Some tubes will say 2 3/4" only others will say 2 3/4" & 3" and the unobtanium which you own says 2 3/4", 3" & 3 1/2". With your stick you can shoot anything that the barrel is rated for because the receiver is rated for all of them. An 18 1/2" or 20" “Deer Barrel” makes for a handy HD length tube even if it started life as a 28" vent rib Express barrel.
As to accessories such as mag tubes and Scooby stocks and the like you would be better served by yanking the plug out of the mag and putting a “Side Saddle” on it which nets you 5 or 6 rounds of 12 Ga on the off side of the receiver. The end result is you have a shotgun that looks like a regular old shotgun as opposed to being tacticool but it still brings 10 or 11 rounds to the game. aBy popping the short tube off and bolting the long tube back on you have the original purpose (bird gun). That said if you get the Side Saddle you will need a shorter fore end than stock but they can be had or you can get a hack saw which is what I did to mine along with a little filing, sanding and staining looks original.
Cheers,
Craig6
Keep your hunting shotgun intact, use the funds to get a Rem 870 express tactical. 18.5" bbl, extended cylinder choke flash suppressor, picatinny rail and Aperture sights. Made for home defense. Got mine for under $500
I understand the barrel & tube. Why change the stock? Buy a mossberg, get some 1 3/4 double ought buck & an adapter so it runs. Done…
Seems like just buying another one is similar price and a good option. Of course for the last 3 months I have not been able to find either parts or a home defense shotgun. I have email alerts on a number of websites to let me know when they come in stock. Crazy times!
Thanks for the help.
Pawn shops. 870’s are like a Beetle or Harley. Although right now might be hard to find another gun. I have done several up for myself by getting them at a shop, having the stock barrel cut down, and adding the extension tube (Nordic Components, do NOT go cheap). The MagPul stock is hard to beat. My current HD 870, which doubles as my 3gun shotgun, is running a 28" vent rib barrel (why not, the 10 shot tube is that long anyway), and the regular stock. I keep meaning to convert to a Magpul stock, but it works fine the way it is.
If you get an 18" barrel, it will be cylinder unless it takes chokes. You add an extension for 8 rounds or more, and you will be out past the barrel anyway. Get a longer barrel is ok.
The 870 Super Mag is a good choice for home defense, it will take any shell up to 3.5 inches and a pump is very reliable. That being said “one is none and two is one”, if you can get into another 870 for the same money as parts I would say add another gun. I wouldn’t take a hack saw to your barrel, you may not like how it patterns afterwards.
Welcome to the family brother and you are blessed to be here.
I got a Rock Island Armory Shotgun M5 for about $200.00. A lot simpler and a lot faster than trying to upgrade. Its never going to be used for anything other than home defense.
That was a good deal and for home defense you couldn’t have gotten a better price.
Just found this. I knew the 870 was customizable, but I didn’t know you could convert it into a bullpup.