Armory Sponsor
Posted: 3/30/2007 8:30:20 PM EDT
|
Are the factory Remington extension tubes really that good that they command twice the price of the leading competitors? Which is the best do you think? e.g. From Brownells: Remington 2-shot w/stud $114 Tac-Star 2-shot w/stud $51 Wilson Combat 2-shot w/stud $45 Thanks for any help. 
|
The short answear is NO! Wilson Combat is the best. Why? Wilson Combat is milled one-piece vs. two-piece Remingtons. I have both. |
|
AKsRule has it right. If the extension isn't defective right out of the box, one is just as good as another. I do have to say that I've seen enough factory defects on the Tac-Star that I won't recommend them. How strong the extension is, is a non-issue. The extension can be a solid steel bar. The weak point is the GUN'S magazine tube. You'll notice it's a fairly thin tube, further weakened by deep, wide, square threads. A good bump and the extension can be knocked off the gun, and this always damages the gun's magazine tube, rarely the extension. With the Remington, this means a trip back to the factory to have a new magazine tube installed. This is also why you should always use an extension barrel clamp on the gun to support the extension and prevent knock-offs or out of alignment extension. I installed Choate extensions for many years, and in my opinion, they're the best deal for price-quality. The Choate comes as a complete kit with the extension tube in satin black sulfate or parkerized, with a good spring, a heavy-duty magazine follower, the barrel clamp, and a forward sling swivel. Over the years I saw only ONE bad Choate, and I'm sure that was squashed in shipping. The Remington really is the best for a number of reasons, including it's the only kit that locks the barrel clamp in place so it can't shift under recoil, BUT doesn't require that the screw be tightened to the point of stripping. Also, the Remington barrel clamp is the best there is. A close second to the Remington is Tank's Rifle Shop almost exact copy which is a few dollars less, but doesn't have the clamp screw inter-lock feature. The Wilson is very well made, and now has a good rep. Earlier Wilson extensions had problems with bad springs. The down sides to the Wilson are, it comes without a clamp, and some people do not like the Wilson sling mount system. The Han's Vang is absolutely the best quality, being machined for solid bar stock, but this is very much over-kill since again, the weak point is the gun's magazine tube. It too doesn't come with a clamp. My vote, given the choice: First place is the Remington, if you can stand the price. Second place is the Choate for it's completeness and quality. |
|
The Scattergun/Wilson tube is a great tube, Choate is also a great tube, but the Vang Comp is worth looking into as well they are expensive but comparing all the above mentioned and having run all the above on my shotguns the Vang is very impressive. They all run equally well are all durable enough and very well made but I feel the Vang is just a cut above. |
Thanks d, I'm probably going to go with the Remmy if I can find one at a good price and if not, then get a new Choate. I've found a place that has them for $37.50. Definately need a good barrel clamp.
Gotcha -- I've been scoping out both the EE and Ebay. Thanks. New shotgun should be arriving this week. Thanks everyone for the input. I appreciate the responses.
|
| I have an three 870's, my first two have the remington because that is what they came with. My newest addition to the family, had a Vang Mag extension on it when I purchased it. I guess there is a trend here. I can tell you, if I was going to buy a mag extension for an 870, the Vang Comp is the way I would go. It is a one piece mag ext that is so solid, you could use it for a weapon. I am extremely impressed with it and there is absolutely no need for a barrel clamp if you are going to use a Vang. I can't say the same for a Remington or a Wilson. |
Armory Sponsor