Understanding the Core: The Remington 870 Tactical 14
The Remington 870. The very name conjures images of reliability, ruggedness, and a legacy forged in the fires of countless applications. From law enforcement to hunting, from personal defense to competitive shooting, the 870 has earned its place as a true American icon. And within the family of 870 shotguns, the Tactical variant with its 14-inch barrel stands out as a compact and formidable tool, ready to meet the challenges of close-quarters engagements. But, as with any platform, the 870 Tactical 14 truly shines when properly equipped. This article delves into the realm of accessories, offering a comprehensive guide to elevating your Remington 870 Tactical 14’s performance, functionality, and overall effectiveness.
The Remington 870 Tactical 14: A Brief Overview
Before we dive into the world of accessories, it’s crucial to appreciate the foundation upon which we build. The Remington 870 Tactical 14 is characterized by its short barrel, offering increased maneuverability in tight spaces. This makes it an excellent choice for home defense, where quick handling and pointability are paramount. Its compact size also makes it suitable for tactical operations where space is limited. Coupled with the pump-action mechanism renowned for its robustness and simplicity, the Tactical 14 offers a powerful package. However, the bare-bones configuration of a factory Remington 870 Tactical 14, while functional, leaves considerable room for improvement. Adding the right accessories transforms it from a capable firearm into a highly optimized tool tailored to specific needs. The choices you make in accessorizing will significantly impact the shotgun’s ergonomics, ease of use, and overall effectiveness.
Illuminating the Darkness: The Vitality of Weapon Lights
One of the most crucial upgrades for any tactical shotgun, including the Remington 870 Tactical 14, is a reliable weapon light. In the vast majority of defensive scenarios, whether in a home or a tactical environment, low-light conditions are likely. A weapon light provides a clear advantage, allowing you to positively identify threats, navigate your surroundings, and maintain situational awareness. Consider the implications of having to use a handheld flashlight while simultaneously operating a firearm. A weapon-mounted light frees up a hand, enhancing control and providing a more stable shooting platform.
Light Types and Features
There are various options when it comes to weapon lights. You can choose a rail-mounted light, which attaches directly to the forend or handguard, providing a stable and integrated lighting solution. Alternatively, you might opt for a pressure pad activation, allowing you to activate the light with a switch mounted on the forend, without changing your grip. When choosing a weapon light, consider factors such as brightness (measured in lumens), battery life, and activation methods. Durability is paramount; the light must withstand the rigors of regular use and potential impacts. Look for reputable brands with proven track records for reliability.
Focusing the Aim: Sighting System Enhancements
While the basic bead sight found on many Remington 870 Tactical 14 models functions adequately, it often falls short of ideal performance in rapid target acquisition or low-light situations. Upgrading the sighting system can dramatically improve your accuracy and speed. Ghost ring sights offer a robust and intuitive sight picture, allowing for faster target acquisition than traditional bead sights, especially in dynamic environments. Red dot sights offer even greater advantages, presenting a clear and easy-to-see aiming point that makes target acquisition extremely quick and intuitive. With a red dot, you can maintain focus on the target while the dot itself helps align your shot.
Choosing the Right Sight
When choosing a sighting system, consider the intended use. Ghost ring sights are an excellent all-around option, providing a balance of speed and precision. Red dot sights are ideal for rapid target engagement, particularly at close to medium ranges. When installing any sighting system, ensure that it is securely mounted and properly aligned. This ensures reliability and promotes the best possible shooting performance.
Grasping the Advantage: Forend and Handguard Upgrades
The standard forend on the Remington 870 Tactical 14 is often functional, but it may not offer the best ergonomics or the ability to mount additional accessories. Upgrading the forend can provide a significant enhancement in grip, control, and versatility. Aftermarket forends come in a variety of materials, including polymer and aluminum. Many feature integrated rail systems (Picatinny rails or M-LOK) for attaching weapon lights, lasers, and other accessories. This modularity enables you to customize the shotgun to your exact needs.
Key Considerations for Forend Selection
When selecting a forend, prioritize ergonomics. Look for a forend that feels comfortable and secure in your hand. Consider the texture and grip surfaces; a secure grip is essential for maintaining control, especially under stress. If you intend to mount accessories, ensure that the forend is compatible with the desired attachment methods (Picatinny, M-LOK, etc.). Ease of installation is also a consideration.
Creating the Connection: Pistol Grips and Stock Adaptations
Another area where customization can yield significant benefits is the stock or pistol grip. The choice between a pistol grip and a full stock is often a matter of personal preference and intended application. A pistol grip offers a compact and maneuverable platform, suitable for close-quarters engagements. However, it may be less stable and could present challenges in controlling recoil. A full stock provides a more stable shooting platform, allowing for better recoil management and improved accuracy, especially at longer ranges.
Adjustability and Options
Some Remington 870 Tactical 14 owners opt for adjustable stocks. These allow for easy customization to fit different body types and shooting stances. When upgrading the stock or pistol grip, ensure compatibility with your existing receiver and consider the overall aesthetics and ergonomics of your chosen upgrade.
Keeping it Close: Sling System Essentials
A sling is an indispensable accessory for any tactical shotgun. It provides a convenient and secure method of carrying the firearm, allowing you to keep your hands free when needed. A sling is also a critical part of a proper shooting stance. The ability to keep your shotgun close is an asset, helping you to keep control of it.
Sling Types and Mounting
Various sling configurations are available, including single-point, two-point, and three-point slings. Single-point slings attach to a single point on the receiver or stock, offering a high degree of maneuverability but can be less stable. Two-point slings attach to both the forend and the stock, providing better stability and control. Three-point slings offer a balance of mobility and stability.
When choosing a sling, consider the intended use and your personal preferences. Ensure that the sling is made of durable materials and features a secure attachment system. Sling mounts are critical. Choose mounts that are compatible with your chosen sling type and the configuration of your shotgun.
Ready at Hand: Shell Carriers for Rapid Reloads
In a defensive or tactical situation, the ability to quickly access and reload ammunition can be a lifesaver. Shell carriers provide a readily available supply of extra rounds, improving your ability to respond to evolving threats. There are several options for shell carriers, including buttstock carriers, receiver-mounted carriers (side saddles), and shell carriers attached to the stock.
Shell Carrier Types and Benefits
Buttstock carriers attach directly to the stock, offering easy access to spare shells. Receiver-mounted carriers, often referred to as side saddles, attach to the receiver, placing spare shells within easy reach of your support hand. The benefit of quick reloads cannot be overstated in a tactical or defensive context. Choosing the right shell carrier ensures reliability and ease of access.
Adding a Boost: Magazine Extensions and Choke Tubes (Optional)
While the Remington 870 Tactical 14’s original capacity is adequate, some shooters may want to increase its capacity with a magazine extension. Adding a magazine extension increases the number of rounds you can carry in the magazine tube, providing additional firepower. However, when installing a magazine extension, ensure that it is properly installed and that it doesn’t negatively impact the shotgun’s balance or reliability.
Choke Tube Considerations
Consideration should also be given to choke tubes. Choke tubes allow for modification of the shot pattern, enabling the shooter to tailor the shotgun’s performance to various ranges and applications. Different choke tubes produce different shot patterns, with tighter chokes resulting in a more concentrated pattern and wider chokes resulting in a more dispersed pattern.
Considering the Details: Purchasing and Safety
When selecting accessories for your Remington 870 Tactical 14, quality and compatibility should be your primary considerations. Invest in reputable brands that are known for reliability and performance. Always ensure that the accessories you choose are compatible with your specific shotgun model and configuration. Shop at reputable retailers, whether online or at local gun stores.
Safety First
Safety is paramount. Before installing any accessories, always ensure that the firearm is unloaded and that the action is open. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully during installation. Regular maintenance and inspections are essential to ensure the continued safe and reliable operation of your shotgun. Make sure you fully understand how to use each new accessory before implementing it in a real-world situation.
Concluding Thoughts: Equipping for Success
The Remington 870 Tactical 14 is a formidable platform, and with the right accessories, it can become a truly customized tool, perfectly suited to your specific needs. From weapon lights to sighting systems, from forend upgrades to shell carriers, the options are vast. By carefully selecting and installing the right accessories, you can enhance the shotgun’s performance, improve your shooting skills, and increase your confidence in any situation. Take the time to research and experiment with different accessories to find the configuration that best suits your individual requirements. With careful planning and execution, you can transform your Remington 870 Tactical 14 into the ultimate close-quarters weapon.
