Like the title says, has anyone on the forum removed the dimples on a Remington 870 mag tube? I want to add an extension for a few more rounds.

Looks like there are two methods - drilling and “leveling” them out with a socket inserted into the tube and hammering away.

Anyone know of any other methods? I’m leaning towards the drill method...

Thanks!!!

I used the socket. Worked perfectly and no problems....

quote:

Originally posted by BigNC:
I used the socket. Worked perfectly and no problems....

Interesting do you have any more details.
What size socket.

How’s the socket method work? What is done?

I drilled some on an old Sportsman 48 I had. Simple and effective. Would do again if looking to do so.

Brownells sells a tool specifically for removing the dimples. You have to be careful with using a socket, because you can expand the tube too much.

I drilled mine and then took a sanding disk on a dremel tool to clean the edges. I then covered the exposed metal with cold blue.

Pretty sure Brownell’s makes a specific dent raiser tool.

quote:

Originally posted by RAMIUS:
How’s the socket method work? What is done?

Pretty sure you take a socket (forget what size) and you line it up in the tube and slowly hammer it into the tube the socket will push out the dimples as it passes, then pull the socket out.

I also used a Dremel, ground them out.

I would think you would have to fit the socket to your tube by trial. The socket size doesn't exactly determine the outside diameter.

What about the muffler pipe expanding tools that have a screw type wedge of multiple sections?

https://www.harborfreight.com/...TEAQYASABEgIPB_D_BwE

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 41,

quote:

Originally posted by gocatgo:
I also used a Dremel, ground them out.

This (a little at a time with a sanding barrel) + cold blue as mentioned above

Everyone loves the socket method because you have sockets on hand but it's the least preferred.

That's because as you're pounding on the socket you're putting stress on the mag tube that's brazed into the receiver. That tube is thin too.

Drill and smooth is highly preferred

Skip to 3:30

Drilled and dremeled worked great.

My wife has dimples, why would I want to get rid of them. They make me smile.

Drilled, smoothed, cold blued.

quote:

Originally posted by 41:
What about the muffler pipe expanding tools that have a screw type wedge of multiple sections?

https://www.harborfreight.com/...TEAQYASABEgIPB_D_BwE

Way too big.

Sorry I didn’t answer earlier. This was 12 maybe 13 years ago. It was trial and error to find the right size but I took my time. I believe one of the final sockets was metric- so yes it will vary. I even used a lubricant to keep it gradual. Honestly I don’t even remember reading that I could have screwed it up so..... lucky me I guess. I usually do things myself because it’s enjoyable, not to save $. I would probably do it myself again but maybe try another method. Something fun about simplicity though and a mallet is pretty simple lol.

Drilled & dremeled here. It was (and is) the ugliest 870 in my house to begin with, The barrel ring covers the work-- not much chance of debris finding it's way in-- and took about ten minutes, tops.

I just used a round hand file on the inside. It was way simpler than I had expected.