Product Review: SpecOps Gen II Adjustable Shotgun Stock

Before the AR-15/M4 platform became widely used among law enforcement, shotguns were the long-gun of choice for the patrol officer.  They were easy to operate, short enough to be mounted inside the patrol car’s cab area, and provided an extended range out to 100 yards with slugs.  While semi-auto shotguns have been around several decades, most departments required (and still issue) the “tried and true” pump-action scatter guns such as the Remington 870 and the Mossberg 500 which have been in use for over 60 years.

Like the Colt 1911 pistol, the popularity and ruggedness of the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500 platforms allowed the manufacturers to tweak these popular shotguns to the point where there was not much the end-user could do to enhance their performance.

Blackhawk SpecOps Stock Gen-II

(http://www.blackhawk.com/product/SpecOps-Gen-II-Adjustable-Shotgun-Stock,1808,165.htm)

A couple of years ago, I came across an advertisement for the Knoxx (Blackhawk) Spec-Ops shotgun recoil reduction system and thought, “Wow! This would be cool to have!” Alas, the finance department (my wife) said no funds were available. So, I waited.

In the fall of this year, I attended our department’s annual instructor in-service training, on the menu: three days of combat shotgun!  Now, I have been shooting shotguns since I was a kid in 4-H trap and skeet, but I will confess, the idea of over 100 rounds of 12 gauge buck and slugs with a wood stock 870 was not exactly exciting me!

Thanks to my boss, I was able to order the collapsible Knoxx anti-recoil stock and put on my departmental issue 870 for some testing. At the end of the three days of constant shooting, I will attest that the stock performs as well as it claims to.  Felt recoil was dramatically reduced and the adjustable stock length is great if the shotgun is shared amongst other officers or needs to be adjusted for heavy clothing such as a vest and jacket during winter time.

The system performed so well that I purchased one for my personal shotgun and installed it. If you decide to purchase one, note that there is a non-recoil reduction system (labeled as “NRS” on the box).  Just as the name implies, it will not reduce recoil!  Both the recoil reduction system and the NRS are offered in a kit that includes the forearm for the pump.

One downside that I did discover, if you have a receiver mounted side-saddle ammo holder, your fore-end grip may need to be cut down or the side-saddle completely removed for the gun to function properly.  Other than this one drawback, I still strongly recommed this product.

If you shop around, you should be able to find the recoil reduction stock for around $100, the NRS can be found for around $70.

 

 The following is a brief overview of the stock installation:

 

1.)    READ THE DIRECTIONS:  Before assembling your new stock, be sure to read the directions that came with the product.  I would also go out and by a cheap set of allen wrenches. There are two wrenches that come with the gun, but for some reason, the one you need to install the stock itself to the receiver is not included.

2.)    DO NOT TURN OR REMOVE THE LEVER LOOKING DEVICE WITH THE RED RUBBER CAP.  This falls back to #1 above.  If you turn and remove the lever bar, you will be in trouble!

3.)    Disassemble the stock from the receiver. For the 870, you will need a Phillips head screw driver (with a decent sized bit head) and a large flat head screw driver (at least 6” in length).  You must first remove the two Phillips screws from the recoil pad.  Look for two small holes in the back; they will flex open when you insert the screw driver.

Remington 870 Express in Orginal Configuration

 

Remington 870 Express Broken Down.

4.)    Remove the stock by unscrewing the bolt with the flat head screwdriver once the recoil pad is removed.

5.)    Take the stock off and remove the spacer plate between the receiver and the stock. There will be a replacement spacer with your new stock.

6.)    You will now need to remove the barrel and the fore-end.  If you have never taken your shotgun apart this far, read the shotgun’s manual, get someone to help you, or get on the internet and search “how to disassemble a (your model) shotgun”.  It is not hard, but if you don’t know where to look to disengage the action bars, you will be there all day scratching your head.  Note: when you remove the action bars, your bolt and bolt-slide will come out.

a.       To remove the fore-end from the action bars, you will need to remove the retaining nut located in the end that faces toward the muzzle. You can either by the “special tool” for $20 bucks, or you can use a pair of pliers that works just fine.  Just look for the two slots in the nut, insert the pliers, and turn the direction you need to go. (Remember: Right is tight, left is loose).

View Showing two Slots Cut in Retaining Nut

Place end of Pliers into the Slot Holes and Turn to Remove

 

 

7.)    CLEAN YOUR SHOTGUN: Since you have it this far apart, might as well give it a good cleaning.

8.)    Assemble your stock: Again, after reading the instructions that came with the stock, you will need to assemble the spacer plate, then the pistol grip, tighten the bolt, and then slide the rest of the stock on the pistol grip (now you get to turn the little lever bar).

a.       Note: you will notice that there are two spacer plates, one that has an ear on it, and the other that does not. The one with the ear is for a sling attachment, which I would strongly suggest installing. If you shoot right handed, the ear goes on the left side of the gun, and on the right side if shooting left handed.   

b.      Sling: I am getting a bit off subject, but I would recommend a single point sling for a shotgun, and attaching it to the sling point on the new spacer, but that is a whole other blog…

Remington 870 Express With Knoxx SpecOps Parts Positioned for Assembly

 



9.)    Install the fore-end:  You may experience a tight fit with the action bar, which you need to be careful not to bend. I discovered that you can actually pull apart the receiver end of the fore-end and it will allow the action bars to slide all the way in. Once the action bars are in, you can then tighten them back up with the nut.

10.) You should now have a tactical shotgun not only reduces recoil, but chicks will dig it more!

 

Completely Assembled Remington 870 with Knoxx SpecOps Stock and Fore-end.

Disclaimer: I am not paid by, nor do I endorse any specific manufacturer. All reviews are a matter of opinion based off of personal experience with the product. ALWAYS read and follow the directions of the manufacturer and practice safe firearms handling techniques.  I am not responsible for any damage, injuries, accidents, incidents, or death. Remember, always practice safe weapon handling techniques.