Remington 870 SD Conversion Question

[PCS01]

I have an 870 express 12 ga. shotgun with a 20" barrel, and I would like to make it a bit better for home defense. I think I would like to do two things to it:

1. Add an extended magazine tube to give me a higher capacity
2. Possibly switch the fore grip to one that has either an integrated light or a universal-type light holder integrated into the fore grip that could receive various types of lights

So I have a few questions and was wondering if anyone here has done this to their 870 or knows how to do it. First, this is my only shotgun, so I would like to leave it as close to factory as possible so I can still use it as a hunting gun (I don't hunt much anymore, but I want to keep that option open). However, I do feel like I want to slightly modify it so it will be better for home defense.

Here are my questions:

1. How large of a magazine tube extension can I put on without having it extend past the end of the 20" barrel?
2. Once you install a magazine tube extension (mine has the dimple pressed into the end of the magazine tube, so I know I'll have to modify that in some way before I can do anything), can it be quickly and easily converted back into a factory configuration so that I can reinstall the plug and legally hunt with it?
3. Any recommendations on fore grips? I don't want to spend a fortune on this because instead of going crazy, I would rather spend any extra money on other guns/shooting supplies.
4. Should I put some sort of tactical sling on the gun, or is it not really necessary and more of a "tacti-cool" add-on?

Also, this is not my only means of defense. I have a couple other handguns that I have ready and quickly accessible if something ever goes bump in the night, but the 870 is currently my go to gun.

I would love to get some advice on this. Thanks.

[PCS01]

As a side note, there is a bit of available light from night lights in the hallway outside of the master bedroom. I would need to gather the kids, and then return to the master bedroom and simply plan to hunker down and defend that position until the police arrived. My thinking is that I would use ambient light to watch for any threat that might come up the stairs, and then I would try to identify and deal with the threat at the farthest distance possible (approximately 20 feet to the end of the hallway). I would be interested to hear if anyone can poke some holes in my theory, or if it sounds pretty reasonable. I didn't give home defense enough thought for too many years. Having kids and considering all of the breakins and other stuff in the news lately, I have been thinking about it a lot more over the last few years. I feel like I'm trying to play catch up now, and it leaves me feeling a bit on edge.

[Big Ugly Tall Texan]

The shotgun is great for SD as it is. A magazine extension is cheap and easy to attach. The rest of the stuff you listed is window dressing.

[cassrh]

Mine is like what you describe. It's as it came from the factory, and totally acceptable for my needs. All it does is stand next to the bed and gathers dust. As for also using one for hunting, it goes with me to Kansas for Pheasants, and also when clearing out my hog traps. It can't be used for migratory game without a good sized plug. I'd leave it alone, and use that as an excuse to buy another that fits your needs. Can't have too many, you know.

[PCS01]

Mine is like what you describe. It's as it came from the factory, and totally acceptable for my needs. All it does is stand next to the bed and gathers dust. As for also using one for hunting, it goes with me to Kansas for Pheasants, and also when clearing out my hog traps. It can't be used for migratory game without a good sized plug. I'd leave it alone, and use that as an excuse to buy another that fits your needs. Can't have too many, you know.

Do you know if an over-sized plug is available, or would it work just as well to remove the mag tube extension and put in the factory plug when required by law?

[PCS01]

Cassrh,

Also, how many rounds does your magazine hold? That should tell me what I'd be able to add to mine with the 20" barrel and end up with your basic setup.

[GunsandNoses]

You should be use a wooden dowel cut to length so the magazine is limited to the legal number of rounds.

Most 20" barreled shotguns with full length mag tubes hold 8 2 3/4" shells.

[PCS01]

Thanks. The dowel idea is very helpful. I don't know why I didn't think about doing that. I can't imagine it would be too difficult. I'm always in favor of cheap and easy fixes.

[Montkun]

+1 to the dowel rod, that's actually what the plug in my Mossberg 500 was. A dowel rod with a rubber O-ring on each end, to get it out i just remove the barrel and shake the rest of it upside down until the rod peeks through the hole. Thankfully, i haven't had to put it back in as i don't hunt, but i still have it if i need it.

[PCS01]

I assume the rubber o-rings are to keep it from rattling around? Sounds like a pretty inexpensive fix.