Why A Tactical Picatinny Rail Forend Takes Your Remington 870 To The Next Level

By Author: Slade Street Tactical
Total Articles: 72
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The Remington 870 is one of the most trusted and battle-ready pump-action shotguns in the market. If you're using it for anything beyond casual shooting—home defense, tactical work, range training, it makes sense to upgrade it for better control, functionality, and adaptability. One simple but effective change? Going for a tactical forend for remington 870 with Picatinny rails built in.

Let us break it down. The standard-for-use Remington 870 forend is practical but offers little in mounting options for accessories. In today's world, that's a disadvantage. Whether you want to add a weapon light for visibility in low-light situations, a vertical grip for added control, or even a laser sight for quicker target acquisition, the first step is having a rail system that can take it. That's where the Remington 870 Picatinny rail forend comes in.

Such Tactical Forend for Remington 870 usually come with several Picatinny rail sections on the sides and bottom, meaning that you are not stuck with the one-size-fits-all configuration. You ...
... can mount only what you need and keep the rest of the setup clean. A common loadout, for example, is to mount a weapon light on the right rail and a hand stop or an angled foregrip underneath. No unnecessary clutter, no extra weight.

Another big plus? More grip and control. Most of these forends are made of high-strength polymer or aircraft-grade aluminum and have texturing, grooves, or ribs for a solid grip, even with gloves or wet hands. In a high-stress environment—whether that be a defensive situation or just running drills at the range—these provide the extra control that will count.

Installation is usually pretty minimal and completely reversible. No gunsmithing is necessary for the changeover, nor is any permanent modification made to the shotgun. Simply remove the old forend, slide on the new one, and you're ready to rock. Most aftermarket tactical forends for the Remington 870 are drop-in compatible with the 12-gauge, but always double-check compatibility, especially if you're working with an older variant.

One issue to watch for: heat. If you're shooting in high volume or running heavy accessories close to the barrel, it may be worthwhile to ensure that your new forend has a heat shield. Some rail forends have been designed to accommodate some of the popular heat shields, so you don't have to sacrifice gear mounting in favor of hand protection.

Looks aside, there is also a certain style. A Remington 870 Picatinny rail forend gives your shotgun a much more modern, aggressive persona. It isn't just there for show—but if your gun looks good and feels good, that is a double win.

Be it upgrading your 870 for duty use, home defense, or just fashioning a more intelligent, adaptable platform, a tactical forend is one of those upgrades that matter. Function, control, and flexibility are invoked but not compromised for the rugged reliability that made the 870 a legend in the first place.

The best selection of rail-equipped forends for your Remington 870 can be found now at ShotgunForend.com. Make your shotgun pull its weight-and then some-with gear that is built to match its potential.

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The best selection of rail-equipped forends for your Remington 870 can be found now at ShotgunForend.com. Make your shotgun pull its weight-and then some-with gear that is built to match its potential.