The Remington 870 is a legendary shotgun, known for its reliability and versatility. Whether you're a seasoned hunter, a competitive shooter, or a home defender, choosing the right sight is crucial for accuracy and performance. This guide focuses specifically on the Remington 870 bead sight, exploring its pros, cons, and suitability for various applications.
Understanding the Remington 870 Bead Sight
The standard Remington 870 bead sight is a simple, front-mounted bead that sits atop the barrel. This unassuming component plays a vital role in aiming, providing a single point of reference for aligning the gun with your target. Its simplicity is both its strength and its weakness.
Advantages of a Bead Sight
- Simplicity and Reliability: Bead sights are incredibly simple, durable, and require minimal maintenance. They're less prone to malfunction than more complex sighting systems.
- Cost-Effective: Replacing or adding a bead sight is inexpensive compared to installing more advanced sighting solutions.
- Intuitive Aiming: For close-range shooting, the single bead provides an intuitive aiming point, making it easy to acquire targets quickly. This is particularly advantageous in fast-paced situations like home defense or hunting close-range game.
- Low Profile: The low profile of a bead sight doesn't interfere with mounting accessories or using the shotgun in tight spaces.
Disadvantages of a Bead Sight
- Limited Range Accuracy: Bead sights are best suited for close to medium-range shooting. Accuracy significantly decreases at longer distances.
- No Adjustment: Unlike adjustable sights, you cannot adjust the point of impact with a standard bead sight.
- Poor Low-Light Performance: The small size of the bead can make it difficult to see in low-light conditions.
Types of Remington 870 Bead Sights
While the basic design remains consistent, variations exist in size, material, and color. Some Remington 870s come with a small, simple brass bead, while others might feature a larger, fiber optic bead for enhanced visibility. Aftermarket options offer even more variety, including:
- Fiber Optic Beads: These offer enhanced visibility, especially in low-light conditions, due to their ability to gather and amplify ambient light.
- Luminescent Beads: These beads incorporate materials that glow in the dark, providing an aiming point even in complete darkness.
- Larger Diameter Beads: Some shooters prefer larger beads for easier target acquisition.
Choosing the Right Bead Sight for Your Needs
The best Remington 870 bead sight depends on your intended use.
- Home Defense: A larger, brightly colored, or luminescent bead is ideal for quick target acquisition in low-light or stressful situations.
- Hunting (Close Range): A standard or slightly larger bead is usually sufficient for close-range hunting. Consider a fiber optic bead for improved visibility in wooded areas.
- Sporting Clays (Close Range): Similar to hunting, a standard or slightly larger bead can be effective for close-range targets. However, many sporting clays shooters opt for more advanced sighting systems for longer distances.
Upgrading or Replacing Your Remington 870 Bead Sight
Replacing a Remington 870 bead sight is a relatively straightforward process, often requiring only basic tools. However, if you are uncomfortable with firearm modifications, it's always best to seek the assistance of a qualified gunsmith. Remember always to follow all safety procedures when handling firearms.
Conclusion
The Remington 870 bead sight is a practical and effective sighting solution for close- to medium-range shooting. While it lacks the precision of more advanced sighting systems, its simplicity, reliability, and affordability make it a popular choice for many shooters. Choosing the right bead sight for your specific needs will significantly enhance your shooting experience. Understanding the different types and their applications is key to making an informed decision.
