I have carried the Remington 870 shotgun as a law enforcement officer for nearly 20 years for several different agencies, and as a civilian before that.

I have lost count of the aftermarket stocks that I have used on 870s through the years to mitigate the punishing recoil of 1-ounce slugs and try to shorten the length of pull so it fits me while wearing body armor.

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I recently had the opportunity to round up some of what I feel are the best aftermarket stocks available and try them out on my terms, on my duty shotgun.

Here are some of today’s best stock options for the tried-and-true Remington 870 shotgun.

ATI Talon T2

ATI has an enormous selection of aftermarket tactical stocks not only for the Remington 870, but also Mossberg, Winchester, Benelli and most brands currently carried by law enforcement in the U.S. I tested ATI’s Talon T2 tactical stock with the Scorpion Recoil System. The pistol grip is fat, and the backstrap is all rubber. Both helped reduce felt recoil tremendously. It positions the hand farther back from the trigger, which makes it much easier to flip the safety off. The stock, mounted on a commercial-width buffer tube, can be adjusted to six different length-of-pull positions, from 12 to 16 inches. The stock has a little bit of play in it. A 1.5-inch, removable rubber buttpad sits on the rear. It comes with an adjustable cheekrest that can be raised from 0.13 to 0.5 inches above the buffer tube.

For more information, visit atigunstocks.com or call 800-925-2522.

BlackHawk SpecOps Gen II

I have owned several Knoxx straight stocks from before they were offered by BlackHawk and since. These have been the softest-shooting stocks I have ever owned. However, it gets tricky to fit all of that recoil-reducing technology into a tactical stock. The BlackHawk Knoxx SpecOps Gen II is the best attempt to date in my opinion. It has a nice, ergonomic pistol grip that makes it easy to manipulate the safety, and comes with a second set of rubber inserts to customize the fit and feel. The buffer tube size is proprietary, but the stock fits on snuggly with no wiggle and offers seven length-of-pull positions, between 11.5 and 14.75 inches, for fine tuning. The stock has a large, 1-inch, removable rubber buttpad from LimbSaver. This stock also offers a reversible, single-point, quick-detach sling swivel and an ambidextrous, single-point sling plate. The SpecOps Gen II also comes with a black, polymer forend to match the stock.

For more information, visit blackhawk.com or call 800-379-1732.

Choate M4 Telescoping/Folding Stock

The Choate M4 Telescoping/Side-Folding Stock for the Remington 870 shotgun offers users the combined benefits of an AR-style collapsing stock that can also fold alongside the receiver of the shotgun. The result is a highly adjustable and extremely compact tactical stock system for the popular 870 shotgun. Packed with an included compact forend, the stock assembly sports a polymer buttstock that features dual watertight storage compartments that also provide an enhanced, ambidextrous cheekweld section. The stock can be adjusted from a length of pull of 14 inches out to 17 inches. The stock can fold to the left side of the receiver and locks solidly in both the open and closed positions. One simply pushes down on a top-mounted button to release it. For strength and durability, the folder housing, hinge and hinge pin are constructed from steel.

For more information, visit riflestock.com or call 800-972-6390.

Ergo F93 Pro Stock

I fell in love with Falcon Industries Ergo grips for my AR rifles over a decade ago. I still run them on a lot of my ARs. The Ergo F93 Pro Stock wins the contest for coolest-looking stock for me, hands down. It does not offer any recoil-reducing properties, but the length of pull can be adjusted from 12 to 16 inches, and it is a heavy, solid stock with a nearly 0.5-inch rubber buttpad that feels pretty good. Collapsed, it actually slides under the tube in eight length-of-pull positions with the Mesa Tactical stock adapter that I used. Ergo offers its own stock adapter that is shorter and will shorten up the length of pull even more. The best feature of this stock is that once it is adjusted, the release lever is pushed forward until it clicks and the stock becomes rock solid with absolutely no wiggle in any direction.

For more information, visit ergogrips.net or call 877-281-3783.

Magpul SGA Stock

Magpul has made a name for itself producing high-quality synthetic components for a wide variety of tactically oriented firearms. Light, durable and affordable, these offerings have proven to be very popular with shooters and enthusiasts. While the company started by producing rifle magazine-based accessories, it soon expanded into stock sets for rifles such as the AR-15 and the AK, to name just a few. Recognizing a demand for its unique products for tactical shotguns, the company soon developed the SGA Stock. This shotgun stock features an ambidextrous configuration that is modular/user-configurable for enhanced operation. It features a spacer system for length-of-pull adjustments as well as a recoil-reducing buttpad and optional cheek risers for use with optics or raised sighting systems. An enhanced grip design rounds out the package. The SGA Stock is available in black, Flat Dark Earth, stealth gray or orange.

For more information, visit magpul.com or call 877-462-4785.

Mesa Tactical Urbino

Mesa Tactical is another company with a great variety of excellent after-market shotgun stocks for law enforcement shotguns. I tested the company’s Urbino tactical stock system, which looks similar to a Benelli tactical stock but is shorter. This was the only stock that was not adjustable for length. It has a 12.5-inch length of pull, which Mesa Tactical determined is ideal for use with or without body armor because it allows the body to be squared up to the threat. The very fat, rubber-coated pistol grip sweeps to the rear. It has optional ambidextrous sling loops and a 0.75-inch LimbSaver recoil pad. My favorite feature on this stock is the firm cheekriser that adjusts quickly and easily, with no tools, from 0.25 to 1.38 inches high.

For more information, visit mesatactical.com or call 714-545-3332.

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