Best Remington 870 Shotgun Heat Shields in 2022

Remington 870 With Heat Shield Review – Why Do You Need a Good Heat Shield?

Shotguns are one of the first practical guns to be introduced during the early 1600s. Throughout the years, shotguns were commonly used for hunting and leisure shooting.

However, after the French and Belgian battlefields, they have also become an essential part of every military arsenal and their sporting reputation has been severely interrupted since then.

The American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) brought in a manual-actuated pump slide shotgun, the Winchester Model 1897, and its noticeable feature was the perforated heat shield over the barrel and bayonet mounting.

While a head shield is not necessary for a Remington 870 shotgun, it is still a good accessory to have thanks to the benefits associated with it. Finding the best Remington 870 heat shield can be quite challenging, but don’t worry because we’ve put together a list of the best Remington 870 heat shields.

Before getting to the list, there is some information about heat shields that you should be aware of and this information can help you make a more informed decision. Without further ado, let’s have a look at it.

Are All Heat Shields Similar?

In some gun reviews, you might see a shotgun being referred to as a “business only” plain gun. However, many owners would actually prefer to customize their shotguns and having a barrel shroud is a great addition for improved looks without compromising the reliability of the weapon.

In the beginning, heat shields were machined from steel but today, most of them are made with lighter materials such as 7075-T6 aluminum or some types of synthetics. These types of materials are excellent for resisting impact and high temperatures.

To summarise, heat shields are designed for similar purposes which are protection and heat dissipation, but not all of them are constructed the same way. Some heat shields on the market can be used as an attachment base for sights or sling swivels, while some come with silicone pads to protect the barrel from scratches.

Advantages and Disadvantages of 870 Heat Shield

The main use of a heat shield is to protect your forward hand from the barrel heat resulting from firing many rounds in a short duration. Besides that, heat shields can also be used to allow the mounting of a bayonet as a last-ditch measure.

Back then, the military “trench” style guns were a decently impressive weapon but today, those types of barrel shrouds are considered as a relic of the shotguns that were used in the trenches of WWI.

Modern day barrel shrouds or heat shields for combat shotguns are accessories designed with the sole intention of guarding the shooter’s hands from getting burned. Besides safety, it also adds comfort to the shooter. After firing many shells downrange, your barrel will be extremely hot and heat shields are a good protection for your hands when you’re handling and reloading.

Another practical function of a barrel shroud is to protect the barrel from damages when using it harshly. Other than the protective advantages heat shields and shrouds bring, they are also a great addition for tactical looks on the weapon and can be main reasons that owners want a heat shield for their barrel.

You should also note that there are some downsides you may experience when you attach heat shields or barrel shrouds onto your Remington 870 shotgun. Some shooters think of heat shields and barrel shrouds as impractical attachments, hindering them from cleaning the shotgun properly.

If you plan to clean your gun thoroughly and frequently, it will require the heat shield to be removed and in doing so, it can cause damage and scratches to the finish on the barrel. Plus, if the installation isn’t done properly, it may result in the moving of the heat shield under recoil and causing it to scratch and flip around the barrel.

What to Look For in the Best Tactical Heat Shield For Remington 870

Some people might think that adding a heat shield or a shroud on a home defense shotgun is not a bright idea. However, once they have it installed, they will notice many advantages of a properly designed and constructed heat shield. And here are some of the things you should look out for that make a great heat shield.

Construction

The first and most important aspect of a high-quality heat shield is its construction. Normally, the high standard heat shields are made from tubular steel, polymer or aluminum. They are also designed with a special pattern for efficient heat dispersion.

Many gun specialists will recommend heat shields made of metal, but with modern technology, there are some incredibly durable plastic and non-metal composite materials. These new and synthetic materials won’t rust or melt and don’t conduct heat much less than metal heat shields.

Style

The standard heat shield has a single or double front band locking clamp, but newer and improved models have an additional friction-fit bracket at the rear for a fit on the barrel that resists recoil. Higher standard heat shields usually have pads to protect the gun’s barrel surface from damages and also prevent metal-to-metal contact.

You might also find a heat shield or shroud with a MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny sight rail, but it does add some additional weight to your weapon. Overall, the style of your ideal heat shield should satisfy you and also keep your shotgun barrel protected.

Installation

Most heat shields have a universal design but you may find some that require a custom fit to the gun. If you want to avoid this troublesome issue, be sure to choose a heat shield with an easy installation and preferably with as little tools as possible.

Finishing

There are many different finishes for a heat shield and the most common finish is matte blue or black because these colors are an easy match for Remington 870 barrels.

The 3 Best Remington 870 Heat Shields in 2022

Now that you know more about Remington 870 heat shields, let’s have a look at the list of the 3 best heat shields for the 12-gauge shotgun, Remington 870.

1. Advanced Technology International Outdoor Deluxe Heatshield

Specifications

  • 13.5” long
  • Steel heat shield
  • Elongated cooling slots
  • Matte black finish

Features

The Advanced Technology International Outdoor Deluxe Heat Shield is machined of formed steel and has a black oxide finish that easily matches the finish of your Remington 870. A feature that separates this unit from the others is its elongated cooling slots that give maximum heat dissipation to protect the user’s hands.

This heat shield is also designed with a non-slip surface so the shooter can achieve exceptional handling and control of the shotgun even with wet hands. The all-steel shield has a length of 13.5 inches and weighs about 3 ounces which is decently light and compact, ensuring that it doesn’t bulk up the barrel of the shotgun.

Products by ATI are popular but this particular model is extremely popular for the Remington 870. This is partly thanks to the easy installation that will take you approximately 10 minutes only and all you need to do is slide it over the barrel and secure it with the given hardware. However, if you have a rifle sight, you might have to alter it slightly.

You will fancy this if:

You are looking for a high-quality heat shield. This all-steel shield is machined of formed steel with a black oxide finish to ensure a high-standard construction.

You prefer something with an easy installation. The installation is rather simple which will only take about 10 minutes and hardware such as clamp and collar are provided to secure it in place.

You are a fan of the non-slip surface. Its non-slip surface is an excellent feature especially for shooters with sweaty palms or prefers to shoot in wet environments because it ensures the shotgun is secure in your hand instead of slipping away.

You will not fancy this if:

You intend to install other accessories. Unfortunately, after this heat shield is installed on your barrel, it might interfere with the attachment of other upgrades or accessories.

2. ATI Remington 870 12 Gauge Deluxe Halo

Specifications

  • 13” long
  • “Free Floating” design
  • DuPont Extreme Temperature Polymer Clip
  • High Temp Resistant Silicon pad

Features

Next on the list is another impressive unit by ATI. The ATI Deluxe Halo is a heat shield made specifically for the Remington 870 shotgun. It is machined of strong steel and has a matte black powder coating finish that will match your shotgun flawlessly. Elongated cooling slots are also featured as the ventilation system.

This heat shield will not add noticeable weight to your shotgun thanks to a significantly reduced weight. With the use of heat-resistant silicon pads, there is 1/8 of an inch of distance from the shield to the barrel which reduces heat to protect the shooter’s hands and prevent metal-to-metal contact.

The ATI Deluxe Halo also comes with an aluminum CNC machined ghost ring sight that helps with acquiring targets. To live up to its “Deluxe” name, the ATI Deluxe Halo also included a rail attachment with two 6061 T6 aluminum Picatinny rails.

You will fancy this if:

You are a fan of its tactical design. The appearance of this heat shield is extremely modern and aesthetic which will most likely appeal to many shooters.

You like that it comes with aluminum CNC machined ghost ring sights. While this may not be a necessary addition, it is still great to have something that helps with acquiring targets on your shotgun.

You prefer to keep the finish of your barrel protected. Thanks to the inclusion of silicon pads, the finish of your barrel can be protected by preventing metal-to-metal contact.

You will not fancy this if:

You prefer a heat shield with an easier installation. The downside of the ATI Deluxe Halo is that it’s slightly harder to install because it might require proper fitting to prevent it from rotating and slipping.

3. GSI Shotgun Mount 12GA

Specifications

  • 13.5” long
  • Made from formed steel
  • Elongated cooling slots
  • Black oxide finish

Features

The GSI Shotgun Mount 12GA is one of the most affordable options dedicated to the Remington 870. The barrel shrouds constructed by GSI are universal and built from tubular steel. The heat shield also has a black oxide finish to match your shotgun.

This heat shield or barrel shroud is similar to previous options where it has elongated cooling slots to ensure optimal heat dissipation. With the hardware given to you, you can easily get this heat shield clamped to the barrel of your shotgun easily.

If you have an extension tube mounted on your shotgun, a properly installed GSI heat shield will strengthen the stability of the system.

Since this heat shield is offered at a slightly lower price range, it is no surprise that there are some imperfections. This flaw has something to do with its coating and weak material where it doesn’t attach securely on the weapon. Other than that, it is an excellent heat shield if you’re on a budget.

You will fancy this if:

You are a fan of the finishing that matches your shotgun. This product has a finishing that can easily match most shotgun barrels.

You intend to easily slip and secure the heat shield to your shotgun barrel. You can easily slip this accessory on your barrel and secure it with the tools given to you.

You are searching for a cheap heat shield. As compared to some other choices on the market, the price of this is actually on the lower end and perfect for those that are on a budget.

You will not fancy this if:

You prefer a high-standard heat shield. The GSI shield is built of formed steel but its coating isn’t treated so it will degrade over time.

Conclusion

The bottom line that there’s many conspiracy theories as to whether heat shields are needed. Well, the truth is the heat shield if obviously invented to serve a purpose. In fact, the Remington 870 heat shields can protect you from the heat of the barrel and provide an additional layer of protection to secure yourself. Furthermore, the heat shields will not add any noticeable weight to your Remington 870 which is definitely a plus point which would ensure your shotgun is easily maneuver to guarantee the best shooting experience for you. Lastly, these heat shields comes with a quick, simple and effortless installation process which are easily detachable so you’d always further customize or upgrade your Remington 870.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is a heat shield required for the Remington 870?

There are some debates on gun forums that say it’s a necessary accessory while some disagree. Regardless of what people say on gun forums, you should decide for yourself if this attachment is needed for your Rem 870. Consider the pros and cons first before making your decision.

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