The Cavalry Arms SST-870 is a stock and pistol grip adapter made for the Remington 870 shotgun (the SST-590 is made for the Mossberg). An alternative to folding shotgun stocks which are useless when folded and non-adjustable when deployed, the SST-870 enables the user to have a collapsible stock with adjustable length of pull to accomodate different sized shooters, positions, styles, and body armour. It will accept any AR15 type buffer tube or stock (retractable or fixed), and any AR15 type pistol grip. It is machined out of T6 aluminum and mil-spec type III hard anodized for durability. The mil-std 1913 rail on top is bolted onto the adapter. Since the stock is now 'straight line', raising the cheek weld up, the SST870 is designed with the use of optics in mind. Iron sights on the shotgun can no longer be used in this configuration. Machining and finish were very nice, and after removing the standard stock from my 870, the SST870 bolted right on with the supplied bolt. No fitting was necessary - a perfect fit. The adapter also incorporates QR sling swivel attach points on each side, which I'm going to attach a single-point sling to.
Instead of a normal buffer tube, I installed Vltor's new closed 5-position buffer tube with storage compartment. It is closed on the end that normally houses the buffer spring on an AR15, and open on the back end, forming a storage compartment. A knurled cap with an O-ring seals the compartment. A standard receiver plate and castle nut are all that are required to install the tube onto the SST-870.
To illustrate some variations below, I installed both a Cavarms Ergo Grip and a TangoDown pistol grip on the SST-870, along with both standard and clubfoot Vltor modstocks. I also tried on the Magpul M93, which I think looks pretty good on this weapon. The wider butt will also help distribute recoil. I chose the Hakko BED-35 sight, which has 4 different reticles. It's no Eotech, but it was inexpensive and looks like it'll work fine. A Surefire forend and side saddle rounds it out.
Another benefit of this configuration is the similarity to the AR15 system, which I'm very familiar with. I'll post an update when I shoot this thing - can't wait to get out to the range.

9/22/04 - Went out to the range. After sighting it in with slugs, I proceeded to put 1 oz slugs and 00 buck through the shotgun. The Magpul stock work very well - the wider butt making the recoil less painful on the shoulder. I definitely like the adjustable length of pull on this shotgun, and I found it easy to handle. The Hakko sight also worked well and target acquisition was very fast with the dot/circle reticle. One thing though - make sure ALL SST hardware is locktited - a couple of the rail bolts came loose (my fault for not loctiting them).

Costa Mesa (California) based Mesa Tactical was formed in 2003 with the goal of providing high quality tactical accessories and gear to military, law enforcement, and civilian shooters alike. One of the first items of a complete system for the tactical shotgun they plan to offer is their M4 Stock and Rail Adapter kits for the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500 and Winchester 1300, which will convert either shotgun to an AR/M4-style collapsible stock with Picatinny rail for optics. Yes, the Cavarms SST-870 (seen above) and the Mesa adapter serve essentially the same purpose. But just like there are many stocks and grips available for the AR15, the more options and alternatives we consumers have to choose from, the better.

Various kits are available, ranging from just the stock adapter and rail, to full stock and rail kits (shown here, which includes everything). iThe Mesa high tube adapter places the stock tube approximately in line with the bore, which dictates the use of optics (unless you have very high AR-style irons). It's made of hard-anodized cast T6 aluminum, with a matte medium grey finish. It will accept all AR-15 grips, with the Hogue overmolded rubber grip included in some of the kits. Note that grips with a duckbill will over hang the front, and may need to be ground off (like I did with the TangoDown grip on the SST-870). All edges are rounded and smoothed off. On the top and sides of the adapter are mount/interface points. The Pic rail attaches to the top point, with two screws going into helicoil inserts. Side rails or accessories like the shotshell carriers attach to the points on the sides. The large holes accept a standard push-button QR sling swivel. Unused mount points can be covered by polypropylene plugs to protect them from debris.

Two lengths of rails are available - receiver length and short. The receiver length rail is recommended for the top for optimum mounting of optics, and the shorter one for the sides. The front of the rails are supported by a polyurethane spacer, or saddle, as they call it. Use of a rail and optics is mandatory with the high tube adapter as the cheek weld is too high to standard sights. For those who want a collapsible stock and pistol grip, but do not necessarily want optics, Mesa Tactical is working on their Low Tube stock adapter. A prototype visual model made of plastic is shown below. The production model, which will be made of the same T6 aluminum as the high tube model will place the cheek about 3/8" lower than the prototype - 1" lower than the High-tube adapter.

Also seen below are two prototype shotshell carriers. Both attach to the mount points on either side of the adapter. The 6-shell carrier mounts on the left, and the 4-shell on the right. Production models will be placed slightly higher than the prototypes to provide more clearance for the trigger finger. Shells can be inserted from above or below. I won't go too much into how they work until the production models are finalized, and I'll update this article when they are.

Everything is well made and finished. I installed my M93 stock on it, as I found that it worked well with the SST-870. I'm looking forward to taking this out to the range.

This is the MM4 (Mini-M4) case of my own design, and made by Jon Nelson of Reccegear to my drawing/specs. My goal was to design the most compact case that I could fit an M4 or AR15 carbine into. This necessitated seperating the upper and lower receivers. I know some people don't like to do that, so this case is not for those who don't want to, unless you have a 10.5" barrel, which WILL fit without seperating the upper and lower. (If you're looking for a case that fits a complete rifle without having to seperate the upper and lower, there are numerous choices available from a multitude of manufacturers). It didn't have to be discrete or 'civvy' looking, and it wasn't meant to be a quick-deploy case. Instead of the common fold-open case, I went with a rifle-sleeve design, open only at one end. I felt that this was simpler, and also stronger, being closed on 3 sides. The length of the case was dictated by the size of a 16" barrelled upper receiver, with optics/scope, vertical grip etc. Instead of making a single-layer case (like shotgun breakdown case), which would have made it wider, the upper and lowers overlap slightly inside the case, for minimum width. Here's a rundown of its features:

• External dimensions: 25"x9.5"x3". Will accomodate any upper receiver up to 16" barrel length, and any AR-15 lower receiver with rifle or carbine stock. Note that it will accomodate a complete M4 with 10.5" barrel without having to seperate the upper and lower.
• 1000D cordura construction
• Fully lined internally with .25" thick closed cell padding (can be upgraded to 3/8" thick)
• Padded internal 420D divider to seperate upper and lower receivers inside
• Horizontal carry handles (these will be shortened on future cases and probably sewn together).
• 4 metal D-rings for attachment of shoulder strap. Can be worn like a backpack with the proper strap setup
• 11 rows x 6 channels of PALS webbing on the outside for attachment of MOLLE compatible pouches
• Heavy duty YKK zipper closure

Jon did a super job on the case (as usual), and the construction and workmanship is second to none. The PALS webbing on the outside enable any MOLLE compatible pouches to be attached - the choice is up to the user. For illustration, I attached a custom made pouch that Jon had made for me a while ago (which holds about 8 30-rnd mags and other accessories, and two 100-round SAW pouches. There was still room to spare on the PALS webbing.
This is a purpose-designed case, with compactness as the driving factor. It won't fit all users needs, but it's not meant to. But for those who are looking for something like this, give Jon a yell at info@reccegear.com