Fabricating Shotgun Magazine Tube Plugs
- TheCytochromeC
- Senior Member
- Posts: 257
- Joined: Mon Aug 30, 2010 4:00 pm
- Location: DFW
Fabricating Shotgun Magazine Tube Plugs
Has anyone made their own magazine tube plug? Have you had any issues with the GW? I cut a plastic coat hanger and put it in the mag tube so that the total capacity of the shotgun is 3 rounds. I believe this complies with the definition of "legal shotgun" found here :
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/regulations ... efinitions
I haven't taken it to hit some clays yet and see how well it cycles live ammo.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/regulations ... efinitions
I haven't taken it to hit some clays yet and see how well it cycles live ammo.
Re: Fabricating Shotgun Magazine Tube Plugs
They key is that it can't be removed without dissembling the gun, other than that I don't think it really matters. I've cut off the head of an old cleaning brush to use before and been inspected with no issues.
Alliance Arsenal - Firearms and transfers in north Ft. Worth
Re: Fabricating Shotgun Magazine Tube Plugs
If you installed it between the magazine follower and the for-end cap, which requires the removal of the magazine spring retainer, it's legal. If the plug can be removed w/o dis-assembly of the magazine it's not legal. My pump and semi -auto SG's have a hole in the followers that is big enough for a plastic rod the diameter of a hanger to slip through. I use a wooden dowel with a the head of a fired shell screwed to the end. You are limited to a maximum capacity 3 shells including the chamber for MIGRATORY bird hunting (doves, ducks, geese, cranes, etc.). In other words two rounds in the magazine. BTW There's no limit for a shotgun capacity for non-migratory bird or other game hunting.
KAHR PM40/Hoffner IWB and S&W Mod 60/ Galco IWB
NRA Endowment Member, TSRA Life Member,100 Club Life Member,TFC Member
My Faith, My Gun and My Constitution: I cling to all three!
NRA Endowment Member, TSRA Life Member,100 Club Life Member,TFC Member
My Faith, My Gun and My Constitution: I cling to all three!
Re: Fabricating Shotgun Magazine Tube Plugs
I used a #2 lead pencil one time. The GW laughed. 

"To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
George Mason
Texas and Louisiana CHL Instructor, NRA Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Personal Protection and Refuse To Be A Victim Instructor
George Mason
Texas and Louisiana CHL Instructor, NRA Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Personal Protection and Refuse To Be A Victim Instructor
Re: Fabricating Shotgun Magazine Tube Plugs
I seen schedule 40 PVC 1/2 pipe and 2 caps used to keep one down to 3 shots.
I 'm just an Ole Sinner saved by Grace and Smith & Wesson.
- troglodyte
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1321
- Joined: Fri Dec 24, 2004 4:16 pm
- Location: Hockley County
- Contact:
Re: Fabricating Shotgun Magazine Tube Plugs
Dowel rods were commonly used when I was growing up
Re: Fabricating Shotgun Magazine Tube Plugs
Why not just buy one? This is what I use now and they're only 3 bucks.
http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/remingt ... /pid-32408" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/remingt ... /pid-32408" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Alliance Arsenal - Firearms and transfers in north Ft. Worth
- TheCytochromeC
- Senior Member
- Posts: 257
- Joined: Mon Aug 30, 2010 4:00 pm
- Location: DFW
Re: Fabricating Shotgun Magazine Tube Plugs
I wasn't absolutely sure if generic plugs at academy will fit my Remington 870 magnum express which holds 6 in the mag tube. It's a bit longer than other 870 models. Plus the coat-hanger is free-dollars instead of three dollars.Wes wrote:Why not just buy one? This is what I use now and they're only 3 bucks.
http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/remingt ... /pid-32408" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Thanks for tips guys, I really appreciate it. If the plastic coat-hanger as an issue I'll swap it for the same length dowel rod.
Re: Fabricating Shotgun Magazine Tube Plugs
True ;)TheCytochromeC wrote:Plus the coat-hanger is free-dollars instead of three dollars.Wes wrote:Why not just buy one? This is what I use now and they're only 3 bucks.
http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/remingt ... /pid-32408" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Alliance Arsenal - Firearms and transfers in north Ft. Worth
- The Annoyed Man
- Senior Member
- Posts: 26884
- Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:59 pm
- Location: North Richland Hills, Texas
- Contact:
Re: Fabricating Shotgun Magazine Tube Plugs
Free....three.....to quote Hillary Clinton, "WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?TheCytochromeC wrote:I wasn't absolutely sure if generic plugs at academy will fit my Remington 870 magnum express which holds 6 in the mag tube. It's a bit longer than other 870 models. Plus the coat-hanger is free-dollars instead of three dollars.Wes wrote:Why not just buy one? This is what I use now and they're only 3 bucks.
http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/remingt ... /pid-32408" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Thanks for tips guys, I really appreciate it. If the plastic coat-hanger as an issue I'll swap it for the same length dowel rod.

“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”
― G. Michael Hopf, "Those Who Remain"
#TINVOWOOT
― G. Michael Hopf, "Those Who Remain"
#TINVOWOOT
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1919
- Joined: Sun Feb 19, 2006 11:42 pm
- Location: NE TX
Re: Fabricating Shotgun Magazine Tube Plugs
I've seen more than one of em cut from green saplings (or mesquite) in the field on the first day of a dove hunt. They work fine.
It's not gun control that we need, it's soul control!
Re: Fabricating Shotgun Magazine Tube Plugs
Buddy of mine cut a sapling branch last year in the duck blind (he had forgotten to install his plug)...
Game warden checked us and got three shells to go in (we had tested and only got two in). Best we could figure the GW just pushed hard enough to make the sapling buckle and allow the third shell.
He didn't ticket my buddy, just told him to take that gun to the truck until he could get a legal plug in it. We asked him what legal plug meant and he held up two shells and said "...these will go in..." then held up the third and said "...that one won't...".
We cut a sturdier branch and made sure it would only take two shells and went back to hunting.
I've used, pencils, branches, and the casings from two shells with the brass cut off and then trimmed to length as field expedient plugs when I forget mine. The plastic hanger trick is pretty cool. I may cut a few and stick them in my hunting bag, pick up and cleaning box...
Game warden checked us and got three shells to go in (we had tested and only got two in). Best we could figure the GW just pushed hard enough to make the sapling buckle and allow the third shell.
He didn't ticket my buddy, just told him to take that gun to the truck until he could get a legal plug in it. We asked him what legal plug meant and he held up two shells and said "...these will go in..." then held up the third and said "...that one won't...".
We cut a sturdier branch and made sure it would only take two shells and went back to hunting.
I've used, pencils, branches, and the casings from two shells with the brass cut off and then trimmed to length as field expedient plugs when I forget mine. The plastic hanger trick is pretty cool. I may cut a few and stick them in my hunting bag, pick up and cleaning box...
Lo que no puede cambiar, tu que debe aguantar.
Take Care.
RJ
Take Care.
RJ
Re: Fabricating Shotgun Magazine Tube Plugs
As long as it works, it's legal. GW's don't typically even disassemble your shotgun to see the plug - if they check you they will check by testing to see how many shells they can shove in - like the poster above said, 2 in the magazine is legal, 3 is not.
I've used a piece of a wooden arrow in my A5 for over twenty years. Was checked this year and it was just fine, as always.
I've used a piece of a wooden arrow in my A5 for over twenty years. Was checked this year and it was just fine, as always.

Re: Fabricating Shotgun Magazine Tube Plugs
I have a #2 pencil in my 870 right now. Works fine.MoJo wrote:I used a #2 lead pencil one time. The GW laughed.