Whether you are a hunter or target shooter, you would want to be looking for accessories to enhance your Remington 870 to get the most use out of your weapon. One such accessory that you could always use are sights, also informally known as a scope, which is an aiming aid based on a refracting telescope.
Normal basic sights consist of a reticle mounted onto a device in order to provide the best aim. Continue reading this article as we will be providing and discussing the best Remington 870 sights that are available on the market.
| Sights | Name | Editor’s Comment | Rating | Get The Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Burris Speedbead Red-Dot Reflex Sight | Most Recommended Option 1. No wiggle; Simple alignment | 10/10 | SHOP NOW |
 | Eotech 512 Holographic Weapon Sight | Premium Option 1. Large field of view; High level of precision 2. Body is robust and hard-wearing; Durable and Solid | 9.5/10 | SHOP NOW |
 | XS Sight Systems Big Dot Tritium Sight for Remington Shotgun | 1. Durable; Provides improved sight picture 2. Installs easily 3. Can fit easily on most Remington 870 shotguns | 9.0/10 | SHOP NOW |
 | Truglo Glo Dot II Sight | 1. Affordable; Exceptionally reliable 2. Easy to install 3. Really bright and excellent for dim light settings | 8.5/10 | SHOP NOW |
The Types Of Shotgun Sights For Remington 870 Shotgun
Before we jump straight into the list, we need to know what kind of Remington 870 shotgun sights there are, there are mainly four types which we will break down as below
Single-Bead Sights
Single-Bead Sights are the most basic type of all Remington shotgun sights, as the name suggests this type of sight consists of a front sight bead down the end of your gun barrel in order to cover the target when the shooter takes aim.
This can be used without a ventilated rib; which is a rail along the barrel-top in which the shooter sights upon to help take aim. Single-Bead sights are best used for shooting quick targets such as birds or clay disks.
Double-Bead Sight
Similar to single-bead sights, a double-bead sight has a beat at the end of the barrel and another one mid-way down.
Shooters have a tendency to lift their heads as they take aim to see if the target has been hit, this double-bead forces the shooter’s cheek to be pressed tight against the stock in order to increase accuracy and aim. It also can be used with or without a ventilated rib.
Post and Blade Sight
Any type of iron, open and rifle sight all fall under this category called the post and blade sight. This kind of sight usually comes with an unsighted rifle which consists of a rear notched blade and a front post.
Unlike the previous two single and double-bead sights, the Remington 870 user is able to adjust the windage and elevation of this sight by itself. The Post and Blade sight is usually made out of fiber-optic cables and is optimal for use in conditions where there is low lighting and when shooting stationary targets. These kinds of open sights usually have high resistance to recoil and do not use batteries unlike Red-Dot Scopes.
Red-Dot Scopes
Red dot scopes are mounted directly on the receiver and usually will not have any magnification properties. The Red-Dot can be adjusted for brightness in light-changing conditions and is usually ideal for stationary targets. Although the name of this sight would imply the projection of a red dot, the sight actually has a holographic red dot illuminated inside of the tube.
The Criteria – How To Select The Best Shotgun Iron Sights
There are a couple of factors out there that you should be considering when selecting the best sights for your Remington 870. Usually these factors would be determining what kind of activity you are using your sights for.
For example, if you are looking to do some hunting or for home defense it is best you should get a sight that has eye relief and a duplex reticle.
Tactical
For tactical shooting, fixed power sights that are easy to install should be typically used. Fixed power sights are durable and resistant to the elements but however, due to their lack of flexibility, many shooters would prefer variable power sights over the fixed ones.
When selecting tactical sights, you should look out for those which provide a magnification range of 2.5 – 10X, as too much magnification could result in a small field of view and mirage problems.
You would have to consider how the size of the sight would affect your aim. Larger sights would tend to provide better resolution, however they need to be mounted slightly higher which increases the likelihood of reflecting loud and revealing your position. You also have to take into account the added weight on your weapon and also ones with larger tubes will require greater adjustment so 30mm would be ideal.
On the topic of the reticles, you should opt for illuminated ones as they aid shooting in low-light conditions. Having this will enable the side focus kobs for parallax adjustments which greatly
Slug Gun
Slug gun shooting employs high accuracy and precision during hunting and their sights should provide the option of being adjusted for heavy recoil and have average magnifying power, either fixed or variable within the 3-9X range.
Eye relief is a must have which can be gained when you are selecting a shorter tube. For the reticles, a ballistic reticle is recommended with the added options of illumination and weatherproof qualities which are highly desirable for Slug Gun hunting.
Hunting
The main factor when selecting a sight for hunting would be distance.
If you are hunting for small game in forested areas, you would not require much magnification since the foliage would be an obstacle while large game hunters on the other hand on large open fields may require greater vision
As such, if you require magnification, we suggest opting for 3-9X sights as increased magnification should theoretically improve accuracy and prevent wasting ammo. This range is also best for off-hand shooting and following quick targets.
If you think you would be hunting in mid-range scenarios, a fixed power 4x sights would be the best. For long, open distances on the other hand, you can consider 24x or even 36x as they may be the most cost-effective solution.
The type of sights you should be getting should have a solid construction as well as eye relief of around four inches and also be weatherproof. A parallax knob adds consistency to shots and is absolutely indispensable when hunting small game.
However, when hunting for large game, a shooter’s breathing and heart rate may cause movements that would outweigh the parallax. So in short, Single-bead sights would be best used for small game due to their accuracy and red-dots be used for larger game.
Competitive Sports and Games
For competitive shooters, target sights with fixed lenses of about 35x to 60x magnification are recommended as wide objective lenses increase target visibility and a reticle with fine crosshairs is also best used for the same reason.
Competitive handgun hunting scopes would usually have long eye relief and simple, ballistic reticles or bold crosshairs.
How to Sight in The Scope for Your Remington 870
There are plenty of ways for you to sight-in a Remington 870, some ways are easier and expensive while others require a little more effort but can be installed at a cheaper price.
The first step that you should take when sighting-in a gun manually, is to firstly remove the bolt from the rifle. You will need to stabilize the gun first and if no additional equipment is available at range then sandbags can be used. With the rifle in place, first bring the gun up and look down the bore of your Remington 870 and place a sight picture directly over the target.
Following that, unscrew the scope and adjust accordingly until the cross-hairs lie directly over the target. Then, reinsert the bolt and shoot a round at about 25 yards towards the target and then adjust accordingly once again.
You may opt to use a bore sighting kit which includes different diabetes of spuds which you are meant to stick down the bore of the gun in order to lock it in place. You can then use a scope aligner with a grid to claim them down.
Afterwards, focus on the target and then readjust the crosshairs of your scope accordingly. Most modern methods also employ the use of laser bore kits which work in a similar way.
Some gunsmithing may be required when mounting a scope to the Remington 870. Most people make use of sandbags and trigger pins to replace the bolt. Lastly however, the most foolproof and effective way of mounting a scope is to drill and tap the receiver before installing the rail.
The Best Remington 870 Sights in 2022 – Evaluated
Now that you should have an idea of what you are looking for, let’s move on to the best sights for your Remington 870 shotgun that we have compiled for you as below.
1. Burris Speedbead Red Dot Reflex Sight
Features
You will find a lot of satisfaction with this sight as the Burris Speedbead Red Dot Sight is easy to install, as most shooters will be able to install this sight on their Remington 870 in a few minutes tops and will have no problems zeroing in. Shooting at targets at about 50-75 yards allowed for tighter shooting groups and is pretty accurate.
This is one of the best Remington 870 sights that you could find on the market as it barely adds any weight to your Remington 870 and is perfect for hunting or shooting. The sight gives you the option to adjust for windage and elevation to improve accuracy. It is also excellent for use for shooters who are dealing with poor eyesight.
This Remington 870 sight merges the Burris FastFire II Red-Dot Reflex Sight with a steel mounting plate that easily fits between a Remington 870 shotgun stock and its receiver. What this means is that it will be perfect for aligning the sight with the rib and the four-inch eye relief is also an added advantage. In case there is power failure due to the battery, there is a backup front sight bead that can still be used to focus and aim.
Why it stands out
The Speed Bead allows you to get fast target acquisition and will be able to take advantage of this feature to fire each round and make them count. This site will give you the ability to get a quick kill shot if you are hunting. The quality of this sight is amazing which means it is durable and will be able to resist any shock and recould so you will not lose your zero settings while shooting.
Cons
It is slightly difficult to mount the sight for inexperienced users but it would stay fixed in place once mounted.Also during gun fire, it might shift a little which will affect accuracy. Another thing to note is that the red dot’s position and the position of the gold bead may be a little distracting. The battery compartment that comes with the sight may also need a little force to be closed properly and some of our users have also complained that the mounting that comes with the sight may be a little low quality.
Conclusion
You would want to opt for this sight if you are target shooting or doing some hunting. The sight might also be best for older users that tend to have failing eyesight. If you are looking for a sight that will be easy to see and utilize when it comes to hitting your targets, then look no further as this will be the sight for you.
Without a doubt, the Burris Shotgun Speedbead is a must have to opt for this sight on your Remington 870. It is not too hard to install, durable and can deliver accuracy like nothing else.
Additionally, this sight has easy controls and sight adjustments and comes highly recommended by those who have used it firsthand.
2. Eotech 512 Holographic Weapon Sight
Features
You will not have any complaints about this sight as the installation would be a breeze and this sight will definitely be responsible for many clean and accurate kills during hunting season. The Eotech 512 Holographic Weapon Sight is easy to use and is durable and resistant to all kinds of shock ad recoil
The sight comes with a large field of view and high level of precision. It also does a good job at maintaining your zero settings once it is set. The housing of the sight is made from high-quality materials so it is less likely to break or fall apart after short-term use.
The Eotech 512 Holographic performs really well at both short and long ranges and is an attractive and versatile option. However, due to its low battery life and lack of night vision, it might dissuade some potential buyers.
Why it stands out
The Eotech 512 Holographic sight has the potential to last for a pretty long time if you use lithium batteries as they would last about 1,000 hours in total. The sight can would require 2 AA batteries at a brightness setting of 12. It is perfect for when you are out hunting in the woods in low light conditions. That doesn’t mean that it will not help serve its purposes indoors as well.
Cons
Although it could last about 1,000 hours with lithium batteries (600 hours with alkaline batteries) it has a comparatively lower battery life compared to some other sights. The dot should also be more centered to be more accurate. Some users have also reported that the dot is not as crisp as they would have hoped for.
Conclusion
This sight is perfect for anyone who wants a sight that has speedy focus, rough usage and reliability, as this will be an ideal sight for a wide range of applications. It just might be the only sight you need to get you through low-light periods but can still be useful during the day.
The Eotech 512 Holographic weapon Sight is not a fragile or cheap sight by any means. It is made from high quality materials and is superb in its performance. It just might be the ideal long-term solution if you want to make each of your shots count. This would be the sight for you if you want a sight that is easy to install and won’t obscure your vision due to its size.
3. XS Sight Systems Big Dot Tritium Sight for Remington Shotgun
Features
Users will have no issue with this night sight if they are using it for hunting or for shooting on the range. This sight is excellent for use in a nighttime situation. This sight is one of the best sights you could choose from for your Remington 870 due its size. It is made of solid construction and lights up in conditions where light is low to non-existent.
As such, it works well enough that you get accurate and precise shots each time you fire. This would definitely be of use to you if you are looking for something affordable but excellent in quality and performance.
Why it Stands out
This sight features a highly visible, tritium dot front sight which is highlighted by white ring epoxies over the pre-existing front sight bead. This would mean that it enhances target focus while also improving dim light, and also sight acquisition after muzzle flash
This model comes with adhesive and can be placed over the existing front sight bead from .125 to .140-inch diameters.
Cons
As the sight is placed at the end of the barrel, it may get too hot to touch after extended use. The adhesive that comes with the sight may also have problems when setting up. Although marketed for use in low-light conditions, the light may be a little dimmer than expected. Some also say that the sight fails to stay in place if regular glue is used.
Conclusion
This sight is a great use for starters. Users would best be advised to use this night sight if they are looking for something that is not too high-tech but still simple to use. The XS Sight Systems Shotgun Big Dot Tritium Front Sight is considered to be one of the best shotgun sights that can make your shots as accurate and precise as possible. With the price that it is going for at around $60, you would be quite happy with the overall quality and performance which is actually not bad considering it is a “budget” accessory.
This sight has easy installation features although a little messy, it is worth the price it comes for as it is a high quality product. A bright night sight and the white ring is very visible in daylight making a top-tier product.
4. Truglo Glo Dot II Sight
Features
Once the Truglo Glo Dot II sight is installed, users will be able to quickly zero it in from a wide range of ranges. Shooters will be able to utilize their Remington 870 to hit targets at distances up to around 100 yards. This sight allows for pinpoint accuracy and is much better than any other front sight beads that you could use.
The TruGlo glows up nicely and definitely gives users the ability to aim at your target and hit it with accurate shots each time especially during low-light settings. Whether you are hunting during dawn or dusk, you would definitely have no problem knocking down a deer or any varmint.
Why it stands out
The Truglo Glo Dot II sight has a colored, high-resolution optic rod which fits well behind a factory front sight bead on a plain barrel Remington 870 (12 or 20-gauge). So if you love hunting with your Remington 870 shotgun and want a sight that will be great for shooting whether the sun is getting up or going down.
There is a notch near the base of the sight that utilizes the factory front sight bead to locate the Glo Dot II sight along the barrel axis.
Cons
One downside to this side is that it is only available in a fluorescent green and not available in any other color. Also it might be a little difficult to keep the sight straight once installed. Also the light may be dimmer than expected by some users. There are also some complaints about the sight being a little too small.
Conclusion
If you are hunting during the early morning hours or just manage to wrap up at around dusk but manage to find one more target, this sight will likely come through for you. Although that might be the case, you would not want to count this out in the day time either as it is still a sight that can work well even when it is high noon. Before the day ends or begins, it will excel as a sight that can give you accuracy and precise shooting with the right kind of illumination.
Bottom line is that the TruGlo Glo Dot II is likely going to be your best friend when it comes to sights as it is reliable in low-light situations. Whether you are starting the day hunting or just ending it, you will be able to put this sight to good use at those times.
A cost-effective upgrade, the TruGlo Glo Dot II allows brighter visuals with the fiber optic upgrade and provides a snug fit on your Remington 870. As such, this product comes highly recommended due to the features it provides as well as its affordable price.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the Remington 870 A Good Hunting Shotgun?
The Remington 870 is a well worth hunting shotgun, designed to provide game hunters hunt smaller animals excellent performance. The accuracy of the Model 870 is greatly enhanced by the use of the buckshot which makes it even suitable for hunting larger animals such as deer hunting even in close range of shooting.
What Are Ghost Ring Sights For Remington 870?
The Remington 870 ghost ring sights are designed into 2 categories. Firstly, the post sight which is positioned where the single bead is installed into the shotgun. Besides that, there is also the dot mounted sight which located on the barrel which equipped with light function to improve your visibility.
Do You Need Sights For Remington 870?
In essence, the need of shotgun sights would depend on your model. But of course, the shotgun sights upgrades would be amazing as it can greatly improve accuracy and ensure level of comfort. Thus, this can allow you to gain more control of your shotgun so you’d enjoy better shooting experience.
Hello there, it’s Michael here. A gun lover since young, served the country for the last 20 years. I started the blog to share my experience and gun-related knowledge accumulated throughout the years. Hopefully, you will find something useful over here or just have fun! You can learn more about me here.