How to adjust comb height on a Remington 870

Comb height is the vertical relationship between your cheek and the shotgun’s rib. When it is correct, the stock settles consistently, your eye remains above the sights and the 870 sits comfortably without pushing into your face. An unsuitable comb can cause the muzzle to climb, disrupt the sight picture and make recoil feel harder to control.

Not every Remington 870 has an adjustable wooden comb. Some use a fixed comb, while others have an adjustable trigger guard or a fitted comb insert. Before changing screws, identify the exact model and understand how its stock and trigger assembly are designed.

Know which 870 you are working on

Check the serial number, model designation and the markings on the receiver or trigger guard. A factory adjustable-comb assembly may use a locking screw and a separate adjustment screw, two independent side screws, or a threaded insert. The rear trigger-pull screw, trigger safety screws and recoil-pad fasteners serve different purposes and should not be treated as comb adjusters.

Model descriptions can be checked at Remington Firearms Store, but Australian buyers should confirm that replacement parts are available for international shipment. The retailer’s FFL-dealer delivery system is designed for the United States, where an FFL is a federal firearms licence holder. It does not replace state or territory licensing requirements in Australia, including those for ammunition or magazines advertised for eligible direct shipment.

Prepare the shotgun safely

Work on an unloaded firearm with the action open and the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Remove every cartridge, physically check the chamber and keep the ammunition in a separate location. For a thorough inspection, follow the manual’s procedure for securing the action open. Remove the sling before separating the stock or trigger guard so fabric cannot become trapped.

Use a stable bench, good lighting, the correct screwdriver and the manual for your specific 870. Take photographs of the original arrangement, particularly if spacers, shims or springs are present. Mark the current screw positions with a fine line so you can return to the factory setting if the adjustment does not improve the fit.

Licensed shooters in Melbourne and Sydney must comply with different state rules concerning licensing categories, dealer records and secure storage. Victoria and New South Wales both enforce safe-storage requirements, although the details differ. Transport an unloaded shotgun in a locked case and follow the relevant rules for travel to a range, club or rural shooting location.

Move the comb in small steps

A fixed wooden comb cannot be raised by turning the trigger-guard screws. On an 870 fitted with an adjustable comb unit, identify the designated adjustment point from the manual or component instructions. Do not remove the trigger group, alter the trigger safety or loosen the recoil pad unless the correct procedure specifically requires it.

Mark the baseline position and make a quarter-turn or the increment specified by the manufacturer. On a locking-and-adjusting design, leave the lock screw alone until the desired setting is established. If the design has two independent side adjusters, alternate equal movements so the comb remains square. Stop if a screw binds, the stock separates unevenly or the mechanism catches.

Reassemble the stock and guard without overtightening the screws. Confirm that the action still cycles freely with an empty chamber and that the stock, screws and trigger components do not shift under hand pressure. Damaged threads or a trigger guard that will not hold position should be inspected by a qualified gunsmith rather than forced into service.

Confirm the fit on the shoulder

Place the butt of the stock in the same place you normally use, normally in the crook of your shooting jacket. Keep your head down, relax your shoulders and check whether the comb contacts the full length of your cheek without creating pressure. Your eye should sit above the rib so you can acquire the sight picture without sliding your face across the stock.

Practise the movement unloaded and supported at a bench. Reproduce your normal cheek weld, then check whether the gun rises toward your face when you simulate recoil. A low comb commonly allows the stock to pivot and the muzzle to climb. A high comb can drive the stock downward and force your cheek upward or forward. Either problem can alter trigger contact and make the gun feel jumpy.

Change the setting in small increments and repeat the same checks after every adjustment. Comb changes generally affect how the shooter meets the sights rather than the bore’s alignment, so any change in point of impact should be assessed separately at the range or by a gunsmith.

Account for Australian shooting conditions

A fit that works over an air-conditioned gun-shop bench may feel different during a long drive through rural Victoria or western New South Wales. Thick clothing, a sling, gloves, humidity and changing temperatures can affect how the stock contacts your shoulder and face. Deer, kangaroo and waterfowl outings also place different demands on the gun than a clay-shooting clinic or a formal range session.

If a separate waterfowl firearm is being considered, the retailer’s guide to the best waterfowl shotguns provides useful background on the relevant 870 variants. Australian duck seasons, conservation requirements and club guidance may influence ammunition selection, including the use of non-lead loads where required. Check local rules rather than assuming that overseas ammunition choices apply.

The local firearms market remains important for practical support. Australian gunsmiths can inspect an unfamiliar stock or trigger guard, check the action and recommend an adjuster suited to the gun’s age and condition. That local expertise is particularly valuable when a shotgun has been modified or fitted with non-original parts.

Use a repeatable comb-height routine

A consistent process is more reliable than making several changes and judging the result only after firing. Keep notes on the model, baseline measurements, screw settings and how the gun feels during dry practice.

• Record the exact model, serial number and original comb position.
• Mark every screw, spacer and shim before disassembly.
• Adjust only the component identified as the comb adjuster.
• Use small, equal movements and avoid mixing paired screws.
• Keep the action unloaded while checking fit and cycling.
• Obtain a gunsmith’s inspection if movement is uncertain or unreliable.

A short comparison makes the direction of correction easier to identify.

What you notice	Comb sits too low	Comb sits too high
Cheek contact	Rides upward or slides across the stock	Presses firmly into your face
Stock movement	Pivots during recoil or handling	Is pushed downward and feels unstable
Sight picture	Your eye leaves the rib alignment	Your face is forced away from its natural position
Adjustment response	Raising the comb improves consistency	Lowering the comb reduces pressure

Identify your exact 870 variant, consult the relevant manual and contact a preferred Australian firearms dealer or gunsmith to arrange a fit session before your next outing.