[STAGE 2]

What is the largest number of rounds that you can hold in the 870P with the magazine still remaining pretty flush with an 18 inch barrel?

[45R]

6+1

[proven]

an aftermarket (wilson, chaote, tacstar) +2 extension comes out flush to the end of an 18" barrel, and the remington protrudes maybe 1/2 an inch further. this puts total mag capacity @ 6 rds. or what is commonly referred to as 6 + 1, with the "+1", being a round in the chamber.

[STAGE 2]

OK... so now I'm really confused. How is it that the 870 magazine can only hold 6 rounds in a mag fitting flush with an 18 inch barrel, but the winchester 1300 defender holds 8 in the mag, which also fits flush with an 18 inch barrel?

[DevLcL]

You should just buy a winchester. :D

[proven]

can't help you there, as i have no first hand experience with the winnies. just a wild guess, but, the rem's bbl is measured from the very back of the chamber, you don't actually see all 18" when the bbl is mounted. maybe the winny is measured differently, actually being longer than the 18" 870 and thus having a longer mag tube as well?? spring and follower design??

now you have me curious

[Fred Fuller]

The Winchester's rotary bolt locks into the barrel forward of the receiver, the Remington has a barrel extension extending back into the receiver that the bolt locks into. Since barrel length is measured from the face of the locked bolt, the Winchester measurement is starting from a point further out than the Remington's, which is just barely ahead of the front of the ejection port. The Winchester has an extra inch overall length- no mystery there.

Win 1300 Defender- 39 1/2" OAL
Rem 870HD- 38 1/2" OAL


lpl/nc

[M99M12]

I'd say it's more a difference in the spring and follower.