[SanduneCC]

Opinion poll: which is more "tactically correct" (whatever that means) for a SHTF defensive gun, 18" or 20" barrel? Thanks.

[Badger Arms]

Remington sells a 21" turkey barrel that has a vent rib and interchangeable choke tubes. I prefer this model over the two you mentioned as it's heavier and seems to point better with the mid-rib bead. I can also use a rifled choke tube if I prefer to better handle slugs.

[Dave McCracken]

I doubt there's a clear cut advantage to either, or that 21" turkey barrel of BA's.

The HD 870 here has an 18" barrel.

The 870 I use for deer hunting is similarly setup and has a 20" barrel.

Frankenstein has a nominal 21" barrel.

All three would work for HD/CD, with the nod going to the peep sighted first two for outside work.

Get whichever feels best...

[ruger357]

I use an 18.5 on my 870.

[jthuang]

For a SHTF scenario? I assume that means your "do-all" longarm, meaning close-in and wide-open ranges. I say probably no appreciable difference between the two.

The 18.5" has a SLIGHT edge on the 20" when you are working in close quarters. But hell, it's only 1.5" of barrel. That extra 1.5" is not going to cause you fits when you're pieing corners.

Nor will the extra 1.5" cause an appreciable increase in accuracy or velocity when you're making long-range (for a SG!) shots.

In sum: no appreciable difference in CQ or wide-open ranges.

[hunter44]

If I read this correctly, the consensus is that there is no significant difference between in 18" vs 20" for 'go to' shotgun. So by extension, I can use my 18" barreled 870 for occasional field work against turkey or rabit, right?

[Dave McCracken]

Anything that can be hunted with a cylinder bore can be hunted with one only 18" long.That oughta make a great quail and grouse gun. Good on rabbits at close range too.

[Intel6]

Dave, I have also had good luck on the skeet feild with my 18" shorty's

[Dave McCracken]

It oughta work fine for skeet,Intel, despite the recent move to muzzle heavy tubed barrels on 8 lb+ shotguns.

One of the remaining 870 projects I may never get around to would be setting up a short, open choked 870 with enough wood hollowed out in the stock to move the balance point forward past the front of the loading gate. Even with a good pad,this would be a sub 7 lb upland gem. It should swing like Zorro's rapier but with enough inertia to not let the swing die.