[mugs79]

What would happen if I were to fire my 870 with no choke tube screwed in? I imagine that the threads would be rather unhappy about it, especially with steel shot. What are the actual consequences?

[RNB65]

No harm other than filling up the threads with plastic which will make putting a choke tube back in real difficult. The shot is contained inside the shotcup until it exits the muzzle and won't come into contact with the threads.
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[highorder]

dont do it. find a tube that fits your needs and screw it in.

[eventer289]

You will mar the threads up. I've read never to do it. You can buy stricty "cylinder" chokes.

[Hornet 6]

Damaged threads could be the very least of your problems.
The worst that could happen is a blockage causing at best a ring bulge, at worst taking the side of the barrel out, and not necessarily at the muzzle end.

Neil.

[TrapperReady]

Here's an old thread on the subject (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=215115&highlight=choke+threads).

BTW, if you're interested, there's also a much longer discussion on another board (http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=134562&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=shooting+threads+choke&start=0).

[Fred Fuller]

No reason TO do it... LOTS of reasons not to.

But it's your barrel, your money, your problem if anything goes wrong.

lpl/nc

[TrapperReady]

I figure that nothing terrible is likely to happen, but why even risk it? It takes me about 20 seconds to screw out a tube and a little less to screw one in. I could almost see the argument of "I left my chokes in the car", but even then, I'd just shoot whatever tube was already in the barrel.

[rcmodel]

The risk with steel shot without a choke tube in place is that as the wad encounters the more open-bored thread section, the shot-cup slits open up and steel shot comes in contact with the threads.

You will then need a gunsmith with the correct thread tap to restore the damaged choke threads.

rcmodel

[Dave McCracken]

Not a good idea.

Remchokes are not expensive. Get a Cylinder or Skeet choke and use it.

[Drail]

I have seen this done. If you ever want to use choke tubes again you're gonna be looking for a new barrel.

[Sebastian the Ibis]

I bought this Barrel:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=561209

Last month thinking that I'd just put an extra accuchoke in it. They do not fit, nor does any other choke at basspro. An accuchoke will go down the barrel to the treads, but the treads make it too wide to fit. Does anyone have any idea what type of choke this barrel might use? If not I was planning on just firing it without a choke.

Here where I've got a $75 barrel, which no choke will fit, that I'll probably use with slugs or buck a couple times a year, is there any real problem not using a choke? If it cracks I'll toss it and buy a new shotgun.

[oneounceload]

Another echo for the "don't do it" crowd...they make tubes inn every possible constriction from Cylinder .000 to x-tra full or turkey at .045 to .065 -why would you NOT want a tube in there?

[Sebastian the Ibis]

-why would you NOT want a tube in there?

I WANT a tube in there. However, I've got some type of custom barrel and no tube will fit. Is it worth using it as is without a tube versus simply tossing it in the dumpster?

[Fred Fuller]

No tube YOU KNOW OF RIGHT NOW will fit...

Why not contact Mossberg and see if they can help you sort it out? Or even better, show it to a shop that does lots of choke tube installations? Could be the threads need to be chased or something. If you're anywhere near Bay Minette, AL, give Colonial a chance at IDing it - http://www.colonialarms.com/ . Or you could mail it to them, or any one of the other leading shops that does lots of shotgun barrel work.

It isn't as if your only choices are to ruin it by shooting it without a tube in place, or toss it in a dumpster...

lpl

[JRntEwing]

I'd take it to a decent gunsmith and have him measure it with an inside micrometer and a threads-per-inch gauge. Once he's got the specs determining the manufacturer should be easy. Bass Pro Shops is a decent outfit but just cause it's not on their shelves doesn't mean it doesn't exist or that it's not easily obtainable.

[3 A/E]

What would happen if I were to fire my 870 with no choke tube screwed in? I imagine that the threads would be rather unhappy about it, especially with steel shot. What are the actual consequences?
Why don't you go ahead and do it and then tell us what really happens.Nothing like a real world test. Run at least a box of various shotshells like some birdshot,00 buckshot,and slugs. Take one for the team.

[Onmilo]

Stick a wad in the threads and fire the next round and see how happy you are about the results.
Report back.

[Virginian]

I had a choke tube i could not identify, I called briley and they would not guess based on my measurements - too many people don't know how to measure I suppose. Anyway, I shipped it to Briley, and they called me and told me what it was, and sent me back the original and two more different ones I wanted for like $22 each if i remember right.

[egg250]

If you fire it without a choke tube the threads will be destroyed and you will need to have it repaired if you want to use a choke in the future.

Take it to a gunsmith or your local reputable gun shop and order the proper tubes.

[Carl N. Brown]

I have a Savage 24 .30-30/12ga over/under and would never dream of shooting the shotgun without a choke tube in place. Not quite as cheap as finding a new Rem 870 or Moss 500 barrel.

[Sebastian the Ibis]

Why not contact Mossberg and see if they can help you sort it out?

Done, They said they had no idea and since it was purchased second hand there was nothing they would do. However, they did offer to sell me a new one.

Or even better, show it to a shop that does lots of choke tube installations? Could be the threads need to be chased or something. If you're anywhere near Bay Minette, AL, give Colonial a chance at IDing it - http://www.colonialarms.com/ . Or you could mail it to them, or any one of the other leading shops that does lots of shotgun barrel work.

Thanks I'll give them a call.


It isn't as if your only choices are to ruin it by shooting it without a tube in place, or toss it in a dumpster...

It's a beater, I wanted a cheap shotgun with rifle sights. $10-20 bucks for a choke is fine. But I'd rather cut my losses and spend $200 on a new Norinco or something at the pawn shop, then wind up spending $50 bucks on postage sending it to a couple of stores to find someone who can make a $75 custom choke for it.

[Burt Blade]

You might not be able to get a choke to fit, if someone already has fired it without the choke.

If you do not want a choke at all, ask a competent shotgun smith what can be done in the way of permanent modifications.

[Trulock]

Sir,
If possible send me an electronic photo of the choke in question. I may be able to help you. Call if you wish. 800-293-9402
trulock@trulockchokes.com

George Trulock
Trulock Chokes

[Onmilo]

Trulock to the rescue!:)

[Bud Tugly]

If the barrel will only be used for slugs and buckshot and it turns out to be impossible to find choke tubes, why not just have the threaded portion cut off?

[Sebastian the Ibis]

why not just have the threaded portion cut off?

The barrel has rifle sights, and the front sight is right up at the muzzle. I can't cut off the end of the barrel without taking off the sights- which is the reason I bought the barrel in the first place. Otherwise I would have considered it.

[Bud Tugly]

I'm no gunsmith, but I wouldn't think it would be terribly difficult to refit the sights to the cut barrel.

[oneounceload]

It'd be easy and cheaper to get the right choke than to have a new sight installed