[soldier147]

Ok folks, here's my problem. I bought a 12 guage magnum fixed full choke barrel that takes only 3" shells for turkey hunting. Got it home and it fit my 870 wingmaster perfectly. The problem is that I painted it camo and when I was talking to a sportsshop about the barrel, they asked if my original could take 3" shells. Didn't know at the time so upon going home I discovered that the original could only take 2 3/4 or shorter shells. Is it possible to still use the other barrel for turkey or did I bark up the wrong tree?

[highorder]

Which barrel is the other barrel?...

[X-Rap]

Unless it has Magnum stamped on the reciever I think you are SOL.

[soldier147]

the one that takes 3" shells.......oh and my original is smooth bore and the new has magnum stamped on it. The sportsshop guy said it might not work because of the shotguns reciever.

[Lee Lapin]

You can still shoot 2 3/4" shells in it. The problem with 3" shells in a non-magnum receiver is that the ejector (riveted to the side of the receiver opposite the ejection port) is set up to eject 2.75" shells and the 3" might not clear the front of the ejection port. The PORT is big enough- but the ejector is too far forward and may cause problems getting the fired shell out.

It's possible to get an ejector for 3" shells riveted into your receiver by a gunsmith, but that will mess up the finish. If the whole gun is painted though, it might not matter too much to you.

The question is not whether the gun will shoot 3" shells in a 3" chambered barrel- it will. The only question is if it can eject the empty, or if you have a slow-to-reload single shot.

Serial numbers on 870s with magnum receivers (that are set up for 3" shells from the factory) end in M. Just in case...

hth,

lpl

[soldier147]

Lee,

So I'm not at a complete loss? Even if the barrel is made for 3" shells, I can still shoot the 2 3/4 right? I'm only using the barrel for turkey. My smoothbore barrel is for deer. The serial number was partially wiped out due to surface rust.

[Virginian]

Lee said it pretty clearly. You can shoot 2-3/4" and 3" in a 3" barrel. The problem is the 3" may not eject cleanly. Try it. I have seen quite a few 2-3/4" receivers that had a 3" ejector in them from the factory. I think Remington figured this out and started watching much closer, to sell more guns, but I have no proof of that.
Also, I have seen at least one gunsmith who could change the ejector without changing the rivets.

[soldier147]

Well that's good news. Glad I didn't throw away money on a barrel I can't use. Thanks Lee and Virginian, your advice and input is greatly appreciated!

[Lee Lapin]

Is this a Remington made barrel? All the barrels I'm familiar with that have 3" chambers are marked "12 GA. 2 3/4 OR 3" or "For 2 3/4" And 3" Shells" or "For 3" Or Shorter Shells" or something like that.

But yes, it will be fine to shoot 2 3/4" shells in a 3" chamber. Most of the 870s here are Express guns and have 3" chambers. I haven't shot 3" shells since I was playing around with trying to get effective buckshot patterns at 100 yards about a decade ago. It doesn't hurt to shoot the shorter shells in the longer chambers, and it won't hurt your pattern either.

You just don't want to do it the other way around, and shoot 3" shells in a 2 3/4" chamber. That will put the mouth of the shell out into the forcing cone as the crimp opens, and narrow down the bore by the thickness of the hull all around at a critical place AND when pressure from the burning powder is near its peak. People do it and get away with it sometimes, but it's asking for trouble.

hth,

lpl

[soldier147]

It is a Remington made barrel and the stamp says 12 Ga. Magnum for 3" shells. Guess the next time I go shopping for a deal, I'll have to pay closer attention to it. The shop that sold it to me said it would work, but the barrel was pretty dusty and he may have wanted to get rid of it.

[MAX100]

If you fire 3" shells in the 3" chambered barrel let us know if it cycles them OK.

The SAAMI max load pressure is the same for both 2 3/4" & 3" inch shells - 11500 PSI .


GC

[soldier147]

after my brownells epoxy clear coat cures, I will put it together and try to cycle the three inch shells. May take two to three days to fully cure.

http://www.gunnersgear.com/graces_camo/armory_cammo.htm

I used this guys techniques, but dismantled and painted the parts seperately.

[scythefwd]

I will put it together and try to cycle the three inch shells.

They will cycle if they are unfired. Fire a couple off and see if it will cycle them. I made the mistake and thought that the 2 3/4 was unfired length, it isn't, it's the fired length. The only way to know if it will cycle a 3" shell is to fire one and then see if it extracts (just in case you were just planning on running some unfired shells through like I would have done before I was edjumicated :) )

[soldier147]

makes perfect sense now that you mention it, thanks scythefwd

[soldier147]

and I will post pics of it as soon as it's finished if anyone's interested

[chas08]

Mr. Lapin said it pretty accuratley. In the old days the ejector was in the same spot. I hunted with a goose guide in the early 80's that used a 3inch barrel on a standard frame for more rounds down the tube than you could count with no ill effect. In those days it was thought perfectly fine to do. Then Remington had a bad run on barrels and all of a sudden things were different. Now you had to have a "Magnum" receiver. I'm a 30 + year machinist in the power industry. I've calipered and measured both magnum and standard recievers. The only difference I've found is the ejector. What's odd is that Remington has never changed the barrel flange to reciever fit. My current 870 Supremag barrel will fit on a 1968 Wingmaster frame and function fine with 3inch ammo. I'm not advocating anyone to do this. But in the gun industry a lot is left unsaid or unsubstanciated to sell more guns because of liability and stupidity.

[soldier147]

well I had started putting it together and it gouged the finish. Took it back apart and touched it up so it looks like a may have to wait a week or so for it to fully cure..........I'll keep you guys posted OTOH it may be more cost effective to sell the 3" shells and shoot the 2 3/4" ones instead.......well see

[MAX100]

Took it back apart and touched it up so it looks like a may have to wait a week or so for it to fully cure...


You can put it in the oven on 150 to 200 degrees for several hours to speed to cure time and make it more durable. Then turn the oven off & let it cool slowly.


GC

[Hungry Seagull]

Im sorry, but I must humbly state that Im worried about the reciever of the gun itself. Lee stated it correctly. My serial number has the M designation in addition to the barrel being able to take 3 inch rounds.

But dont try shooting three inchers in that reciever until you know absolutely without a doubt you have a three inch chamber in that reciever.

The Barrel is stamped for three inch rounds right? You should be fine with the barrel. It's the GAUGE that is important with barrels.

My problem is verifying without a doubt that the reciever of your gun contains a 3 inch long chamber.


/////

Max100 11,000 PSI is a one hell alot of energy being contained at the Reciever. I understand loadings but it is still quite impressive how much force can be held together by a bit of metals with the right properties.

[scratcherky]

I agree with Hungry Seagull not to shoot 3" shells unless you know that you have a magnum receiver!

[JohnBT]

"that the reciever of your gun contains a 3 inch long chamber."

The chamber is in the barrel - it's the end of the barrel. The receiver does not have a chamber.

John

[MAX100]

But dont try shooting three inchers in that reciever until you know absolutely without a doubt you have a three inch chamber in that reciever.

The 2 3/4" and 3" shells are loaded to the same standard pressure. No more force is placed on the receiver firing either one.

Like lee stated you run into trouble if you fire 3" shell in a "barrel" with a 2 3/4" chamber. The reason is 3" shells are longer and open up into the forcing cone where the diameter is much smaller than the chamber. The contents of the shell is forced through a smaller space greatly spiking the pressure and can cause the barrel to explode.


GC

[soldier147]

So people are telling me that shooting the 3" is bad and some say I can but they may not eject.......why not just shoot 2 3/4" and sell the 2 boxes of 3" .
that way I won't waste money on firing 3" shells that won't cycle and end the possibility of damaging my shotgun and/or injury myself in the process. And when turkey season is over, then I'll have the gunsmith take a look at it when he gets back from the marine shoot in D.C. I appreciate all advice, especially from Lee Lapin and Max100. I'll try the oven bit if I can fit my longest barrel in it.

BTW, what would you suggest I put it on when heating them in the oven?

[MAX100]

Put it in the oven on 150 to 200 degrees for about 3 hours. Then turn the oven off and leave it until it cools.


GC

[scythefwd]

soldier,
You have a chamber that is capable of handling the 3 inch shells. You can fire them, they just may not eject correctly. I'd wait on a test run before I sold the 3" shells. Hey, it will only take 1 or 2 to find out, and you can still single shot the rest of the box if they don't eject correctly.

[soldier147]

I may have to apologize for my ignorance. Growing up I was more into hanging out with my friends than going to the range/ hunting with my dad. That is what I've regretted most in my life. But, I know more about an M16 than I know about the very few guns that I own. Thank god that I've found you guys. And Max100, I just wanted to know what I should put it on when speeding up the curing process. You were clear the first time you said oven....lol

[MAX100]

I would go with 200 degrees. You will have to find a way to keep the coated part of the barrel & receiver from touching anything in the oven. You can rig something up.


GC

[soldier147]

I will give it a try....the only problem is my turkey barrel won't fit either way....will post the pics of it with the slug barrel attached and the longer right next to it in a day or so, thanks

[juk]

If you decide to try the 3 inch shells (I would) don't be nice to the action. I know it has a nice coat of paint on it and you don't want it all scratched up, but I learned the hard way that 3" shells don't like coming out on their own. You have to work it pretty good. The worst that will happen is the shell won't extract. I didn't shoot 3" shells out of my mossberg 500 for years because when I "tested" them they got jammed. Well, when I discovered that I wouldn't tear the gun up, I gave it another try and found out the only problem was me. Hope this helps.

[Jeff F]

Here is an E Mail from Remington on the subject of magnum 870's

Subject
---------------------------------------------------------------
Remington 870


Discussion Thread
---------------------------------------------------------------
Response (Jonsie) - 09/14/2006 10:22 AM
Dear Jeff;

Thank you for visiting Remington Country! We certainly appreciate you taking the time to write in with your question.Yes, this is correct information for you 870. We would recommend sending your 870 to the authorized Premier Repair center that services NV which is located in Roseville, CA. There contact information is:

J & G Gunsmithing
625 Vernon Street
Roseville, CA 95678
Phone: 916-786-9200

Should you have additional questions, please feel free to contact our Consumer Services Department at 800-243-9700, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, EST, Monday through Friday.

Customer (Jeff Freitas) - 09/11/2006 08:09 AM
Have an older wingmaster 2 3/4 in only. Was told I could put a 3 in barrel on it and have a magnum ejector installed in the receiver and it would be good to go and run with 3 in shells. What say you,and would Remington install said magnum ejector in said receiver.

Auto-Response - 09/11/2006 08:09 AM
No matches were found.




Question Reference #060911-000006

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So it seems the only difference is the ejector.

[RyanM]

You could probably get away with the 2-3/4" ejector if the only time you use 3" shells is turkey hunting. Follow up shots usually aren't too critical there. By the time you've recovered from the recoil, the turkey is either dead or long gone.

Just open the action until just before the shell hits the ejector, then push down on it with your thumb to get it out from under the extractor. I do that with my Mossberg sometimes when I don't want the dual extractors scratching up the brass. Of course, it's easier to get the hull out of a Mossberg, with elevator you can stick your fingers through. And even then, it can be a struggle. 3" shells are long!

But for something you only shoot once a year, it'll work.

[soldier147]

Hey guys, yesterday I put her together and as soon as the wife empties the maxed out memory card on the camera I'll post pics. Also The weekend after next( because of drill )I'll take her out and try the 3" shells and let you know, thanks.

[3pairs12]

My dad has a 2 3/4 Wingmaster and he put a 3" barrel on it a couple of years ago to shoot some ducks with it. He said the first couple of shots the shell didn't really want to come out. After that he worked the action a little harder than normal and was good to go. So you may be okay until you can get the right ejector installed.