New 870 Owner / Newb Shotgun Questions

[sig228]

Just picked up a Rem 870 (#5077) 18" HD Express Synthetic from BassPro for $350 (thanks, Mom, for the BassPro gift card for my birthday ...btw THR , my 48th is coming soon

Here's a photo (not my actual gun, but same thing) so I don't get one of those This Thread Is Worthless..... comments:



Anyway, some newb shotgun questions:

I understand a revolver Magnum vs. non Magnum round, but what does a Magnum load mean in terms of a shotgun? I'll probably stick to 2 3/4 loads, but I would like to shoot off a few 3" Winchester 00 buck Magnum loads just for fun. Will this damage my gun or be dangerous? (Nothing in the manual).

It seems that pistol grips are really frowned upon. This is a HD gun. I won't be hunting with it. Am I going to look like a mall ninja if I take it to the range with a pistol grip?

Any recommendations for good sources for shotgun accessories?

Thanks everybody.

PS - Now my sig line fits a little better!!!!

 

[Titus]

Just think of it this way, in the gun world, no matter what you shoot, it's only a matter of time before someone will be along to tell you what you're shooting is junk and whatever they're shooting is the only thing that should even be legal.

 

[jimbob86]

Magnum is a marketing term AFAIK, when talking about shotgun ammo. See also "max dram equivalent".....

Save the money you were going to spend on a pistol grip and buy ammo and practice, you know, actually shooting......... better yet, save up some money and take a combat shotgun class.....

 

[proud2deviate]

It should be marked on the barrel, near the middle. Mine says "12 ga 2 3/4 or 3"" Just watch out for 3.5" super mags. You don't want to run those through that gun.

As far as a pistol grip goes, do you want one with a stock, or pistol grip only (PGO)?

If PGO, well, that's where you'll catch flak. There's really not much justification for them, beyond a few specialized applications. Fine for a range toy, lousy for most serious applications.

If it's a pistol grip with a shoulder stock, it's not my cuppa tea, but hey, whatever blows your skirt up. I'd recommend you try it in the stock configuration for a while. Then, if you still have the itch, stick a pistol grip stock on it and see if you like that better. If so, great. If not, you can always sell it to the next guy. They're like fruit cakes; always in circulation

As for looking like a mall ninja and/or getting laughed off the range, remember;

"No one can make you feel inferior without your permission." --Eleanor Roosevelt

Who cares? As long as you keep it safe, they don't have a leg to stand on.

 

[jpatterson]

The term "magnum" in the shotgun world just refers to a 3" shell. "Super Magnum" is a 3.5". Most people you will find on here never go any larger than a 2 3/4" because that is deemed enough ooompf. I have the same gun and only time I ever shoot Magnums is when there is a sale on them. I don't think your gun can accept SuperMags though, but like proud2deviate said, it should say on the barrel.

Pistol grips only (PGO) will get you flamed like nobody's business on here, and for HD scenarios they really are impractical IMO. Pistol grip Stocks may be more comfortable for you, but its really more about preference if you ask me.

Enjoy that 870 and happy shooting!

 

[Dave McCracken]

Magnum rifle and pistol loads move the same weight of lead along faster.

With magnum shotgun loads, the same velocity, more or less prevails but the weight of the shot is greater.

Stick to 2 3/4" loads for now, the lighter the better. Once your form has jelled, then you can try Maggie Numbs.

I shoot more than most. Typically, out of 4-6K rounds I shoot each year, less than a dozen are 3".

Now go wear out that 870....

 

[gotime242]

cheaperthandirt.com has a lot of nice and affordable items for the 870. i bought my pistol grip stock from them (which i really like)

 

[Subsonic]

Try this little experiment. Fill a gallon jug full of water and shoot it with #9 skeet loads one time from about 15 feet and see if you think you need a magnum! Trust me, the fight will stop and you can prove it to yourself very easily.

Shoot safe, John

 

[mgkdrgn]

Excellent choice.

Take care of it correctly and your grandkids will be shooting that gun.

I have two ... the youngest is over 35 years old and has seen more than it's share of Mallards, Canadian geese, grouse, rabbits and white tails.