870 express barrel

[miles1]

For those that own the 870 express can anyone tell me how long the barrel last?Is it possible to shoot out the barrel on one of these?A friend of mine is looking at getting a Rem 870 express model and wanted to know this.I personally don't have remotely enough experience with them to know for sure but I would guess that they would last longer then him.Any help would be great.

 

[rule303]

Unless you do something stupid, like try to shoot out a barrel obstruction, the barrel will last virtually forever.

 

[MEHavey]

Shotgun barrels will last longer than you, your son, ...or his son.
I'm still shooting my grandfather's Model-12 from the early `20s.
...and I fully intend to give it to my in due course.

 

[Uniquedot]

Shotgun barrels will last longer than you, your son, ...or his son.

Lucky indeed is the man that lives long enough and has a wallet fat enough to shoot out an 870 barrel!

 

[rcmodel]

You simply can't shoot out a shotgun barrel.

You can blow the end of it off by sticking it in the mud and shooting it

You can maybe even blow it up by dropping a 20ga shell in it and then firing a 12ga behind it.

But to wear or shoot one out is not possible.

The longer you shoot them, the slicker the barrel gets inside.
But even that could take a lifetime for a competition shooter firing many thousands of rounds a year.

rc

 

[Uniquedot]

But to wear or shoot one out is not possible.

I think his friend has probably heard stories about shooting the fixed choke out in older barrels. I know my grandpa and my dad used to tell me stories about using the old softer steel guns so much with slugs that they wouldn't pattern worth a hoot anymore with birdshot. I think even with those barrels it was most likely improper cleaning that was the culprit.

 

[rcmodel]

Or a mud dauber nest.

rc

 

[AI&P Tactical]

A fixed choke barrel maintained and used correctly will last multiple life times. Threaded barrels are open to damage due to shooter error of not ensuring the tube is tight before use. I also wonder about all this Exotic ammo some people are using but can't not comment on the effect that mess has on a barrel because I just don't know enough to answer.

So, keep the bore clean so it doesn't pit, shoot the intended ammo and his barrel will be around a couple hundred years or until the left finally collects them all and melts them down.

Oh, one more thing. If he rides Quads and mounts his gun on rack across the handle bars he should know that bigs trees are tougher then his barrel. I have had two guys need new barrels because of this.

 

[miles1]

Thanks for the reply's so far.It will be his first shotgun and he wanted a Remington in particular.I don't know him too well but think he knows enough not to purposely do something stupid....I hope

edit:He plans on keeping it stock and simple...something I recommended.

 

[PapaG]

I am still shooting a wingmaster barrel with 300,000 plus rounds through it, mostly at trap, and it is smoother, patterns better, and has only lost .001" of constriction in 42 years. You ain't gonna wear out a shotgun barrel.

 

[Ash]

My Mossberg barrel is 40 years old and still just fine.

 

[rcmodel]

My 1897 Winchester barrel is nearly 100 years old and is just fine.

Rc

 

[miles1]

Update: Thanks to everyone with their help.He ended up getting a Rem express tactical.After handling one of them, I had to get one myself.Wife doesn't know......yet.

 

[matrem]

Might be best to tell her now.
Just tell her it's hers and call it an early Valentines present.
Should last every bit as long as a gift of gold or diamond, and far longer than roses.