If a shooter makes a firm decision to only use 2 3/4" 12 ga loads, is there any advantage to having a 3" Magnum receiver? Specifically, is a standard 870 at any kind of disadvantage to a 3" Magnum from a reliability or durability standpoint using only 2 3/4" shells? TIA.
?? Advantages of 3" Magnum Receiver ??
- Thread starter riverdog
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dfariswheel
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Absolutely not.
As far as I can determine, the ONLY difference in 870 standard and Magnum receivers is the Magnum model has a longer ejector for the longer 3" shells.
The 870 built its unequaled reputation for reliability and durability LONG before there was a 3" shell available.
I'd guess that 99% of all Magnum 870's are used with ONLY 2 3/4" shells.
In reality, the only advantage a Magnum receiver offers is the ability to handle 3" shells IF DESIRED. if you want to use only 2 3/4' shells, you give up NOTHING in reliability or durability.
As far as I can determine, the ONLY difference in 870 standard and Magnum receivers is the Magnum model has a longer ejector for the longer 3" shells.
The 870 built its unequaled reputation for reliability and durability LONG before there was a 3" shell available.
I'd guess that 99% of all Magnum 870's are used with ONLY 2 3/4" shells.
In reality, the only advantage a Magnum receiver offers is the ability to handle 3" shells IF DESIRED. if you want to use only 2 3/4' shells, you give up NOTHING in reliability or durability.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
A couple of mine have been switched to 3" by a good smith., He did little if anything besides changing the ejector.
If a good 2 3/4" 870 came along at a good price , I'd snap it up in a heartbeat. Other than waterfowl steel and turkey bonebusters, no need for 3".
The M version of the 870 has the same well earned rep for reliability durability as the 2 3/4" version.
The 3 1/2" Super Mag 870 has had a few probs, and I dunno if they're resolved yet.
If a good 2 3/4" 870 came along at a good price , I'd snap it up in a heartbeat. Other than waterfowl steel and turkey bonebusters, no need for 3".
The M version of the 870 has the same well earned rep for reliability durability as the 2 3/4" version.
The 3 1/2" Super Mag 870 has had a few probs, and I dunno if they're resolved yet.
Resale is an issue if you are in to buying and selling, but if you're just looking to buy a shotgun, the M at the end of the serial number is going to cost a bunch more and the question is "Will the M actually mean anything performance-wise if all you ever shoot is 2 3/4" factory loads?
My feeling is that a standard receiver will outlast me, so why buy a 3" Magnum, when there are so many nice standard Wingmasters out there in the $200-$250 (and less) range. My $225 Wingmaster is one example (beautful shotgun) and Longbow's $170 Rem870 is probably another. These are beautiful guns that can be had at very reasonable prices.
My feeling is that a standard receiver will outlast me, so why buy a 3" Magnum, when there are so many nice standard Wingmasters out there in the $200-$250 (and less) range. My $225 Wingmaster is one example (beautful shotgun) and Longbow's $170 Rem870 is probably another. These are beautiful guns that can be had at very reasonable prices.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
H, any 870 I pick up in the future will have no resale value, 'cuz I'm keeping any I get.
Marshall
Member
Yea, I would say the top advantage to having a 3" Mag reciever would be to shoot 3" shells!! ROFL Ya think? 
Marshall,
Folks have had standard receivers modified to shoot 3" Magnum shells (moving the ejector), giving them the ability to shoot 3" Magnum rounds through their non-Magnum receivers. IIRC, Dave has a couple like this. That said, what's the advantage of having "Magnum" stamped on the left side of the receiver if you can shoot 3" shells through a standard receiver?
Folks have had standard receivers modified to shoot 3" Magnum shells (moving the ejector), giving them the ability to shoot 3" Magnum rounds through their non-Magnum receivers. IIRC, Dave has a couple like this. That said, what's the advantage of having "Magnum" stamped on the left side of the receiver if you can shoot 3" shells through a standard receiver?
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Good point, H. I don't know how much it'd take to separate me from my oldest 870, but it could be done. A Perazzi might be cheaper though.
yankytrash
Member
Dave, you mention past troubles with the 870 Super Mags? Could you elaborate a little?
Reason I ask is because I'm torn between two shotguns at my local dealer's: an plain-jane EAA 3 1/2" automatic with adjustable gas, and an 870 Super Mag Special Purpose 26" set up for turkey. Both are priced about the same.
I want an automatic, but all I've ever had are 870's. All my current 870's have been good to me and have gotten me through some rough times, but the EAA's an automatic. That 870 SP over at my dealer's is sure a hardcore-lookin' gun, but the EAA's an automatic. Should I compliment my 870 collection with, yet another, 870, or should I shake things up a bit with an automatic?
See what I'm gettin at? I need an excuse not to buy one or the other, or I'll probably end up with both...
Reason I ask is because I'm torn between two shotguns at my local dealer's: an plain-jane EAA 3 1/2" automatic with adjustable gas, and an 870 Super Mag Special Purpose 26" set up for turkey. Both are priced about the same.
I want an automatic, but all I've ever had are 870's. All my current 870's have been good to me and have gotten me through some rough times, but the EAA's an automatic. That 870 SP over at my dealer's is sure a hardcore-lookin' gun, but the EAA's an automatic. Should I compliment my 870 collection with, yet another, 870, or should I shake things up a bit with an automatic?
See what I'm gettin at? I need an excuse not to buy one or the other, or I'll probably end up with both...
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Info I've had on Super Mag glitches has been second hand, but here goes...
Since the Super was not purpose built, the mod of the ejection/loading port left a long enough channel that some torque and binding happens on SOME Supers.The Supers have that extension behind the bolt,IIRC.
This can lead to or be found with feed probs. A smith can rectify this, or possibly just more breakin.
I can't help you on picking one of those shotguns. But, if I had more than a few 870s, I'd be tempted to try something different. Then after dealing with the something different a while, I'd probably trade it off for an 870.
Since the Super was not purpose built, the mod of the ejection/loading port left a long enough channel that some torque and binding happens on SOME Supers.The Supers have that extension behind the bolt,IIRC.
This can lead to or be found with feed probs. A smith can rectify this, or possibly just more breakin.
I can't help you on picking one of those shotguns. But, if I had more than a few 870s, I'd be tempted to try something different. Then after dealing with the something different a while, I'd probably trade it off for an 870.
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