Are there limitations?

[Amadeus]

Here's one for you guys to debate. I'm interested in everyone's opinions on this one.

What can a Remington 870 with an 18.5" barrel and cylinder choke do straight out of the box ? No barrel changes. No mods whatsoever. Just -- as is.

Can it handle skeet/hunting/trap/sporting clays/defense/all of it?

Let me know your thoughts.

 

[3 gun]

Yes, and no. Skeet is no problem. Mostly a short range game. Cyl bore and a short barrel isn't much of a handicap. I've posted a 19 using my Mossberg 500 with the same set up. Sporting clays would be more difficult because of the longer shots.

Trap would be a hard game with this set up but I've seen good shooters put up scores in the teens using this same kind of gun. You must be very quick on the target.

Of course you wouldn't have much chance to win a tournament in any of the clay games with this set up but you could shoot respectable scores.

Hunting yes, as long as you show restraint and discipline. It would be a poor choice for ducks but should work fine for rabbit or deer (using slugs) in close. You should be able to keep from going hungry.

It would be an excellent HD tool.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Amadeus,the limitations are more on the operator's part than the weapon's.

A short barreled 870 right from the box is an awesome close range weapon suitable for HD in trained,cool hands.

Darn good upland gun too, with the same caveats.

For waterfowl, not so good.

Good for deer hunting with slugs or buck, again in trained hands.

For trap, not so good, IF the idea is winning the Grand. If the idea's to get better with the shotgun at hand, fine.

Good for skeet, and maybe 60% of SC shots are within the right range for Cylinder choke. Load selection with help.

Remington's Turkey Express package with its' 21" barrel is scarcely less handy in confined areas, and with a couple choke tubes it's suitable for all the games, game, and "Serious" use.

HTH...

 

[Amadeus]

The Turkey package sounds like a good idea. 21" barrel w/ adjustable chokes seems to be a middle of the road versatile platform for all uses. Good suggestion.

Just out of curiosity -- Are barrels interchangeable on that one - should I wish to go longer or shorter at some point?

 

[riverdog]

Remington also has a deer gun with 20" barrel, rifle sights and Rem Choke. The barrel can be purchased separately in blue or matte.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Most folks like longer barrels for wingshooting, and the blast from a 21" barrel in a blind with goose loads will knock the wax from everyone's ears, but by and large, if I had to have ONE barrel on a field 870, a short one would do fine.

Ideally, one would have something like a 28", VR barrel for winged stuff, and a short rifle sighted barrel for "Serious" use and deer. Choke tubes on each for versatility.

Or, you could pull a McC and set up an 870 for every use you can think up. Lots of options.

 

[Amadeus]

I'll fess up. If and when I buy an 870 it will have two uses.

Casual skeet (Set up the launcher and have at) and Home defense. Casual competition and trap will follow. I am unlikely to hunt with it.

Based on those needs ---- still think I can get away with a 21" and a few chokes?

 

[Dave McCracken]

Yes, emphatically....

One small caveat, many folks find that lots of things one can do with a shotgun are fun. So, the mission splinters,and more shotguns accrue.

Buy a short barreled 870 with tubes, shoot same for a year,and evaluate what it needs to perform a different mission or the same one mo' effectively.

 

[Kahr carrier]

I would buy the 870 Express combo ,it comes with the short slug barrel and 28 inch choke tube barrel.