Need Inexpensive 870 HD barrels, Mossberg?

[Lawyerman]

I need a couple of Remington 870 barrels. Several choices. I can get new factory 18" barrels, IC, 3", with bead sights for $120. I have looked also at the Mossberg barrels. I think my cost on them is about $60. They are 18.5 inch, cylinder bore. Basically I can buy two for the price of one Remington.

I have checked Ebay and those people are nuts! People pay more than retail all the time for standard riot barrels. Why, I dunno but they do.

Has anyone shot the Mossberg barrels? How do they pattern/fit etc......?

 

[Fred Fuller]

I know several people who have bought Mossberg barrels for their 870s, and I have one of them myself on an Express model. The Mossie tubes are lighter and have thinner walls than the Express barrels I'm more accustomed to, but they seem to do their job as short cylinder bore scattergun barrels well enough. And they fit just fine. I prefer the extra weight and factory improved cylinder chokes that come with current Express barrels but if I had to outfit several guns with riot barrels the cost would make the Mossberg alternative attractive enough.

I note that the only barrel ring separation (the ring that goes around the magazine tube) I have seen was on one of the Mossie barrels, but it was repaired under warranty. I wouldn't let that bother me much, I consider it a fluke.

lpl/nc

 

[Black_Talon]

FWIW, somebody on one of the forums I read regularly (it may be Shotgunworld.com) is having trouble with his bolt unlocking from a Mossberg 870 bbl. Apparently something's either out of tolerance, or there's some sort of burr or something on the locking lug of the bbl.

 

[Lawyerman]

Kind of a mixed review so far. I just wish the darn Remington barrels weren't so expensive. At wholesale the Mossbergs are literally half price! I understand the Remington barrels are made by Mossberg anyway? Sheesh!

 

[Hemicuda]

one point to add... there is probably a reason that Remington 870's come with Remington barrels, and Mossberg shotguns come with Mossberg barrels...

I have (and shoot) BOTH Remingtons and mossbergs... BOTH brands shoot very well, and I buy Remington parts for the remingtons, and Mossberg parts for the Mossbergs...

 

[Lawyerman]

I dunno about that. I put Wilson parts on my Kimber pistols all the time and nothing bad has happened yet! I have an Eagle Arms Pre Ban AR15 lower with a Bushmaster Dissipator upper on it, several trips to various shooting schools and it still runs like a top.

A proper fitting and made part is the same whether it was made by Remington, Mossberg, Wilson, Ed Brown etc....The question is whether or not the Mossberg barrel is a proper fitting and well made part.

 

[sm]

My experience mirrors Lee Lapin's.

While I prefer the heft of the Remington , the Mossberg's worked and at an affordable price.

If I were going to install a screw- in choke system, I would go with Remington for sure because of wall thickness. Granted a rare thing perhaps, but some folk wanted better patterns, versatility, to slug hunt, and use turkey loads for instance. Handy to tote package ( carry more than shoot ).

At one time, finding affordable Rem ( or any brand ) used bbls was fairly easy. Duck hunter blow a bbl with mud, steel shot was bulging bbls,or everyone running out to get a bbl with screw in chokes.

About the least expensive way is the Express combo with the shorter tube and rifle sights.

 

[Lawyerman]

Yeah, I can at least get the darn things at wholesale so that helps some. 18" IC rifle sighted barrels run about $140 wholesale. The bead barrels run about $120. Last Express 20" RS barrel I bought came in at just over $100.

Problem is that I'm paying $100 for the guns, it becomes hard to justify paying more than that for a darn barrel!

 

[sm]

I understand, it just doesn't seem "right".

I have to figure this like tweaking or customnizing for a task. Total expense is still less than buying ,or paying for factory set up that still needs additional monies and time.

 

[Lawyerman]

Will probably end up ordering three of the Remington 18" IC/RS barrels. It is a chunk though. I like the switch barrel option for all my guns.

 

[Hemicuda]

Is thetre a reason that all your guns need to be able to wear the same barrel at the same time? I have a plethora of 870's and still only have 2 or 3 "spare" abrrels, as I can only shoot one at a time, and the "spare" barrels are specialty units, like an extra-long skeet barrel, and an 18" chokeless defense barrel, and whatnot...

with 1 of each kind of barrel, ANY of my 870's can be ANYTHING I want...

 

[Lawyerman]

From time to time I assist in the training of correctional officers in shotgun and revolver handling. Unfortunately, the State provides NO help whatsoever, we use our guns, our ammo and targets. So, there are times when I need 10-15 "riot" guns. Therefore all of my guns are pretty much capable of switching over.

Then, I have to supply guns for an annual Pheasant hunt (fundraiser) with politicians and various dignitaries who fly in from around the State. So, the long barrels come back out.....

And of course, if the world blows a gasket tomorrow it's nice to have 8-10 riot guns in the house!

 

[Fred Fuller]

Lawyerman,

If you would think about a 'group buy' on those 18" IC RS barrels, you might get a little help on them. I'd like to have a couple of those too, and would be willing to kick in a bit more than your cost plus the postage to get it to me for your trouble. If it's not worth your while it's no big deal, but if you're willing to try it, count me in for two... will pay up front if needed. PM me an address for $$ to go to.

lpl/nc

 

[sm]

Lawyerman

That is a great effort you put out to teach and train - way to go!

Umm

Then, I have to supply guns for an annual Pheasant hunt (fundraiser) with politicians and various dignitaries who fly in from around the State. So, the long barrels come back out.....

Well that explains that!
So how long does it take to get the cooties off a bbl a politician has used?


Sorry...I couldn't resist. We have some poiliticans that are good folks and know how to shoot...

Then we did have one fella that used to be AG, then Gov, then occupied the White House that "used his Duck Rifle to fell them ducks at I'd figure 80 yds...

 

[Lawyerman]

If it was just cooties it wouldn't bother me so much! Alot of these folks aren't exactly "gun people". Why else would they need to borrow one of my guns? Although a few don't want to deal with the hassles of flying with guns these days.

Nonetheless I don't loan out my Citori or Beretta ou's! The venerable 870's get the nod. If they acquire a little more "character" in the process, no harm no foul. Most of the folks are lobbyists and state senators and house members. The lobbyists are mostly Ag folks and pretty good for influence peddlers!

Yea, the prison guards can use all the help they can get. "Qualification" for them consists of firing 30 rounds of .38 and 5 rounds of buckshot. There is no requirement for hits with the shotgun, they merely need to shoot their 5 rounds. This qualifies as training! Most aren't paid all that well so this limits their ability to do much on their own either.

About three times a year we run an all day clinic for the local guys, sometimes we get requests from other units within maybe 150 miles or so. We charge about $25 which usually includes lunch. We run them through about 1oo rounds of birdshot and 50 of buck, maybe 5-10- slugs. We spend another day on the handgun. We teach reloads, manipulation technique, malf drills and familiarization. I have been scared only a few times and only once had to take someone to the ground. Some of these poor folks REALLY need the help.