noob question 870

[wuluf]

I tried searching but was overwhelmed! I'm going to buy an 870 for HD either new or used.. I'd like an 18-20 inch barrel. Is that going to be too short to also shoot skeet? I'm new to shotguns; can you tell?

 

[chriso]

Wouldnt be too short but it wouldn't be good if you had a good choke on it, The shotgun wouldn't be to bad. Alot of places sell remington 870 packages that have a long barrel and a short one.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Some clubs have a 'minimum barrel length' rule because they say 18- 20" barrels are "too loud." You'll find that a bit longer barrel may well help you swing better, it won't necessarily shoot any harder or pattern any better, but it might help in tracking fleeting targets. Spare barrels for 870s are widely available and not horribly expensive, they are fall-down easy to swap as well.

If you plan to buy used, study the platform seriously and learn your way around it before you go shopping. It's true that 870s are very durable, but some of them have suffered serious abuses of a kitchen-table "gunsmithing" nature at the hands of previous owners. Learn to evaluate 870s first before buying used, or find some help.

FWIW, I've been shooting 870s for going on 40 years and have yet to buy a new one.

Happy shopping,

lpl

 

[mgregg85]

The first time I shot skeet I used a 20" 870 20 ga, it was the youth model. It worked just fine for me.

 

[Calhoun321]

The 870 Turkey has a 21" barrel and adjustable chokes - - - the best of both worlds.