tparker
Member
Whats the difference? (besides the obvious length) Would the 28 inch barrel offer more reach... better pattern? Just curious.
Rem 870... 26 or 28 inch barrel?
- Thread starter tparker
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TrapperReady
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- Jan 29, 2003
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You'd get about 2" more reach. 
The difference between 26" and 28" is going to be relatively slight. A little bit more weight out front, which can help smooth a swing. The longer the barrel, the less perceived lead. Personally, I like barrels about as long as I can get them, unless I'll be hacking around through dense grouse cover.
If I were spending my money, a 28" barrel is about minimum for most purposes. I've got a 30" Beretta 391 with extended tubes. That's very nice. My wife just got an O/U with 32" barrels and extended tubes. I love the way that gun handles.
BTW, in terms of patterns or effective range, that 2" wouldn't matter a bit.
The difference between 26" and 28" is going to be relatively slight. A little bit more weight out front, which can help smooth a swing. The longer the barrel, the less perceived lead. Personally, I like barrels about as long as I can get them, unless I'll be hacking around through dense grouse cover.
If I were spending my money, a 28" barrel is about minimum for most purposes. I've got a 30" Beretta 391 with extended tubes. That's very nice. My wife just got an O/U with 32" barrels and extended tubes. I love the way that gun handles.
BTW, in terms of patterns or effective range, that 2" wouldn't matter a bit.
Welcome to the High Road tparker,
Myself, like TrapperReady, like longer barrels on my shotguns, but like Onmilo said if you are going to be hunting brush and thickets the shorter barrels are nice but not manditory.
If you plan to bust clays and birds the longer barrels are better IMO, but even a 26" barrel is about the same as a 28" on an O/U. So whatever feels right to you when you handle the gun is what you should get.
By the way, whereabouts in N Indiana are you. If you are interested in clays, I shoot at Warsaw at Kosko Conservation. Skeet, Trap, and 5-stand.
Myself, like TrapperReady, like longer barrels on my shotguns, but like Onmilo said if you are going to be hunting brush and thickets the shorter barrels are nice but not manditory.
If you plan to bust clays and birds the longer barrels are better IMO, but even a 26" barrel is about the same as a 28" on an O/U. So whatever feels right to you when you handle the gun is what you should get.
By the way, whereabouts in N Indiana are you. If you are interested in clays, I shoot at Warsaw at Kosko Conservation. Skeet, Trap, and 5-stand.
Omaha-BeenGlockin
Member
I always go for the short barrel---short arms here----To me, a long barrel is dead weight and ungainly.
20ga 870 Express 21''
12ga Nova 24''
12ga Citori 26''
20ga Red Label 26''
20ga 870 Express 21''
12ga Nova 24''
12ga Citori 26''
20ga Red Label 26''
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Number 6 here has a 26" LC barrel on it now, and it handles nicely. But, t'were I having just one 870 and barrel, I'd go with the 28". Actually, I'd go with a 30" LC if one could be found.
HTH...
HTH...
mistercindy
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- Jan 17, 2005
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I prefer the short barrel. They're easier to move around. As to reach, you'll get two more inches of range with the 28" than the 26".
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