Rem 870 Barrel Swap Question

[scbair]

I picked up a used, but apparently well cared-for, 870 Wingmaster (serial # T48xxxxV). It has a plain (no rib) barrel, 28", marked "2-3/4" chamber" and "Full Choke."

I actually have two questions:

1) While I'll happily limit myself to 2-3/4" shells (wuss that I am ), would a replacement barrel with a 3" chamber fit this receiver? I'll be shopping for a shorter tube (18" or 20") with screw-in choke, and don't want to buy something I can't use.

2) I can see the base of the front bead in the interior of the barrel, at the muzzle. Would this indicate a screwed-in bead, or the accursed "press-fit" bead? If it's a screwed-in bead, I may try a fiber-optic replacement.

As always, thanks to all you gurus!!

 

[ilmonster]

To answer ques. #1, I have a similar type of 870 I recently picked up. Unless the receiver says Magnum, you can only use 2 3/4" shells. A barrel marked for 3" shells will certainly fit, but you can't use 3" shells if the receiver isn't marked Magnum. Enjoy your new gun...now start trying to wear it out!

 

[Leadhead]

Depends on the ejector. I bought an old wingmaster that had been refurbished with a new style ejector which has resulted in a wingmaster that does not say "magnum" on the side but shoots and ejects 3 inch shells.
If the barrel is marked for 3 inch shells you can shoot them in any 870 but the shells will have ejection problems on non "magnum" guns unless the ejector has been replaced.