Remington 870 Express Barrel, Stock questions

[nixdorf]

A few weeks ago, I picked up a new Remington 870 Express on sale for $239. It came with a synthetic stock, 28" smooth bore barrel, and full choke. I plan to use this gun for occasionally blasting clay pigeons and for home defense. I'm interested in buying a few accessories for this gun, but I have a few questions first.

I'm looking at buying two new stocks: a traditional wood (non-laminate) stock when shooting skeet and a pistol-grip stock I could swap out for HD. I like the look of wood and am willing to swap stocks out when I go shoot pigeons. I'm wondering though, would any stock designed for an 870 work on my 870 Express?

I'm also considering buying a shorter barrel for HD. I found a good deal on a new Remington 18" rifled deer barrel. Is there any problem using a rifled barrel with non-slug HD loads (e.g. 00 buckshot)?

Thanks!

 

[scaatylobo]

A rifled barrel with porform VERY poorly with 00 buck.

I tried it at a firearms instructors course a few years back and could not put ANY 00 buck on paper at 25 yards.

I went with a special barrel made for LEO's that is available,but hard to find.

Its a 18" barrel that has rifle/slug sights but is smoothbore and shoots as well = or better than I.

 

[Virginian]

Any 12 gauge 870 stock will fit on a 12 gauge Express, as will any barrel up through 3" chamber. The 3-1/2" barrel might fit - I just don't know. If you want a short barrel, best bet might be to buy an old non-vent rib barrel and just cut it off at 18-1/2". There's a ton of those around cheap.

 

[Snarlingiron]

I bought one of these:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=921370#productTabReviews

I have been very pleased.

The rifled barrel is a specialized tool for shooting sabots. It will not work well for your intended purpose as scaatylobo pointed out.

Why fiddle with changing stocks? Get one set up to fit you and it will work just as well for either application.