The Barrel Length Trade Off

[Virginian]

When I was younger (okay a lot younger) I had "relations" in the back seat of a '68 Mustang, but it was far from ideal. Get the right barrel for the job and experience maximum enjoyment.

 

[Snakum]

Gary ... it's a choked smoothbore. It's the one they use on their SP Turkey model, iirc. I have the part number for it, if you want it. I decided to just go with a longer smoothbore based on Lee's advice and everything else I could dig up here.

 

[Gary A]

Snakum,

Thanks, I would appreciate the part number.

Gary

 

[jdh]

870 with a 20" HD barrel and a 26" VR field barrel. Both smooth bores. In the current Cabela's sale flier page 6 top of the left column

http://cabelasflyers.dirxion.com/9fe/buda/WebProject.asp?CodeReleaseId=7.0.3.0001&BookCode=9fe09flx#

 

[bigalexe]

In response to the OP my ideal purchase for a shotgun would be the following:
-24"-26" Rifled barrel for slugs if you plan on deer hunting.
-18"-20" Smoothebore Barrel for HD, if you are into that sort of thing.
-24"-28" Smoothebore Barrel for field use and clay games. Depending on your physical abilities and tendencies I would get as long a barrel as you feel comfortable with. Many people like the 26" right in between those two I listed. Yes I just suggested using the same barrel for hunting and games.


Now Mr. Virginian

When I was younger (okay a lot younger) I had "relations" in the back seat of a '68 Mustang, but it was far from ideal. Get the right barrel for the job and experience maximum enjoyment.

Your analogy is great and now you owe me a keyboard because I just spit coffee all over mine.

 

[Gary A]

When I was younger (okay a lot younger) I had "relations" in the back seat of a '68 Mustang, but it was far from ideal. Get the right barrel for the job and experience maximum enjoyment.

Of course, the analogy takes on a different hue depending on whether we are talking about the comfort level of the back seat of a Mustang or the need for a longer barrel.

 

[waterhouse]

BUT look at defense shotguns today, with extended ammo tubes. They have longer barrels no? Extend that 870 from a five shot to a ten shot and you have a 24-26 inch barrel right?

Some of the "practical" guns designed for gun games are set up that way, but not most defense guns. If you look at just about every shotgun marketed as a home defense setup they'll be in the 18-20" barrel range. The Border patrol issued us 14" guns, and many other law enforcement agencies do the same.

 

[RSVP2RIP]

Looking at that chart makes me want a Masterkey more than anything right now (soon to change in 5 mins).

 

[numaone]

Hey Guys,
OP here. Some great responses. To clarify, by pistol grip, I mean shoulder stock with a pistol grip, similar to my AR, I think. I really like the idea of buying an extra barrel. I was looking at a certain online gunshop who has the 870 express synthetic stock in a 12-guage, with a 28" barrel for $316. Is this ballpark of what it should be? Then I was going to buy an 18" barrel that will stay on during home time and camping trips. What's the difference between the 870 and the 870 express?

Now, I just learned that they have "super magnum." I believe this is the 3 1/2 in shell. Is it worth the extra 50$ to have the added versatility. Does anyone actually use the super magnum? Does Wal-Mart sell these?

Thanks for all the help and keep the responses coming.

 

[rcmodel]

I believe this is the 3 1/2 in shell.

Don't need it unless you plan to shoot steel shot at high flying geese.

To much recoil for most any other use, and an extra long receiver & pump stroke you don't need or want for anything else.

rc