Barrel for older 870

[rfrenchu]

I was under the impression, given what I've read in the catalogs, that 870 barrels were pretty much interchangeable. However, I queried one dealer who told me the following:

However, fit may be an issue depending on when your shotgun was manufactured. Remington changed the design of the Remington 870 slightly in 1986 and the barrel ring on models made before 1986 is a different size; current production barrels will only fit models made in or after 1986.


Remington's web page says:

All standard Model 870 2 3/4 and 3-inch barrels are interchangeable within gauge, with the exception of 20 gauge guns built prior to 1977.


From what I can determine, the markings on my 12 ga. barrel ("WW" and "19130V") indicate that mine is an early 1950's 2 3/4" model. I have not seen any catalogs listing any "pre-1986" barrels. I'm looking for a blued 18" or 18 1/2" barrel if that matters.

[Synchronizor]

12ga barrels meant for standard-length magazine tubes should all be interchangeable. Remington did change the height of the barrel guide ring slightly at one point, but that's only something you need to worry about with extension support brackets or clamp-on accessories. I have both styles of barrel, and they fit my receiver fine.