New to shotguns, not firearms!

[Zoogleboogle]

Hello everyone!


I have years of experience with handguns, and own a decent number of them. Until this week, I had never shot a shotgun, though!

I, for whatever reason, seem to love revolvers the most. (I carry a ruger sp101 .357 currently as my CCW)


My girlfriend has very little experience with handguns, but has been shooting shotguns (hunting and skeet) since she was very young.


Recently, I've begun making a good chunk more $$$ than I was before, so I have extra income and I could justify buying a shotgun.

After some research and suggestions by the lady, I settled on a remington 870. Not knowing a ton about them, i looked around for a used one at a few different shops when I landed on a "remington sale" - $50 off, so $349 for a brand spankin new one - with wood even!


I snagged a super magnum 870 with a 28" barrel, all I really knew is that it was a shotgun and I loved how it felt and looked.

I am 5'8 and 180 lbs, so it basically fit me perfectly as I'm as average as possible.


Now, I'm wanting, after shooting it (and loving it) to get a shotgun for home defense use. My FNX-45 works well for a handgun, but after finally shooting a shotgun - theres just no comparison.

I realized that I could grab a 18" barrel and a mag extension for my 870 instead of buying a whole 'bother gun. I plan on using the 28" barrel for skeet and turkey hunting next year.

I had a few questions though, would a 20" barrel and a bigger extension be better than an 18.5 and a smaller extension? Also, will having a super mag cause any issues instead of an "express"? I know its just a receiver that takes up to 3.5" but I'm wondering fitting issues for barrels.

Also - I've only kind of looked… does my 28" come with the ability to add chokes? Im still learning. Thanks guys!

[Synchronizor]

Welcome to the forum.

I had a few questions though, would a 20" barrel and a bigger extension be better than an 18.5 and a smaller extension?

A 20" barrel with a +3 extension is a perfectly viable choice for a HD shotgun, especially when you can compliment it with with a handgun. A 22"/23" barrel and a +4 like the setup on the Versa Max Tactical might even be worth considering. Even with a minimal 18" barrel, a pump shotgun is a fairly bulky weapon that requires both hands to operate and control effectively. If you have to move through tight spaces, one of your handguns would tend to be a better choice for obvious reasons. As part of a multiple-gun HD battery, a shotgun is generally at its best as "artillery" for defending a fixed position, and in that role, a handful of extra inches shouldn't be a major hindrance. The change in weight and balance may or may not matter to you, but that's a preferential thing you'll have to work out for yourself.

Also, will having a super mag cause any issues instead of an "express"? I know its just a receiver that takes up to 3.5" but I'm wondering fitting issues for barrels.

All 12ga 870 barrels are interchangeable, with the exception of barrels meant for specialized variants with longer or shorter magazine tubes. All Super Magnum receivers use the standard 4-round base magazine tubes, so they can accept any standard 12ga barrel; date, chamber length, and finish don't matter (though certain finish combinations can lead to tighter or looser fit). The only restriction, obviously, is that you'll be limited to shells that the barrel can safely chamber. You can install a barrel with a 3" chamber on your SuperMag receiver and shoot 3" or shorter shells all day, but don't try to fire longer, higher-pressure 3.5" shells unless the fit's really hit the shan and you need a Hail Mary play (and don't expect to be able to do that more than once, as the gun will likely jam after the first shot).

3"-chambered barrels are generally easiest to find, and that's plenty since even 2.75" 12ga shells can be loaded hotter and heavier than you'd usually want for social work. If you want to keep your options open though, you can find barrels with 3.5" chambers in combat-appropriate lengths, or you can cut a longer SuperMag hunting barrel down yourself.

Also - I've only kind of looked… does my 28" come with the ability to add chokes?

All 28" 12ga 870 barrels listed in Remington's current parts documentation are threaded for interchangeable Rem Choke tubes. If you want to be sure of what you have, look at the muzzle of your barrel and compare it to this image:

Slide choke muzzle comparisons_C1.PNG (911.24 KiB) Viewed 3130 times

[Zoogleboogle]

Thanks for such an informative reply! I have an internal choke it seems, got it out with the choke tool. Now im curious, what kind if choke comes standard with the 870?




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[Synchronizor]

Now im curious, what kind if choke comes standard with the 870?

What do you mean by that? Constriction? Choke system?

[ponycarman]

Looks like a modified choke. My express came with the same. The 870's use the rem choke system I believe. They are pretty common. I've seen them at sporting goods stores.

Welcome! And good luck with your shotgun! They are very fun and useful firearms.