18.5" barrel with a 3.5 chamber

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4T4MAG

New member
I am looking for a new shotgun with a 12 ga. pump, 3.5" chamber and an 18.5" barrel. I would prefer Rem. I could do a Mossb. also. I was thinking about buying a 3.5" 870 express and then re-barreling it. It will be for entry/home protection. Any recommendations on setup?
 
I am expecting King Kong, do you think 3.5" mag will work? (JK) I shoot 3.5" mags all the time. I have not however, shot one with with a short barrel. The purpose for the 3.5" chamber is not for late night rude awakening, it is for switching out the barrel to use with a longer barrel for birds. I love the 3.5" chamber and if the action can handle a 3.5" shell I want a 3.5" chamber.

Make any sense?
 
I think all actions can handle 3.5" shells. Can someone back me up on this?

I reason this because action strength is set by maximum bolt thrust which is chamber pressure x Shell base contact area. The area and is the same for all. I think max chamber pressure is the same or close.
 
As far as I know, your only option there is cutting the barrel. The best bet is to buy a shotgun and pick up a 2nd barrel.
 
I think all actions can handle 3.5" shells. Can someone back me up on this?
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The new 3 1/2-inch shells have a higher maximum pressure (14KSI) than the older 2 3/4 and 3-inch shells (11.5KSI). If you assumption were correct, why would gun makers sell magnum actions?
 
I am looking for a new shotgun with a 12 ga. pump, 3.5" chamber and an 18.5" barrel. I would prefer Rem. I could do a Mossb. also.
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The Benelli Nova Tactical meets all of the specs mentioned above, plus it comes with either rifle sight or ghost ring sights at a price point that is right in line with either the Mossberg or the Remington. The only drawback to the Nova that I can see (if you want to call it a drawback) is that you can't change the stock on it. However that problem is solved by the Supernova which does allow you to do so. The Supernova cost a little more, but it may be worth it to some. Me, I was perfectly happy with my Nova as it came out of the box. No need to change anything :)
 
I use Win superX 3.5 #4 buckshot(54 pellets) in a 24in ported barrel Mossberg 835...I dont feel anything is overkill when dealing with a threat to your security or life.That being said I may step down to 2 3/4 shells to raise overall shell capacity If am inquiring about a shorter barrel via Mossberg as we speak(waiting on reply).......And as hinted by ppl on this thread..The 3.5s hurt on both ends of the gun when shot:(
 
Interesting, today's trend in LE and HD shot shells is towards reduced 2 3/4" loads, yet the OP favors a 3 1/2" -- different strokes for different folks.
 
The idea for using reduced recoil is to get you on target quickly for follow up shots. At some point the return on additional force does little but increase the riskk of injury to collateral tartgets by virtue of over pentetration.

Also, due to the wieght differential between a full length barrel and an 18.5" be prepared for felt recoil to increase with the identical load.
 
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3 1/2" shells.......and an 18.5" barrel ....on a defensive 12ga shotgun - looks and sounds more like nonsense every time I see someone suggest it is something you have to have ...!!

The days of any shotgun being "the definitive" defense weapon...is long gone in my view (but we can debate that). I suspect 95% or more of these tactical shotguns...will not see the light of a gunrange ...for any meaningful practice more than 2 or 3 times after they are purchased new...( maybe with 25 shells or less on each trip ) ...but I'll be generous and say 100 shells ..and then not again until pigs fly !! And I say this ...because most of them are not fun to shoot ...especially with 3 1/2" full power shells in them ...especially if they are a solid breech gun / like a pump gun. If you really want to shoot this heavy recoil ammo ...at least consider a semi-auto ....or something that won't beat the stuffing out of you ...(but they cost a lot more money !)..

I suspect this myth of "everyone has to have a tactical shotgun" ....is more about gun shops selling guns than anything else I have ever seen. Yet it seems to dominate the discussions on-line and in a lot of gunshops...and in my experience, it focuses on how many shells will it hold ...( and what does it cost / because I only want to spend $ 300 ).

Everybody should buy what they want ...and as many guns as you want...but if you really think you want, or need, a tactical shotgun ...then at least think about training with it by using some 2 3/4" shells.../and while I might admit that you might be able to be proficient with a tactical shotgun if you only train 4 times a year ( and you cannot do that with most any handgun - where most of us train with our defensive handguns 4 times a month ) ....but shooting these tactical fixed breech pump 18.5 shotguns - is just plain "not fun" ...not even with 2 3/4" shells...let alone 3 1/2" shells...which is why most of them sold (after the first year) end up with spiders and cob-webs in them ...in the back of the closet, or in the back of the gunsafe.

Not everyone has to shoot clays or hunt with a shotgun ..to justify buying a gun ....but think this stuff thru please.../ and if you buy - or borrow a gun - go out to your local range...and put 25 shells a day thru one of these guns ( full power OO Buck in 3" or 3 1/2" ....for 3 days in a row...and let me know what you think after you've done that - please / or do it with a 10ga ...even better...!

You might be the 1 guy in 100 ...that thinks its a good idea ...so you should buy one! ...in the meantime, I will continue to rely on my 1911's with a magazine of 8 rds in it in .45 acp ....to do anything I will ever need to do for defense ( but I'm old school )!
 
BigJimP..Wont a 45acp penetrate my wall easier/more then #4buckshot?...Im open to anything that will make my (not tactical)shotgun better..Why a shotgun over a pistol?Cause I dont own a pistol right now,and have yet to own a pistol over .22 . A pistol would have its advantages for me..I have kids so I could keep the pistol loaded and locked up in a vault/safe beside the bed..Which will provide faster response time then getting the shotgun unlocked an all that...Honestly I am having trouble deciding on a pistol in my budget an that is right for me...Can low recoil #4buck be found in a 2 3/4 shell..I wouldn't mind trying some...Never said i loved 3 1/2s..But the 50+ pellet count seems like a advantage in some aspects.As mentioned above..Mberg 835,overbored 12ga 24in ported barrel..I use a mod choke as I dont have anything with less constriction ..The gun is used in a 3bedrom 2 bath Mobile home(not sure on sqr footage if it matters) .I have been looking at the Glock 17 because I can get a great deal on one that has never been shot...Any input is greatly appreciated
 
There are lots of issues - if you decide you need a defensive weapon at all ...to take into consideration / kids - no kids, how to secure it, how accessible does it need to be, what is the average response time to your residence for authorities, civil lawsuit issues if you use the weapon, depending on where you live...penetration may be an issue ...and on and on ...../ and yes, most any handgun caliber from 9mm - .45 acp --.357 mag will easily penetrate a wall / so if you choose a handgun - you have to know what your lanes of safe fire will be ...and you have to think about all of this stuff long before you put, or load, any defensive weapon in your home..or into a holster on your belt.

I'm not an instructor or a LE Officer ...I suggest that everyone seek out classes and professionals in their area for training...whether its handguns, shotguns or rifles. If you don't have a lot of experience with a variety of guns ...then visit your local range often.../ and I think you'll find a lot of folks willing to help you out / hopefully you have a range locally where you can rent a lot of different guns before you buy.

I've been shooting and hunting ...for 50+ yrs.../ and I own 50 or so guns...and I've used or owned most of the popular firearm platforms.../and if someone were to break into my home, when we are there, they will run when they approach me - or they will die ! I have made that decision...and I am armed appropriately in my view / for my environement / for my expected risk level - which is very low in my opinion in my area. But in a big house / neighbors not too close / no kids...its easy for me to say a 1911 in a .45 acp ..will do everything I need to do / and if necessary ( and it probably won't be ) I could fight my way to my gunsafe..and ammo storage.

I pick a 5" 1911 in .45 acp ...because its the gun I shoot the best...and I train with it weekly ( 2 to 6 boxes a week ) ...doing a number of tactical drills, double taps, reloads, etc ..../ I train just in case ( I take classes because I like them / and I like to shoot ). I expect to never have to need a gun ...so mostly, I train - because I like to shoot ..and keep my skills at a level to make it fun for me - and competent. I'm not a master class handgun shooter ...but I can draw and double tap a silhouette ( on target -center chest ) inside of 30 feet 99.9% of the time ( in under 2.5 sec ) ...is it fast enough, I think so ...worst case /it'll take me a 3rd shot ...and its over.

So I choose the weapon ...that is the most reliable, most nimble, the gun I train with often, the gun I shoot the best...in a caliber that suits me. I would be just as comfortable with a 1911 in 9mm...( with good defensive ammo in it )....

If you decide you need a defensive weapon - not everyone does ) ...but if you do, budgets are certainly part of it. Tactical shotguns are cheap ...but even in 18.5" barrels...they're still clumsy. A round like a slug ..doesn't spread ...but neither does OO Buck .../ it probably won't penetrate as much as a 230gr bullet from a .45 acp ...but it depends what you hit ( sheet rock ...is pretty soft )...

Shotguns can be inexpensive to train with ...train with some bird shot in 2 3/4" shells...and train twice a month ....fire 2 ...reload...fire 2 .../ work the action ...can you double tap a target in under 3 sec from the ready position. If you can't ....do you have a defensive handgun caliber -that you can do that with ...( most good 1911's will cost you a lot of money / maybe $ 1,000 or more easily ) ....but there are good handguns on the market like Springfield XD-M for $ 600 that are very good defensive weapons..

I was ragging on this idea ...that everyone needs a 3 1/2" chambered pump gun...or they are "under armed" .../ in my view, while a pump gun with a 28" barrel will be even more clumsy than a 18.5" barrel ...maybe its all you need - to hunker down / until the cavalry arrives in a few minutes. Its "Defense" ...not "offensive assault " ...that you're after...

if you were to buy a decent pump gun in a 28" barrel ...and have some fun with it ...shoot clays, hunt, whatever...its my contention you'll have more fun with it / be more competent with it - if you need it for defense...and the expense is easy to justify ( a Browning BPS hunter model is about $ 650 ) and its a gun you will probably have a lifetime / and have some fun with.

My boys are in their 30's ....and most of their buddies...went out and bought tactical 870's ....and going on 5 yrs or more ....not one of those guys has fired their tactical guns / because they're not fun. They have all invested in other shotguns ...semi-autos, Over Unders, etc ...for clays, bird hunting...and they have all gone to a variety of handguns for home defense...even some with S&W revolvers...which I like very much as well. I think a gun like a S&W model 66 - .357 mag ...in a 4" is a very practical, and inexpensive ...home defense gun .. $ 400 - $ 750 ...depending on condition. Easy to use /easy to train with ...you can train with .38 spl ..and load it with .357 mag for defense.

Now ...if you don't train with it ....and can't hit a target 18" accross ...99.9% of the time ...its a bad idea. But that applies to shotguns as well...

There is no ...one answer for everyone...

But if you're new to all this stuff ....get some time with a lot of guns ....make the decision what you want to do ( shoot some 18.5" 12ga shotguns ...and see what you think ).... I'm 61 yrs old ...but I'm 6'5" and 280 lbs ...I can shoot a pump gun with an 18.5" barrel ...I just don't want to ! But its also because I train with my defensive platform of choice...a 1911...because I like to shoot .../ and I like handguns.../ I have a few pump shotguns ..and a lot of target shotguns.../ I do not need a tactical shotgun or a tactical rifle like an AR...but that's me, you should do what's right for you ...including just pursuing this as a hobby ...if you want to.

My rant ...was directed at the attitude ...that I think too many guys hear on the internet and in gunstores...and it makes them think, they're not safe, unless they have a tactical shotgun. It aggravates me.../ and not that you took it that way - but it wasn't directed at you ....it was directed at the attitude ..and what I consider a lack of knowledge...( because they're just trying to sell guns )....and I think its sad that they're taking advantage of a lot of guys... I love shotguns ...I just don't think everyone needs a tactical shotgun to be safe ...nor is it the most effective defensive weapon for everyone. It may be for you ...don't let me talk you out of it ...or someone else into it ...decide for yourself !
 
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