3" shells in Rem. 870?

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Pecos21

New member
The barrel just says " use 2 3/4" or 3" shells in magnum recievers. All others, use only 2 3/4"", but I don't know if my 870 is a magnum reciever.
It doesnt say magnum anywhere.
Is there a way to find out if it is acceptable to use 3" shells without buying a box to see if they fit?
If 3" shells fit, does that mean that it will shoot 3" shells safely?
I am going duck hunting for the first time and would like to have as much of an advantage as possible.
Is there such thing as 2 3/4" magnum?
 
I'm not positive but, I think if the serial number starts with an "M" it is a Magnum reciever. Hopefully someone chimes in with a definate answer.
 
Unless it's a 2 3/4" gun that's been converted to shoot 3" shells, a Magnum gun will say MAGNUM on the receiver, the serial number will end with an "M", and the barrel will say "For use with 2 3/4" and 3" shells".

WARNING: 3" shells will chamber in even a 2 3/4" gun, but are NOT safe to shoot.

You can have a gunsmith convert your gun to 3" by installing a longer 3" ejector assembly, and by buying a new 3" chambered barrel.
Other than the markings and the longer Magnum ejector, the 2 3/4" and 3" Magnum receivers are the same.

Note that if you install a 3" chambered barrel you "can" shoot 3" shells, BUT the gun cannot eject them due to the standard length ejector assembly.

There are 2 3/4" Magnum shells.
"Magnum" means something quite different in shotguns than in rifles and pistols.
In rifles and pistols, Magnum means "more power, higher velocity".

In shotguns Magnum means "more shot" NOT necessarily "more power".
In other words a Magnum shotgun doesn't shoot farther or "harder", it just puts more shot in the air.

With that in mind, there are 2 3/4" length Magnum shells that contain more shot than standard shells.

Most any decent gun shop can show you a selection of 2 3/4" Magnum shells suitable for ducks.
 
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