Barrel length for a beginner

[ATeaM]

Folks, I've been mullling over the various breeds trying to decide on my first shotgun. So far I've narrowed it down to either a Winchester defender 8 shot, or a Remington 870 home defense.

Now, both these shotguns have 18 inch barrels, which seems to be the best solution. Afterall, I guess their primary role would be home defense. But then I started thinking to myself..."Hey, I live in an apartment with thin walls. Why do I need a shotgun for defense again ?"

I've got the defense thing covered. I'm really buying this just to fill the shotgun void in my gun cabinet and...for fun shooting at the range.

So, what barrel length would be appropriate ?

I'm not to sure what exactly I'd be shooting with my new shotgun; clay birds, paper targets, assorted gourds and vegetables, computers, ect. Anyways...I checked out a Remington side by side with a Winchester tonight. Both were super sweet, I liked the Remington a little more. It was an 870 Express with a 26 inch barrel and bead sight going for $269. Should I bite ?

 

[Dave McC]

Any of the shorter bbl lengths can be quite useful in a GP shotgun. Short 870s make great quail guns, great turkey guns, good gamer guns and great defense tools.

And, since all 870s are interchangeable within gauge,it's easy to try different lengths. One of the combos offered has a slug bbl with rifle sights and either a 28" Remchoked vent rib bbl or the short turkey bbls, either 21 or 23".

$269 is not a bad prices,but not the best either. Look around...