Home defense 870 - 5 rounds vs. 7 rounds

[Dave McC]

Modified, Madmag.

With the 4 buck loads in it,20 yard patterns run about 13-15".

That barrel was 28" I had it cut and threaded for the old Truchoke thinwalls about a year before Remington brought out that 21" turkey barrel. It's also had a good forcing cone job and has a full set of Colonial tubes from Skeet to Too Much( .690").

FYI, setting off goose loads in that while sharing a pit blind can strain friendships. I use a longer barrel now for waterfowl.

 

[madmag]

Modified, Madmag.

Thanks, mine was purchased as a turkey model with 21" barrel and originally full choke..I changed to improved cylinder.

I own other shotguns, but it seems that the turkey 21" is a great fit. It is short yet has different choke capabilities. Good all around shotgun.

 

[Dave McC]

That barrel has never been pointed at a turkey, but it has brought home dove, ducks,pheasant, quail, geese (Snows and Canadas), preserve chukar, etc.

And with the IC tube in, it groups KOs in about 2.5" at 50 yards.

Quite useful.

I tend to abjure terms like "All Around" nowadays but this barrel and the parts 870 it's on cover lots of bases.

 

[markj]

OK, I can put a rifled choke on my 870 smooth bore and shoot sabots, but I admit I have never tested, so not sure how well it works.

They make slugs for smooth bore too. I was given the barrel for Christmas one year, sabots cost more but they do reach out farther. For HD you dont need the distance a rifled barrel will give you. Unless you also hunt deer like I do

 

[madmag]

For HD you dont need the distance a rifled barrel will give you. Unless you also hunt deer like I do

I agree. I was mixing messages. I would just use the rifled choke for hunting.

 

[KevininPa]

Five is good for me but......

....I live rural and not in a home invading, gangbanging area. I only need a .22 for walking out and about with the dog for snakeshot and possibly a rabid critter.

 

[mwar410]

I recently shortened a 870 express, with the help of a few beers. I like the way it handles with the stock mag, I cut it to 18 3/4" just in case I messed up. 4 in the tube and one on the elevator. But, I also noticed that I have a 1911 ready for back-up.

 

[TacticalDefense1911]

The more rounds you can get in your defense shotgun the better. It is already a low-round carrying platform so the more the better in my opinion. Those two rounds may just save your life. I would also suggest installing a shotshell side saddle on the gun to carry extra rounds if a reload is neccessary.

 

[Sarge]

I also use another 870 for defense, a more traditional model with a 21" turkey barrel, no extension.

While I'm a big lout, strong for my age, and well trained, the last 870 mentioned is faster than a rattlesnake in my hands.. That's something to consider. The others I can handle, from practice and training, but the 4 round shotgun is faster.

Great minds...

I can't seem to bring myself to hang a tube on this old Special Purpose, either. I do kill a few birds with it when it ain't working, too

 

[Dave McC]

Nice shotgun, Sarge, and nice read. Good luck with yours......