I bought the wrong 870, now what?

Now I realize that I may have made a big mistake. For HD the magazine the 4+1 capacity is too small (I don't like leaving one in the chamber, so only 4).
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The biggest mistake I can see is you fell for the "4+1 isn't cool enough" crowd. I have an 18" 870 with stock 4+1 capacity and an additional 5 rounds on the buttstock. The gun balances like a dream and if I somehow (can't possibly fathom how) missed 5 times with 00 buckshot I can put 5 more in it from the slip-on sidesaddle in a few seconds. And that's just the 870. A stock Mossberg 500A with 5+1 in it sits in the opposite corner of the room. ;)
 
Four rounds isn't insignificant. My personal shotgun I carry on duty has a four round tube backed up with a six round sidesaddle. I have no doubt that it will take care of me if I take care of it.

Also, are you sure that your slug barrel is actually "rifled"? I suspect that it is actually a smooth bore with rifle sights. If so it's totally suitable for your purposes.
 
Remington sells rifled barrels with their 870 expresses. At least it came with mine in the package I bought (same box, two barrels, one shotgun) so chances are it is a rifled barrel. But 4+1 is nothing to sneeze at and I don't think the BG on the other end with the hole in it won't really be particular as to whether it has 8 shots or 2.
 
other options.


Go try a few gun shops and find a 30" full choke fixed barrel with a vent rib. Get out the hacksaw and cut her down. Legal and it may get you a 18.5 inch barrel for about 30 bucks.

Buck shot lead does not get in the rifling of a rifled slug barrel as it rides in a plastic shot cup. It does however drastically open up the shot pattern. The centrifugal force really affects shot patterns.

The dimple issue is really a non issue, the dimples work just like a center punch for drilling them out, or you can find a piece of round bar stock that fits nicely and use that as a mandrel to carefully tap out the dimples. Its really made out to be much more difficult that it is.
 
Mossberg

Mossberg's standard 500 has 5 + 1 capacity, and every combination of barrels, chokes, stocks, forearms you could want at a great price. And if you want "high" capacity, the 590 and 590A1 hold a standard 9- 2/34" rounds without any modifications. Mossberg's are high quality and made in America.
 
Tough Bad Guys

4, 5, 6 rounds out of a shotgun? In a home situation an intruder will most likely be shot at a range measured in feet. A 12 gauge at this range doesn't need too many repeat shots to be effective. I understand having an extra round or two can't hurt. But come on, do some parts of the country grow extra tough bad guys?
 
4, 5, 6 rounds out of a shotgun? In a home situation an intruder will most likely be shot at a range measured in feet. A 12 gauge at this range doesn't need too many repeat shots to be effective. I understand having an extra round or two can't hurt. But come on, do some parts of the country grow extra tough bad guys?
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You make a good point...I've said the same thing myself more than once.

I've heard 1911 guys claim 8 rounds of .45 is more than enough for them to get the job done...yet sometimes I hear those same guys talking about tacticool mag extensions like it's unacceptable to use a shotgun with 4+1 or 5+1 capacity. Oh the irony...:rolleyes:
 
simonz

Sell your barrel on ebay, and pick one up on ebay too.

The rifled barrel should fetch 100 or so, and thats what an 18.5 inch should cost.

its almost exactly what i did.
 
New barrel arrived, leaving Magazine stock

As I posted previously, I ordered the Remington 20" Imrpoved Cylinder barrel with rifle sights from MidwayUSA on Thursday. Today (Monday) it arrived in the mail. Now that is great service from MidwayUSA.

I've decided not to remove the dimples in the Magazine and keep the gun stock with 4+1 capacity. Like others have said, 4 will do the job. When the rain stops will get to the range to try it out.

Thanks for your comments and suggestions.

simonz
 
4 rounds of 12g should be more than adequate for HD. ONE round of 12g with have most crooks steppin'-and-fetchin' down the block even if it doesn't hit anybody.

Stick a Sidesaddle ammo carrier on it for that 1 in a thousand encounter where you might need more ammo and call it good. If you need more than the 4 or 6 additional round that gives you whip out your PRC and call for fire.

EDIT: Just saw your resolution of the issue at the end here... good for you.
 
Keeping the chamber empty has more benefits then you realize. Usually just racking the slide will put fear into an intruder, without even firing a shot, he will be heading for the hills. Then with 4 rounds at your disposal, you will be ready for any brave souls that remain behind.
 
Get over your aversion to a round in the chamber. Load it up with 5 and leave the safety on (obviously). I have a Mossy 500 Persuader with a full compliment of 8 rounds. If confronted with the need to use it for SD you don't want to warn the intruder by racking the slide. All he should hear before the ensuing fusillade is the "click" of the safety moving to the OFF position (if he's sharp enough to react in such a short time span). If he is, then be glad you didn't give your position away. Be sure to load with #00 or some other shot size large enough to make an impression on a crackhead peaking out on his his last hit (whether or not he has the presence of mind to even know he's been shot), and keep shooting until he falls down. Then reload and call the police. You will need a a mop and rubber gloves afterward. I have no desire to shoot anyone, but my fusil de boudoir gives me the crunch to deal with the most determined sociopath (my beloved wife will be watching my 6 with a 9mm). By the way, if SD is your prime consideration and you are adverse to a round up the spout, why did you buy a gun with a magazine that only holds 4 rounds? The only limiting factor on the guns I have ready to go is what I'm willing to leave out of the safe. Please don't take this as a flame. Huntin' guns is for huntin' and fightin' guns is for fightin'. Self defense is not a sport- hunting is.
 
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Dimples.

I took a dremel tool to the dimples in mine. Took about 15 minutes. Started with a coarse stone then moved to a sanding drum then a polishing bit. From the outside of the mag tube you cant tell anything was done to it. Stuffing the paper towels is a great idea. I did the same with shoprags. I've got the 20 inch smoothbore rifle sighted barrel and 7+1 capacity extension. I also added a four shot tacstar sidesaddle. I doubt seriously I'll ever need 11 rounds of 12 ga for HD, but if the zombies come it is there. :)
 
thats a sweet shotgun

Hey simon, I have a 870 express super mag and it is perfect for HD, I keep mine next to the bed ready to work when needed. I keed a dud in the barrel and 4, 2 3/4 , 4 shot in the tube. You are probably never going to use any of the 4 if there is an intruder cause when you cock the slide back, that noise alone will make the SOB run. I keep a springfield 45.acp Loaded Operator with a 10 round mag and a extra 10 rounder in the holster incase WW3 starts while im sleeping. you made a good choice, good luck.
 
shotties

I have 4 fully functional shotguns all are currently set up with 20.5" or less barrels. The 870 has a 27 ribbed barrel with replaceable choke tubes. My guns are versitile; loaded with a combination of slug, 00 and 0000 buck. I also have some #4 bird shot when needed.

I love shoguns
Tim
 
Wal-Mart won't allow you to return firearms?

I've never had Wal-Mart turn down anything I wanted to exchange.
 
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