should i saw it off?

D

djb_249

Inactive
I have an old 870 express magnum that i bought years ago. It's pretty old and has definitely been used quite a bit throughout the years but it has sentimental value to me. The problem that i have with it is that it has a 32" barrel and i can't hit doves with it to save my life. Some of this is definitely lack of practice/skills but i was wondering if having it cut down to a 28" or 26" would help me out at all. I know it would make it alot more managable! Any input would be appreciated. Also... if i do get it cut down can i have it threaded for choke tubes? It doesn't accept them now but i think it would be nice. Is it worth it? I strictly hunt dove and pheasent, maybe some turkey in the future.
Thanks.
 
You'd likely be better off selling or trading the barrel you have toward something more to your liking. I've never seen a 32" barrel on an 870, bound to be a long barrel lover out there somewhere who would be deeelighted to get it. Remington factory barrels are plentiful and relatively inexpensive as a rule.... look at Corson's, Barrel Exchange, your local fun shops, Remington's web page, etc.

Getting a barrel cut down and having it fitted for choke tubes will likely cost as much or more than a good condition used barrel will cost anyway...

lpl
 
If you can't hit 'em with 32" barrel, what makes you think a shorter barrel going to help?? Leave the barrel alone and get someone to help and/or instruction on how to shoot. Then practice...ALLOT!:D

:confused:And when did Remington start making 32" barrels for any of their pumps or autos in the last forty years?:)

*furgots.........gun fit could be a real big problem in your case, more so then anything to do with the barrel length!
 
I'd jut buy another barrel. They aren't that expensive. Then you can see if you hit better or worse. if you're better then you can sell the barrel.

32 inch barrel should make it easier to hit dove.
Click to expand...

Most people I know who shoot dove use shorter barrels, in the 22-26" range. Long enough to swing well, but light enough to get on target quick.
 
I wouldn't cut it. Barrels that size are kinda rare anymore. I'd bet you'd be able to sell it for more than a new barrel would go for with chokes. Just a guess from what I've seen at the shows.
 
To answer your question directly..no. Do not saw the barrel. Its my opinion that buying another barrel is always the better choice. After all, you may one day regret having the current barrel hacked.
 
If you cut it down, you'll be behind nearly all of a fixed choke leaving you with a cylinder bore, maybe improved cylinder if you're lucky.

Just buy a barrel and save the long tom barrel for turkey and geese.
 
Cut it and buy a new barrel!

I don't know if you've got a SD/HD shotgun already or not. But I would cut it down to 18.5 to 19 inches and move the bead. With this barrel you have your basic HD shotgun.

Then buy a barrel about 26 inches long with Rem chokes. Then you'd have two weapons with lots of choices. As others have said it would cost too much to have after market choke tubes added!

~HF~
 
I'm with my friend, olddrum1 and b.thomas on this one: Forget about changing the barrel, and focus on practicing with what you have.
 
Try getting some instruction before cutting the barrel or buying another one. Then I would try other guns with different barrel lengths to see which one works better for you. Personally, it if it was my gun, and I determined a different length barrel was needed, I would get another already threaded for chokes. By the time you pay a good smith to cut, recrown, blue, redo the bead and drill/tap for chokes, a factory barrel would typically work out to be the cheaper alternative.

Since you mention the sentimental value, why cut that barrel?
 
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