I'm not talking about 18" HD models...those are plentiful. I'm talking about the 21"-24" vent rib barrels that are so nice to have on a hunting shotgun. I know that the manufacturers make them, but gun stores on the West Coast seem to sedom (if ever) stock them. From what I have heard, these barrel lengths are a dime a dozen in the Eastern United States. Is this true? And if so, why?
Why are short barrel shotguns so hard to find on the West Coast?
- Thread starter mathman
- Start date
Most shotgunners are bird hunters or clay shooters and like the longer barrels for their weight as they swing on the target better. I think that a 21- 24" barrel would do fine for turkey, but there aren't as many turkey hunters as there are upland bird and target shooters so the makers go where the money is.
Long barrels for clays and such is the fad for today. 
In the 50's when I first started skeet shooting it was unheard of for one to have a barrel longer than 26 inches. Today it is difficult to find an o/u skeet gun less than 28inches. I started shooting skeet again last summer after a 35 year LOA and the current shooters look in amazement at my 22 inch 1100. It breaks targets just as good as the next. As I said, just a fad, no proof that longer barrels are better.
The best way to get a short barrel is to buy a used barrel and have it cut and rethreaded for choke tubes if a choke is desired.
In the 50's when I first started skeet shooting it was unheard of for one to have a barrel longer than 26 inches. Today it is difficult to find an o/u skeet gun less than 28inches. I started shooting skeet again last summer after a 35 year LOA and the current shooters look in amazement at my 22 inch 1100. It breaks targets just as good as the next. As I said, just a fad, no proof that longer barrels are better.The best way to get a short barrel is to buy a used barrel and have it cut and rethreaded for choke tubes if a choke is desired.
Many shooters miss clays/ducks because they fail to swing through the target when shooting. A long barrel does two things, it mainly is heavier, thus creating momentum that is harder to stop, forcing the hunter to swing through the target. Also, they give a longer sighting plane.
Well, getting back on topic...the reason it irks me is that I can buy a 28" 870 express for like $249 on sale, but a 21" Turkey 870 Express is $375 since it is always a special order...but aren't I getting less gun? I know, I know...supply and demand, supply and demand...damn it, it's time for more of you to realize that shorter barrels are better so that they will make more of them and therefore bring the cost down! 
RevolverLover
New member
You can always get the 28" 870 Express on sale then get a spare 21" barrel.