The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - 870 Mods to Make an All-rounder

Dave McC · December 13, 2001, 06:32 AM

It adds maybe two minutes to a breakdown, that's both taking off and putting on. I break them all the way down at least once a year, CAREFUL cleaning from the muzzle and/or Boresnaking from the breech suffices after most usage.

Giz is right, at usual. Perhaps the Best Buy on the new market is a Turkey model 870 Express with the 21" bbl and a slug bbl. Outfitted for anything from mice to moose. If all my 870s disappeared in a clap of thunder, and I was limited to only new guns or couldn't find a coupla older WMs, this is the first thing I'd get.

The downside of a short bbl for sport is kinda limited. It's not as good for long range pass shooting, the balance means one has to work a bit more at keeping it moving, and the increase in blast and flash with heavy waterfowl loads might bother your blindmates. OTOH, it handles like a quail/grouse/woodcock hunter's dream, might enhance your rep as a wingshot on waterhole doves,
and carries a bit lighter.

As for "Serious" use, it'd take a more critical man than I to detect any real differences in handling between a 21" bbled turkey gun and an 18" bbled riot stopper.

HTH...

December 13, 2001, 06:32 AM	#8
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	It adds maybe two minutes to a breakdown, that's both taking off and putting on. I break them all the way down at least once a year, CAREFUL cleaning from the muzzle and/or Boresnaking from the breech suffices after most usage. Giz is right, at usual. Perhaps the Best Buy on the new market is a Turkey model 870 Express with the 21" bbl and a slug bbl. Outfitted for anything from mice to moose. If all my 870s disappeared in a clap of thunder, and I was limited to only new guns or couldn't find a coupla older WMs, this is the first thing I'd get. The downside of a short bbl for sport is kinda limited. It's not as good for long range pass shooting, the balance means one has to work a bit more at keeping it moving, and the increase in blast and flash with heavy waterfowl loads might bother your blindmates. OTOH, it handles like a quail/grouse/woodcock hunter's dream, might enhance your rep as a wingshot on waterhole doves, and carries a bit lighter. As for "Serious" use, it'd take a more critical man than I to detect any real differences in handling between a 21" bbled turkey gun and an 18" bbled riot stopper. HTH...