Defense barrel length

[dblhelix]

I'm about to purchase an older 870 Wingmaster. It comes with a 20" IC barrel w/ rifled sights (previous owner used it for hunting). I have been looking around for other barrels (I am looking to acquire a long barrel sometime in the future) and found an 18" cylinder bore barrel at a very nice price.

My question to you all is: Does the extra 2" make any difference on a defensive weapon? What would you do in this situation? Thanks in advance for the input.

[Bones]

Just IMO a man can never have too many 870 barrels. I've got barrels from 18" to 30", some ribbed,couple with rifle sights, and some just plain. You name the game, and I'm really...

[GunsAreGood]

I personally have an 18'' barrel on my home defense 870. I am not sure if two inches would change your patter to much at very short distances. If it is for home defense chances are if you do have to use it you will be ten feet or closer to your intruder. I do not believe (don't quote me) that it will affect your pattern very much. I am sure there is a small variance. A shorter barrel will help you from extending your barrel past a corner and giving away your position. Maybe I am going to far with all the tactical talk but it is something to think about. Hope I could help.

[StuntManMike]

I would go for the shorter barrel if only for better balance and manueverability.

[jmr40]

That is the exact barrel I have on my HD shotgun. You will never notice the 1.5" difference. Keep it as is. If it had the 18.5" barrel I would give you the same advice.

[colostomyclown]

the bad guy wont notice a difference betwen a 12" barrel and a 30" one at defensive distances.


you will notice only a moderate difference between 18.5" and 20". personally, if you're an average to bigger sized guy, I'd take the 20" and a flush mag tube with added capacity over shorter barrel.

[Willie Lowman]

Form 1 SBS the gun and get a 12.5" cyl bore barrel.

[zippy13]

I'll defer to Scattergun Bob's expertise; but, IMHO, that extra bit of barrel can only serve your opponent in a close-in confrontation. It's my understanding, shorter barrels are preferred for HD because of better maneuverability and they are less likely to be grabbed and taken from you. For HD, I'd select the shortest barrel -- might not that missing 1.5 or 2 inches save your life?

[arizona98tj]

The choke in a barrel determines the pattern. One would get the same pattern out of an IC 18" barrel as from an IC 20" barrel.

[Lee Lapin]

I never turn down a good 870 barrel if the price is right. Doesn't make any difference to me how long it is. If you own the 18" barrel, you can put it on your gun and shoot it enough to see if you like it better than your current 20". Best way to know for sure which one suits you best, and if $$ are tight, you can still sell the loser.

lpl

[Scattergun Bob]

I do not think that our adversary will ballistically know the difference between 18.5 and 20.0 inches of tube at interior room distances.

The draw back of a longer barrel in interior fights is that the longer the barrel the greater the probability of "bad things" happening during movement in confined spaces. Those "bad things" include having your scattergun taken away, your scattergun providing a inadvertent target identifier for your enemy as you negotiate a corner or door.

Generally speaking, those who make a living gaining entry into buildings choose the shortest of barrels to accomplish the task. The easiest of fixes for this is to simply not go hunting your enemy, stay in a good defensive position and let him come to you.

I tend to agree with Lee, if possible experiment with what you can afford, there is always someone looking for either of those barrel lengths if you choose to sell one.

Good Luck & Be Safe

[dblhelix]

Thank you all for your input. Looks like I'm going to take the plunge and pick up the barrel (once I verify that it's not an express barrel, which I believe wont work on the wingmaster).

[zippy13]

The difference between a 870 Wingmaster and Express barrel is the finish: bright blue vs matte black. Mechanical fit is the same.

[StuntManMike]

The difference between a 870 Wingmaster and Express barrel is the finish: bright blue vs matte black. Mechanical fit is the same.

What about the ball detent?

[Scattergun Bob]

(once I verify that it's not an express barrel, which I believe wont work on the wingmaster).

This is not the case, 870 express barrels will fit the wingmaster. There is an issue of how the magazine cap nut is held secure. This is a long discussion and I am on the run but you can get a good idea of what's up and what the fixes are if you search for the words, ball detent in our forum.

[noyes]

Kinda interesting

Remington 870 18.5" barrel Overall Length 38 1/2"- 40.5" (choke)

Mossbergs 590 , 500 18.5" barrel Overall Length 39.5" - 38 5/8"

Winchester Defender 18" barrel Overall Length 39.5"

Benelli 18.5" barrel Overall Length 39.75" - 40"

[dblhelix]

This is not the case, 870 express barrels will fit the wingmaster. There is an issue of how the magazine cap nut is held secure. This is a long discussion and I am on the run but you can get a good idea of what's up and what the fixes are if you search for the words, ball detent in our forum.

Thank you for the helpful info. I was not aware that there were workarounds for barrels w/o detents.

[ADB]

One and a half inches isn't going to make a noticeable difference either for muzzle velocity or for the maneuverability of the gun.

[Scattergun Bob]

One and a half inches isn't going to make a noticeable difference either for muzzle velocity or for the maneuverability of the gun.

I disagree, if your statement is correct then we have spent a lot of time, energy and paperwork to develop 16" entry guns. Noticeable difference is in barrel length depends on the confines of the space and proximity of your enemy.

Good Luck & Be Safe

[jmr40]

More like wasted a lot of time, energy, and paperwork. Where legal and practical I can see the 14" guns making a difference compared to a 18.5 or 20" gun. You will never notice 1.5" either way. As Noyes points out in his post the overall length of some guns with shorter barrels is longer than other guns with longer barrels.

[zippy13]

Originally Posted by jmr40

More like wasted a lot of time, energy, and paperwork. Where legal and practical I can see the 14" guns making a difference compared to a 18.5 or 20" gun. You will never notice 1.5" either way…

If I read him correctly, Scattergun Bob is telling us a lot of time and energy has been spent by the law enforcement/military community determining that small changes are significant. As I opined earlier, about 18" vs. 20" HD barrels: might not that missing 1.5 or 2 inches save your life?

[noyes]

my 2 cent worth I'll use mass quantities of



with a 20" barrel for practice, practice, practice and more practice. With a fitted combat shotgun to gain the upper ground. I could see a 14" barrel. But would pick a different type firearm at that point.
jmr40 nice catch

[cfiben]

i don't think it matters as far as effectiveness.

I have a 18" for manueverability. It is easier to move around, carry, hide, etc.

[waterfowler]

The shorter barrel definately. it is easier to manauver around corners and quicker to get on target. Weight only decreaes very little. Make sure that if you gor shorter, check the rules on how long a gun can be.

[Pezo]

I use a 20" 590-a1. I dont see a significant advantage going to 18", perhaps 14" if legal. But then what a beast for recoil and blast. I'd use managed recoil loads for that.