Q's on modifying 870 Wingmaster

eje · April 28, 2001, 11:57 PM

I've bought an old 870 Wingmaster with a 30" barrel that I'm planning to modify for HD. The only barrel modification I'm sure about doing is cutting the barrel down to 20" or 18.5", but before I did that, I had a couple questions. The barrel is stamped "FULL"; what does this mean and how would it affect patterning? I wouldn't want to cut the barrel if the barrel isn't going to be suitable for HD use. Also, are there any benefits or drawbacks of having an 18.5" barrel as opposed to a 20" barrel?

Thanks for the input,

Ed

K80Geoff · April 29, 2001, 08:45 AM

The "Full" marking means that the barrel has a fixed full choke. If you cut the barrel down to 20" the choke, which is at the end of the barrel, will be gone.

You will then have a barrel with "cylinder" choke, or no choke at all, which is basically what "Cylinder" means.

You then have two options, use tha barrel as cylinder choke or have removeable choke tubes installed.

Geoff Ross

Coronach · April 29, 2001, 10:44 AM

18.5 v 20"

No practical difference.

Also, why not just buy a short barrel for it, rather than have the existing one cut down? That way you will have the short HD barrel and, should you ever want a long, full-choked barrel, you'll have one. Barrels are not that expensive.

Mike

Dave McC · April 30, 2001, 12:50 PM

I did just that with my HD 870, and now regret not having that Full choke bbl.

Get another bbl.

Choke is meaningless at HD ranges.

And, while I prefer short bbled defense guns, a long barreled 870 is still oneheckuva potent weapon at close quarters.

As to 18.5" X 20", I've one of each and see no difference between them for ease of handling or accuracy.

eje · April 30, 2001, 06:47 PM

Thanks for the information, guys. I'm going to get another barrel.

Ed

April 29, 2001, 08:45 AM	#2
K80Geoff Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 1998 Location: NE Pennsylvania Posts: 3,639	870 The "Full" marking means that the barrel has a fixed full choke. If you cut the barrel down to 20" the choke, which is at the end of the barrel, will be gone. You will then have a barrel with "cylinder" choke, or no choke at all, which is basically what "Cylinder" means. You then have two options, use tha barrel as cylinder choke or have removeable choke tubes installed. Geoff Ross __________________ I am no longer a member of this forum. Bye!

April 29, 2001, 10:44 AM	#3
Coronach Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 1999 Posts: 3,147	18.5 v 20" No practical difference. Also, why not just buy a short barrel for it, rather than have the existing one cut down? That way you will have the short HD barrel and, should you ever want a long, full-choked barrel, you'll have one. Barrels are not that expensive. Mike __________________ The axe bites into the door, ripping a hole in one panel. The maniac puts his face into the hole, cackling gleefully, "Here's Johnny...erk." "And here's Smith and Wesson," murmurs Coronach, Mozambiquing six rounds of .357 into the critter at a range of three feet. -Lawdog "True pacifism is the finest form of manliness. But if a man comes up to you and cuts your hand off, you don't just offer him the other one. Not if you want to go on playing the piano, you don't." -Sam Peckinpah "A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert Heinlein

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

April 28, 2001, 11:57 PM	#1
eje Member Join Date: June 9, 2000 Location: South Pasadena, CA Posts: 41	I've bought an old 870 Wingmaster with a 30" barrel that I'm planning to modify for HD. The only barrel modification I'm sure about doing is cutting the barrel down to 20" or 18.5", but before I did that, I had a couple questions. The barrel is stamped "FULL"; what does this mean and how would it affect patterning? I wouldn't want to cut the barrel if the barrel isn't going to be suitable for HD use. Also, are there any benefits or drawbacks of having an 18.5" barrel as opposed to a 20" barrel? Thanks for the input, Ed

April 30, 2001, 12:50 PM	#4
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	I did just that with my HD 870, and now regret not having that Full choke bbl. Get another bbl. Choke is meaningless at HD ranges. And, while I prefer short bbled defense guns, a long barreled 870 is still oneheckuva potent weapon at close quarters. As to 18.5" X 20", I've one of each and see no difference between them for ease of handling or accuracy.

April 30, 2001, 06:47 PM	#5
eje Member Join Date: June 9, 2000 Location: South Pasadena, CA Posts: 41	Thanks for the information, guys. I'm going to get another barrel. Ed