range tested the new sawed-off 870

mwar410 · January 30, 2011, 07:41 PM

For HD I've been contemplating a short barrel for my 870 express that I never shoot anymore. After a few beverages I decided I could cut my 28" barrel down to 18.5" I figured my longest shot would be @ 20', I planned on using #4 buck. With the vented rib 18.75" was the perfect spot to cut.
Took it to the range today and tested it at 10yds and it patterned nicely at just under 10". Next is to replace the bead and test slugs.

Mosinnagant · January 30, 2011, 09:30 PM

Do you have pictures of the gun or the targets?

mwar410 · January 30, 2011, 11:41 PM

just one of the gun, couldn't get a good one of the muzzle. Next Sunday I'll get some of the target with the #4 and hopefully slugs

sirsloop · January 31, 2011, 11:29 AM

I just bought an 18" 870 barrel for HD closet duty and kept my 26" ribbed barrel intact with a choke for birds. I guess if you had an extra bird barrel laying around you could just chop it like you did and it'll work just fine. Its not like the thing needs to be crowned or something to shoot buckshot 15 feet across a room straight. Instead of putting a bead on there, you can get one of those $10 magnetic optic sights...

I personally would have sold that 28" barrel for the ~$200 its worth, bought a new 18" barrel for 120 bucks, and put the extra $80 into a 150rds of buckshot

jhog1 · January 31, 2011, 02:45 PM

Chalk this one up to "lesson's learned" never make your decisions after a couple beverages

fadetoblack172 · January 31, 2011, 05:21 PM

I agree don't cut up an expensive barrel to make a less expensive barrel.

mwar410 · January 31, 2011, 06:27 PM

The local gunshops have a box of used barrels, usually running about $40, all long. And I bought the gun new for $220, so I don't think that I would ever spend $200 on a barrel for it. If it shoots slugs as good as I expect, it will be a win, win. And with a few other shotguns, this one was retired.

SLCscottie · February 2, 2011, 01:01 AM

I've seen just a few home defense shotguns at the Pawn Shops. I have also seen a lot of the other shotguns. So I'm considering sawing one off. Curious about putting on a bead. Still having fun contemplating a SxS or Pump.

SLCscottie · February 2, 2011, 01:03 AM

Soda Pop or coffee?

GLOCK22 · February 4, 2011, 10:12 AM

Shotty looks good to me with a short barrel

January 30, 2011, 07:41 PM	#1
mwar410 Senior Member Join Date: December 25, 2008 Location: maine Posts: 234	range tested the new sawed-off 870 For HD I've been contemplating a short barrel for my 870 express that I never shoot anymore. After a few beverages I decided I could cut my 28" barrel down to 18.5" I figured my longest shot would be @ 20', I planned on using #4 buck. With the vented rib 18.75" was the perfect spot to cut. Took it to the range today and tested it at 10yds and it patterned nicely at just under 10". Next is to replace the bead and test slugs.

February 2, 2011, 01:01 AM	#8
SLCscottie Member Join Date: November 3, 2009 Posts: 16	Why Not? I've seen just a few home defense shotguns at the Pawn Shops. I have also seen a lot of the other shotguns. So I'm considering sawing one off. Curious about putting on a bead. Still having fun contemplating a SxS or Pump.

February 2, 2011, 01:03 AM	#9
SLCscottie Member Join Date: November 3, 2009 Posts: 16	Beverages? Soda Pop or coffee?

February 4, 2011, 10:12 AM	#10
GLOCK22 Junior Member Join Date: December 16, 2010 Location: Louisville, ky Posts: 9	Shotty looks good to me with a short barrel __________________ When the time comes, I am ready to protect myself and my family

January 30, 2011, 09:30 PM	#2
Mosinnagant Member Join Date: July 20, 2009 Location: USA Posts: 75	Do you have pictures of the gun or the targets?

January 31, 2011, 11:29 AM	#4
sirsloop Junior member Join Date: January 13, 2011 Posts: 376	I just bought an 18" 870 barrel for HD closet duty and kept my 26" ribbed barrel intact with a choke for birds. I guess if you had an extra bird barrel laying around you could just chop it like you did and it'll work just fine. Its not like the thing needs to be crowned or something to shoot buckshot 15 feet across a room straight. Instead of putting a bead on there, you can get one of those $10 magnetic optic sights... I personally would have sold that 28" barrel for the ~$200 its worth, bought a new 18" barrel for 120 bucks, and put the extra $80 into a 150rds of buckshot

January 31, 2011, 02:45 PM	#5
jhog1 Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2010 Location: Rensselaer Co NY Posts: 221	Chalk this one up to "lesson's learned" never make your decisions after a couple beverages

January 31, 2011, 05:21 PM	#6
fadetoblack172 Member Join Date: January 20, 2011 Posts: 51	I agree don't cut up an expensive barrel to make a less expensive barrel.

January 31, 2011, 06:27 PM	#7
mwar410 Senior Member Join Date: December 25, 2008 Location: maine Posts: 234	The local gunshops have a box of used barrels, usually running about $40, all long. And I bought the gun new for $220, so I don't think that I would ever spend $200 on a barrel for it. If it shoots slugs as good as I expect, it will be a win, win. And with a few other shotguns, this one was retired.