old 870 into HD gun?

Hellbent11 · October 11, 2008, 08:41 PM

With the economy being tight I'd like to find a cheap but functional 870 barrel (finish not important) and have the gunsmith chop it to 16.5" and add a bead for a home defense gun. (I've got an old 870 (ser# 4111**V) I'd like to fire 2 3/4" OO buck through it.

What would it cost to get an old barrel or just a barrel to fit so I could run the 2 3/4" OO buck through with an old gun like that?

Is it more cost effective to do that or just pay the $400 for a mossy 590?

I'm just trying to make the best decision...

Thanks, Hellbent

Superhouse 15 · October 11, 2008, 08:53 PM

Cutting it (to 18.5", BTW) should cost you between $20 and $40 depending on what you wanted for a front sight. We've been doing a ton of barrel cutting lately at the gunshop, people aren't interested in hunting length barrels as much as defensive stuff for some reason. While I would never try to tell anyone not to get another gun, you can probably find a used 870 barrel pretty cheap. Maybe you can get a deal on one with a bit of rust that was left in a gun case last hunting season or something. That would be the most cost effective I think.

Tommy Vercetti · October 11, 2008, 08:55 PM

16 1/2 inch barrel would get you into serious hot water with the Feds

Scattergun Bob · October 11, 2008, 08:59 PM

18 in. CYL, Plain, 2 3/4-3 in., should cost around $80 - $130 depending on condition. Look around at your local pawnshops, gunshops, or at a gunshow.
If all else fails you can check with barrelexchange.com, they always have a large selection of 870 barrels in all conditions.

Barrels with outside surface rust OK, barrels with rusted chamber area and bore NO NO.

Good luck with your NFA scattergun, enough said

Good luck & Be Safe

10-96 · October 11, 2008, 09:20 PM

http://www.stoegerindustries.com/fir...un_supreme.php
Sorry, this is a little more than you're talking about spending... but not much. AND, there's suprisingly little to go wrong with these things (not that much ever goes wrong with 870's very often). It's my HD / run-around SG.

As I've said before, I don't care if a potential BG can hear me rack my slide. He has other things to worry about. Besides, gambling that said BG can even hear or recognize the rack of a SG is a gamble I'm not willin to take.

TxGun · October 12, 2008, 12:25 AM

Just so you know...a 16" barrel is OK for rifles, but shotgun barrels must be 18" per the BATF. Most manufacturers (and people cutting barrels) add 1/4" to 1/2" just to be on the safe side. The measurement is from the closed bolt face to the end of the barrel. And, there is an OAL requirement of 26" (IIRC) for both rifles and shotguns. Any shorter measurements than those noted will require you to buy a special stamp/tag from BATF if you want to be within the law.

Dave McC · October 12, 2008, 09:53 AM

Old 870s make great HD shotguns, for shotgunners.

The last used barrel I bought was about 3 years past. A longer VR barrel cut to 26". I sold it to a friend who had it cut to 20" or so, and a new bead mounted. I sold it for $30, what I had paid for it.

I'd get another barrel rather than cut yours. More flexibility of mission.

HTH....

madmag · October 12, 2008, 10:27 AM

You can do the work yourself. It's easy to cut to length. Of course make sure it's over 18". Measure with bolt closed from bolt surface. Leave a little extra for safety length. Just put the barrel in a miter box and cut (hacksaw). Then remove burrs with a file. Chamfer the inside a little using a small pattern file. There are a lot of after market sights you can add.

I have done this on a Winchester 1300. Worked great and pattern is good.

Quote:

What would it cost to get an old barrel or just a barrel to fit so I could run the 2 3/4" OO buck through with an old gun like that?

I usually see used barrels for about the $65.00-$80.00 range.

Rmart30 · October 12, 2008, 07:38 PM

From what Ive seen you can find a used gun for what most new barrels go for...
I was looking for a 18.5" for my 870, found a complete 870 for $50 more than what barrel alone w/shipping would cost. Hmm, $50 more and I get another complete gun.....SOLD

Hellbent11 · October 12, 2008, 10:02 PM

OOHHH! I was thinking rifles. I forgot that it is 18" for shotguns. I'll probably do the 18.5" to be on the safe side.

Some good ideas. Thanks guys!

eme · October 13, 2008, 05:46 AM

I've cut a barrel or two down on shotguns using a pipe/tubing cutter. It cuts a square cut and after a little file work to get rid of the burrs, in/out, of the barrel, a blueing type pen or cold blue to touch up the blueing and it's ready to go. Good luck in your quest.

Bill DeShivs · October 13, 2008, 08:46 AM

You DO know you can fire 00 buck through it now, don't you?

October 11, 2008, 08:41 PM	#1
Hellbent11 Member Join Date: August 9, 2008 Posts: 53	old 870 into HD gun? With the economy being tight I'd like to find a cheap but functional 870 barrel (finish not important) and have the gunsmith chop it to 16.5" and add a bead for a home defense gun. (I've got an old 870 (ser# 4111**V) I'd like to fire 2 3/4" OO buck through it. What would it cost to get an old barrel or just a barrel to fit so I could run the 2 3/4" OO buck through with an old gun like that? Is it more cost effective to do that or just pay the $400 for a mossy 590? I'm just trying to make the best decision... Thanks, Hellbent __________________ The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps!

October 11, 2008, 08:53 PM	#2
Superhouse 15 Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2007 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 844	Shotgun Cutting it (to 18.5", BTW) should cost you between $20 and $40 depending on what you wanted for a front sight. We've been doing a ton of barrel cutting lately at the gunshop, people aren't interested in hunting length barrels as much as defensive stuff for some reason. While I would never try to tell anyone not to get another gun, you can probably find a used 870 barrel pretty cheap. Maybe you can get a deal on one with a bit of rust that was left in a gun case last hunting season or something. That would be the most cost effective I think.

October 11, 2008, 08:55 PM	#3
Tommy Vercetti Senior Member Join Date: June 26, 2004 Location: Fairhope, Alabama Posts: 1,119	16 1/2 inch barrel would get you into serious hot water with the Feds __________________ "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross." Sinclair Lewis, (It Can't Happen Here, 1935) "Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero

October 11, 2008, 08:59 PM	#4
Scattergun Bob Senior Member Join Date: February 29, 2008 Location: Nine Mile Falls, Washington Posts: 1,186	Hellbent11 18 in. CYL, Plain, 2 3/4-3 in., should cost around $80 - $130 depending on condition. Look around at your local pawnshops, gunshops, or at a gunshow. If all else fails you can check with barrelexchange.com, they always have a large selection of 870 barrels in all conditions. Barrels with outside surface rust OK, barrels with rusted chamber area and bore NO NO. Good luck with your NFA scattergun, enough said Good luck & Be Safe __________________ First, with the most, WINS! Regards, Scattergun Bob

October 11, 2008, 09:20 PM	#5
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,159	http://www.stoegerindustries.com/fir...un_supreme.php Sorry, this is a little more than you're talking about spending... but not much. AND, there's suprisingly little to go wrong with these things (not that much ever goes wrong with 870's very often). It's my HD / run-around SG. As I've said before, I don't care if a potential BG can hear me rack my slide. He has other things to worry about. Besides, gambling that said BG can even hear or recognize the rack of a SG is a gamble I'm not willin to take. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

October 12, 2008, 12:25 AM	#6
TxGun Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2008 Location: Family ranch - Central TX. Posts: 467	Just so you know...a 16" barrel is OK for rifles, but shotgun barrels must be 18" per the BATF. Most manufacturers (and people cutting barrels) add 1/4" to 1/2" just to be on the safe side. The measurement is from the closed bolt face to the end of the barrel. And, there is an OAL requirement of 26" (IIRC) for both rifles and shotguns. Any shorter measurements than those noted will require you to buy a special stamp/tag from BATF if you want to be within the law.

October 12, 2008, 09:53 AM	#7
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Old 870s make great HD shotguns, for shotgunners. The last used barrel I bought was about 3 years past. A longer VR barrel cut to 26". I sold it to a friend who had it cut to 20" or so, and a new bead mounted. I sold it for $30, what I had paid for it. I'd get another barrel rather than cut yours. More flexibility of mission. HTH....

October 12, 2008, 07:38 PM	#9
Rmart30 Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2008 Posts: 602	From what Ive seen you can find a used gun for what most new barrels go for... I was looking for a 18.5" for my 870, found a complete 870 for $50 more than what barrel alone w/shipping would cost. Hmm, $50 more and I get another complete gun.....SOLD

October 12, 2008, 10:02 PM	#10
Hellbent11 Member Join Date: August 9, 2008 Posts: 53	OOHHH! I was thinking rifles. I forgot that it is 18" for shotguns. I'll probably do the 18.5" to be on the safe side. Some good ideas. Thanks guys! __________________ The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps!

October 13, 2008, 05:46 AM	#11
eme Member Join Date: November 11, 2004 Posts: 98	I've cut a barrel or two down on shotguns using a pipe/tubing cutter. It cuts a square cut and after a little file work to get rid of the burrs, in/out, of the barrel, a blueing type pen or cold blue to touch up the blueing and it's ready to go. Good luck in your quest.

October 13, 2008, 08:46 AM	#12
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	You DO know you can fire 00 buck through it now, don't you? __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com