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View Full Version : How long is the barrel on your HD shotgun?


bspillman
July 4, 2017, 01:17 PM
I've got one with a 22 inch barrel with the ability for choke tubes with an 8 shot mag tube. This seems to work for me well.

ShootistPRS
July 4, 2017, 02:09 PM
I have three shotguns in different rooms...
Waiting patiently for when they are needed.

FITASC
July 4, 2017, 02:45 PM
I've got one with a 22 inch barrel with the ability for choke tubes with an 8 shot mag tube. This seems to work for me well.

Sounds like a great set-up!

jmr40
July 4, 2017, 03:19 PM
24". I've had some in the past from 18.5"-22". I tend to prefer something 20-22" but a shotgun isn't very high on my list of HD weapons. I have a hunting shotgun with a 24" barrel that could be used if needed. A little longer than ideal, but...

Rob228
July 4, 2017, 03:34 PM
18" but it really doesn't do much other than sit in the safe.

Bill DeShivs
July 4, 2017, 04:57 PM
10".

Hawg
July 4, 2017, 05:02 PM
20 inches.

lamarw
July 4, 2017, 05:22 PM
Mossy 500 ATP with 8 rd. mag. & 20" barrel (Alabama State Trooper Trade-In)

Beautiful Nickel finished Winchester Model 12 with 18 1/2"

Older Remington 870 with 18 1/2" (Tallassee, AL Police Dept. Trade-In)

Arizona Fusilier
July 4, 2017, 06:25 PM
Another Mossberg 500 checking in at 20" . However I also have an off-brand, ancient, single-shot sawn off to 18", which I have dedicated to the use of nonlethal/less lethal ammunition.

Chief Brody
July 4, 2017, 10:51 PM
18.5" 870P with a 6-round tube.

JohnKSa
July 5, 2017, 01:01 AM
My HD shotgun (870) has an 18.5" bbl. Any shorter wouldn't buy me anything since the magazine is already longer than the barrel. :D

75218ron
July 5, 2017, 01:50 AM
Mossberg 500 with 18" bbl....I love my H&R Topper Deluxe 12 ga. single shot, but it has a longer bbl. It's so light, though, I have considered it....much easier to handle.

rkbanet
July 5, 2017, 07:14 AM
A custom Remington 870 with a 14" barrel, I find a 18"+ barrel too unwieldy indoors.

cc-hangfire
July 5, 2017, 07:32 AM
18-3/8"

I was nervous, so I measured it.

Model12Win
July 5, 2017, 12:26 PM
It's a 22" bbl with 8 shot tube and choke tubes. Rwmington 1100 Tactical, super reliable and very awesome.

It might soon be my 18.5" bbl 870P that I am kitting out for HD work since it is smaller and easier to hold on a suspect for extended time periods due to reduced weight.

Vic1951
July 5, 2017, 12:33 PM
14". I bought a Mossberg Shockwave. As usual, those who never owned one or shot one, will put it down. but there are many videos online that show you can hit what you are aiming at out to 15 yards, shooting both from the hip or aiming it like a handgun. It is perfect for home defense where a long barrel is a negative, not an asset. Try entering or exiting rooms in a simulated training exercise to see what I mean.

I learned very quickly during training that you cannot lead with your barrel when exiting/entering a room or turning corners. I also learned that if you turn rapidly in a hallway, your barrel can slam against a wall. For those reasons I never used a shotgun for home defense until now.

Lrodrgz
July 5, 2017, 01:08 PM
18.5 Benelli Nova with +2 mag extension...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

dreaming
July 5, 2017, 02:18 PM
The hd shotgun is another 870 with a 6 round tube and 18.5" barrel.

Fishbed77
July 5, 2017, 02:27 PM
My primary HD firearm is a 9mm pistol - Glock 17 or Walther P99AS - (which makes much more sense for my situation than a shotgun), but an M590A1 with an 18.5" barrel is accessible if needed.

wnycollector
July 8, 2017, 07:17 AM
Remington 870P 18" with rifle sights, +1 mag extension and a streamlight TLR-1.

Model12Win
July 8, 2017, 08:18 PM
Mossberg 500 with 18" bbl....I love my H&R Topper Deluxe 12 ga. single shot, but it has a longer bbl. It's so light, though, I have considered it....much easier to handle.
Cut it, brah:

https://s11.postimg.org/7ku7d0lcz/20161202_192112-1.jpg

Best thing I ever did to a single shot. Easy to handle? You ain't seen easy to handle till you cut one to 18.5".

Screwball
July 8, 2017, 08:47 PM
Both 20"...

My 870 Police came like that. The Ithaca was a Ducks Unlimited Guide Gun, which I used to donate furniture for another shotgun. Rose Action Sports cut the rib down around 20", so it was at a support.

https://i.imgur.com/nxZL2ZF.jpg

vba
July 10, 2017, 01:42 PM
Mine's an 870 with 18.5" barrel and yes I practice with as it's one of my main HD guns.

JoeSixpack
July 11, 2017, 07:21 AM
Only 2 shotguns I own are a pair of Maverick 88's, 20 inch barrel 7 round tube capacity + 1
They're cylinder bore, I wish they could take chokes.

I've got one with a 22 inch barrel with the ability for choke tubes with an 8 shot mag tube. This seems to work for me well.
What model do you have?

bspillman
July 11, 2017, 05:19 PM
Only 2 shotguns I own are a pair of Maverick 88's, 20 inch barrel 7 round tube capacity + 1
They're cylinder bore, I wish they could take chokes.


What model do you have?
I have an H&R pardner pump 12 gauge. It's been a dandy.

FITASC
July 11, 2017, 06:06 PM
Only 2 shotguns I own are a pair of Maverick 88's, 20 inch barrel 7 round tube capacity + 1
They're cylinder bore, I wish they could take chokes.

Any good gunsmith can thread them for chokes......

Rangerrich99
July 11, 2017, 07:17 PM
According to the manufacturer, 18.5 inches.

JoeSixpack
July 12, 2017, 01:31 PM
Any good gunsmith can thread them for chokes......Had not thought about that.. Any idea what a smith would charge.
It would make the guns a lot more useful if they could take a choke.

I've never taken a gun to a smith since I do it all my self but threading a barrel would be outside my DIY skills.

Screwball
July 12, 2017, 06:45 PM
Had not thought about that.. Any idea what a smith would charge.

It would make the guns a lot more useful if they could take a choke.



I've never taken a gun to a smith since I do it all my self but threading a barrel would be outside my DIY skills.


Rose Action Sports lists threading at $75. I'm sure it is similar.

In regards to 12 Gauge, for Remington, Winchester, Browning, and Mossberg chokes, the outside barrel diameter must be at least 0.845". Tru-Choke "Thinwall" tubes need 0.805".

Deaf Smith
July 14, 2017, 04:18 PM
18 inch Mossberg Mariner. Chromed on the outside. Tac-Star SideSaddle, and Magpull buttstock.

Deaf

stephen426
July 14, 2017, 05:05 PM
Remington 870 Marine Coat with a 20" barrel and a Keltec KSG with 18.5" barrel

DukeConnor
July 14, 2017, 06:03 PM
14 inches

dreaming
July 14, 2017, 07:06 PM
I don'e know how useful chokes are on a short barreled security gun, but shooting skeet with an 18.5" cylinder bore pump is giggles.

JoeSixpack
July 15, 2017, 02:20 AM
Rose Action Sports lists threading at $75. I'm sure it is similar.

In regards to 12 Gauge, for Remington, Winchester, Browning, and Mossberg chokes, the outside barrel diameter must be at least 0.845". Tru-Choke "Thinwall" tubes need 0.805".
Thanks for the info, I'll have to keep that in mind although for these cheap shotguns I'd probably just buy another 88 in field configuration for cost of having them both threaded.. just be nice to have it on the shorter security models.

I don'e know how useful chokes are on a short barreled security gun, but shooting skeet with an 18.5" cylinder bore pump is giggles.
Choke plays a big role in how the shot spreads out.
The primary reason you use longer barrels for things like duck hunting is the longer barrel is easier to track.. actually I might not be describing that right.. um.. It has a longer smoother sweep if that makes any sense.

Cylinder bores suck for distance with shot, with the 18.5 barrel did you find it hard to track the clay's? Or have trouble with breaking them?

Ricklin
July 15, 2017, 10:36 AM
Actually that is a good description. A longer barrel generally smooths out the swing.
Back in the day folks believed that longer barrels "hit harder" and that is not the case, but it makes for good advertising copy.

The barrel on my SBT is 34"

Pumps and autoloaders "feel" longer as the receiver is much longer vs. a break open gun.

Long barrels have always been the case in trap, long barrels are currently popular in skeet. Lots of older skeet guns out these with short barrels. 24 and 26 inch are common.

Model12Win
July 17, 2017, 09:10 PM
Yep. I prefer 18.5".

rep1954
July 19, 2017, 08:48 AM
Remington Tac-14. 14" barrel and a birds head grip. 26.625" in length.

FITASC
July 19, 2017, 09:02 AM
Had not thought about that.. Any idea what a smith would charge.
It would make the guns a lot more useful if they could take a choke.

I've never taken a gun to a smith since I do it all my self but threading a barrel would be outside my DIY skills.

Mike Orlen (a gunsmith and moderator on ShotgunWorld) does this work
(413) 256-1630 during Eastern time zone work hours
Call him and ask what he can do for you.

Ricklin
July 19, 2017, 09:53 AM
Support those who support our forum.
Mike Orlen is a good guy, and I do believe he offers a discount for forum members.