Is it safe to use 3" shells in a non magnum receiver?

skeeter · July 27, 2006, 01:06 AM

I sent my old (1973) Remington 870 Wing Master to Wilson Combat for the rebuild service that includes refinishing gun, replacing all worn parts, replacing stocks, and rechambing barrel for 3" shells for $199. Tonight I read in Cabela's catalog where they say not to use a factory 3" Remington barrel on a non magnum frame.

Is it safe to shoot 3" shells regularly in a non magnum 870 receiver when using a 3" chambered barrel??
Thanks for you help on this.

9mmMike · July 27, 2006, 08:09 AM

The receivers are the same. The only difference is the ejector on the magnum's is a wee bit longer.
Change the barrel, change the ejector and you have a 3" magnum.
Mike

PS. I am not sure about "rechambering" a barrel though. This must involve removing metal and I doubt very much these barrels get re-proofed after this is done.

Bigfatts · July 27, 2006, 10:44 AM

Why not just ask Wilson? They do loads of these conversions. I am sure they wouldn't still be in business if the finished product was unsafe.

Lee Lapin · July 27, 2006, 06:56 PM

They did the ejector mod also, if they extended the chamber. You should be good to go with the 3" stuff now (if you're a glutton for punishment that is).

lpl/nc

July 27, 2006, 01:06 AM	#1
skeeter Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1999 Posts: 883	Is it safe to use 3" shells in a non magnum receiver? I sent my old (1973) Remington 870 Wing Master to Wilson Combat for the rebuild service that includes refinishing gun, replacing all worn parts, replacing stocks, and rechambing barrel for 3" shells for $199. Tonight I read in Cabela's catalog where they say not to use a factory 3" Remington barrel on a non magnum frame. Is it safe to shoot 3" shells regularly in a non magnum 870 receiver when using a 3" chambered barrel?? Thanks for you help on this.

July 27, 2006, 08:09 AM	#2
9mmMike Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2000 Location: SE PA Posts: 1,049	The receivers are the same. The only difference is the ejector on the magnum's is a wee bit longer. Change the barrel, change the ejector and you have a 3" magnum. Mike PS. I am not sure about "rechambering" a barrel though. This must involve removing metal and I doubt very much these barrels get re-proofed after this is done. __________________ "Freedom is not free" Visit TheRallyPoint.org TheRallyPoint at LRGC- Saturday August 26th IF YOU LIVE IN PA AND DID NOT VOTE, YOU DESERVE TO LOSE YOUR GUNS!

July 27, 2006, 10:44 AM	#3
Bigfatts Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2005 Location: Lutz Posts: 1,528	Why not just ask Wilson? They do loads of these conversions. I am sure they wouldn't still be in business if the finished product was unsafe.

July 27, 2006, 06:56 PM	#4
Lee Lapin Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2004 Location: SE NC Posts: 1,239	They did the ejector mod also, if they extended the chamber. You should be good to go with the 3" stuff now (if you're a glutton for punishment that is). lpl/nc