18in. barrel for/870

midasmike · November 23, 2005, 03:15 PM

i have an early 80's 870 wingmaster. want to convert to home defense gun. am looking for an 18in. barrel chambered for 2 3/4in. shells. went local gun shop and tried to fit an 18in. barrel of a current 870. won't fit. just a hair too long. couldn't get the magazine cap on all the way.apperantly the current barrel is chambered for 3 in. mag shells and won't fit my receiver. anyone who can help please contact me. thanks in advance, michael

Dave McC · November 23, 2005, 05:07 PM

Something's wrong there, Mike. I can mix and match barrels and receivers all day long. Earliest 870 I swap stuff on is a 1955 model 2 3/4", it currently wears a shiny new LC barrel with 3" chamber.

Try another barrel. Please do not, repeat not, cut the old barrel. Been there, did that, regret it to this day.

midasmike · November 24, 2005, 01:05 PM

dave, what could be wrong? the guy at the gun shop fitted an 18in. barrel off a current model 870. it seemed to fit the receiver properly but he couldn't get the magazine cap to fit. could it be the barrel wasn't seated properly? i'm not familar with shotguns so i don't know what to do. maybe go to another shop and try again. the shop i went to is an old line shop, been around for years. any suggestions would be appreciated.

Cactus · November 24, 2005, 01:51 PM

I would guess that he didn't have the barrel seated fully. Did he have the bolt slid back in the receiver (open position) when he tried it? If not, he could have had a little interference between the bolt and barrel. And just because the shop is "an old line shop, been around for years", don't presume that the person behind the counter has lots of experience with Remington 870's!

GunsnRovers · November 24, 2005, 01:52 PM

I'd try again and make sure the barrel was fully seated. It should work without issue. I've put newly made barrels on my 1950 870 without issue.

midasmike · November 25, 2005, 06:13 PM

thanks for the replys. i went to another shop and heard the same thing. can't fit a 3in. barrel into a 2 3/4in. receiver. also an oldline shop which has been around for years. they did tell me they can order a barrel from hastings or mossberg that will fit. i'd prefer a remington barrel to keep the gun o.e.m. so anyone who can come up with one, even used, please contact me. i'm a buyer. i'll call the factory on monday and see if i can clear up the confusion. i'll post results.

GunsnRovers · November 25, 2005, 06:52 PM

Your friends at the 2nd shop are also incorrect. Your friends at the online shop can also get you a Remington barrel.

This would make a nice HD tube:
http://cgi.ebay.com/REM-870-12-GA-SH...QQcmdZViewItem

Or this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/REMINGTON-870-SL...QQcmdZViewItem

Or this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Remington-870-Ex...QQcmdZViewItem

You can pick up spare tubes and 870 parts off eBay all day long for not much money.

midasmike · November 25, 2005, 07:03 PM

jeff, both these shops have been around for many years. all hunters and sport shooters use both shops regularly. how can they be so misinformed. the guy at the 1st. shop has worked there for over twenty years. claims to be a veteran shooter. somethings not right here. if i post the serial # of my gun, can you determine how old it is? thanks again for your help.

midasmike · November 25, 2005, 07:06 PM

anyone have suggestions for online shops which could supply me with an 18" barrel? i'll settle for a 20"er if i can't locate an 18" but not yet.

Dave McC · November 26, 2005, 04:34 AM

My guess is the bolt was not all the way back. While some gun shop employees are cognizant of many gun models, no one knows them all. And of course, some GS personnel are posers and BS carvers.

To date an 870 or other Remgun call 800-243-9700. Give them the serial number and they'll give you the year it was made.

midasmike · November 26, 2005, 11:06 AM

dave, thanks for the reply. i'm thinking the same thing. i'll call remington on monday and find out for sure. i still need an 18in. barrel everyone. please contact me if you can help. i'll also go back and try a new barrel. this time i'll fit it myself and make sure the bolt is all the way back.

Hello123 · November 26, 2005, 11:26 AM

Remington will say not to put a 3 inch chambered barrel on a 2 3/4 receiver because of legal reasons. Your cheapest option would be to order a 3 inch 18inch remington type barrel manufactured by mossberg. Just shoot 2 3/4 inch shells if it worries you.

Timeframe · November 26, 2005, 11:42 AM

http://www.corsonsbarrels.com/

These people may beable to help

midasmike · November 26, 2005, 11:51 AM

hello123, thanks for the reply. the mossberg barrel is an option i'm considering. if i don't find a remington barrel i'll go with the mossberg. i'm also up for a trade. if anyone has a HD gun ie: mossberg 500, remington police model, winchester defender, etc. please contact me if your interested in a trade.

midasmike · November 26, 2005, 11:53 AM

timeframe, thanks for the reply. i'll call on monday. maybe i'll get lucky.

9mmMike · November 26, 2005, 07:12 PM

Just to pile on here. I also have a '55 Wingmaster that I swap barrels on all the time. There is no difference between a 2 3/4" & 3" receiver except for the ejector. I even have a 2 3/4" gun (an '81 Wingmaster in fact) converted to 3" (ejector change only).
Unless your gun is a "Special Purpose" all the 870 barrels (of the same gauge) will interchange.
I have more than twice as many barrels as I have 870's and they've almost all been configured and reconfigured to use all these barrels at one time or another.
It is sad to say but it sounds like your local shops are trying to make a buck at your expense. That's too bad.
Good luck,
Mike

midasmike · November 27, 2005, 12:12 PM

mike, thanks for the information. don't know how to tell if my gun is a special purpose version or not. i suspect not, because nobody has mentioned it. looks like a regular wingmaster to me. i'm still confused about this barrel problem. how can all these oldline gun shops be wrong about something so basic. none of these guys tried to sell me anything. they just told me a 3in, barrel won't work. i suppose i should go back and try to fit the 3in. barrel myself. do you think i need to change th ejector also? going to be a HD gun so all i need are 2 3/4 in. shells, right? i'm going to call remington in the morning. will post results.

Edward429451 · November 27, 2005, 12:53 PM

I was under the impression that the ejection ports are different lengths on the 2-3/4 & 3" receivers.

I have an early 80's WM and it took an unknown vintage 3" police trade in barrel without any problems. I just do not buy 3" shells.

(Going from memory) I could swear that I compared my WM receiver with my BIL's 870 express mag and his port was longer.

gdeal · November 27, 2005, 01:19 PM

Go out and buy a new Rem 870 for about 300 bucks. That would be your best bet.

midasmike · November 27, 2005, 11:04 PM

this thread has gone off the hook. i really appreciate all the info. i'm a car guy. if i were looking to upgrade my wheel's, any number of shops could do it without a problem. if one of them told me it couldn't be done i'd just laugh. that's what i'm doing right now. i still find it amazing 3 oldline gun shops all told me it can't be done while several members have said otherwise. one of these shops is owned by retired cops and staffed with the same. lot of experience there. that being said, sounds to me like the members have real world experience making this switch so i'm inclined to believe it can be done. i'm calling remington in the morning. if i can't get a straight answer from them i'm going to go back to the shops and try to fit a new barrel myself. if it works i'll buy one. if not i'll entertain offers to trade my wingmaster for an equivilant value HD gun. if that doesn't produce results i'll buy a new gun and sell the wingmaster.

midasmike · November 28, 2005, 11:38 AM

spoke to remington parts dep't. this a.m. they tell me there are several barrels that will fit. a still amazed the shops i went to didn't know this. i live in no. ca. santa cruz to be exact. anyone have a reccomendation for a shop or gunsmith within 100 miles that can sell me a barrel and service the gun? thanks again to all on this forum who helped.

baf2003 · November 28, 2005, 01:57 PM

I have an 870 that my dad's parents bought him for his 18th birthday. the problem is most likely that you have to pull the pump back about 1/4 to 1/2 an inch to get the barrel to seat properly.

Cactus · November 28, 2005, 11:30 PM

Mike,

You can buy the barrel directly from Remington.

L-2 · November 29, 2005, 12:05 AM

You can try:
http://www.kerleys.com/
20301 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino (@DeAnza)
or
http://www.sportsmenssupply.com/
1536 Camden Avenue, Campbell (@Bascom)

Just drive over the hill to Santa Clara County. I've shopped a little at that Watsonville shop I'm sure you're talking about. They're OK, just a bit higher priced. I've never asked them for any advice, though.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=813264
But you can also order a barrel directly from someplace like Midway. This might be a Mossberg-brand barrel made to fit a Remington 870.

craigntx · November 29, 2005, 12:16 AM

i scored a 870 super mag (3.5 in) for $150
than found a bbl for $55 at gunsnet (3 in)
worked fine.
check the pawn shops, you can find one too. especially b4 xmas.
in my opinion, if you cand find a bbl for < $70 get another shotty and chop chop

November 23, 2005, 03:15 PM	#1
midasmike Member Join Date: November 23, 2005 Posts: 15	18in. barrel for/870 i have an early 80's 870 wingmaster. want to convert to home defense gun. am looking for an 18in. barrel chambered for 2 3/4in. shells. went local gun shop and tried to fit an 18in. barrel of a current 870. won't fit. just a hair too long. couldn't get the magazine cap on all the way.apperantly the current barrel is chambered for 3 in. mag shells and won't fit my receiver. anyone who can help please contact me. thanks in advance, michael

November 24, 2005, 01:05 PM	#3
midasmike Member Join Date: November 23, 2005 Posts: 15	18in. barrel for 870 dave, what could be wrong? the guy at the gun shop fitted an 18in. barrel off a current model 870. it seemed to fit the receiver properly but he couldn't get the magazine cap to fit. could it be the barrel wasn't seated properly? i'm not familar with shotguns so i don't know what to do. maybe go to another shop and try again. the shop i went to is an old line shop, been around for years. any suggestions would be appreciated.

November 24, 2005, 01:52 PM	#5
GunsnRovers Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2002 Location: Lost Angeles Posts: 781	I'd try again and make sure the barrel was fully seated. It should work without issue. I've put newly made barrels on my 1950 870 without issue. __________________ Jeff The reason we're all here is that we're not all there.

November 25, 2005, 06:13 PM	#6
midasmike Member Join Date: November 23, 2005 Posts: 15	18in. barrel for 870 thanks for the replys. i went to another shop and heard the same thing. can't fit a 3in. barrel into a 2 3/4in. receiver. also an oldline shop which has been around for years. they did tell me they can order a barrel from hastings or mossberg that will fit. i'd prefer a remington barrel to keep the gun o.e.m. so anyone who can come up with one, even used, please contact me. i'm a buyer. i'll call the factory on monday and see if i can clear up the confusion. i'll post results.

November 25, 2005, 06:52 PM	#7
GunsnRovers Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2002 Location: Lost Angeles Posts: 781	Your friends at the 2nd shop are also incorrect. Your friends at the online shop can also get you a Remington barrel. This would make a nice HD tube: http://cgi.ebay.com/REM-870-12-GA-SH...QQcmdZViewItem Or this: http://cgi.ebay.com/REMINGTON-870-SL...QQcmdZViewItem Or this: http://cgi.ebay.com/Remington-870-Ex...QQcmdZViewItem You can pick up spare tubes and 870 parts off eBay all day long for not much money. __________________ Jeff The reason we're all here is that we're not all there.

November 23, 2005, 05:07 PM	#2
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Something's wrong there, Mike. I can mix and match barrels and receivers all day long. Earliest 870 I swap stuff on is a 1955 model 2 3/4", it currently wears a shiny new LC barrel with 3" chamber. Try another barrel. Please do not, repeat not, cut the old barrel. Been there, did that, regret it to this day.

November 24, 2005, 01:51 PM	#4
Cactus Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 1999 Location: Spanaway, WA Posts: 482	I would guess that he didn't have the barrel seated fully. Did he have the bolt slid back in the receiver (open position) when he tried it? If not, he could have had a little interference between the bolt and barrel. And just because the shop is "an old line shop, been around for years", don't presume that the person behind the counter has lots of experience with Remington 870's!

November 25, 2005, 07:03 PM	#8
midasmike Member Join Date: November 23, 2005 Posts: 15	18in. barrel for 870 jeff, both these shops have been around for many years. all hunters and sport shooters use both shops regularly. how can they be so misinformed. the guy at the 1st. shop has worked there for over twenty years. claims to be a veteran shooter. somethings not right here. if i post the serial # of my gun, can you determine how old it is? thanks again for your help.

November 25, 2005, 07:06 PM	#9
midasmike Member Join Date: November 23, 2005 Posts: 15	18in. barrel for 870 anyone have suggestions for online shops which could supply me with an 18" barrel? i'll settle for a 20"er if i can't locate an 18" but not yet.

November 26, 2005, 04:34 AM	#10
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	My guess is the bolt was not all the way back. While some gun shop employees are cognizant of many gun models, no one knows them all. And of course, some GS personnel are posers and BS carvers. To date an 870 or other Remgun call 800-243-9700. Give them the serial number and they'll give you the year it was made.

November 26, 2005, 11:06 AM	#11
midasmike Member Join Date: November 23, 2005 Posts: 15	18in. barrel for 870 dave, thanks for the reply. i'm thinking the same thing. i'll call remington on monday and find out for sure. i still need an 18in. barrel everyone. please contact me if you can help. i'll also go back and try a new barrel. this time i'll fit it myself and make sure the bolt is all the way back.

November 26, 2005, 11:26 AM	#12
Hello123 Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2005 Posts: 571	Remington will say not to put a 3 inch chambered barrel on a 2 3/4 receiver because of legal reasons. Your cheapest option would be to order a 3 inch 18inch remington type barrel manufactured by mossberg. Just shoot 2 3/4 inch shells if it worries you.

November 26, 2005, 11:42 AM	#13
Timeframe Member Join Date: July 16, 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 64	http://www.corsonsbarrels.com/ These people may beable to help

November 26, 2005, 11:51 AM	#14
midasmike Member Join Date: November 23, 2005 Posts: 15	18in. barrel for 870 hello123, thanks for the reply. the mossberg barrel is an option i'm considering. if i don't find a remington barrel i'll go with the mossberg. i'm also up for a trade. if anyone has a HD gun ie: mossberg 500, remington police model, winchester defender, etc. please contact me if your interested in a trade.

November 26, 2005, 11:53 AM	#15
midasmike Member Join Date: November 23, 2005 Posts: 15	18in. barrel for 870 timeframe, thanks for the reply. i'll call on monday. maybe i'll get lucky.

November 26, 2005, 07:12 PM	#16
9mmMike Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2000 Location: SE PA Posts: 1,049	Just to pile on here. I also have a '55 Wingmaster that I swap barrels on all the time. There is no difference between a 2 3/4" & 3" receiver except for the ejector. I even have a 2 3/4" gun (an '81 Wingmaster in fact) converted to 3" (ejector change only). Unless your gun is a "Special Purpose" all the 870 barrels (of the same gauge) will interchange. I have more than twice as many barrels as I have 870's and they've almost all been configured and reconfigured to use all these barrels at one time or another. It is sad to say but it sounds like your local shops are trying to make a buck at your expense. That's too bad. Good luck, Mike __________________ "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!

November 27, 2005, 12:12 PM	#17
midasmike Member Join Date: November 23, 2005 Posts: 15	18in. barrel for 870 mike, thanks for the information. don't know how to tell if my gun is a special purpose version or not. i suspect not, because nobody has mentioned it. looks like a regular wingmaster to me. i'm still confused about this barrel problem. how can all these oldline gun shops be wrong about something so basic. none of these guys tried to sell me anything. they just told me a 3in, barrel won't work. i suppose i should go back and try to fit the 3in. barrel myself. do you think i need to change th ejector also? going to be a HD gun so all i need are 2 3/4 in. shells, right? i'm going to call remington in the morning. will post results.

November 27, 2005, 12:53 PM	#18
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	I was under the impression that the ejection ports are different lengths on the 2-3/4 & 3" receivers. I have an early 80's WM and it took an unknown vintage 3" police trade in barrel without any problems. I just do not buy 3" shells. (Going from memory) I could swear that I compared my WM receiver with my BIL's 870 express mag and his port was longer.

November 27, 2005, 01:19 PM	#19
gdeal Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 748	Rem 870 Go out and buy a new Rem 870 for about 300 bucks. That would be your best bet.

November 27, 2005, 11:04 PM	#20
midasmike Member Join Date: November 23, 2005 Posts: 15	18in. barrel for 870 this thread has gone off the hook. i really appreciate all the info. i'm a car guy. if i were looking to upgrade my wheel's, any number of shops could do it without a problem. if one of them told me it couldn't be done i'd just laugh. that's what i'm doing right now. i still find it amazing 3 oldline gun shops all told me it can't be done while several members have said otherwise. one of these shops is owned by retired cops and staffed with the same. lot of experience there. that being said, sounds to me like the members have real world experience making this switch so i'm inclined to believe it can be done. i'm calling remington in the morning. if i can't get a straight answer from them i'm going to go back to the shops and try to fit a new barrel myself. if it works i'll buy one. if not i'll entertain offers to trade my wingmaster for an equivilant value HD gun. if that doesn't produce results i'll buy a new gun and sell the wingmaster.

November 28, 2005, 11:38 AM	#21
midasmike Member Join Date: November 23, 2005 Posts: 15	18in. barrel for 870 spoke to remington parts dep't. this a.m. they tell me there are several barrels that will fit. a still amazed the shops i went to didn't know this. i live in no. ca. santa cruz to be exact. anyone have a reccomendation for a shop or gunsmith within 100 miles that can sell me a barrel and service the gun? thanks again to all on this forum who helped.

November 28, 2005, 01:57 PM	#22
baf2003 Member Join Date: November 28, 2005 Posts: 37	dear mike. I have an 870 that my dad's parents bought him for his 18th birthday. the problem is most likely that you have to pull the pump back about 1/4 to 1/2 an inch to get the barrel to seat properly.

November 28, 2005, 11:30 PM	#23
Cactus Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 1999 Location: Spanaway, WA Posts: 482	Mike, You can buy the barrel directly from Remington.

November 29, 2005, 12:05 AM	#24
L-2 Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2004 Location: Nevada Posts: 521	You can try: http://www.kerleys.com/ 20301 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino (@DeAnza) or http://www.sportsmenssupply.com/ 1536 Camden Avenue, Campbell (@Bascom) Just drive over the hill to Santa Clara County. I've shopped a little at that Watsonville shop I'm sure you're talking about. They're OK, just a bit higher priced. I've never asked them for any advice, though. http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=813264 But you can also order a barrel directly from someplace like Midway. This might be a Mossberg-brand barrel made to fit a Remington 870. __________________ (former) Glock Armorer 1911 Armorer LEO (retired) Last edited by L-2; January 28, 2006 at 01:40 AM.

November 29, 2005, 12:16 AM	#25
craigntx Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2005 Location: galveston tx Posts: 249	i scored a 870 super mag (3.5 in) for $150 than found a bbl for $55 at gunsnet (3 in) worked fine. check the pawn shops, you can find one too. especially b4 xmas. in my opinion, if you cand find a bbl for < $70 get another shotty and chop chop

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