16 to 12 conversion 870.

birdshot · July 11, 2011, 03:41 AM

I have an 870 in 16 gauge. I am thinking the reciever is the same size as the 12 gauge. Could any body tell me why I could not throw in a 12 gauge bolt and put on a 12 gauge barrel, giving me a missing gauge without purchasing a new gun. I saw a barrel on here that was 1970's priced.

GURU1911 · July 11, 2011, 05:18 AM

Contact "briley manufacturing" in houston, texas---they are a shotgun specialists & should be able to quickly & expertly answer your questions, regarding the gauge change you wish to do.

Guru1911

Scorch · July 12, 2011, 11:35 PM

Magazine tube diameter for the 16 may be smaller. The carrier may be different.

birdshot · July 13, 2011, 03:52 AM

Scorch, i also was wondering about the mag tube ID. I will get out the calipers.

chasep255 · July 13, 2011, 10:05 AM

Try sticking a 12GA shell in the tube. I bet it won't fit. The receiver may be the same but after you buy all the new parts you might as well just get a new 870.

**Mike Irwin** · July 13, 2011, 10:37 AM

Magazine tube, carrier, lifter, shell guides, barrel....

By the time you get all that replaced by buying it a la carte, it would probably be cheaper to buy another 870.

Or sell the 16 gauge and guy a 12 gauge.

Oh, another thought...

If the mag. tube is (I'm sure it is) a different diameter, you're going to have to drill the receiver to accept a new magazine tube in 12 gauge.

At that point, you no longer have a 16 gauge. You've rededicated it.

birdshot · July 13, 2011, 12:01 PM

The mag tube is .901" ID, which is adequate for 12 gauge .881 at rim.
The problem was the ring at the receiver end of the mag tube was only .836, and the ejection port was .846". I am no longer thinking the conversion as a quick swap out of parts. Thanks to all who participated.

July 11, 2011, 03:41 AM	#1
birdshot Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2008 Location: north platte nebraska Posts: 344	16 to 12 conversion 870. I have an 870 in 16 gauge. I am thinking the reciever is the same size as the 12 gauge. Could any body tell me why I could not throw in a 12 gauge bolt and put on a 12 gauge barrel, giving me a missing gauge without purchasing a new gun. I saw a barrel on here that was 1970's priced.

July 11, 2011, 05:18 AM	#2
GURU1911 Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2010 Location: SEALY, THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS Posts: 501	Contact "briley manufacturing" in houston, texas---they are a shotgun specialists & should be able to quickly & expertly answer your questions, regarding the gauge change you wish to do. Guru1911 __________________ NRA LIFE MEMBER (1984) & PRESIDENT: S.W. LA. R&P CLUB, LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (1994-1999) METALLIC CARTRIDGE RELOADER (1977) & GENTILE CHRISTIAN ZIONIST INFIDEL !!! "THERE AIN'T TOO MANY THINGS THAT YOU CAN'T FIX, WITH $500 DOLLARS OR A .30-06"

July 12, 2011, 11:35 PM	#3
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Magazine tube diameter for the 16 may be smaller. The carrier may be different. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

July 13, 2011, 03:52 AM	#4
birdshot Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2008 Location: north platte nebraska Posts: 344	mag tube Scorch, i also was wondering about the mag tube ID. I will get out the calipers.

July 13, 2011, 10:37 AM	#6
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	Magazine tube, carrier, lifter, shell guides, barrel.... By the time you get all that replaced by buying it a la carte, it would probably be cheaper to buy another 870. Or sell the 16 gauge and guy a 12 gauge. Oh, another thought... If the mag. tube is (I'm sure it is) a different diameter, you're going to have to drill the receiver to accept a new magazine tube in 12 gauge. At that point, you no longer have a 16 gauge. You've rededicated it. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

July 13, 2011, 10:05 AM	#5
chasep255 Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 727	Try sticking a 12GA shell in the tube. I bet it won't fit. The receiver may be the same but after you buy all the new parts you might as well just get a new 870.

July 13, 2011, 12:01 PM	#7
birdshot Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2008 Location: north platte nebraska Posts: 344	mag tub. The mag tube is .901" ID, which is adequate for 12 gauge .881 at rim. The problem was the ring at the receiver end of the mag tube was only .836, and the ejection port was .846". I am no longer thinking the conversion as a quick swap out of parts. Thanks to all who participated.

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