Shotgun receivers: steel vs. aluminum

Slater · September 1, 2002, 01:50 PM

Certain shotguns such as the Remington 870 series and Ithaca have steel receivers, while others like Mossberg and Winchester use aluminum. Is there any real difference as far as longevity/durability?

Dfariswheel · September 1, 2002, 03:21 PM

For the average shooter....not really. The finish on the aluminuum may wear a little faster, and it can't be refinised very easily.
Most newer guns use a system where the bolt locks into the steel barrel, so the receiver isn't under that much stress.

**Mike Irwin** · September 1, 2002, 04:51 PM

Faris pegged it.

The receiver really only acts as a travel guide and holder for all the operating parts.

In older shotguns the bolt actually locked into the receiver, meaning that the receiver had to be a lot stronger.

With modern shotguns, the shell is fully encased in the barrel, and the bolt either locks into the barrel extension with a lug, or in the case of Winchester shotguns locks into the rear of the barrel itself with a rotary bolt head, not unlike a bolt action rifle.

Andrew Wyatt · September 1, 2002, 08:46 PM

Aluminum recievers also break in faster, since the steel bolt is harder than the reciever. I've noticed my mosberg becoming noticeably easier to operate in the last couple sessions.

Poodleshooter · September 3, 2002, 04:09 PM

After yesterdays foray into the James River, the steel parts of my Mossberg were covered with rust after the 3hours on the water, 1 hour journey home and 1 hour of gutting/cleaning. The aluminum receiver was one more part that didn't need steel wool and WD40.

Dave McC · September 3, 2002, 06:51 PM

Steel receivers WILL last longer, but I will furnish one great venison dinner to anyone turning over to me a modern, US made major brand alloy receiver'd shotgun that's been used up.

IOW, it's pretty much a non issue. Get whatever you like, shoot it lots, and enjoy.Pick it not for the receiver material, but how it shoots for you.

Note,an advantage to the alloy shotguns is rarely mentioned. On an upland shotgun that's carried miles and miles while only shot maybe a dozen times or so per outing, the lighter weight helps reduce fatigue.

Frankenstein serves nicely as an upland gun and runs about 7 lbs. A 500/1300 set up like it would run maybe 3-4 oz less.

September 1, 2002, 01:50 PM	#1
Slater Member Join Date: January 19, 2002 Location: Arizona Posts: 84	Shotgun receivers: steel vs. aluminum Certain shotguns such as the Remington 870 series and Ithaca have steel receivers, while others like Mossberg and Winchester use aluminum. Is there any real difference as far as longevity/durability?

September 1, 2002, 04:51 PM	#3
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,642	Faris pegged it. The receiver really only acts as a travel guide and holder for all the operating parts. In older shotguns the bolt actually locked into the receiver, meaning that the receiver had to be a lot stronger. With modern shotguns, the shell is fully encased in the barrel, and the bolt either locks into the barrel extension with a lug, or in the case of Winchester shotguns locks into the rear of the barrel itself with a rotary bolt head, not unlike a bolt action rifle. __________________ "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.

September 1, 2002, 03:21 PM	#2
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,561	For the average shooter....not really. The finish on the aluminuum may wear a little faster, and it can't be refinised very easily. Most newer guns use a system where the bolt locks into the steel barrel, so the receiver isn't under that much stress.

September 1, 2002, 08:46 PM	#4
Andrew Wyatt Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2002 Location: Bakersfield, Kommiefornia Posts: 549	Aluminum recievers also break in faster, since the steel bolt is harder than the reciever. I've noticed my mosberg becoming noticeably easier to operate in the last couple sessions.

September 3, 2002, 04:09 PM	#5
Poodleshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2000 Location: Floating down the James River in VA Posts: 2,599	After yesterdays foray into the James River, the steel parts of my Mossberg were covered with rust after the 3hours on the water, 1 hour journey home and 1 hour of gutting/cleaning. The aluminum receiver was one more part that didn't need steel wool and WD40.

September 3, 2002, 06:51 PM	#6
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 14, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Steel receivers WILL last longer, but I will furnish one great venison dinner to anyone turning over to me a modern, US made major brand alloy receiver'd shotgun that's been used up. IOW, it's pretty much a non issue. Get whatever you like, shoot it lots, and enjoy.Pick it not for the receiver material, but how it shoots for you. Note,an advantage to the alloy shotguns is rarely mentioned. On an upland shotgun that's carried miles and miles while only shot maybe a dozen times or so per outing, the lighter weight helps reduce fatigue. Frankenstein serves nicely as an upland gun and runs about 7 lbs. A 500/1300 set up like it would run maybe 3-4 oz less.