870

[wormbobskey]

I just got an 870 and don't know if its capable of 3" shells or not. Are all receivers that can handle 3" shells marked that way or not? All the receiver has is remington 870 stamped on it. The shotgun is only a few years old and has the same finish as the express models, but had the laminated stock and forearm.

[possume]

my guns are stamped on the barrel my 870 magnum is 2 3/4 and 3 my 870 super magnum is 2/34 3 and 3.5 it should be on the barrel i have never seen a gun that isnt stamped what it will shoot

[wormbobskey]

 I was thinking that the receiver would have been marked as to what shell length it would take as well as the barrel. Thanks for the information.

[Bullseye]

The barrel will say if it is chambered for 3" shells or not, but that does not mean the receiver is since someone could have changed the barrel.
 
In the old days, 10 years ago or more, a receiver had magnum engraved on the side of the receiver because they sold them both ways.
 
After that they all were 3" guns and they were no longer engraved with the word magnum, but the serial number will have a M prefix that indicates it is a magnum receiver and will handle a 3" shell.

[Dee]

Most receivers are the same in the Remington 870. I found this out when I called Remington a few years ago about a replacement barrel. It cost the same to put the ejector in the receiver for 3", as it does for 2 3/4". Check the barrel, the receiver will be fine.

[wormbobskey]

From what little I have learned it seems that a "Magnum" receiver will take the 3 1/2 shells where as a standard (newer) receiver will only handle 3" and down. I guess I have to assume since the ventilated barrel is remington made and came with the shotgun that the shotgun will take 3" shells and not the magnum 3 1/2 " shells. Which is fine with me. 3" shells will drop a turkey in his tracks just as well as anything else, just at a little bit shorter range. Thanks for the information.

[keith44]

I have owned exactly two Remington 870's both are older "express Magnum" models, one is a 12 ga the other a 20 ga.  The 20 runs 3" shells without a hitch, but patterns best with 2 3/4" shells.  The 20 was bought new, and has been with me for 18 years, it is the newest of the pair.  The 12 is a parts gun.  I bought an action with a broken stock from a co-worker, replaced the stock with a pawn shop find, and put an 18" cylinder bore barrel on it.  The 12 is for close in stuff as well as when I need to bump something that went bump in the night 
 
For turkeys I like a stiff 2 3/4 inch 1 oz load of #5's out of the 20.  The smaller bore with full choke tube really hits em hard.  You are afterall shooting at a target about the size of a silver dollar.  My 20 throws a really dense center of pattern with a load like that combined with it's full choke tube.  I would not worry about the length of shell so much as what the gun shoots best.  Yes the 3" shell can carry a bit heavier payload, but since the pressures must remain the same, the 2 3/4" shell tends to have the ability to shoot the payload faster, and therefore each pellet will carry more energy.
 
Just food for thought, yes the newest Remington 870's (frames) handle 2 3/4 and 3" shells just fine.  The 3 1/2 inch shells I can not offer an opinion on, other than I have no need nor desire for them.
 
Good shooting
Keith
 

[wormbobskey]

I also have an express 20 with screw in choke tubes for the vented rib barrel and a smooth bore slug barrel. I've had it just over twenty years and it has accounted for dozens of turkey and deer. It is my go to gun to hunt just about anything in Ohio. Got the 12 gauge thinking I would like to try some goose hunting, but without knowing what the receiver would handle I haven't even shot it yet. I have been told the magnum receivers are for 3 1/2 inch loads and all others that arev newer will handle the 3 inchers with no problem. The way things are looking now, I won't be able to get out this year to hunt as work is keeping from going.

[keith44]

+1 about work getting in the way of the finer pursuits in life

[wormbobskey]

I keep trying to find that elusive job where they pay me to what I want, ie hunt, fish, trap, drink beer, but haven't found it yet. I'll keep looking though.

[keith44]

beer comercial actor? or making hunting and fishing DVD's??  Trouble is making enough money at it to support your ammo habit 

[wormbobskey]

Maybe talk budweiser and remington into merging so I can be their taste tester and ammo quality control. Now that would be an interesting job.

[mannyrock]

 
      OK, guys, time out here.
 
      If we are talking about a used 870, then you cannot rely on what is stamped on the barrel to determine what type of receiver you have.
 
       About ten years ago, I borrowed an old 870 12 gauge from a friend.  The barrel was clearly stamped 2 3/4" or 3" shells.    But, this barrel was on an 870 receiver that was made only for 2 3/4 inch shells.  The barrel was an aftermarket, that he had bought from Cabelas, to put on his gun so that he could have a Remchoke system.  His receiver could not handle or eject a 3 inch shell, even though the barrel said 3 inch.
 
    I would think that the size of the ejection port in the receiver would tell you more than looking at what is stamped on the barrel.
 
    Hope this helps a bit.
 
Mannyrock
 
 

[Bullseye]

As I said early on, look at the barrel to see what length shell it is chambered for and look at the serial number on the receiver for the M prefix to see if the receiver is for 3" shells.
 
Looking at the size of the ejection port tells you nothing since they are the same on a 2 3/4" or 3" gun.  If you compare the parts list for a 2 3/4" and 3" receiver the ejector and a couple of other parts I do not remember are different.
 
A gun for 3 1/2 inch shells does have a bigger receiver and ejection port.  Not sure if the serial number has any special identifiers in it or not.