New 870 Owner...options

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

  • No ad networks!
  • Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership
  • Discuss anti-gun legislation
  • Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section
  • Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses
  • Discover free outdoor shooting areas
  • View up to date on firearm-related events
  • Share photos & video with other members
  • ...and so much more!
  • leBjA

    Member
    Mar 2, 2013
    22
    New 870 express owner
    Got it from Gander Mtn., going out of business.
    Cost of new un-used was comparable to used 870 ...so I went for it.
    Came w/ the 26" vent rib.

    Aside from some other basic mod's I'm considering my "HD" set up

    I grew up in scouts shooting ribs.

    Should i get an 18.5" barrel & have a smith put a vent rib on it & nice fiber front.

    OR

    Get a shorter 20" vent rib barrel & cut and crown it and add fiberoptic?

    Other suggestions are welcome!
     
    Last edited:

    j_h_smith

    Ultimate Member
    Jul 28, 2007
    28,516
    Why do you want a v-rib? I don't see the need. No need for cooling the barrel from multiple shots if it's a HD shotgun. It also adds weight to the shotgun. It's your shotgun and you can do whatever you'd like, but me personally, I don't see the need.
     

    Mako

    Active Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 6, 2016
    136
    ES of MD
    I would just look for a good sale on the 870 tactical with ghost rings. Dick's was running a sale along with the current $60 rebate, shotgun was $399, when all was said and done.

    After buying the barrel and the gunsmith work you are probably getting close to this pricing.
     

    Mini14tac

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    May 14, 2013
    2,146
    North County
    I would just try to find a 18 1/2 HD barrel and swap them out as needed. You can usually find the parkerized version for $120 - $120 new.
     

    trickg

    Guns 'n Drums
    MDS Supporter
    Jul 22, 2008
    14,598
    Glen Burnie
    Why do you want a v-rib? I don't see the need. No need for cooling the barrel from multiple shots if it's a HD shotgun. It also adds weight to the shotgun. It's your shotgun and you can do whatever you'd like, but me personally, I don't see the need.
    No real need, but to me the vented rib always looked better than a smooth barrel. All of my Wingmaster barrels are vented rib barrels.

    By the same logic you used - that it's not necessary for an HD shotgun - the rib likely doesn't add enough weight for it to make a difference functionally.
     

    trickg

    Guns 'n Drums
    MDS Supporter
    Jul 22, 2008
    14,598
    Glen Burnie
    I'd go 18.5" barrel with ghost rings. That's what came on my Benelli M4, makes for a very mobile HD gun as well as quick target acquisition with ghost rings. Pistol grip is a personal preference, but I like the added feel and comfort.
    NOOOOO! Ghost rings turn it into a ghost gun! NOT A GHOST GUN!!!!!!! :D
     

    HordesOfKailas

    Still learning
    Feb 7, 2016
    2,205
    Utah
    I have an 870 with a 18.5" barrel, tube extension (7+1), ghost rear sight, and front rifle sight. Any similar configuration will be good to go for HD.

    EDIT: No pistol grip, but I plan to add one.
     

    lazarus

    Ultimate Member
    Jun 23, 2015
    13,678
    If possible for an HD gun I'd go ghost ring rear if possible. Heck, I wear a ghost ring on my 870 with 28" barrel as my GP shotgun. Clays, turkey, waterfowl, deer. All of it.

    Ideally I'd have a 24" rifled barrel for deer.

    Anyway, I've only borrowed someone's 12ga once for trap, but their 870 with front head I went 18 for 25. I switched back to mine the next round and went 22 for 25. Could certainly be luck, but I do a lot better with ghost rings than with just a bead.

    I tolerate a bead on my 20ga single shot and the .410 pump I am using, but they just aren't me.
     

    byf43

    SCSC Life/NRA Patron Life
    New 870 express owner
    Got it from Gander Mtn., going out of business.
    Cost of new un-used was comparable to used 870 ...so I went for it.
    Came w/ the 26" vent rib.

    Aside from some other basic mod's I'm considering my "HD" set up

    I grew up in scouts shooting ribs.

    Should i get an 18.5" barrel & have a smith put a vent rib on it & nice fiber front.

    OR

    Get a shorter 20" vent rib barrel & cut and crown it and add fiberoptic?

    Other suggestions are welcome!

    One of the members here, had a 21" VR barrel with Turkey choke for sale.
    I picked it up.

    Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiice barrel!

    Remington also had a barrel sale, not-too-long ago.

    I picked up an 18-1/2" bead barrel w/ choke tubes.

    That too......... is Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice!!!!!
     

    Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    32,881
    Firstly , I get it . You like VR , and you are used to using VR bbls, like the consistency, don't feel a desire for rifle sights for home defense. I hear you, I have an 18in vent rib. ( Not Rem or Moss).

    Approach A - Keep eyes open for a used Turkey bbl as mentioned by Bfy.

    Approach B- Take tape measure to your 26 inch bbl . Determine which VR mounting point is just beyond 18 inches from breach face. Apply hacksaw. Square and chamfer. Install gold bead, fiber optic front, what ever.

    This works if you are confident t o do most of that yourself. Paying full retail gunsmith shop fees would add up quickly.
     

    Users who are viewing this thread

    Latest posts

    Forum statistics

    Threads
    274,924
    Messages
    7,259,227
    Members
    33,349
    Latest member
    christian04

    Latest threads

    Top Bottom