Hey folks new to the site and 870's. Old timer but this is my first 870. Just moved to VA from Alaska and sold all my guns up there. Invested in a nice Sako 85 stainless 260 Rem for deer and coyotes and just bought a 20 gauge 870 online a couple months back in 20 gauge. I have a buddy that has a quail preserve in south GA and they all use fancy over/unders. Last time I was down I made a bet with a buddy I could out shoot his Diamond 101 with a Wingmaster so here I am. Unfortunately I did not think to ask about serial number before I bought 870 and it is a pre-'74 I believe. Serial begins with a "T" and ends in "X". The gun is in excellent shape except for some light surface rust here and there but blue overall is 90% and it is nice and tight. It is 28 inch Modified barrel.
The problem is the pattern looks like an irregular doughnut actually it is almost like the letter "C". Shot is somewhat heavy on the left, light on the top and bottom a few pellets to the right and in the middle but really there is a pretty open hole in the middle. It was patterned at 20-25 yards using #3buck #6 and #8 and was pretty much the same with all of them. I need a new barrel. But I have been told that the barrels on line, especially the Rem Choke will not fit the standard older 870 with serial ending in "X". Is this true?
Anyone know where to get barrels for older 870's? Any chance they have ones with Rem Choke or other choke tubes?
If not anyone want to buy a nice tight 20 gauge?
I like to shoot clays and quail/dove and need a reliable consistent pattern. Really don't want to put a butt load of money into it but willing to drop $250 or so if I can get a good barrel with interchangeable chokes.
Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated as right now I need it for foxes in the chicken coop.
Thanks in advance,
J
New Member needs help
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Re: New Member needs help
A "T-<numbers>-X" serial number indicates a large-frame 2.75"-only 20ga 870 made in the mid-1970s. So you're correct, your gun will not take modern barrels intended for the newer small-frame 20ga 870s.
You can find large-frame 20ga 870 barrels on the used market. However, I'm pretty sure Remington discontinued the large-frame 20ga 870s before they came out with the Rem Choke system, so finding one that's factory-threaded for interchangeable chokes is probably not going to happen. What you can do is get a used fixed-choke barrel, and then have a gunsmith thread it for 20ga Rem Chokes (or another choke system, if you prefer). $100 - $150 for the barrel, and $100 for the choke work is probably a reasonable estimate, though sites like Ebay & Gunbroker aren't exactly inundated with old large-frame 20ga barrels, so you might have to wait a little bit if you want to get a good price on one.
Another thing you could try is having a gunsmith inspect your current barrel. If it's just something minor like a dent near the muzzle, you may be able to have it repaired or cut back to get rid of the issue, and then you can have it threaded for choke tubes. Maybe the barrel isn't salvageable, but it's probably worth looking into.
You can find large-frame 20ga 870 barrels on the used market. However, I'm pretty sure Remington discontinued the large-frame 20ga 870s before they came out with the Rem Choke system, so finding one that's factory-threaded for interchangeable chokes is probably not going to happen. What you can do is get a used fixed-choke barrel, and then have a gunsmith thread it for 20ga Rem Chokes (or another choke system, if you prefer). $100 - $150 for the barrel, and $100 for the choke work is probably a reasonable estimate, though sites like Ebay & Gunbroker aren't exactly inundated with old large-frame 20ga barrels, so you might have to wait a little bit if you want to get a good price on one.
Another thing you could try is having a gunsmith inspect your current barrel. If it's just something minor like a dent near the muzzle, you may be able to have it repaired or cut back to get rid of the issue, and then you can have it threaded for choke tubes. Maybe the barrel isn't salvageable, but it's probably worth looking into.