New to the 870 and have questions!

[skeeter]

Mike Britton here,(skeeter). I posted on the introductions but I wanted to ask some questions of folks who will have answers.
What brings me here is twofold. My gunshow table mate is a pretty good wingshot and is getting me involved slowly in very informal skeet.
It looks like a great deal more fun than golf, and cheaper!
Now here's the deal...Paul has an 870 Express in 16 ga., 23" barrel vent rib screw in choke. Matt black finish.
We are thinking it must be a youth as it has a short(13") black synthetic butt. Someone has added a camo handguard so you can imagine how sad this little warrior looks! But there is something about this gun that has it's hook in me big time!
First is 16 ga. Next is the 23" vent rib barrel. I have a 1908 Rem. Automatic Shotgun with a 23" solid rib that swings so sweet that I wish all my shotguns had that length.
I will be able to get this project for a steal so I can afford to change the furniture to just about any wood set and still be at a good investment. Some of the Wingmaster sets I've looked at would look awesome with the matt black metal.

First question, I would like to put wood furniture on this gun. Will 12 ga. wood fit? Any difference between Express and Wingmaster? The metal on this gun is nice, but the plastic furniture is beat up as well as not matching and youth size.
Now, what's up with 16 ga. in a shotgun made at a time when the 16 ga. was at it's least popular?
And what's with the 23" barrel?
I love the gun, but I may be the only kid on the block that does. Thanks, Miike

[Scorpion8]

16ga will be much more expensive to shoot than 12- or 20-ga and ammo may be harder to find in skeet or trap-allowed loads.

[skeeter]

Scarcity of ammo isn't a problem for me as I probably won't shoot more than a round at each session, and 16 seems pretty available here in the DFW area. Especially low brass 7's-7 1/2's.
I have a soft spot for the 16,I grew up with the 16. All the "grownups" got 12's and I was always given the 16's!
I found the answer to my question in that all 12,16 and early 20's are the same frame size.
Putting high end wood on this express will make it cost more than it is worth, but I don't intend to sell it any time soon so that won't be a problem.
Having a matt black 23" vent rib skeet choked 870 express with deluxe wood will make it a rather unique shotgun. Right up my alley! Thanks, Mike

[Scorpion8]

Putting high end wood on this express will make it cost more than it is worth, but I don't intend to sell it any time soon so that won't be a problem.

The gun can be as individual as you are. So create the gun you want. And like you said, if you're not going to sell it and need to recoup that money, then who cares?

[skeeter]

Won't be the first time I was "upside down" in a firearm.
But each one I have done that way were keepers and they adorn shelves and book cases all over the house.
Would I rather it was a 20? Sure, but I'm okay with it being a 16. I don't shoot a lot anymore.
I shot NRA Hi-Power and Palma for a few seasons and really enjoyed it, but I had a problem with my eyes and choose not to shoot as much as I did in the past.
I'm excited to own an iconic shotgun like the 870. I have spent a lot of time with the Mossberg 500 and aside from the safety being different the main difference I see is the 870 appears to be better built.