First Shotgun: 870 Express 26 vs 28

[CyclingCraig 11]

Hi all

 

I'm looking at getting my first shotgun.

 

I'm looking at the Remington 870 express because of price and a rebate running right now.

 

I'm looking for something I can keep in the home (Because I really think you need one in the house) and once or twice a year we head out to LHSC to shoot clays.

 

I can't afford multiple shotguns right now, so one will have to do. (Can't have one for clays and one for home defense).

 

SO the 870 express comes in a 26 and 28 inch barrel length.  I was leaning toward the 26, just for HD reasons, but does it really matter that much 26 vs. 28.

 

Should I just go with the 28 and call it done or is the 26 worth considering for my needs.

 

Thanks

-Craig

 

[Ricky_Bobby 130]

Get whichever one you want to hit clays with - and buy an 18.5" barrel from Remington for $130 or so and keep it on for home defense use

[T Bill 649]

No shotgun made will cover both uses. So we are talking compromise here.  The longer the barrel length the better for clays, the shorter the barrel the better for home defense.  Ricky Bobby has it right but if funds are a big issue. I would go with the 28" barrel. Odds are you would use it more for clays than home defense. 

[Scorpio64 5,154]

Get whichever one you want to hit clays with - and buy an 18.5" barrel from Remington for $130 or so and keep it on for home defense use

^^^^^^

This

[CyclingCraig 11]

As Always..

 

Great advice from this forum.. Thanks for the info, didn't even cross my mind about the extra barrel

 

I'll most likely pick up the 28" 12ga synthetic stock version.

[weekend_junkie 129]

As Always..

 

Great advice from this forum.. Thanks for the info, didn't even cross my mind about the extra barrel

 

I'll most likely pick up the 28" 12ga synthetic stock version.

Definitely scrounge around for an extra barrel. If money is tight and you're familiar with eBay, you will find there is an entire world out there waiting to be explored. You could even buy a cheap old 26" or 28" barrel and simply cut it down to length with a hacksaw. Have fun, stay safe!

[JackDaWack 2,895]

Honestly, your not going to find that big of a difference between a 26" and a 28", at those lengths its all about which one swings better for you and utilizing the correct choke. 26" and 28" are more for hunting. I use both for waterfowl, and my 26" is just at long as my 28" due to a longer action. Most sporting clays use 30"+ due to the consistent swing you can get from a longer barrel, whereas i'm doing a lot of pop shots.

[Candyman87 10]

Get the 28" and buy an 18.5" barrel for home defense. This is what I did for years until I bought a dedicated home defense 870 (one of the 7-round Express Tactical models) on sale at Dick's.

 

That being said, the 2" shorter 26" won't do much good in a  home defense situation unless you're only using it to shelter in place. No way you'll be able to move through your house with a 26" unless you're in a mansion or spend the entire time pointing the gun at the floor.