MeanderingCuban 8 Posted February 8, 2014 I have a Remington 870 Express with a six round magazine and an 18" barrel. I'd like to try my hand at skeet and trap shooting but I do not want to purchase another shotgun. According to Remington I cannot remove the barrel and install a longer barrel. They provided no reason why this cannot be done. tThe barrel on my 870 comes off just like any other 870's barrel. Is this indeed accurate or can I get a longer barrel for my 870? By the way the receiver on my 870 Express states "tactical" i guess because it's black. Other than that it looks just like any other Rem 870 Express. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Respect2A 0 Posted February 8, 2014 You used to be able to swap out barrels but they changed it so you can't anymore. It's due to the tube size. There is a very cheap fix though. My buddy did it. It's like a 3 or 4 inch piece of pvc. Slips right on. He shot a few rounds of trap with no issues. Google it and you will find the exact fix. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MeanderingCuban 8 Posted February 8, 2014 Respect2A, What did they change. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Respect2A 0 Posted February 8, 2014 They permanently affixed the magazine tube. You used to be able to take it off and replace it with the shorter one. Then the new barrel will fit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MeanderingCuban 8 Posted February 8, 2014 Thanks Respect2A. I found the same info just moments before you replied. Given the cost of a 28" barrel it's almost worth finding a used 870 with a 28" barrel and calling it a day. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Respect2A 0 Posted February 8, 2014 If you have the cash go for it. If you wanna shoot it now go grab some pvc and call it a day. My friend used black pvc and you can't even tell. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
siderman 1,131 Posted February 8, 2014 Intereseting. We've got a 870 tac maybe 2 1/2 yrs old and the brl swaps out no prob, must a very new change Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MeanderingCuban 8 Posted February 8, 2014 Intereseting. We've got a 870 tac maybe 2 1/2 yrs old and the brl swaps out no prob, must a very new change My 870 is about a year old. I'd love to find someone who has a 870 express with a 28" barrel so we can try the barrel on my 870 to see if it fits or not. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeerSlayer 241 Posted February 8, 2014 I personally would just buy another 870 express. They can be had used for $100 if you look around. Probably less than a barrel would cost. Ive seen a lot lately for sale. Everyone that hunts is into the 3.5" shell receiver these days. Any shot gun I own stays in the safe these days and collects dust if it cant chamber a 3.5" shell. Except my over under, I still use that for birds and skeet. Turkey, goose, duck, deer are all being hunted more these days with 3-1/2's. Unless your and old man with a 50 year old JC Higgens or Ithica. I would just expect to not see a Baby Boomer with a modern shotgun. They fear change:lol: Not that there is anything wrong with those older guns they do kill, just not as well as the bigger rounds do. Sent using Tapatalk 2 NOW FREE!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Old School 611 Posted February 8, 2014 I personally would just buy another 870 express. They can be had used for $100 if you look around. Probably less than a barrel would cost. Ive seen a lot lately for sale. Everyone that hunts is into the 3.5" shell receiver these days. Any shot gun I own stays in the safe these days and collects dust if it cant chamber a 3.5" shell. Except my over under, I still use that for birds and skeet. Turkey, goose, duck, deer are all being hunted more these days with 3-1/2's. Unless your and old man with a 50 year old JC Higgens or Ithica. I would just expect to not see a Baby Boomer with a modern shotgun. They fear change:lol: Not that there is anything wrong with those older guns they do kill, just not as well as the bigger rounds do. Sent using Tapatalk 2 NOW FREE!!! I'll take all the 870 Express's you can find for a $100 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AmericanMade 0 Posted February 9, 2014 I'll take all the 870 Express's you can find for a $100 Me Too!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MeanderingCuban 8 Posted February 9, 2014 Me Too!! Same here Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackDaWack 2,894 Posted February 9, 2014 I personally would just buy another 870 express. They can be had used for $100 if you look around. Probably less than a barrel would cost. Ive seen a lot lately for sale. Everyone that hunts is into the 3.5" shell receiver these days. Any shot gun I own stays in the safe these days and collects dust if it cant chamber a 3.5" shell. Except my over under, I still use that for birds and skeet. Turkey, goose, duck, deer are all being hunted more these days with 3-1/2's. Unless your and old man with a 50 year old JC Higgens or Ithica. I would just expect to not see a Baby Boomer with a modern shotgun. They fear change:lol: Not that there is anything wrong with those older guns they do kill, just not as well as the bigger rounds do. Sent using Tapatalk 2 NOW FREE!!! I hunt waterfowl with the 3" shells. You get a more full pattern with 3 1/2, but that's all. If a cartridge adds range and speed to your shot, its worth the investment, but more shot isn't necessarily better... and you get more shot in your meat. Follow up shots are easier with the kick too. I see no reason why you wouldnt be able to find a barrel that fits... they make the express in longer barrels.. unless the longer barrel versions have shorter magazine tubes.. I'm assuming its an issue of the barrel clamp location. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeerSlayer 241 Posted February 9, 2014 I hunt waterfowl with the 3" shells. You get a more full pattern with 3 1/2, but that's all. If a cartridge adds range and speed to your shot, its worth the investment, but more shot isn't necessarily better... and you get more shot in your meat. Follow up shots are easier with the kick too. I see no reason why you wouldnt be able to find a barrel that fits... they make the express in longer barrels.. unless the longer barrel versions have shorter magazine tubes.. I'm assuming its an issue of the barrel clamp location. Thats the reason the barrel wont fit the tactical receiver. Mag tube too long. I hunt duck with 3" also, goose I use 3-1/2" The 3-1/2's are just too much for duck IMO. Sent using Tapatalk 2 NOW FREE!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeerSlayer 241 Posted February 9, 2014 I'll take all the 870 Express's you can find for a $100I saw one recently at a show for $150. Bought one a few years ago for $100 from a guy selling it for bail money, he owed child support and directed his brother to sell all his guns to get out of jail. Also got a Winchester 150 Ranger for $100 from the same guy and a Mossberg 500 for $125. All three were in beautiful shape. The deals are out there just a matter of being in the right place at the right time. Look and you will find them. All three of those guns just sit in my safe collecting dust, I always grab my Maxis over any of those pumps to hunt with. I'll probably give one to my nephew when he grows out of my first 20g. Sent using Tapatalk 2 NOW FREE!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites