12 ga barrel length?

[kcb38]

I know this topic has been beat to death in other forums but I couldn't find much on it here so here goes...

870 pump gun, primary uses: general purpose, i.e. 5 stand/sporting clays, upland bird, small game, etc...

I picked up this gun at Dick's last night on sale for about $270. Long story short this is my first shotgun and I thought it had a 28" barrel but it actually has a 26". From my research it seems that 28" might be a better all around choice but it also seems that a lot of it just comes down to personal choice. What say you?

I think for the field the 26" is fine but I see in sporting clays that the trend is toward longer barrels. I see a lot of recommendations for 30" there. I realize that they are mainly talking o/u or sxs guns though which obviously have a shorter receiver, so that means the 26" pump isn't that much different in length (if at all). I will probably do more of that kind of shooting than actual hunting so I guess that's what's got me wondering if the 26 or the 28 is the best choice. I've never done it before so I don't have any experience to draw from.

Thanks for your input, Kirk.

[bluetrane2028]

Shoot it and have fun. You won't miss two inches.

[wrangler1120]

26" is fine all around. I shoot clays with a pistol grip shotty (18.5" barrel) now. Really makes folks who cant hit them with their 28" barrel shotguns mad.

[mmi]

they have to be 21 or longer 4 hunting in pa

[Bang]

"21" or longer to hunt in PA"

What??? When did they make that change??? I have a Mossberg 500 which I used to hunt with in Bucks County...with an 18" barrel.

Just looked it up. Appears it is still 18 inches.

[Hawk]

It's really not the length that matters, it's the extra swing weight added by the extra inches on the barrel.
Longer barrels are popular for trap guys to slow down their swings (those guys don't move much ).
Sporting clays and Skeet guys typically like shorter barrels for the faster swing required in those games (same holds true with hunting in the field).

[knight0334]

they have to be 21 or longer 4 hunting in pa

So long as the gun is properly possessed(ie: NFA) - there is no barrel length issue with hunting.

A 7" Serbu Super Shorty(12ga AOW) is legal to hunt with so long as it is legal to use for the specific season and WMU.

[dp2002]

DICK'S!!! You purchased at DICKS!

just messin with ya.

I have different shottys with 18.5, 26 & 28" barrels. The one I shoot best is the 26". For the variety of uses you intend for the 870, I believe you made a good choice.

Enjoy!

[RUT]

>>I will probably do more of that kind of shooting than actual hunting<<

Don't worry about it... if you decide you really like the clay sports you'll be moving on to something more than the 870 anyway. You can at least get your feet wet with it.

[CBennett]

for clays 28-32" is the "norm" now days with the 30-32 being "preferred". For hunting id go with what you have a 26" unless its maybe duck hunting which I may go 28-30". Plus its a 870 barrels are a dime a dozen especially if you can get one used use what you have..spend $100-150 for a 28-30" one later on if you really want to shoot it for clays.

All my clay guns are 28" barrel semi autos(1 Lanber and 1 Remington 1100) my 870 is a HD/Turkey type gun with a 21" barrel too short for clays and id rather shoot a semi auto or O/U for clays anyways so I never got a longer barrel for the 870.