Rem 870 Tactical or Benelli M4 - both SBS

[Irving]

SA Friday, do you know anything about choking a SBS shotgun? I've asked before, but it seems to be an off the wall question and not many people seem to desire that sort of thing.

[BigBear]

Speaking of chokes.... how about some info on chokes and slugs... I've heard that you ought not shoot slugs if you have a choke system...

[Irving]

The rifling built into the slugs is partially to spin the round, and partially to compress through the choke. I've shot rifled slugs out of my modified choke in the end of my 26" 870 barrel and didn't have any problems. Just make sure you aren't shooting Sabot slugs out of a choked barrel. I'm under the impression that MOST chokes are okay for rifled slugs, but would be careful to make sure you don't have some esoteric choke like the square duck choke.

[SA Friday]

SA Friday, do you know anything about choking a SBS shotgun? I've asked before, but it seems to be an off the wall question and not many people seem to desire that sort of thing.

As I understand it, it depends on how the barrel is made. If the barrel is straight bore and the same diameter at the new shorter length that it was on the end that was threaded for the choke, then it's a matter of getting a gunsmith to rethread and cut it for the desired choke pattern.

On a home defense shotgun with a 18" ish barrel, there's really no reason to have anything other than a basic IC on it. Lot's cheaper to have it IC or cylinder than to spend the serious cash to have it set up for chokes.

I've never looked at putting chokes in a chopped barrel, so this is all theoretical. I've been extremely happy with my 21" iron sighted Rem slug barrel with permanent IC choke on the end for home defense. So, never really looked at anything else other than what I shot for the military in a short barreled shotgun. I fricken hated the 14" chopped 870's we had. They looked cool and shot like shit. 20 yds and those things were nothing but spray and pray guns. I personally, like to aim.

[Irving]

See I get the, "It doesn't matter for a home defense gun" line all the time; but your experience tells me differently. I'm sure I'll use my HD gun at the range a lot more than I will in a HD situation.

[BigBear]

Here we go with teh acronyms... IC stand for? "Integrated choke" maybe?.... Help.

[SA Friday]

Stewart, then get a shotgun with a 24 or 26" barrel that you can shoot at the range, change chokes and still use in a defensive situation. Don't underestimate the longer barrel and swingability when shooting clays or birds. Shooting a shorter barrel can be tough.

IC = Improved cylinder.

[BigBear]

So a Remy 870, 16 inch with 2 inch "breacher" (for the "cool factor" mentioned! HAHA) to equal 18 inch, solid stock (preferrably with pistol grip), pump action would be ideal for any HD situation then?

[SA Friday]

Sure. Put a mag extension on it too. I have a cheap ass extension on mine. One of the better mag extensions out there is a Nordic.

[Irving]

That's certainly something I'll consider, assuming I don't run out of money buying them for Bailey to practice on. Thanks for the tip Fryday.


BigBear: Have you put any consideration into what kind of barrel you want? I mean between just a standard barrel or a vent ribbed. I've got that 26" vent ribbed barrel and holding the gun up with one hand like in the movies is a joke. I've held an 18" or 20" Mossberg with a regular barrel and a full butt stock and it is worlds lighter than my 26" vent ribbed barrel gun with just a tasco pistol grip.

Also, since you were already considering spending the money on a Benelli, have you considered looking at Serbu Super Shorty at all? They are manufactured out of 870 receivers. I think they are AOW instead of SBS though (whole other can of worms right?).

Here is a picture of one: (Bottom)


A guy over on SilencerTalk has one and killed some rabbits with it just by aiming down the flat of the barrel.


As far as the flash hider, it just has to be pinned, welded, or otherwise permanently mounted to the barrel.


EDIT: Never mind about the Serbu, only holds 2 in the mag + 1 in the chamber.