KYLimbHanger Posted March 1, 2005 Report Share Posted March 1, 2005 I bought a Remington Express Super Magnum some years ago. At the time, SM's shortest barrel was a 26 incher. I used it turkey hunting for a while. But, I bought a 21 inch 870 Express barrel that was only 3 inch chambered. I put a 3.5 in shell in it and it fired. I took the barrel off and dropped a 3.5 in the end of it and it falls in easy. I know SM recievers are bigger to accomidate the longer shells. Wondering if this is a flaw in the gun or can this action be taken if one has a SM to begin with and buys a 3 inch barrel later. I dont shoot the 3.5's in it. I shoot only 3 inch shells. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Colorado Bob Posted March 1, 2005 Report Share Posted March 1, 2005 Re: Warning: 870 3inch barrel shoots 3.5inch shotshell You shot a 3.5" shell in a barrel that's only suppose to shoot 3" shells. You are lucky to be in 1 piece. That barrel could have split or exploded in your hands. DON"T EVER DO THAT AGAIN. It doesn't matter what the reciever can stand-----it the barrel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeviShot Posted March 1, 2005 Report Share Posted March 1, 2005 Re: Warning: 870 3inch barrel shoots 3.5inch shotshell Hey dude,Go play the lottery! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lil hunter Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 Re: Warning: 870 3inch barrel shoots 3.5inch shotshell A 3 1/2" shotshell, is actually only about 3" long, until it's fired. It's 3 1/2 after the hull opens. How easily did the shell eject?? I wouldn't reccomend trying it again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 Re: Warning: 870 3inch barrel shoots 3.5inch shotshell [ QUOTE ] You shot a 3.5" shell in a barrel that's only suppose to shoot 3" shells. You are lucky to be in 1 piece. That barrel could have split or exploded in your hands. DON"T EVER DO THAT AGAIN. It doesn't matter what the reciever can stand-----it the barrel. [/ QUOTE ] What he said! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 Re: Warning: 870 3inch barrel shoots 3.5inch shotshell I don't doubt it would fire. But what I imagine is going on is that the 3 1/2" hull is not able to open its crimp completely and properly when fired. You're probably playing with pressures that you really shouldn't be. You're lucky to have your gun and yourself both still intact. Don't be doin' that no more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddhunter Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 Re: Warning: 870 3inch barrel shoots 3.5inch shotshell That's CRAZY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbonhunter Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 Re: Warning: 870 3inch barrel shoots 3.5inch shots [ QUOTE ] I'VE ALWAYS USED A 3 1/2 INCH PUMP GUN AND I BOUGHT A TURKEY BARREL FOR MY ENCORE THE OTHER DAY AND FOUND THAT THE 3 INCH FIT ALSO IT MADE ME REALZE THAT I WLL HAVE TO BE CAREFUL OF WHAT SHELL IM DROPING IN MY ENCORE!!!!!!!! [/ QUOTE ] You can safely shoot smaller shells out of any 3.5 gun you just cant shoot the larger shells out of smaller chambers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironranger Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 Re: Warning: 870 3inch barrel shoots 3.5inch shotshell Same thing happened to me but different circumstances. We were shooting trap at a friend's house one time and I had an assortment of shells in a shell box. Alot of them were left overs that I was getting rid of after the season. I was using a friend's gun that only shoots 3" and made a mistake which I'll never make again. I shot a 3.5" shell out of it. The only issue I had was when trying to eject the shell as it was too long for that gun and got caught. I was able to get it out and consider myself lucky that something bad didn't happen. My question is...Has anyone contacted gun manufacturers to see if this is possible or are you just assuming that it's not?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KYLimbHanger Posted March 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 Re: Warning: 870 3inch barrel shoots 3.5inch shotshell Well, I actually cycled the 3.5 inch shell through my 870 by loading it in magazine, pumping forearm to load round and pumping forearm to unload round. It worked effortlessly. I looked down the 3.5 in chambered barrel along side the 3 in. chambered barrel. There were slight differences, almost unnoticeable I also put a spent 3.5 inch round in the 3 inch chambered barrel. The flared plastic didn't cause the shell to not seat in the 3 inch chamber barrel. Again, I tried this only once and don't plan on doing it again. I killed birds with 3.5 SuperMagnum barrel with 3.5's and I have killed birds with the 3 inch chamber barrel shooting 3's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KYLimbHanger Posted March 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 Re: Warning: 870 3inch barrel shoots 3.5inch shotshell Also same topic: I have heard some turkey hunters that report their Remington 1100 will shoot 3 inch shells and cycle them effortlessly. A few I know will rabbit and squirrel hunt with the gun with 2 3/4's but come turkey season they will slide a 3 incher in the mag. Do you think Reminton is aware 1100's can shoot 2 3/4 and 3 inch shells? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lil hunter Posted March 3, 2005 Report Share Posted March 3, 2005 Re: Warning: 870 3inch barrel shoots 3.5inch shotshell [ QUOTE ] Also same topic: I have heard some turkey hunters that report their Remington 1100 will shoot 3 inch shells and cycle them effortlessly. A few I know will rabbit and squirrel hunt with the gun with 2 3/4's but come turkey season they will slide a 3 incher in the mag. Do you think Reminton is aware 1100's can shoot 2 3/4 and 3 inch shells? [/ QUOTE ] The old 1100's had a 3" chamber. I'm not sure how long ago they quit doing that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KYLimbHanger Posted March 3, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2005 Re: Warning: 870 3inch barrel shoots 3.5inch shotshell I thought the 11-87 (made in 1987) was the "3 inch version" of the 1100. I am not certain, that is just what I heard. I have an 1100 made back in the 70's that is only 2 3/4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gfourhunter Posted March 6, 2005 Report Share Posted March 6, 2005 Re: Warning: 870 3inch barrel shoots 3.5inch shotshell most 1100 are not 3 inch mag. the 1178 was made to cover for the 3 in shell. there is a 1100 called 1100 mag. this shoots the 3 in shell. i dont know much about the new 1100s made with black synth. im only talking about the old ( I SHOULD SAY GOOD OLD) wingmaster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
borch Posted March 6, 2005 Report Share Posted March 6, 2005 Re: Warning: 870 3inch barrel shoots 3.5inch shotshell [ QUOTE ] Also same topic: I have heard some turkey hunters that report their Remington 1100 will shoot 3 inch shells and cycle them effortlessly. A few I know will rabbit and squirrel hunt with the gun with 2 3/4's but come turkey season they will slide a 3 incher in the mag. Do you think Reminton is aware 1100's can shoot 2 3/4 and 3 inch shells? [/ QUOTE ] This is the case with all brands of shotguns. The cycling of the spnd shell is often an issue though. In the 2 3/4" guns you can easily load a 3" shell. With a 3" gun the same is true for a 3 1/2" shell. The problen occurs when the shell is fired. Theree is not enoough room for the shell to uncrimp properly. Pressures skyrocket. In your case where you have a 3 1/2" receiver you can take the barrel to a good gunsmith and they could rechamber it. Many will do this for guns with a the proper receiver already in place. As far a reminton goes they do know that there 1100 will cycle the 3" shells in hteir 2 3/4" guns. You can by the 3" barrel and use it on a 2 3/4" receiver for steel only based on their litature. Borch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.