Remington 870 Supermag Express 12 ga compatible barrels

Kondor

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Howdy , I took on trade a super mag 870 3.5” the current barrel is 25” with removable chokes and has a pistol grip adjustable stock , if going to keep it “find short shuck an issue with current forend looking at options “ I was looking at replacement barrels ; I did not see 1 that was aftermarket Canada that I saw I could have missed it that were 3.5” or Supermag . I found some specifically stayed could work on a Supermag reciever “only using 3inch” and others that say not compatible , is there a way to tell ? I’m going to make a slug / turkey gun is the thought as folding stock and slightly shorter barrel fits in some of my small pop up blinds . Just curious as I’ve stayed away from pumps for a while due to wrist issues and usually go with a semi or 20 but figured it’s so customizable I’d check it out !

TLDR: 3.5” 12 ga Supermag barrels available or how can you tell which barrels are non compatible ? Cheers IMG_7847.jpegIMG_7846.jpegIMG_7840.jpegIMG_7843.jpegIMG_7842.jpeg
 
Forgive me but I'm a little confused by the post. Are you asking for a shorter compatible 870 barrel for the receiver?

If so, what's your budget? Dlask Arms makes a nice, heavy walled, 870 barrels with 3" chambers. 14", 12", 10", or 8" are available options. but they are pricey. While not choked, the barrel is plenty suitable for cutting chokes, or Vang comp treatments, if you want to spend even more?
 
Forgive me but I'm a little confused by the post. Are you asking for a shorter compatible 870 barrel for the receiver?

If so, what's your budget? Dlask Arms makes a nice, heavy walled, 870 barrels with 3" chambers. 14", 12", 10", or 8" are available options. but they are pricey. While not choked, the barrel is plenty suitable for cutting chokes, or Vang comp treatments, if you want to spend even more?
Sorry . I am looking for a barrel preferably iron sights / non rifled . Doesn’t need to be 3.5” but reading some are compatible with the reciever some are not for the Supermag I know only shoot 3” if I went with that but some say they won’t fit it others do but can’t tell the difference if it’s not mentioned if I got it second hand kinda deal
 
No worries. My understanding is any 870 barrel will properly fit any 870 receiver. However, the shells may not eject reliably depending on the length of the riveted ejector.

So, second hand or otherwise, you should be good to go with any 870 barrel, but if the chamber is only 2.75" (an older one), you may have ejection problems as you have a 3.5" ejector spring in your receiver.

My understanding is that a 3" chambered barrel will not only fit your receiver, if using 3" shells, the 3.5" ejector will reliably catch and toss the spent shell.

Hope this helps,
PK
 
ALL 870 barrels are cross compatible, with all 870 receivers
If you have a supermag receiver, you can chamber 3.5" shells in your receiver, the only difference really is the length and size of the ejection port compared to regular 870s

Your current barrel stamping implies that you have a 3.5" chamber barrel, but the 3.5" shells can only be used if that barrel is installed on a supermag receiver. My 870 sportsman field came with the exact same stamping on the barrel, but I cannot use my barrel for 3.5" shells, as my receiver can only run 3".
My 870 police that I owned, did not have that stamping, as it was only a 3" chambers in the barrel, and even with a supermag receiver, this barrel would have been limited to 3" shells due the the specific barrels chamber size.

Most new 870 barrels will be chambered or 3.5" shells, these are installed on all receivers with an identical stamping to yours, but can only run 3.5" shells on a supermag receiver (not the express receivers)

TLDR: You have the largest 870 receiver and barrel chamber combo available, so your restrictions are only based on the new barrel you purchase
Buying any length barrel with the exact stamping as yours will allow you to run 3.5" shells out of your shotgun.
Buying any barrel without the 3.5" stamping on your barrel will only allow you to run 3" shells out of your shotgun.
 
ALL 870 barrels are cross compatible, with all 870 receivers
If you have a supermag receiver, you can chamber 3.5" shells in your receiver, the only difference really is the length and size of the ejection port compared to regular 870s

Your current barrel stamping implies that you have a 3.5" chamber barrel, but the 3.5" shells can only be used if that barrel is installed on a supermag receiver. My 870 sportsman field came with the exact same stamping on the barrel, but I cannot use my barrel for 3.5" shells, as my receiver can only run 3".
My 870 police that I owned, did not have that stamping, as it was only a 3" chambers in the barrel, and even with a supermag receiver, this barrel would have been limited to 3" shells due the the specific barrels chamber size.

Most new 870 barrels will be chambered or 3.5" shells, these are installed on all receivers with an identical stamping to yours, but can only run 3.5" shells on a supermag receiver (not the express receivers)

TLDR: You have the largest 870 receiver and barrel chamber combo available, so your restrictions are only based on the new barrel you purchase
Buying any length barrel with the exact stamping as yours will allow you to run 3.5" shells out of your shotgun.
Buying any barrel without the 3.5" stamping on your barrel will only allow you to run 3" shells out of your shotgun.
100% definitely would only run 3” if I got it , just when I found some cheaper they said does not work with Supermag reciever . Perhaps they just put that so people don’t accidently put 3.5” in . Definitely largest reciever I’m smaller stature shorter arms 3” would work good but I like 3.5” as my press can load it and Somtimes not bad since I have some 3.5” hulls / wads items for turkey & waterfowl . But I want a shorter barrel for slugs indeed
 
No worries. My understanding is any 870 barrel will properly fit any 870 receiver. However, the shells may not eject reliably depending on the length of the riveted ejector.

So, second hand or otherwise, you should be good to go with any 870 barrel, but if the chamber is only 2.75" (an older one), you may have ejection problems as you have a 3.5" ejector spring in your receiver.

My understanding is that a 3" chambered barrel will not only fit your receiver, if using 3" shells, the 3.5" ejector will reliably catch and toss the spent shell.

Hope this helps,
PK
Ahh gotcha makes sense I thought maybe liability but it perhaps has potential ejection issues . Thought it was a decent move for 3.5” reciever as I can load it but also less recoil in the semi with 3.5” (if needed / cheaper I still prefer 3” but have 3.5” to load for waterfowl or turkey , maybe buckshot even (coyotes not deer lol )
 
Ahh gotcha makes sense I thought maybe liability but it perhaps has potential ejection issues . Thought it was a decent move for 3.5” reciever as I can load it but also less recoil in the semi with 3.5” (if needed / cheaper I still prefer 3” but have 3.5” to load for waterfowl or turkey , maybe buckshot even (coyotes not deer lol )
I have a Mossberg 835 which is a 3.5" receiver. I can tell you that there is a bit of a learning curve if you're used to using a 2.75" or 3" shotgun, you will short shuck the longer pump at least a few times.
 
I have a Mossberg 835 which is a 3.5" receiver. I can tell you that there is a bit of a learning curve if you're used to using a 2.75" or 3" shotgun, you will short shuck the longer pump at least a few times.
Oh indeed I had wrist surgery and switched to semi , O/U , SxS for years I like the 835 built on 10 ga frame , 10ga bps only pump I’ve used but completely different than this Remington . Figured a pump is good for deer / coyote / turkey . Keep my waterfowl gun ready , have health issues I only made out for duck once this year opener , and it was night before I got confirmation and I forgot to remove the rail and figured it’s groved .. bad choice wish I had a torx but left in my other bag lol that’s on me but I didn’t think I was going to get out and had to prepare stuff I usually do each year 2 weeks prior .

This one already just with 2 3/4” dummy I’ve had issues racking as I have a bum shoulder due to my health but Atleast adjustable stock makes it easyier but I’ve put in EE see if I can get something easyer
 
100% definitely would only run 3” if I got it , just when I found some cheaper they said does not work with Supermag reciever . Perhaps they just put that so people don’t accidently put 3.5” in . Definitely largest reciever I’m smaller stature shorter arms 3” would work good but I like 3.5” as my press can load it and Somtimes not bad since I have some 3.5” hulls / wads items for turkey & waterfowl . But I want a shorter barrel for slugs indeed
Reading the rest of the thread I definitely think getting the supermag receiver is worth it for you, in terms of shell size, you can run anything, you'd like as long as your barrel supports it
I have ran shorty shells (1 3/4") in my 870 Wingmaster in the past with no issues.

As painkillers said it does take some getting used to the "stroke" of the pump action itself is longer due to the larger sizing of the chamber, just a bit more aggressive with the pump till you hit it against the rear and then same thing forward to make sure the shells travel through the receiver well, after say 30-40 rounds its muscle memory. My buddy has a supermag receiver that only shoots 2 3/4" and 3" shells without any issues for the past 3 years now. He got the supermag as it was the cheapest to buy used at the time, he also has no plans of every running 3.5" shells through it
 
Reading the rest of the thread I definitely think getting the supermag receiver is worth it for you, in terms of shell size, you can run anything, you'd like as long as your barrel supports it
I have ran shorty shells (1 3/4") in my 870 Wingmaster in the past with no issues.

As painkillers said it does take some getting used to the "stroke" of the pump action itself is longer due to the larger sizing of the chamber, just a bit more aggressive with the pump till you hit it against the rear and then same thing forward to make sure the shells travel through the receiver well, after say 30-40 rounds its muscle memory. My buddy has a supermag receiver that only shoots 2 3/4" and 3" shells without any issues for the past 3 years now. He got the supermag as it was the cheapest to buy used at the time, he also has no plans of every running 3.5" shells through it
Very true , I do like the ability my main hunting shotgun is also 3.5” but an A400 mostly waterfowl designated hence wanting one for turkey / deer or bear backup etc . So shouldn’t need to rack it 3 times for any of them… you’d hope lol just need a better forend too I can get a better grip on it .
It is handy to have 3.5” chamber just incase , I’ve found some 3.5” recently steel loads for price of trap loads … no one wanted to buy ; so less than any other duck load and it’s got the most shot in it ! Perfect for cormorants ! (I’m in Ontario)
 
All 870 12 ga barrels are interchangeable with the exception of the Special Field barrels.

The difference is in the receiver, as to what shells you can shoot. 2.75" receiver has no marking, 3" receiver is marked MAGNUM, and 3.5" receiver is marked SUPER MAGNUM. These markings are on the left side of the receiver, or right side if it's a LH gun.

There are 2 different size 20 ga 870 barrels, as well as the Special Field barrel, so I guess 3 different ones.
 
ALL 870 barrels are cross compatible, with all 870 receivers
If you have a supermag receiver, you can chamber 3.5" shells in your receiver, the only difference really is the length and size of the ejection port compared to regular 870s

Your current barrel stamping implies that you have a 3.5" chamber barrel, but the 3.5" shells can only be used if that barrel is installed on a supermag receiver. My 870 sportsman field came with the exact same stamping on the barrel, but I cannot use my barrel for 3.5" shells, as my receiver can only run 3".
My 870 police that I owned, did not have that stamping, as it was only a 3" chambers in the barrel, and even with a supermag receiver, this barrel would have been limited to 3" shells due the the specific barrels chamber size.

Most new 870 barrels will be chambered or 3.5" shells, these are installed on all receivers with an identical stamping to yours, but can only run 3.5" shells on a supermag receiver (not the express receivers)

TLDR: You have the largest 870 receiver and barrel chamber combo available, so your restrictions are only based on the new barrel you purchase
Buying any length barrel with the exact stamping as yours will allow you to run 3.5" shells out of your shotgun.
Buying any barrel without the 3.5" stamping on your barrel will only allow you to run 3" shells out of your shotgun.
Not ALL......
 
Not ALL......
Why don't I one up you then, Special field 870 barrels will still fit ALL receivers of an 870, as the actual barrel is the same, the only thing that changes is the location of the barrel lug since the special fields were 3 round tubes and not 4 like the modern ones, a special field barrel will still fit a 4 round standard tube 870, but would require a spacer ring to lock in the barrel to make up for the added length, these spacer rings exist, or can be machined by any store or individual with a desktop lathe or drill press.
That being said they were only produced between 89-91' and Remington no longer makes those barrels, so finding one after 3 decades is extremely questionable, let alone finding someone trying to split the barrel and receiver in sale to sell separately for some reason.
People that have a Special field understand they have a different shotgun, listings will reflect that if any even pop up.

This is the same case as the 870 Express Tactical that uses a 6 round tube, for which again, adapter exist for you to run it on a traditional 870 r vice versa, however, these barrels are not produced separately as regular sale items, and never will be available up and around in the market readily, if they do, they will be clearly marked and listed as such. Remington does stock them themselves for warranty or custom orders however.

There are lots of variations, but in terms of buying a replacement barrel, 99% of the used, and 100% of the new barrels considered OP is limited to a 4 lug barrel, that will fit ALL 870s, answers given here were based OP's requirements, and information OP provided.

If you want to be that nitpicky, OP would need a spread sheet to compare every single 870 in existence lol.
 
Lots of stupid in this thread and others. Spacers are available from Remington and again not all factory built 3” capable guns are marked magnum. 3 different barrels lol
So your saying there is a factory 870 that is made for 3" shells but not marked "Magnum" on the receiver??

And there are 3 different style factory 870 20 ga barrels if you include the Special Field.
 
So your saying there is a factory 870 that is made for 3" shells but not marked "Magnum" on the receiver??

And there are 3 different style factory 870 20 ga barrels if you include the Special Field.
when was the last time you bought a 870 from the store?

All relatively modern 870s can run a 3" shell in the chamber if the barrel supports it. This was about the same time they stopped marking them 2 3/4" or 3" on the receivers. (early 2000s) As they were using the same physical receivers with different ejectors. They then started using the same ejectors/internals and stopped marking the receivers (that have always been the same size). Only difference was the older shotguns with the markings had a barrel with the largest chambering to the size of what was stamped on the receiver (magnum were 3", 2 3/4 or express were 2 3/4", super magnums were 3.5")
The newer barrels then produced came with a 3.5" chambers to streamline barrel production, this allowed them to run anything, as long as it was on the correct receiver. (3" unmarked, or 3.5" magnum)
Only the 3.5" chambers are marked magnum as those are the only receivers that are actually physically longer.

No offense but nobody really cares much about the special field, it was a niche gun made for a short time, and still doesn't change the fact that the receiver interface to the barrel was the exact same. So like I said before with the right lock nut or spacer, the barrels are still interchangeable.
Remington makes 10,12,14,16,18,18.5, 22, 24, 26, 28, 32 and 34 inch barrels, in all sorts of assortments such as ribbed, mid bead, no bead, fiber optic, ported, threaded or non threaded. By your opinion all of these should be included. Size of the barrel is not a differentiation factor in our case, the interface with the receiver is.

You're confusing marketing differences to physical differences in the receivers. later of which is what we care about.
 
when was the last time you bought a 870 from the store?

All relatively modern 870s can run a 3" shell in the chamber if the barrel supports it. This was about the same time they stopped marking them 2 3/4" or 3" on the receivers. (early 2000s) As they were using the same physical receivers with different ejectors. They then started using the same ejectors/internals and stopped marking the receivers (that have always been the same size). Only difference was the older shotguns with the markings had a barrel with the largest chambering to the size of what was stamped on the receiver (magnum were 3", 2 3/4 or express were 2 3/4", super magnums were 3.5")
The newer barrels then produced came with a 3.5" chambers to streamline barrel production, this allowed them to run anything, as long as it was on the correct receiver. (3" unmarked, or 3.5" magnum)
Only the 3.5" chambers are marked magnum as those are the only receivers that are actually physically longer.

No offense but nobody really cares much about the special field, it was a niche gun made for a short time, and still doesn't change the fact that the receiver interface to the barrel was the exact same. So like I said before with the right lock nut or spacer, the I'barrels are still interchangeable.
Remington makes 10,12,14,16,18,18.5, 22, 24, 26, 28, 32 and 34 inch barrels, in all sorts of assortments such as ribbed, mid bead, no bead, fiber optic, ported, threaded or non threaded. By your opinion all of these should be included. Size of the barrel is not a differentiation factor in our case, the interface with the receiver is.

You're confusing marketing differences to physical differences in the receivers. later of which is what we care about.
I'm not really sure exactly what your asking/saying.

As far as when I last bought an 870 from a store, I would have to say about 6 months ago. It is one of 8-10 I have now. I'm happy to post a picture of them if you need it. I have not bought a "new" 870 recently as I don't think the quality is there compared to older ones, so I cannot attest to what is marked on the receiver.

I agree, all 12 ga 870 barrels fit on all 12 ga receivers. (with exception of the SF without a bit of modification), as you mentioned. I don't think I said any different.

As for 870 20 ga as I mentioned, there are barrels that ARE NOT interchageable at all with all receivers.

They have never marked 2.75" or 3" on the receiver. Older (pre early 2000 guns?) had no marking on the receiver for 2.75", were marked "Magnum" for 3" and "Super magnum" for 3.5". Acceptable shell length in inches was marked on the barrel. And yes, i realize all those barrels are interchangeable with all receivers.
 
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