12.5" or 14"

T

tko747

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I currently have an 870 with a 14" Norinco barrel. The barrel does not shoot straight (it looks like it is warped) which would not be a big issue to me if slugs were not what I primarily will be shooting.

I am going to upgrade to a Dlask barrel but I am trying to decide between staying with a 14" barrel or going to a 12.5". What are the pros and cons of each? I would like something that will be somewhat accurate with slugs up to 100 yards. Thanks for your input.
 
Dlask Barrels are truly massive. no way they would warp.

Of the two, their 12.5" looks neater on an 870 and may balance a hair better. One member here used his to take a deer IIRC and seemed extremely happy with it. Theoretically a shorter barrel is stiffer and thus gives better groups - not sure what this means in practice in the bush though. You get lower FPS but if experience is a guide you only lose 30-40 fps between the 14 and the 12.5.

what sighting systems will you be using?. This addresses the operator side of the accuracy equation and to my mind is probably more important the barrel length.

I have a 12.5" and am thinking of sending it back to be threaded for chokes. Be a neat turkey gun...
 
JohnC said:
Dlask Barrels are truly massive. no way they would warp.

Of the two, their 12.5" looks neater on an 870 and may balance a hair better. One member here used his to take a deer IIRC and seemed extremely happy with it. Theoretically a shorter barrel is stiffer and thus gives better groups - not sure what this means in practice in the bush though. You get lower FPS but if experience is a guide you only lose 30-40 fps between the 14 and the 12.5.

what sighting systems will you be using?. This addresses the operator side of the accuracy equation and to my mind is probably more important the barrel length.

I have a 12.5" and am thinking of sending it back to be threaded for chokes. Be a neat turkey gun...
Click to expand...

I have a set of Scattergun Technologies ghost rings.
 
tko747 said:
I am going to upgrade to a Dlask barrel but I am trying to decide between staying with a 14" barrel or going to a 12.5". What are the pros and cons of each? I would like something that will be somewhat accurate with slugs up to 100 yards. Thanks for your input.
Click to expand...

PEI012copy.jpg

I say the 12.5, it is a little neater looking, and frankly will do its job pushing slugs to 100 yds, though the sites don't help at that range.
The pic is mine next to a DA Grizzly, and that short blade works well out to about 50-75 yds, but at 100yds you would want something else. The pros of the 12 is its shorter, and I think looks better, the pros of the 14 are its longer, and you can add a mag extension if you want. 4 rounds is all I can squeeze out of the 12.5.
 
Your Norinco barrel is probably not warped.....more likely you are experiencing an index issue between the 870 and the Norinco barrel.
Lot's of people say they have no problems swaping barrels between Norinco's and Remington's but all the ones I've tried had index issues....

I'd go with the 12.5 dlask unless you want a plus 1 extension.


Edit.

I guess another plus for the 14" would be that you could use a Knoxx breacher's grip or a Sage telescopic stock and still be over 26" long and non restricted...
 
Last edited:
Can-down said:
Your Norinco barrel is probably not warped.....more likely you are experiencing an index issue between the 870 and the Norinco barrel.
Lot's of people say they have no problems swaping barrels between Norinco's and Remington's but all the ones I've tried had index issues....

I'd go with the 12.5 dlask unless you want a plus 1 extension.


Edit.

I guess another plus for the 14" would be that you could use a Knoxx breacher's grip or a Sage telescopic stock and still be over 26" long and non restricted...
Click to expand...

Is the index issue fixable or should I just replace the barrel(what is more cost effective)? What I was thinking of doing was to buy a 12.5" and get the 14" fixed if possible.

It is basically shooting about 2 inches right at 16 yards(I was shooting indoors). When I adjust the rear sight it doesn't seem to make a difference. I will try to get it out to the outdoor range this weekend to try it at 50 yards and see how far off it is but I have a feeling 2 inches at 16 yards will be too far out at 50 yards.
 
Anything is fixable but first you should determine if you have an index issue...I tryed searching for my post from last year or so and I can't find it with the "new search system" but with my norinco barrel on my 870 you could see that the barrel lug was not perpendicular with the receiver and the bead was canted off to one side....
It sounds like you have added sights to your barrel and it is strange that you could not adjust the rear sight to compensate! Is it possible you are flinching?
Maybe have a few other people try shooting your gun....
Is the barrel on nice and tight?
 
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