3" chamber in older 870?

[RePete]

The barrel and receiver design combination determines what can be shot from your 870 gauge.

All barrels are clearly marked with the chamber information.

Receivers are marked with letters at the end of the serial number that determine ejection size as follows:

V -- 12 -- 2 3/4" Only
M -- 12 -- 2 3/4" or 3" Only
A -- 12 -- 2 3/4", 3" or 3 1/2"
W -- 16 -- 2 3/4" Only
K, X -- 20 -- 2 3/4" Only
U, N -- 20 -- 2 3/4" or 3" Only
J -- 28 -- 2 3/4" Only
H -- .410 -- 2 1/2" or 3"

Suffix letters in serial numbers represent nothing more than REM manufacturing date codes.

Regards,

Mac.

The ejection port, on the 2 3/4" models, are the same size as the 3" models - with the exception of the very first year or two.

That's why you can just change the ejector for a 3" ejector (along with the correct barrel) and shoot 3" shells.

 

[easy]

RePete, ... by ejection size, reference to the numbers above is given meaning the size of shell that can reliably be ejected, not the size of the ejection port.

 

[JohnC]

RePete, ... by ejection size, reference to the numbers above is given meaning the size of shell that can reliably be ejected, not the size of the ejection port.

t

This must refer to the type of ejector in the receiver - so if you change the ejector to the 3 " type - the only one now available- then Bob's your uncle for 3 inch shells

 

[RePete]

RePete, ... by ejection size, reference to the numbers above is given meaning the size of shell that can reliably be ejected, not the size of the ejection port.

I meant the ejection port.

The 2 3/4" ejector is further toward the front than the 3".

I do the conversions.

 

[easy]

... I do the conversions.

Yes, yes, so do I.

 

[Rugerman]

t

This must refer to the type of ejector in the receiver - so if you change the ejector to the 3 " type - the only one now available- then Bob's your uncle for 3 inch shells

But you have to change the barrel as well if it is an older model 870 to shoot steel right? I have a full choked barrel but I can't/shouldn't shoot steel through it, correct?

 

[RePete]

But you have to change the barrel as well if it is an older model 870 to shoot steel right? I have a full choked barrel but I can't/shouldn't shoot steel through it, correct?

Yes. you get a choke tubed barrel and purchase the tubes that you need.

No steel in a fixed full choke barrel.

 

[Hi-Standard]

But you have to change the barrel as well if it is an older model 870 to shoot steel right? I have a full choked barrel but I can't/shouldn't shoot steel through it, correct?

Rugerman you can also have an older fixed full choke barrel opened up by a smith to make them safe for steel. And with regards to your receiver, the 2 3/4" and 3" are the same with the exception of the ejector.

 

[Lowenbrau]

Forgive me if this is a dumb question. I'm shopping for my first Shotgun and want a wingmaster. If you swap out the ejector to the 3" version, will it still reliably eject 2 3/4" shells?

 

[Hi-Standard]

Forgive me if this is a dumb question. I'm shopping for my first Shotgun and want a wingmaster. If you swap out the ejector to the 3" version, will it still reliably eject 2 3/4" shells?

Yes

 

[RePete]

Forgive me if this is a dumb question. I'm shopping for my first Shotgun and want a wingmaster. If you swap out the ejector to the 3" version, will it still reliably eject 2 3/4" shells?

The only dumb question is the one not asked.

No problem with 2 3/4 ejection.