barrel compatibility 870/878 automaster

SGPreeps

SGPreeps

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So, I ordered a barrel off the EE a few weeks back, got it, cleaned it up, threw it on the gun, and was happy as the proverbial pig in the proverbial solid waste. I was throwing a bit of oil on the gun the other day and noticed two small holes punched in the barrel ring, penetrating straight through to the bore. Initial reaction was a great big WTF. I hit google, and what to my wondering eyes should appear but the 878 automaster, a semi that remington produced for only five years before replacing it with the 1100. Collectors item. woo.

Anyways, what I want to know is if using this barrel with my 870 will cause damage to either my gun or my beautiful, beautiful face. Also, seeing as the 878 is a fairly rare gun, might I be better off selling to an 878 enthusiast (If there is such a thing) and grabbing an actual 870 barrel? As I understand, these are in pretty short supply. Might be worth a bit to an interested party.

Little help?
 
Tap the holes to accept a 6/48 filler screw and u will be fine if u shoot it with the holes unplugged it will vent gas through the holes not a good idea there will be no where for the gas to escape pressures will build and u will have problems. I have plugged many over the yrs and there are no problems as for rarity they are actually common.
 
Would that be a difficult DIY project? I bought it as a cheapo barrel, don't relish the idea of paying a smith to make it serviceable.
 
Fired the patent number on the barrel into Google, you are correct. So, that's a big nope to my super rare solid gold shotgun part ambitions.
 
I agree with Gunhugger in that it was originally probably for the Sportsman 58. It's a semi released in 1956 that used an 870 barrel with two gas nostrils drilled in the barrel band to operate the gas system located in the front half of the mag tube. I have both an 870 and a 58. I bought a wingmaster barrel which takes chokes, had a tool and die maker buddy of mine drill the nostrils (using my 58 barrel as a pattern) and now use that barrel on both my 58 and 870. After a few shots on the 870, the nostrils plug up with powder and wad residue and are blocked. You get some powder residue on the 870 mag tube, but it cleans up ok. When I want to use it on the 58 again, I clean out the nostrils with a pick and get on with life. That barrel won't hurt your 870 one bit. The only 58 barrels worth much are skeet barrels or any barrel with a rib. The rest are $100 barrels.
 
Labatt50 said:
I agree with Gunhugger in that it was originally probably for the Sportsman 58. It's a semi released in 1956 that used an 870 barrel with two gas nostrils drilled in the barrel band to operate the gas system located in the front half of the mag tube. I have both an 870 and a 58. I bought a wingmaster barrel which takes chokes, had a tool and die maker buddy of mine drill the nostrils (using my 58 barrel as a pattern) and now use that barrel on both my 58 and 870. After a few shots on the 870, the nostrils plug up with powder and wad residue and are blocked. You get some powder residue on the 870 mag tube, but it cleans up ok. When I want to use it on the 58 again, I clean out the nostrils with a pick and get on with life. That barrel won't hurt your 870 one bit. The only 58 barrels worth much are skeet barrels or any barrel with a rib. The rest are $100 barrels.
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Thanks! "will not explode in face" was the response I was hoping for! After getting this comment I headed straight for the range and put everything I could find down the tube. I am still alive, and the gun is fine. So, I figure I''m in the clear. Selling was a secondary thought in case the thing was dangerous to use, since it works, I'm keepin' it! :)
 
struff55 said:
Tap the holes to accept a 6/48 filler screw and u will be fine if u shoot it with the holes unplugged it will vent gas through the holes not a good idea there will be no where for the gas to escape pressures will build and u will have problems. I have plugged many over the yrs and there are no problems as for rarity they are actually common.
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Agree 100%. I for one am not comfortable with the allowing crud to fill the holes as an acceptable solution
Cheers
 
3macs1 said:
Agree 100%. I for one am not comfortable with the allowing crud to fill the holes as an acceptable solution
Cheers
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I did some google searches, and it's hard to find any info about these going kaboom, although the two cases I did find involved cracking of the barrel guide ring (far from a catastrophic face-shrapnel producing incident). I have neither the tools or the know-how to do this fix myself, and I sure as hell don't want to pay an armourer hourly rate to do so, doubling the amount I've already paid for this barrel. Selling it honestly will probably result in me taking a loss. I consider myself fore-armed with the knowledge that I should be periodically inspecting my guide ring, and beyond that, I consider continued use as being a calculated risk that I'm willing to take. If ever I befriend an armourer who's willing to work for a few beers, I will certaintly get those gaps filled, but for the moment I'm not going to lose any sleep. If it does eventually blow up in my face, I will be certain to let you all know so you can benefit from the knowledge gained via my own hubris.

Thanks to everybody for the info!
 
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