Barrel length poll. 12.5, 14 or 18.5

What barrel length do you like

  • Total voters
    107
  • Poll closed .
I plan to purchase a ChiCom 870 clone with the 14" barrel, that way I can use a AR style telescoping butt stock to adjust for clothing layers and still be legal if its totally collapsed
 
Jet A-1 said:
I agree. 18.5 just seems more practical in terms of actually using the thing as opposed to just admiring it.
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I disagree a little with that. I have 3 shotguns, 870w/26", 870/w12.5" and a mossy/w 20"er and I use the 12.5"er the most. Small and handy it comes with me camping, fishing and when ever I'm out cutting wood.

For hunting I use the other two, but for everything else-12.5"er
 
I like short barrels, but I want the barrel long enough that its not possible to reach the muzzle with my support hand when the gun is shouldered. Thus I consider the 14" barrel to be as short as practical, but perhaps not long enough for everyone. If the gun was to be used in a high stress situation, particularly if you were cold and wet, should your hand slip forward of the muzzle as you fired, it would prove to be a life changing event and could cost you your life.
 
Claybuster said:
X2. I voted 18.5 but only because 20 wasn't an option. :)
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Same here, I use the 870 Deer with 20inch, great barrel, but I kind of like the look of a Rifle sighted 18.5" barreled Shottie. Very practical for velocity and sight radius on slugs and big Buckshot.

Now conversation piece/ cool factor ,will..... 14",12.5".....Blueline 7" 870.....skies the limit, or should I say magtube guide!
 
freddyfour said:
I disagree a little with that. I have 3 shotguns, 870w/26", 870/w12.5" and a mossy/w 20"er and I use the 12.5"er the most. Small and handy it comes with me camping, fishing and when ever I'm out cutting wood.

For hunting I use the other two, but for everything else-12.5"er
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Again sounds like its a tote around because of compactness, and not whats the shortest practical lenght to do all when its time to fire it and expect results. 7-15 yds ia a good tactical distance but unless your military or LE you are going to bust paper targets with the shorttie, or hunt predators/big game and they are real targets remember, with the 18.5/20 and up.

I do see the benefit of your shortie with pistol grip for backpacking on hiking or fishing trips where a bear may ruin your day. An old Winchester defender{aluminum receiver,very light} with a 12.5 inch barrel and pistol grip may be a good ticket there.
 
" I like short barrels, but I want the barrel long enough that its not possible to reach the muzzle with my support hand when the gun is shouldered. Thus I consider the 14" barrel to be as short as practical, but perhaps not long enough for everyone. If the gun was to be used in a high stress situation, particularly if you were cold and wet, should your hand slip forward of the muzzle as you fired, it would prove to be a life changing event and could cost you your life. "

Yup. I've seen a guy shooting a 8.5 Grizzy at our range.

Every time he quickly pumps and fires, I grimace at the thought of his left hand slipping off the forend. I suggested that he should get one of those forend straps to prevent his hand from slipping off and going directly in front of the muzzle.

Either install a forend strap, or he should put on a vertical grip. Right now that thing is an amputation waiting to happen.
 
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