Help Me Choose...14" or 18"

[Lef T]

My next gun purchase is going to be a shotgun.
It will be a range only gun for those odd days where I
feel like punching some paper with a shotgun.
I'll be loading my own slugs,so can shoot lighter loads.
I've always loved the look of the 14" Rem 870P.
My only question is recoil and possibly muzzle flash.
Would the extra 4 inches of an 18" make shooting more enjoyable
or would the differences be negligable.
In cool factor I'm leaning toward the 14" Rem 870P

 

[badboybeeson]

id go with the 14
you can allways pick up an 18" barrle for cheap
bbb

 

[Lef T]

id go with the 14
you can allways pick up an 18" barrle for cheap
bbb

Now that's a great idea.
I never thought of that.
Is it a simple procedure to swap barrels?

 

[sillymike]

If you are going to go short, why not go all the way down to 8.5"

(Taken from the Dlask add in the dealer section...)

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=97488

Sometime having something short is good

 

[Yuri Orlov]

I agree...get both!

Is it a simple procedure to swap barrels?

It's takes a whole 2 seconds.

 

[JohnC]

between the two the 14 is slightly easier to handle in my view. The only hassle (if it applies) is that you can't bring a 14 into the US ( one of the few cases where our laws are better than theirs) ,but like everybody says, get both.

The 8.5 inch barreles receivers ( I have one each of the ones pictured above - the bottom one is mine) will not accept normal Remington barrels because the mag tube has to be cut back to allow the shorter barrel to be mounted. (12.5 inch barrels seem to be the limit for standard length Remington mag tubes). Someone had proposed on this board a thread-on mag tube extension which would allow conventional remington barrels to be put on the super shorties, but I'm not aware that these have been produced yet.

Either way, you'll love either barrel length for the uses you describe . recoil difference is minimal at least to me. I also once saw a buddy of mine break 8 targets straight at skeet with a 14 inch Valtro, so you can do more than you think with them - but be prepared for "looks" from more conventional skeet shooters, tho.

 

[gorky]

I much prefer the 14" barrel due to the easier handling of the firearm. This handling really comes in handy when out in the bush or, hypothetically, if using the gun for home defense (easier to turn in a hallway without dismounting the shotgun if the barrel is short enough).

 

[Nine]

I love my fabarm 14". I've hunted with it very successfully, love taking it to the range. It's lighter and better handling, and will do everything a 18"er will do.

Get a 14. (or less! )

 

[Tango4N]

I am also looking at getting a 14 incher. I have a Remy 870 with an 18' Deerslayer barrel on it, but want a shorty for taking hiking and so on. Also want a short barrel to pack along on motorcycle trips. I have a dual sport and end up camping in places where a shotgun would be handy if worst came to worst with large critters.

I am thinking of getting the Nork 14 incher. If I end up crashing the motorcycle and destroying the cheap Nork it is not a big deal.

My question is whether or not I can put a telescoping stock on it and still stay leagal. I saw a pistol-gripped telescoping stock for the Remy at Shooters Edge and it got me thinking about that set up. I need to stay 26 inched OAL with the stock retracted right?? Has anyone done this??

 

[icedragonmx]

Get a 12.5" version! As short as you can go and still change barrels ect and still remain non restricted. Dont worry about recoil as the 1oz slugs are great, while the 1 1/4 oz start to hurt after a while 4+1 fun!

 

[sillymike]

icedragonmx,

Care to tell us a little bit more about those sights? Are these the LPA?
They sure look good!

 

[Calum]

Another vote for a 14" barrel.

 

[Leg]

12.5" or a 14" with 1 rd mag extension. I've got a 14" HP9 and a 14" 870 (got an 18" barrel too), they just look bad ass compared to longer barrels.

 

[pitdogboy]

yet another 14 inch vote...I have a 20inch too

 

[icedragonmx]

icedragonmx,

Care to tell us a little bit more about those sights? Are these the LPA?
They sure look good!

Yes they are LPA sights and worth the effort to have a pair! I think they are great for this package and dont have a bad thing to say about them other than cost(what else is newLol ) Had a different pic from way back...
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1123778#post1123778 A single point sling is a great thing for the short stuff but if your going hiking lots a two point sling would be ideal. A short 14" or 12.5" barrel is the way to go!