Hunting for a Unicorn barrel

BullOnParade

BullOnParade

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Eastern Ontario
I'm looking for a barrel for an 870 build, and I have a list of features I'd like, don't know if it's findable, or something I'd have to ask someone like dlask to custom build, which would obviously be very cost prohibitive ...

What I want:
12 inch length, to come flush without extensions.
3" chamber.
Removable chokes.
Here's the kicker, I would love to have a vent rib.

So, are these features available from any manufacturer already, or is this something I'd have to have custom made?
 
Can’t say I’ve seen a 12.5” vent rib barrel made for 870’s, you could likely buy a 12.5” grizzly barrel and have it threaded for chokes and silver solder a rib on. I’d bet it might even be cheaper than having Dlask custom make one. I’ve had my 12.5” barrel threaded for chokes and then I cut down the high front sight post that comes with the ghost ring grizzly into a mid height ramp with a brass bead, it’s a great barrel now with the addition of the chokes.
 
Butcherbill said:
Can’t say I’ve seen a 12.5” vent rib barrel made for 870’s, you could likely buy a 12.5” grizzly barrel and have it threaded for chokes and silver solder a rib on. I’d bet it might even be cheaper than having Dlask custom make one. I’ve had my 12.5” barrel threaded for chokes and then I cut down the high front sight post that comes with the ghost ring grizzly into a mid height ramp with a brass bead, it’s a great barrel now with the addition of the chokes.
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I have a grizzly barrel kicking around somewhere, but s&j wouldn't thread it. I should try other smiths. Hadn't thought of having the vent rib added to it.
 
BullOnParade said:
I have a grizzly barrel kicking around somewhere, but s&j wouldn't thread it. I should try other smiths. Hadn't thought of having the vent rib added to it.
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Yeah I had the same issue, I finally found a gunsmith that had threaded grizzly barrels before and gave me id and od measurements to check for on my barrels muzzle. All was good and he was able to thread it for truchokes, he had a thin wall choke option as well in case the truchokes wouldn’t work. I used RustyWood Trading in Mission BC, a fellow nutter pointed me in his direction from having the same work done. Turnaround time was really fast and he had a full set of chokes available, Cyl bore you full chokes.
 
i had a dlask 12.5 barrel that was threaded for chokes and it would make a good pattern but only with an extra full turkey choke and number five shot. anything else i tried it was mediocre .not saying i tried all combinations as i am sure there would be another load that it would like .
 
farmer47 said:
i had a dlask 12.5 barrel that was threaded for chokes and it would make a good pattern but only with an extra full turkey choke and number five shot. anything else i tried it was mediocre .not saying i tried all combinations as i am sure there would be another load that it would like .
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after some thought i would like to add that this barrel shot slugs very well.
 
I had mine custom made from a 3 1/2 chamber 28 inch vent rib. Had it cut down perfectly for a 2 shot extension. I stuck with rem choke. Works great!

North
 
North of 7 said:
I had mine custom made from a 3 1/2 chamber 28 inch vent rib. Had it cut down perfectly for a 2 shot extension. I stuck with rem choke. Works great!

North
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That would be ideal of course but unfortunately the OP wants a barrel shorter than can be legally cut. I have to wonder if a Remington vent rib would match a grizzly or Dlask barrel. The spare 870 VR bbl will be cheap and easy to find, Dlask even had some on their webstore leftover from shorty conversions.
 
The problem as stated is the vent rib. There is plenty of 12” Dlask out there. Have you checked with SJ Hardware?

Also keep in mind if you want it threaded for choke tube stay away from chrome lined barrel.

GST
 
I have a Grizzly with a 12 inch that came threaded from the factory - I believe it's threaded for Invector chokes. It has the ghost ring sights on it. It shouldn't be too tough to remove the sight and install a rib taken off an old 870 barrel. I believe Dlask wouldn't have any problem doing a rib install on one of their barrels either though - they've done much tougher things. I'm thinking of having a vent rib barrel from one of my old Wingmasters cut to 18, I like that look too.
 
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I haven't called around to anyone yet. I don't know if it's an option, to buy a remington 14" barrel, and have that cut and threaded. It's only illegal to cut a barrel shorter than 18" if it starts life longer than 18", right?
 
You can’t cut anything shorter than 18”, it has to be manufactured. Or if you have a 12” already, modified to your wises regarding sights and chokes. This is for pumps and other manual actions. Not applicable to semi autos.

Yes, I think this is one retarded rule.
 
BullOnParade said:
I haven't called around to anyone yet. I don't know if it's an option, to buy a remington 14" barrel, and have that cut and threaded. It's only illegal to cut a barrel shorter than 18" if it starts life longer than 18", right?
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Unfortunately you can't cut a sub-457mm barrel shorter either. Luckily though 12.5" bbl's are available which fit the bill length wise. They just aren't available with a factory vent rib.
 
As was stated above and many times before, you can't cut an 18" to a 14" or a 12" to a 10". I'd try and live without the rib or find a gunsmith who will be willing to silver solder one on for you. You'll need a full re finish as well after that. I think finding unicorn tears will be easier than finding the barrel you seek though.
 
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