Why aren't ALL 12 gauge shotguns chambered in 3.5"?

hrm
when i first read about it i thought 'nice, the advantage of a 10 gauge without the disadvantages (insane ammo cost and low availability)'.

but on second thought, if you have to give up the versatility of a 12 gauge and some FPS from an already low-FPS shot shell then its not such a clear winner.
 
I think you are also assuming that I only have one gun. I own 5 shotguns and have a few more sitting around the safe from other people. I pick the gun I want for each applications, not use just one for everything.
 
Why 3 1/2" 12 gauge

This is the fourth thread I've read today, and the Fourth one I've posted on.You guy have a great site here. Back to subject, this is one grouchy old mans view. It all comes down to$$$$$$$. The 2 3/4" did the job for a long time.Then the new wonder weapon the 3" came out and you just HAD to have one. Sales went up, you had to have new components , presses, ect. The guys that shoot as often could get some birds. The manufacturers saw that the newer, faster, better deal worked and they bumped it again. I'm not saying there isn't a use for the new improvements, but a lot of guys are always up for the old younger women, older whiskey,and faster horses bit.
 
The 12 gauge wad expands just fine to fill the 10 gauge bore, you have to remember it's just plastic, and the pressures are enormous. Plus, the shot load is "flexible", when the wad expands (and its base stretches under the pressure) the shot load is "squared", or made shorter, resulting in a shorter shot column in flight and more hits on target. Overboring is very common on high end and competition 12 gauges too.
 
I just went through this and chose the 3" chambered version.
the 870 Super Magnum has a reputation for jamming and stovepiping more than the 3" Magnum. The gun is heavy enough as it is.
3" does everything. I doubt I'd ever fire a 3.5 even if I had bought the Super Magnum. I just don't see the need.

And since you asked, small coffee cups fall over in my cupholder made to fit a large cup.

Eddie Honda said:
If I had to choose between an 870 express and an 870 super magnum, I don't see any particular advantage in getting the non-supermag, besides maybe saving a couple of dollars. Why not get the one that does it all?
Click to expand...
 
I have an 870 Super Mag and I don't feel there is such a big weight difference when compared to the 3" version. Also, I have fired it with 3.5" and 3" shells, but mostly 2.75" ones, and it has NEVER jammed, ever.

Mine came with a 28" barrel, which is too long for grouse/hare hunting where I hunt, so I've mostly used a 20" IM smooth deer barrel on it. Of course, that also means I can't shoot the 3.5" shells when that barrel is mounted on, since it is for 3" shells max. So why did I buy it? Just for the heck of it! It was really cheap, it is utterly reliable and I really like it.

Now, to try to answer the original question... The best explanation I've ever read was by gun writer Ross Seyfried, and the main reasons he gave were: a) gun weight/handling properties and b) pattern quality. Something about firing the shorter shells in the longer chambers negatively affected patterns. So I'd say, if you're on a tight budget and want a shotgun to do it all (or at least try to), then you go with a 3.5" model. Otherwise, it is better to buy the one that's best adapted for the particular game/hunting conditions you're going to face (ie: no 30" barreled/3.5" chambered 12g for close range snipe hunting and no 6lb, 23" barreled/2.75" chambered shotgun for long range goose hunting)
 
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