New to shotguns question

[toocool]

I just picked up an 870 Express combo and have a question. This has a 20" rifled barrel with rifle sights. It also has a 28" smoothbore. What is the effect of say, #4 buck through the rifled barrel? Is there a source for the same 20" barrel in smoothbore? The salesman wasn't too clear about what the rifling does to non-slug rounds, and I don't want to damage the barrel, or screw up a shot pattern because of the rifling.

Also, I got this for $375, which includes the two barrels, and aftermarket Hogue rubber stock and forend in addition to the factory wood. How did I do?

Thanks for any and all replies.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Hmmm. Given the prices I see floating around the net for new ones, it seems you didn't do too badly (if you got it new or like new).

As for shooting buckshot in a fully rifled barrel, you aren't likely to hurt the barrel (other than leading) but it will sure open up a pattern. In fact rifled barrels usually produce shot patterns referred to as 'doughnuts.' As with holes in the middle. Find yourself a smoothbore if you want to shoot buckshot or Foster type slugs, the rifled barrel usually will work best with sabot slugs.

Too bad the salesperson wasn't more helpful. The combo packages are available with either rifled or smoothbore 20" barrels. Maybe you could swap your rifled barrel for a smoothbore, if you want more versatility from the short tube??

Stay safe,

lpl

 

[toocool]

Thanks for the reply. It is a new gun. The salesman did offer to swap out a smooth barrel with a bead sight for the rifled barrel, but the finish on the gun is a sort of matte, and the other barrel is a glossy blue. Doesn't match at all, and I'd at least like things to match, especially on a new gun. Maybe I'll mosey over to the want ads and see if anyone might be interested in the rifled barrel.

 

[GigaBuist]

I paid $310 retail 2 years ago for an 870 Express with a single rifled 18" barrel. I -think- it's 18" at least. Too lazy to put it up to my forearm to find out right now.

You did good. A new barrel would cost me about 69-70 bucks I gather and the Hogue grips are icing on the cake. All that, NIB, out the door... good price.

 

[christophera]

You did real good on the price especially with the Hogue stock included. My friend paid $450 for his combo without the stock. He got his pants pulled down but he's happy with his setup.

Someone will know better than I but don't you need to stay away from steel shot in a rifled barrel? I heard that over time it would strip the rifling. Other than poor patterns, shot is otherwise fine through the rifled barrel and if your shots for HD are no longer than 5yds or so, you don't really have to worry about pattern either IMO.