Min
Member
I have an 870 with a barrel marked 2-3/4". Can I buy a barrel rated for 2-3/4" and 3" and put it on this receiver, or do I have to get a another shotgun for 3"?
Rem 870 Question - converting 2-3/4" to 3"
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Badger Arms
Member
You can have a gunsmith ream the chamber for 3" and swap out the Ejector, which is the only difference between the two so I've been told. Ejector is held on with rivets through the left side of the receiver.
Like Badger said - you have to change the ejector. The rivots that hold it in are blended to the reciever prior to blueing at the factory so touch up is required when replaced. They also use a special tool for installing the rivots as they are stepped in the front to hold the spring.
Reaming your present barrel to a 3 inch chamber can be done as mentioned, or a factory 3 inch cambered barrel will also fit on with no problem.
Reaming your present barrel to a 3 inch chamber can be done as mentioned, or a factory 3 inch cambered barrel will also fit on with no problem.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
It can be done, but it's expensive and a hassle. IMO, better off to leave a good 2 3/4" gun alone, and get a Magnum receiver and barrel if the bigger loads are required.
Badger Arms
Member
True, Dave, but if he intends to hunt waterfowl or Turkey, the extra shot load you get with the 3" might just be worth it. For most work including Home Defense, informal shooting, and most hunting you'll not notice the fact that you can only chanber the shorter shells.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
OK, Badger Arms, I'll do the full explanation this time...
Min, you can get a barrel chambered for 3" shells and install it on your receiver for use with 2 3/4" shells only. To use 3" shells takes the mods mentioned.
BA hinted at this. Waterfowl and Turkey require big loads. I shot a mess of geese and some ducks with dinky ol' 2 3/4" loads back in the days of lead shot, but A, lead's a nono these days and B, we hunted with experts and rarely had to shoot more than 35 yards.
In the present era, non-toxic loads oft lack the moxie of yesteryear. And, shot opps run a little longer,even for those of us who can really set decoys and call birds.
The 3" maggie numb compensates a bit, and the 3 1/2" shell teeters on wretched excess, IMO. Some people like it that are not sky busters nor Magnumistas.
Still, the short cases do the job most of the time.
I do a fair amount of shotgunning. Out of 7 shotguns here, only Frankenstein gets Mags on a semi regular basis. Naturally, it's what I use for Waterfowl and Turkey.
The cost of a new 3" capable barrel and changing out the ejector on your present 870 would make a nice downpayment on another 870.
Need an excuse for another shotgun?....
However, if that's not in the cards, yes, it can be done...
Min, you can get a barrel chambered for 3" shells and install it on your receiver for use with 2 3/4" shells only. To use 3" shells takes the mods mentioned.
BA hinted at this. Waterfowl and Turkey require big loads. I shot a mess of geese and some ducks with dinky ol' 2 3/4" loads back in the days of lead shot, but A, lead's a nono these days and B, we hunted with experts and rarely had to shoot more than 35 yards.
In the present era, non-toxic loads oft lack the moxie of yesteryear. And, shot opps run a little longer,even for those of us who can really set decoys and call birds.
The 3" maggie numb compensates a bit, and the 3 1/2" shell teeters on wretched excess, IMO. Some people like it that are not sky busters nor Magnumistas.
Still, the short cases do the job most of the time.
I do a fair amount of shotgunning. Out of 7 shotguns here, only Frankenstein gets Mags on a semi regular basis. Naturally, it's what I use for Waterfowl and Turkey.
The cost of a new 3" capable barrel and changing out the ejector on your present 870 would make a nice downpayment on another 870.
Need an excuse for another shotgun?....
However, if that's not in the cards, yes, it can be done...
Lawyerman
Member
How much are you guys figuring an ejector install costs?
I recently snapped off an ejector and had it replaced and it wasn't that much. I was doing some dry practice and when I cycled the slide. I heard a funny noise, depressed the muzzle and the ejector went tinkling down the barrel and fell out on the carpet! I bought the gun used and it dated to the 5o's so I think I got my use out of it. The cost of repair was only $25, smith cold blued the rivets which were covered by the side saddle anyway. I thought that was pretty cheap, and he had it done in 2 days.
There are a bunch of cheap, short, 3" barrels out there right now. With just an ejector change you're in business.
I recently snapped off an ejector and had it replaced and it wasn't that much. I was doing some dry practice and when I cycled the slide. I heard a funny noise, depressed the muzzle and the ejector went tinkling down the barrel and fell out on the carpet! I bought the gun used and it dated to the 5o's so I think I got my use out of it. The cost of repair was only $25, smith cold blued the rivets which were covered by the side saddle anyway. I thought that was pretty cheap, and he had it done in 2 days.
There are a bunch of cheap, short, 3" barrels out there right now. With just an ejector change you're in business.
The Cost of changing out ejectors should run about $45 - $55 depending on where one lives it could go a few dollars one way or another. The parts cost for the ejector, spring, and rivots is about $20 and the rest labor. That price includes blueing touch-up of the rivot heads .
To replace the spring is cheaper because there is only one rivot involved, no ejector to purchase, and less time involved.
Therefore it's not a big deal realy and the conversion of the reciever still allows the use of the old 2&3/4 inch chambered barrel as well as any 3" additional barrels one would want to purchase.
To replace the spring is cheaper because there is only one rivot involved, no ejector to purchase, and less time involved.
Therefore it's not a big deal realy and the conversion of the reciever still allows the use of the old 2&3/4 inch chambered barrel as well as any 3" additional barrels one would want to purchase.
Badger Arms
Member
You could also buy the reamer and maybe some stamps so you could stamp 3" on the barrel of the gun. The hard part is getting the rivets done on the ejector. Definitely the job of a gunsmith or somebody with riviting experience.
Lennyjoe
Member
How about a Mossberg 835 in black for $189.
CDNN has them for $189 and the camo one is $249
CDNN has them for $189 and the camo one is $249
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