Kbeaner

I am wanting to set up my father's 870 12ga for turkey hunting. I am not sure if it can shoot 3" shells or not. on the barrel it says "Use 2 3/4" and 3" shells in magnum receivers, use 2 3/4 in all others" Some people have told us that in order for it to be a magnum, it has to have the word "magnum" stamped on it. Others have said that if it has an "M" at the end of the serial number, that it is a magnum. My father's gun has the "M" at the end of the serial number andheswears that when he bought it 15-20 years ago that the dealer told him it would shoot 3" shells, and the he shot some 3" through it. Does anyone know the validity of the serial number idenitfying it has a magnum? I am really uneasy about shooting 3" shells unless I know it can shoot them. Thanks for any help in advance.

Bocajnala

my dad's 870 has "remington express magnum" stamped on the side. it also has an "M" at the end of the serial number. his is stamped and We've always shot 3'' shells through it. hope this helps.

hossdaniels

3" will be fine. NO 3 1/2"

Paul L Mohr

If his receiver will handle 3 inch shells it will shoot 3 inch magnums. Most of the time now "magnum" denotes the 3 1/2 inch magnum shells.

If this gun is remotely new, like the last couple of decades it should be able to handle 2 3/4 inch and 3 inch shells, both of which can be magnums depending on how they are loaded. They used to make 2 3/4 inch only receivers but I think it has been a while, most handle both.

The reason the barrels say this is because you can mount a 2 3/4 - 3 inch magnum barrel on a 3 1/2 inch mag receiver. The barrel is telling you it is not chambered for the 3 1/2 shell, even though the receiver may be. The 3 1/2 inch mag guns will shoot all three shell lengths.

Paul

ChazyKEJ

K

Per Remington:






How can I tell if my 870 shotgun has a magnum receiver?





Answer



If your 870 serial number ends with "M" you have a 12-gauge Magnum receiver that is capable of shooting 2 3/4-inch and 3-inch shells with the correct barrel



I have 2 remington 1100 magnums, they too have a serial # ending in M.

KEJ

Kbeaner

thanks KEJ, I looked on Remingtons site, but went x-eyed looking at all those Q & As, thanks guys.