Now that I have 3 sbr stamps on the way its on to other obsessions...

Is the 870 the shortest shotgun to sbs by just cutting the barrel (I don't want to mess with any mag tubes or any of that)?

I would probably sell the ribbed barrel and buy a smooth slug barrel and just have it cut, then maybe shorten the stock an inch or so depending on what the final product feels like.

Also.. I am not much of a shotgun connoisseur but I shoot at 3 gun practice sometimes (never any competition) and a full size shotgun isn't a ton of fun. How will this effect the spread when I am not using slugs if I don't get it drilled for a choke?

I love the old sbs thread but there isn't much info on how everyone got to their final product, just sbs porn really. I am just looking for a simple route for the shortest sbs with a stock tube.

Thanks for the help

Remington MCS

Eta Should have posted this in the Shotgun Forum.

There was a guy on here that did a beautiful 870 in brown cerakote with woof furniture and a light mounted.  12.5"  

IMO the perfect length.

12" is as short as you can go on an  standard 870:


AR500 Armor Level IIIA Hard Plate by Slvrwrx02, on Flickr


 

That is a damn sexy shooter

If you want short and not give up magazine capacity, check out the Tactical version of the KSG.
13.7" barrel and 21.4" overall length with 11 shots.
I have the Patrol version because I was afraid I'd be losing to much velocity on my slugs with the 2.4" shorter barrel of the tactical.

Is that yours? Just curious how you went about cutting the barrel? Did you get a smooth slug barrel?

This one looks like what you're talking about. No light but I assume its the same. Trying to get some confirmation on what length this is but I don't know where I saved the pic from. I looked in the sbs pics post and didn't see it so I'm not sure

Yup, 12" is as short as you can go with an 870 and zero modifications.  Love mine.  I have a 12" and 14" bbl. for it but prefer the 12".  Just put a Magpul stock on it but do not have a picture of it yet.  Here is what it looked like a while ago.

Ahh yes I remember seeing this a long time ago when I was looking. Did you just get a slug barrel for it? And how is the spread when shooting without a choke (non slugs obviously)?

And have you ever found a shorter stock while searching? Maybe a stupid idea but I was thinking a ~9" (or so) stock would make it a little shorter.

Tagging thread for interest....Looking at a SBS too.

Has anyone cut down a 18.5 590a1 barrel or variant? Without having to order the new front end.

No one seems to have stock cutting interest in here yet (hopefully someone will check in) and Google doesn't have a whole lot of info either.

But on a wood stock (and I assume any of material it may be possible) I found a video that makes it seem fairly easy.. Basically cutting it and installing an oversized Recoil Pad (or maybe there is a pad made for this project) and using a belt sander to fit to the new cut size.

The pad he uses has no screw holes and he has to cut them so I am guessing that pad is made specifically for people doing this project.. Which I learned from another video is called changing the length of pull apparently. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

Check it out.. I don't plan on buying those tools but I think I could get pretty close without them
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmUo7lvmU1E

Definitely want specs on this.

Found out what it is. Found it on another sight.

12.5" Dominion Arms Grizzly with TruGlo front sight and wearing laminated wood from an 870 Express

12.5" 870P



With Salvo 12

So are those factory 12.5" barrels or longer barrels that were chopped?

Here are a couple pics of an SBS that I did several years ago.

I sent it to Tornado Technologies to have the work done.

I had him cut the barrel at the end of the mag tube which puts it right at 12" I believe.

The rib was cut back just a bit further at the last point where it contacts the barrel.

Also had the barrel threaded for choke tubes and the sight installed.

I didn't really like the adjustable stock and have the original stock back on it now.

I do like the shotgun and have had no problems.

I don't know if Tornado Tech still does that type work and I have heard another name here several times but can't think of it off hand.

Do you remember roughly what that work ran you ($$)? I actually would like to keep the ribbing since I wont be getting rid of it ever I just didn't know if it would look odd and how to do it and like how they did yours, it looks clean and factory

That's a beauty. I have 4 cans on the way (hopefully mid-late December approval) and I wish the Salvo was one of them... I was waiting on a good deal in the deals thread but I haven't been in there for some time

The Salvo doesn't have a minimum barrel length restriction? I mean 12.5 is crazy short but it seems like 12ga would be a lot to deal with in only 12.5"

Salvo barrel restrictions are-
10" for 2 3/4"
16" for 3"

That's pretty good, I expected them to be over that for some reason. I never really looked into one after all the money I blew on my last order but "12" Configuration - 132.0dB" on a 12ga is DAMN good if you ask me

I'm sorry but I really don't remember what it cost. It was several years ago and I don't know if they even do that type work now.

I have never used them but I have seen a lot of recommendations for Rose Action Sports

Cutting the rib like I had done should be a very simple job for any gunsmith.

I meant a stock/normal 18.5 590a1 barrel. Not the actual shoulder stock I should have worded it better.

Ahh all that writing for nothing lol I was like wow finally someone interested in shortening the stock :)

If you're not asking for a 590a1 you already own and you're looking to buy one, GunBroker pretty much always has a 14" AOW 590a1 for sale for around $500 + $5 AOW stamp. Simpler than spending $300+ on the gun then getting it cut and paying another $200 for the form 1. I was going to go this route but I want the 12-12.5" barrel

Guncat cut mine, threaded it for chokes, and put the front bead back on for like 90 bucks including return shipping on my 12" 870.

 

Here's the business end.

Just did a search and it looks like Guncat is Rose Action Sports? How long ago did you get it done? Ill contact them Monday to see if they are still doing work

Correct. Guncat is Rose Action Sports.

 

Got it done earlier this year.

Fast turnaround also.


He does ask for a copy of your approved form1, but it wasn't a big deal for me.

I was just about to say I found them on Facebook. Even has a few 870 SBR examples. Good to know, ill save his website. Thanks

Guncat did mine too. Had him chop the barrel, thread it for RemChokes and added rifle sights. Don't remember the exact cost but it wasn't expensive.

+1 for Rose Action... excellent company and did a great job cutting my 870 down and re-crowning the barrel.  

Thanks for the replies. Looks like the 870 is a go.. Time to blow some more money

 

I always keep a eye out for the 870 Upland guns with the shorter mag tube. It's not much but I figured it would be cool to be different. The witsec guns also had a short tube if I remember right and are already AOWs so it's only a 5$ stamp

So how far from the muzzle does the rear of the Salvo sit once installed?

Just curious about clearing the mag tube on the 870 and other guns.

3/4"

You can cut a Model 11/Auto 5 down to 13"

Perfect, thanks.

I have a spare barrel for my Winchester model 50, thinking about cutting it to flush with the handguard for something a little different.

I actually have an auto5 but its olddddd and my grandpas so I don't plan on cutting it but would love an auto 5 sbr. Did you have to do any work to make it cycle right? Any shot that doesn't function right (00, etc)?

The recoil system seems to work the same regardless of barrel length. Doves loads cycle on the light setting and high brass and buck cycle on the heavy setting.

Old School

Oh ya I do remember reading something about that before. Good to know, but not good for the bank account hah

870 and 590a1 SBS's

So.. I'm about to buy my 870 this weekend and I have a stupid question but I have to ask (in case I buy online and cant ask in person)...

Is there a Rem 870 and an 870 Express? Or are they considered the same?

Here's the actual differencees between the Wingmaster, the Express, and the Police guns:

The Express is Remington's "budget" gun, made to compete with the cheaper to make Winchester and Mossberg guns.

The Wingmaster is Remington’s "Cadillac" top-of-the-line sporting gun.

The Police is a Wingmaster with a dull finish and is a much more carefully inspected and built gun.

The new "Tactical" and Marine Magnum guns are based on the Express.

How Remington lowered the Express price was to reduce hand labor to a bare minimum, and to eliminate much of the polishing and de-burring the better quality Wingmaster and Police guns get.

The Express is basically the same forged and milled steel receiver and heavy-duty internals gun the better 870's are, just in a rougher, less well finished form with plastic and MIM parts.
The Express is just as strong and durable as the top of the line guns, and will last for about the same 250,000 rounds OR MORE the "better" guns will last just in a less well finished form.

The Express Model has:
A plastic trigger group.
The dimples in the mag tube and the new style plastic magazine retention system, EXCEPT on the extended magazine versions, which do NOT have the dimples.
A rougher finish inside and outside, with machine marks and some burrs left.
A rougher, bead blasted blue job.
A less polished bore.
A two piece sleeved barrel. (not 100% sure about this)
Hardwood or synthetic stock, with a sporting-length fore end and pressed-in checkering.
The Defense version has 18", Cylinder bore barrel, with a bead sight.
The Marine Magnum and Tactical models have plated or polymer finishes.
Some Metal Injection Molded (MIM) parts, like the extractor.

The Wingmaster has:
An aluminum trigger group.
The old style magazine retention system.
A much smoother finish inside and out, no machine marks or burrs.
The Wingmaster gun receives a higher level of inspection and finishing.
A fine, commercial polished blue finish.
A polished bore.
A chrome plated bolt.
A one piece barrel.
Walnut stocks with the famous "Bowling Pin" finish in gloss or satin, and better checkering.
Wide choices in barrel lengths and choke options.
No use of MIM parts, the extractor is milled.
The Wingmaster is the full top-of-the-line commercial Remington pump gun, and is priced accordingly.

The 870 Police has:
An aluminum trigger group.
The old style magazine retention system.
A much smoother finish inside and out, no machine marks or burrs.
The Police gun receives a higher level of inspection and finishing and is built in a special area of the plant from 100% inspected parts.
A military-grade parkerized finish.
A polished bore.
A one piece barrel.
Walnut or synthetic stock, with a short police-length fore end.
The Remington “R3” super recoil pad that reduces felt recoil by 30%.
Choices in different stocks, including Speed-feed, and others.
18" to 20" improved cylinder barrel, with a wide choice in sights, including rifle, ghost ring, and luminous.
Police options like magazine extenders, forearms with built-in lights, and sling swivels.
Heavy-duty magazine spring.
Heavy-duty trigger-sear spring.
Heavy-duty shell lifter spring.
Sling swivel mounts.
No use of MIM parts, the extractor is milled.

The Express is a "bottom of the line" budget gun, the Wingmaster is a "top of the line" sporting gun, the Police is the top-of-the-line in defense guns.
The 870's are generally considered to be the finest quality pump gun made.