My buddy has a Remington 870 Express Super Magnum with a 25" barrel. (up to 3.5 inch shell). He wants to put a 18" barrel on there. Can he buy "any" 870 18" barrel, or does he have to buy a barrel specifically for that model?
Thanks in advance for your help.

He's building something like this


and / or



Gene

Any barrel with fit, but he can only shoot the length of shells the barrel is made for.
In other words, if he buys a 3" chambered barrel he can shoot 2 3/4" and 3" but not 3 1/2".

I figured that was the case, but since I know nothing about shotguns, I thouht I'd ask to make sure.    Thank you.

Now, where can he find a new or used 18" barrel?  

He wants me to do the work for him (remove a couple screws and install ONE OF THESE KITS).

I'd like to have one too, but I need to get a shotgun first.


Thanks,


Gene

Quoted: Any barrel with fit, but he can only shoot the length of shells the barrel is made for. In other words, if he buys a 3" chambered barrel he can shoot 2 3/4" and 3" but not 3 1/2".

Are you sure of this?

I thought that there was a difference in length and design of the Supermag reciever and the reg/magnum reciever.

I'm pretty sure a regular 870 bbl WILL NOT fit the Super Mag.. Matter of fact, I was reading the owners manual from my new Remmy today, and it said the all 870 bbl are interchangable, EXCEPT for the Super Mag..

Here's the word direct from Remington:

Q: Can you put a Model 870 magnum barrel on an 870 Super Magnum firearm?

Answer
You can put a 12 gauge Model 870 magnum barrel on a Model 870 Super Magnum. Please note that you would be limited to using up to 3" shells with the magnum barrel. Super Magnum barrels may not be used on non-magnum receivers.  

On replacement barrels, there are plenty of sources:
Direct from Remington.
Mossberg sells a 18" barrel made to fit the 870.
Gun Parts sells the Mossberg barrel for $112.00.
Ebay.
Cabela's
Ask on the gun forums, someone always has a barrel to sell.
 

Any and all help is appreciated.

My buddy wrote to Remington and has yet to get an answer.


Gene

Quoted: I figured that was the case, but since I know nothing about shotguns, I thouht I'd ask to make sure.    Thank you. Now, where can he find a new or used 18" barrel?   He wants me to do the work for him (remove a couple screws and install ONE OF THESE KITS). I'd like to have one too, but I need to get a shotgun first. Thanks, MidwayUSA has the 18.5" barrels for $99.95. SM Gene