Page 1 of 4 123 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 31

Thread: Seeking 870 SBS advice. 12-14"

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Posts
    1,397
    Feedback Score
    2 (100%)

    Seeking 870 SBS advice. 12-14"

    So... I recently took Costa's shotgun class with an 870 and my Benelli m1. HUGE fan of the m1, but I'd still like a pump for less lethal / animal control load, hiking/truck gun or whatever.

    It doesn't make a ton of sense to me to have an 18" 870 and the 18" m1. So I got to thinking about a short 870. I'd love a short Benelli but the parts are just too expensive to replace.

    It seems there are two popular styles. A 12.5" that is cut directly in line with the factory tube cap, leaving 4+1. And a 14" that is cut directly in line with the +1 extension for 5+1.

    During that class I saw the usefulness of having a mag tube extend past the barrel just a little bit. One advantage this offered was a natural standoff for breaching which I do not plan on doing, but am not ruling out. And it was handy to set the shotgun down on the mag tube occasionally while resting or working on something without concern of putting the muzzle into anything, likewise, this creates a general protection for the muzzle.


    My thought was to take a +1 extension and cut the barrel down to 13" or so. Leaving me with 5+1, and a protected muzzle. And probably forgo the ghost or rifle sights and just use a rib along with a fiber optic. I want a rib because it's easier to line up a flat shot with a rib, a protected fiberoptic would just be easier to see than a bead. I can find no examples of this setup anywhere, so either I'm being dumb or not considering a better option.


    Would it be better to just select a 14 or 12" in traditional format?

    Has anyone done an SBS with a rib and fiber?

    Does anyone have experience with 12 vs 14" as far as noise/blast and usefulness?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    AZ
    Posts
    27,215
    Feedback Score
    14 (100%)
    Quote Originally Posted by Noodles View Post
    Does anyone have experience with 12 vs 14" as far as noise/blast and usefulness?
    Both are completely useless. Mine came with a 12", but I ended up buying a 14" factory Rem barrel.

    When Flight control wads came along, 00 buck was a lot less useless in my shorty. But I literally never shoot it. It's in the back of the locker.

    If it weren't an NFA item, I'd quick sell it for the extra room.
    "You people have too much time on your hands." - scottryan

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Posts
    453
    Feedback Score
    0
    markm, can you elaborate on their uselessness?

    I generally believe that most NFA firearms are, if not useless, way overrated compared to the amount of hassle it takes to get and keep them, but I have always wanted a 14" 870.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Posts
    1,397
    Feedback Score
    2 (100%)
    Ok, useless is definitely not correct. You might be useless with it, but that's something else entirely isn't it?

    I use flightcontrol 1buck and 00buck so I'm aware of the options and limitations. I'm just curious I suppose of what you think an 18" 6+1 is good for that a 12" 4+1 just won't do...

    I suppose you are just talking about the patterning with the longer barrel? What distances do you think your 14" is pushing fed tactical out to keeping a 10" or so pattern?

    TriumphRat675: Completely wrong about NFA. Some guns suck in their short or long barrel configurations. An SBR 10/22 might not be worth it, but an SBR AR definitely is.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Posts
    453
    Feedback Score
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by Noodles View Post
    TriumphRat675: Completely wrong about NFA. Some guns suck in their short or long barrel configurations. An SBR 10/22 might not be worth it, but an SBR AR definitely is.
    Don't mean to derail your thread, but I have in my possession both a 16" AR and an 11.5" AR, am familiar with the NFA, the CFR, and the misconceptions and foul-ups that are common among people trying to do an end-run around their local CLEO with trusts, LLC's, and etc., with or without the advice of counsel.

    My considered opinion is that for the vast majority of ordinary citizens, unless they live in an enlightened locale where they can own an NFA item personally, whatever purported performance advantage NFA firearms provide over and above non-NFA firearms is not worth the administrative hassle or potential criminal consequences, to the extent that I advise clients against doing it. NFA toys are fun to have and definitely make you the cool guy at the range, but I don't see their benefits exceeding their actual and potential cost.

    That is my opinion only and YMMV.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    6
    Feedback Score
    0
    based on my recent SBR dealings, I tend to agree... I hope my wife really likes it if we ever get the paperwork back. I dumped the SBR and went with a custom config. 16" with more options.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Posts
    1,397
    Feedback Score
    2 (100%)
    So no actual on topic detail about 12-14" shotguns?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Posts
    330
    Feedback Score
    2 (100%)
    I've never shot a 12" barreled gun but I don't think you'll see much of a difference between that and a 14" gun. I have plenty of rounds through 14" 870s with modified chokes and I honestly don't see the point from my personal 18".

    Out of the 14" barrels With 00 buck at 25 yards aiming center mass 8 out of 9 pellets will land inside a man size target. So you're really looking at 15 yard and closer with buck. With slugs I can get 5 to land in a 6" circle at 50 yards. I've never benched one so I don't know how accurate our 14" inchers can be.

    Honestly I'll stick with my 18" tubes and not deal with the expense of an NFA shotty.
    I like franks & beans

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    25,597
    Feedback Score
    2 (100%)
    Quote Originally Posted by Noodles View Post
    So no actual on topic detail about 12-14" shotguns?
    I don't have a short 870 but I do have a 14" M1S90. I don't think I'd want a 12", the extra round would be far more useful.

    I also don't think I'd want a 12" barrel with an extended mag tube. I've never even come close to needing a protected crown on a shotgun and IF I ever need to breech a door I'm sure I will remember to hold off enough.

    And while I don't think it would damage the extension performancewise, I know the surefires on my MP5s which extend past the barrel get pretty cooked from the flash and that is only 9mm.

    Perhaps your optimum setup is a 14" with same length extended magazine tube and then mount a light to the extended magazine tube and have that light extend an inch or so beyond the magazine tube but lower than the tube itself.
    It's hard to be a ACLU hating, philosophically Libertarian, socially liberal, fiscally conservative, scientifically grounded, agnostic, porn admiring gun owner who believes in self determination.

    Chuck, we miss ya man.

    كافر

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Posts
    3,963
    Feedback Score
    3 (100%)
    I run a 14" 870 as a duty SG. With Flite contol 00 loads 15 yard head shots are doable, all pellets can be covered with a fist. Mine is an older Scattergun Tech with a sidesaddle and a 618FA Surefire light. I just wish they'd let me change the stock. I do not like the Speedfeed; too 'effin long.

Page 1 of 4 123 ... LastLast

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •