1870 question horse and buggy or bare back

[slamfire]

123

[swifty]

Physically, yes.

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The magazine cap retainer may be different between the older guns and the newer guns. The older barrels have a spring and detent in the barrel ring. The detent fits corresponding notches in the magazine cap.

The newer barrels use a serrated magazine spring retainer that fits different corresponding notches in the magazine cap.

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The barrel can only be used with the ammunition it is marked for, the receiver can only be used with the ammunition it is marked for and shorter shells. The ammunition must be compatible for both.

[aippi]

Yes of course as there is only one 870 and they differ only by finish and furniture. They are all the same as any 12ga 870 barrel fits every 12ga 870 ever made no matter the model (Except MCS). The detent ball is no issue what so ever if you have a 4+1 Express with internal retension as the mag cap will simply push the ball down out of the way. As Swifty said if the barrel is chambered for 2 3/4" shells that is all you can shoot even though all Express models are 3" receivers.

[Marlin Hunter]

will a 870 wingmaster barrel fit an 870 express?

And a 3-1/2" Express Super Magnum barrel will also fit on the standard 870 receiver, but I do not know if the standard 870 receiver will handle the 3-1/2" shells. The Super Magnum may have a heavier receiver and a larger ejection port or bottom feed port to handle the longer shells.

[grnt]

So to get this clear, if you have a 2 3/4 barrel and stick it on an express receiver that is made for 3 inch shells, it would be OK as long as you shoot 2 3/4 shells only? Will there be headspace issues?

[swifty]

So to get this clear, if you have a 2 3/4 barrel and stick it on an express receiver that is made for 3 inch shells, it would be OK as long as you shoot 2 3/4 shells only? Will there be headspace issues?

That is correct.

No headspace issue because of shell length. Headspace concerns are with the rim thickness, not the length of the shell.

[grnt]

Thank you

[swifty]

Your Welcome!