Displaying my 870 ignorance for all to see...

[deadcoyote]

So I found some agency buy back 870's for 200 bucks but they are chambered for 2 3/4" shells. Excuse my ignorance but can I simply swap the barrel out for a new barrel and it will then accept 3" shells or will there still be some kind of issue, i.e. size of ejection port or some such other thing?

[AAShooter]

There is more involved than a simple barrel swap.

[hossb7]

I'd swoop on a $200 870 regardless of it taking 3" shells or not.

[bjl333]

The reciever has to be a 3" mag before you can shoot the 3" shells. For 2 bills I'd probably still get one. Where is it at?

[003]

As stated above the receiver has to be designed for 3 inch shells also, not just the barrel. I would love to buy a police trade in 870 for $200.00. Most LE guns are carried lot's but shot very little. I suspect an active skeet or trap shooter puts more rounds thru his gun in a year than an LE gun sees in 20 years. Lots of outside wear and tear but most have little or no problems on the inside. A little cosmetic work and it would be an excellent HD gun. A new Hogue stock and forearm set would make it look near new. Unless you have a very specific need for 3 inch, the 2 3/4 inch standard will do everything thing that needs to be done. It really depends on the specific load you use. There are many 2 3/4 inch high performance/magnum shells on the market.

[deadcoyote]

They're Penn. State police buy backs in shotgun news

[surplus-addict]

They're Penn. State police buy backs in shotgun news

Are they C&R?

[deadcoyote]

I don't know. they honestly look pretty beat down, but our old work 870's look like hell but are damn near brand new inside.

[aippi]

These agency guns are not a deal unless you can examin the weapon and know what you are looking for. It is apears that you would not know what to look for based on your post.

The reason is simple. Issued weapons are abused and not taken care of. When it comes to time trade in the armorers go through them and take out the best parts and get rid of the mess they don't want. I have delt with many horror stories on this subject and of course, yes, there are deals out there but it is a roll of the dice. Being able to inspect the weapon and know what to look for or having a return policy from the seller could get you a decent used 870.

These are fighting shotguns and I see no application for 3" shells so an old Wingmaster 2 3/4" weapon properly refitted makes an excellent defense weapon.

If you want 3" the ejector has to be replaced and a barrel chambered for 3" and you can then use 3". The cost of replacing the eject is not cheap as this also calls for refinishing the receiver unless you don't mind the rivets sticking out a little.

[CK_32]

What length barrels are they?

[monk]

I got my 870 for $250, like new.

[hossb7]

$200 for an 870, I'd be all over that like white on rice, amigo.

That's pretty amazing.

I spent $450 for a Remington 870 Tactical Express.

I got my 870 for $250, like new.

I *think* I paid $350 out the door for mine. big-5 sale a number of years ago.

[tonelar]

Mine were $400 for a Cali D C trade in. They're marked Police Magnum and 2 3/4"-3".

For $200, I'd buy one just to avoid moving my 870 back n forth between trucks.

[BigDogatPlay]

So I found some agency buy back 870's for 200 bucks but they are chambered for 2 3/4" shells. Excuse my ignorance but can I simply swap the barrel out for a new barrel and it will then accept 3" shells or will there still be some kind of issue, i.e. size of ejection port or some such other thing?

The question to ask is whether or not the serial number(s) have an "M" as the last character. If so, then it's a magnum receiver. If it has a "V", then it's a 2 3/4 inch receiver. If a magnum receiver then you can use barrels with either a 2 3/4 inch or a 3 inch chamber all you want.

If you plan to turn it into a hunting gun, the only real world application for three inch shells, IMO, then having a magnum receiver is important. If it's intended use is purely defensive then a 2 3/4 inch receiver is all you really need.

As noted by others, agency turn in guns are very much caveat emptor. I have an agency turn in 870P that is sound as the pound and runs like a Timex. I've seen others that have had the snot pounded out of them. Inspect thoroughly, or have an armorer inspect.

But $200 is still a great price, which I'd happily take a chance on.

[deadcoyote]

I'm not so much worried about 2 3/4" shells as far as function for HD purposes. I'm just pretty dedicated to always buying whatevers on sale, so I jyust felt like having more options might be benificial. I think I'll probably keep trying to get my work to free up one of our guns so I can hand pick it.