870 compact 21" barrel

[sa champion]

is this gun in 20 gauge a good all around gun?
for HD and skeet/trap?

I've tried 12 gauge pump and it's too much for me.

thanks.

how much do they go for nowadays?

[aippi]

Could be based on the ability of the shooter. There are 26" Vent Rib Barrels with Rem Choke that may serve as a better skeet/trap barrel. That is a benefit of the 870, a simple barrel change and it is a entirely different gun.

[bigbearbear]

Check your local ranges, they may have rules requiring the barrel of shotguns to be of minimum length before it can be used for clay target shooting. If you intend to shoot skeet and trap, I would recommend getting something with a barrel at least 26" in length.

I'm not a skeet shooter myself but I think 20 gauge would be ok for it because the shooting distance is very close. Shooting trap at 16 yards would be ok too with the 20 gauge but if you intend to compete or shoot at handicap distances, you'll be at a disadvantage.

Also, check the prices for a case of 20 gauge birdshots vs a case of 12 gauge birdshots. If you intend to shoot a lot, cost of 20 gauge shells might become a factor, they tend to be more expensive because 12 gauge is more popular.

BTW why is the 12 gauge "too much" for you? Is the recoil too heavy?

[XVIga_Rob]

If felt recoil is the issue. It could be due to 1 or more items (gun mount, gun fit, recoil pad, load/shell used, shooting position, etc.). All of these items can and will factor into the preceived "felt recoil".
Basically, what I'm saying is that it's possible that going from a 12ga to a 20ga, may or may not reduce the amount of felt recoil.

If the weight of the gun is an issue. Then yes, a 20ga might be the answer for you.


The 21" barrel will be good for HD, predator & turkey hunting. Range use, you'll want a 26" or 28".

[bigbearbear]

BTW someone is selling a Benelli M2 20 gauge in the Private Long Gun sales section, $800 and will ship. A very good deal, my wife has the M2 Field Compact in 12 gauge, it is a great shotgun.

I'm not the seller, just thought OP might be interested if you want to stick with a 20 gauge: http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=934075

[NapalmCheese]

My wife has one. She loves it.
She felt the Nova youth with a (24 or 26 inch barrel, don't remember what it comes with) was too barrel heavy and didn't balance well. She doesn't like most 12 gauges because she feels they are too long and too heavy and just uncomfortable to shoot. We haven't had a problem yet with barrel length, even at clubs that specify 22 inches or longer. As soon as you tell them it's your wife's 20 gauge duck gun they are more than happy to accommodate us (if they even ask, only been a question once since we've owned it).

As for me, I hate shooting it. Doesn't fit me worth a darn and feels like it kicks more than any of my 12 or 16 gauges. It's also really loud in the duck blind, though maybe not any worse than my buddy's ported Mossberg.

For an HD gun, I'd put it on par with an 18 inch 870, it's light, quick, and easy to handle.

20 gauge is a bit more expensive but not terribly so. 20 gauge duck rounds are pretty easy to find and while the missing 1/4 oz of steel pellets helps hit birds (7/8 oz in 20 vs. 1-1/8 oz or better in 12), you can either bring birds in closer to tighten up your choke a bit and be a better shot. Switching from steel to something more dense makes the 20 shine in the duck blind.

One last thought: I'm not impressed with Remington over the last few years, I don't think I'd buy another one in this day and age.

[XVIga_Rob]

The M2 is a nice gun! Light in the hands too!

[sa champion]

Recoil is too much, hurting the shoulder so it could be the pad.

I was shooting my brother's 870.

[XVIga_Rob]

I own and shoot a few different 870's. None have the factory hard as a brick pad that came with them. For $45 or so you can buy a prefit Limbsaver pad, Pachmayr Decelerator pad, or a Kickeez Pad. Or, for about $23 you can buy a Remington SuperCell pad. I recently put one of the Remington Supercell pad's on 1 of my 870's and it works pretty good. In my opinion, not quite as good as the Pachmayer or Limbsaver, but the surface is not gummy and does not hang up on clothing, when shouldering the gun. This is a big plus for HD & hunting.

For what it's worth, I have a 12ga Wingmaster with a Pachmayer Decelerator pad that I use for Trap. I usually shoot 2~3 rounds per trip and never have a sore shoulder. The LOP is correct for me and I usually shoot off the shelf 2 3/4" 1oz. or 1 1/8 oz of #8's.

#2 phillips (lightly lubed) and it's just 2 screws to change it out.