Title: Which 870 Barrel length 21 or 26
Post by: lowcountry on January 14, 2019, 06:46:57 PM
Post by: lowcountry on January 14, 2019, 06:46:57 PM
About to purchase an 870. 21" or 26" barrel is the question.
Pros and cons of each?
Pros and cons of each?
Title: Re: Which 870 Barrel length 21 or 26
Post by: mrclif on January 14, 2019, 07:16:50 PM
Post by: mrclif on January 14, 2019, 07:16:50 PM
Mine came with 26 and I purchased a 20" Remington spt barrel off Ebay. 26" defeated the purpose of a compact shotgun I was trying to achieve. The 26" required less constriction to obtain and more dense core on paper. For instance the .555 in the 26 was crazy tight at 40 but opened up nicely in the 20".
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Title: Re: Which 870 Barrel length 21 or 26
Post by: Brwndg on January 14, 2019, 07:41:28 PM
Post by: Brwndg on January 14, 2019, 07:41:28 PM
:anim_25:I bought a 12 gauge 11-87 Special Purpose back in 1985 w a 26" barrel. After a few seasons I bought an after market 21" rifle sighted barrel. Never happier.
As a matter of fact I loved my 21" barrel on my 12 gauge 11-87 that I bought a 21" 20 gauge 11-87.
As a matter of fact I loved my 21" barrel on my 12 gauge 11-87 that I bought a 21" 20 gauge 11-87.
Title: Re: Which 870 Barrel length 21 or 26
Post by: sswv on January 15, 2019, 07:59:50 AM
Post by: sswv on January 15, 2019, 07:59:50 AM
I have 3 Remington turkey guns and all have a 21" barrels. I would not change for nothing.
Title: Re: Which 870 Barrel length 21 or 26
Post by: lowcountry on January 15, 2019, 10:23:13 AM
Post by: lowcountry on January 15, 2019, 10:23:13 AM
Would you go with the 21" just for the ease of having a smaller gun....easier to tote in the woods?
Title: Re: Which 870 Barrel length 21 or 26
Post by: daddyduke on January 15, 2019, 01:12:20 PM
Post by: daddyduke on January 15, 2019, 01:12:20 PM
21 for me
Title: Re: Which 870 Barrel length 21 or 26
Post by: davisd9 on January 15, 2019, 01:20:36 PM
Post by: davisd9 on January 15, 2019, 01:20:36 PM
I shoot 26" on my 11-87 and 500, but would be ok with 21".
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Title: Re: Which 870 Barrel length 21 or 26
Post by: nyhunter on January 16, 2019, 04:46:15 PM
Post by: nyhunter on January 16, 2019, 04:46:15 PM
I have both, my 21" patterns every bit as good as the 26" so for me it's the 21". I love the short light compact little 20ga.
Title: Re: Which 870 Barrel length 21 or 26
Post by: SteelerFan on January 16, 2019, 07:15:09 PM
Post by: SteelerFan on January 16, 2019, 07:15:09 PM
Turkey only? - 21. Carries & points great
Combo turkey & wing shooting? (dove, duck, etc) definitely 26
Combo turkey & wing shooting? (dove, duck, etc) definitely 26
Title: Re: Which 870 Barrel length 21 or 26
Post by: lowcountry on January 17, 2019, 07:34:33 AM
Post by: lowcountry on January 17, 2019, 07:34:33 AM
Quote from: SteelerFan on January 16, 2019, 07:15:09 PM
Turkey only? - 21. Carries & points great
Combo turkey & wing shooting? (dove, duck, etc) definitely 26
Turkey only. I'm going to go with the 21".
Thanks for everyone's input.
Title: Re: Which 870 Barrel length 21 or 26
Post by: Dr Juice on January 17, 2019, 08:26:51 AM
Post by: Dr Juice on January 17, 2019, 08:26:51 AM
21" 
Title: Re: Which 870 Barrel length 21 or 26
Post by: Greg Massey on January 17, 2019, 02:14:06 PM
Post by: Greg Massey on January 17, 2019, 02:14:06 PM
21
Title: Re: Which 870 Barrel length 21 or 26
Post by: Jbird22 on January 17, 2019, 02:55:55 PM
Post by: Jbird22 on January 17, 2019, 02:55:55 PM
26
Title: Re: Which 870 Barrel length 21 or 26
Post by: dirt road ninja on January 18, 2019, 06:03:27 AM
Post by: dirt road ninja on January 18, 2019, 06:03:27 AM
21
Title: Re: Which 870 Barrel length 21 or 26
Post by: fountain2 on January 18, 2019, 09:45:15 AM
Post by: fountain2 on January 18, 2019, 09:45:15 AM
I've had both. I was in a stupid spot a few years back and was chasing numbers. I went to a 26" bbl from a 21. I ended up with a little more consistency on patterns and mayne a little higher 10 count. I honestly wish I had a short bbl now.
Anyone looking for a 26, I'll swap
Anyone looking for a 26, I'll swap
Title: Re: Which 870 Barrel length 21 or 26
Post by: KyScott on January 18, 2019, 04:45:22 PM
Post by: KyScott on January 18, 2019, 04:45:22 PM
With the patterns that can be achieved today my pick would be 21
Title: Re: Which 870 Barrel length 21 or 26
Post by: tree-rat sniper on January 19, 2019, 01:16:40 AM
Post by: tree-rat sniper on January 19, 2019, 01:16:40 AM
Another vote for 21 especially if its turkey specific. You can always pick up an extra 26" barrel for upland use. I've found that short barrels don't swing as nicely for fast moving targets... get both :D
Title: Re: Which 870 Barrel length 21 or 26
Post by: LRD on January 19, 2019, 10:00:05 PM
Post by: LRD on January 19, 2019, 10:00:05 PM
21" for me and my son as well. Both shoot great.
Title: Re: Which 870 Barrel length 21 or 26
Post by: owlhoot on January 19, 2019, 11:00:51 PM
Post by: owlhoot on January 19, 2019, 11:00:51 PM
21" . Seems it has been the pattern leader for the 870 20 gauge for some time.
Title: Re: Which 870 Barrel length 21 or 26
Post by: LRD on January 20, 2019, 10:34:45 AM
Post by: LRD on January 20, 2019, 10:34:45 AM
21" for me and my son as well. Both shoot great.
Title: Re: Which 870 Barrel length 21 or 26
Post by: Tom Foolery on January 20, 2019, 10:39:18 AM
Post by: Tom Foolery on January 20, 2019, 10:39:18 AM
21" for me
Title: Re: Which 870 Barrel length 21 or 26
Post by: 30_06 on January 20, 2019, 11:59:50 AM
Post by: 30_06 on January 20, 2019, 11:59:50 AM
Of the two I would prefer the 21".
Esse quam videri
Esse quam videri
Title: Re: Which 870 Barrel length 21 or 26
Post by: jmart241 on January 20, 2019, 03:47:31 PM
Post by: jmart241 on January 20, 2019, 03:47:31 PM
21'' on all 3 of ours
Title: Re: Which 870 Barrel length 21 or 26
Post by: Brwndg on January 22, 2019, 05:51:07 PM
Post by: Brwndg on January 22, 2019, 05:51:07 PM
Quote from: Brwndg on January 14, 2019, 07:41:28 PM
:anim_25:I bought a 12 gauge 11-87 Special Purpose back in 1985 w a 26" barrel. After a few seasons I bought an after market 21" rifle sighted barrel. Never happier.
As a matter of fact I loved my 21" barrel on my 12 gauge 11-87 so much, that I bought a 21" 20 gauge 11-87.
Title: Re: Which 870 Barrel length 21 or 26
Post by: blackforesthp on January 23, 2019, 04:31:13 PM
Post by: blackforesthp on January 23, 2019, 04:31:13 PM
21" here as well. Much easier to tote around.