Remington 870 - 21" or 26" barrel?

[drenalinld]

I have 870 SM special purpose. I cut down 26" bbl to 21" bbl. it was no where close to longer bbl patterns. I spent almost $300 to get a new 26" bbl.

[msgobblergetter]

I have 870 SM special purpose. I cut down 26" bbl to 21" bbl. it was no where close to longer bbl patterns. I spent almost $300 to get a new 26" bbl.

Yeah, velocity is not really that big of an issue... However, patterning consistency tends to lean more toward the 26".  I went with the 26" on my 870 and 1187.