Buying a used Remington 870 shotgun ?
I went to a local gun shop today and they had a used Remington 870 for 9. Is that a good buy? What are some things I can look at when buying a used shotgun?
Second thing I was wondering is what does it mean to have a modified choke and what does it mean to have the barrel riffled?
Ok, maybe I should be a little more specific so I don’t come off as as completely ignorant. I have shot guns all my life and have taken the hunter’s ed class. I know what a riffled barrel is. More specifically I guess I should have asked what the purpose of a riffled barrel in a shotgun was? Is it specifically for slugs or something? I don’t have too much experience with shotguns. Not as much as with my handguns and rifles. I have never owned a shotgun. I have been interested in getting one for awhile.
Posted in used shotguns
December 28th, 2009 at 9:13 am
Does the shotgun only have a rifled barrel? If so then you can only shoot slugs out of it. You would have to purchase another barrel to shoot birds with it. If the shotgun has a smooth barrel with a modified choke, does the choke screw out or is it fixed. If the choke screws out then you can buy other chokes to suit your hunting needs which is good. If the choke is fixed, then you are stuck with a modified choke on the end of the barrel which will limit what you can use it for. As for the gun it’s self, try it on. Put it up to your shoulder and see how it feels. If it feels good then start working the pump action to see if it works properly. Have them give you some shells and load them and eject them to make sure the action works properly. Have them let you shoot it to make sure the firing pin is not broken and the gun fires. If the gun does not feel good then don’t buy it. If you have to buy another barrel for it to suit your needs, you may want to buy a new one, because that new barrel plus the cost of the gun will end up costing you about the same as a new gun or more. Good luck.
December 28th, 2009 at 9:13 am
first off if you don’t know what a modified choke or a rifled barrel you need to take a hunters ed course before you buy a gun. but if the gun is in good condition and the rifling in the barrel are good, that is well worth 199
December 28th, 2009 at 9:13 am
Choke constricts the pattern of the shot. Cylinder is the least constricting and full is the most constricting, allowing for longer shots. (think of it like a beam from a flashlight). Modified is right in the middle.
Riffled barrels are use for shooting slugs (one solid bullet), whereas smooth bore shotguns can be used to shoot shot as well as slugs.
Without knowing the variant or condition of the gun, it’s hard to tell you whether or not that is a good price. Look at the finish, look for rust, check the bore, feel the action, make sure everything operates smoothly. If you’re not sure what to look for, bring someone who does.
Slug guns (rifled barrel) are usually used for hunting deer in close proximity to towns, houses, or buildings where you don’t want a projectile to fly for miles. In some places rifles are not allowed, and you must use a shotgun.
December 28th, 2009 at 9:13 am
A modified choke has some restriction in the barrel to provide a good shot pattern out to 35 yrds. The choke controls the dispersal of the shot.
A rifled barrel has groves cut into the barrel that twist in order to spin the projectile. This allows the projectile to travel more accurately and extends the range.
The price seems a little steep. A new one shouldn’t run much more than $250.
December 28th, 2009 at 9:13 am
the chokes unscrew from the front of the shotgun , modified being the best all around choke.
rifled barrel is for slugs and sabots ONLY, modified for slugs bird shot, steel shot, buck shot ETC..
December 28th, 2009 at 9:13 am
remington 870 is the best pump gun ever made and if the one you are looking at is in good condition i would say it would be a good buy, but if there are any defects in the stock or anything i would suggest buying a new one wich you can get for around 260 wich is not much more.
December 28th, 2009 at 9:13 am
look at the stock near the receiver, check for cracks and splits. look at the entire gun to see if any odd wear or defects. if you trust the shop, get it.
the rifled barrel is for sabot slugs. the plastic jacket is forced to spin with the grooves, thus more stability in flight and for distance. more or less, it is the same idea as a rifle barrel- .308 etc.
modified is tighter than cylinder. cylinder is one diameter from the breech to mouth, modified tightens as it goes the same way.
December 28th, 2009 at 9:13 am
sounds like a good deal get it.