870 Express Question

[TurkeyThug]

I bought a 870 Express 12ga its not a Mag.
The Cantilever slug barrel says 2 3/4 and 3".
So heres my question
Can I shoot 3" shells with that receiver?

 

[BigMoose]

What is the last letter behind your serial number.

Receiver Serial Number	Serial Number Suffix	Receiver Frame Size	Gauge	Ejection
#0000000V	V	Full size frame 12 gauge	12	2 3/4″ Only
#0000000M	M	Full size frame 12 gauge	12	2 3/4″ or 3″ Only
#0000000A	A	Full size frame 12 gauge	12	2 3/4″, 3″, or 3 1/2″
#0000000W	W	Full size frame 16 gauge	16	2 3/4″ Only
#0000000K	K	Small frame 20 gauge LW	20	2 3/4″ Only
#0000000K	K	Small frame 20 gauge LT	20	2 3/4″ Only
#0000000X	X	Full size frame 20 gauge	20	2 3/4″ Only
#0000000U	U	Small frame 20 gauge LT-20	20	2 3/4″ or 3″ Only
#0000000N	N	Full size frame 20 gauge	20	2 3/4″ or 3″ Only
#0000000J	J	Small frame 28 gauge	28	2 3/4″ Only
#0000000H	H	Small frame .410 bore	.410	2 1/2″ or 3″

 

[AMMO USER]

Since it is not a magnum receiver, I think all you have to do is change out the extractor, and the extractor spring. Then it will work you already have the 3 inch chamber barrel.

 

[TurkeyThug]

Last number is A.
First two are RS. Could this mean Rifled slug?
Thanks guys!

 

[BigMoose]

Not sure but it will definately eat 3inch shells all day.

 

[TurkeyThug]

Thanks.

 

[Hookeye]

IIRC Remington standardized when the Express line came out.
All 12's are magnum receiver.
Used to be the serial number ended with an M.
My Supermagnum has an A at the end of the serial number.

 

[Hookeye]

The way it was last I checked...........some yrs back LOL

Remington makes a 3.5" Supermag 870.
Mossberg makes a 3.5" Ultimag 835.

Mossberg kinda screwed up, as accessory rifled bbls for the 835 have a 3.5" chamber.
Remington rifled barrels are 3" chamber.

So bbl doesn't say what receiver you have, on an 870.
One could put a 3" mag deer bbl on a 3.5" supermag receiver. Big Green may have offered such a Supermag combo.

And a 3.5" chambered shot bbl will work on a reg 3" mag receiver (just can't run it with 3.5" shells).

A Supermag w an extra slug bbl is a do everything rig.
If not running steel on waterfowl, no need for 3.5" IMHO.

Having said that.............the old Turkey model 870's were 21" bbls...........the Supermags were 23".
A Supermag Turkey model could double as a waterfowl or dove gun.

Not ideal, but doable. I've limited out on doves on F&W areas running my POS 870 Express Supermag Turkey model