Converting 870 to a youth gun

[Ridge Runner]

Wanting to convert an older 12 ga 870 for my son as a Christmas present. Looking for some guidance on barrel choices as the gun needs a new barrel. My son is 4' 10" and concerned the 26" barrel will be too long but haven't been able to find shorter options with vent rib and Rem chokes. Any guidance and suggestions are appreciated. Also going to replace stock and forearm but think I got that covered. Will primarily be a turkey gun.

 

[torrey.harris.5]

After you spend all the money on converting it
You would be better off buying a youth model new


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[N2TRKYS]

After you spend all the money on converting it
You would be better off buying a youth model new


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X2

I saw a 20 ga 870 w/ hardwood camo at my local Walmart for less than $400 yesterday. I bought one last year for myself when I started shooting TSS.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Probably true but gun needs a new barrel anyway, had a bad barrel from the 80's that ruptured. So that cost is a wash if I want to use the gun and stock replacement is under $100. All in about $300 for a gun that is currently unusable.

 

[Gr8bawana]

X2

I saw a 20 ga 870 w/ hardwood camo at my local Walmart for less than $400 yesterday. I bought one last year for myself when I started shooting TSS.

For $100 more I think your son would be better off with a new gun. You asked for suggestions but it seems you already have your mind made up.
Good luck to you.

 

[hodgeman]

Sounds like you have two projects.

It'll be tough to remodel a 12ga into a youth gun that isn't unwieldy for a kid.

I've had a couple youth models for my son- a Mossberg 510 "mini" and a Remington 870 Youth...both in 20ga. Both work just fine. I'd try him out with both and see which one fits him better. Both have stock spacers that add some length for growth. My son outgrew the 510 and I sold it for a $25 loss to a buddy with a couple up and coming kids. The 870 is slightly bigger and will get an adult stock and become the camp meat gun. I actually love the thing for potting grouse. My son will likely move into a full size 12ga next year for waterfowl and wing shooting.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Thanks for the input, gun kind of has sentimental value and would like to repurpose it, with that said I will look at other options as it's more important that my son has a gun that works for him vs retrofitting the 870. Maybe a home defense gun is in my 870's future?

 

[Backpack Hunter]

Carlson's makes a 24" vent rib barrel for about $160.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Some of the reviews on the Carlson replacements aren't very good but will consider it.

 

[husky390]

This week, Remington is offering a $60 rebate on 870 Express shotguns. I'd see if that applies to Youth models and pick one up for him. Bass Pro is having a sale on them this week.

Then, get a new barrel for that old 870 and slap some Magpul furniture on it.


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[Superkodiak38]

I got both my boys Mossberg 500 20 gauges for their 10th birthdays. One was a combo that came with a 22" rifled ported barrel and it is a real shooter with Hornady SSTs I have a 3 X 9 Leupold on it right now for deer season. They are great guns , I paid 287.00 for the combo and got a discount on the other because they sold out of the packages and only paid 200.00 for the other one. I agree the 870 is a great home defense gun and he can grow into it. Good luck !

 

[NaturalJon]

Thanks for the input, gun kind of has sentimental value and would like to repurpose it, with that said I will look at other options as it's more important that my son has a gun that works for him vs retrofitting the 870. Maybe a home defense gun is in my 870's future?

That is what I did with my 870. I had way too much fun with it while growing up just to keep it as an old trophy, so I put a couple new parts in it, refinished it, bought a short barrel, and some magpul furniture and its a slick new shotgun now.

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