Please, excuse my shotgun ignorance. The express magnum 870 accepts 3.5" shells, when the regular express 870 does not, correct? Do the barrels interchange? Or do I need a magnum barrel on a magnum 870? Also, which is better for home defense?
I can't comment on the differences you ask about, although I suspect 870 barrels will all interchange, but I'll let someone more knowledgeable comment. On the home defense issue, 2 3/4'" loads would surely suffice. They can be fired in 2 3/4", 3" or 3 1/2" inch chambers. For these purposes I would prefer a short barrel for use inside the house. You don't need magnums for this use in my opinion.
Yes you can swap the barrels around. The barrel and receiver must match the shell. A 3.5 barrel on a 3 in receiver gives you a 3 inch gun.
To me the 3 inch receivers are smoother and preferred for home defense.
I do have both.
Just wanted to add something here. I have an 870 3.5" turkey gun with a 23" barrel and though i am not recoil sensitive, shooting that thing is enough to loosen the fillings in your teeth, it kills at both ends. I prefer to shoot 3" loads.
As mentioned above, match the barrel marking to your loads. The SuperMag receivers can handle up to a 3.5" shell, but the barrel has to be bored out for that too. I've got a rifled barrel for mine that only takes shells to 3" - but I think I'd notice if I tried to put goose loads into that shorty barrel!
And yes, those 3.5" turkey loads will knock you around - I shoot the slightly slower and lighter 3" loads and call it good. The extra 1/4oz of payload isn't worth the pain. Where the 3.5 really shines is with steel loads for waterfowl.
Please, excuse my shotgun ignorance. The express magnum 870 accepts 3.5" shells, when the regular express 870 does not, correct? Do the barrels interchange? Or do I need a magnum barrel on a magnum 870? Also, which is better for home defense?
