Short Barrel Shotgun

[RichCapeCod]

I have side by sides in 20 and 12, coach guns. ...

The 12 gauge double is not to be sneezed at! Used to be issued to NYPD detective squads back when. When loaded with 00 buck magnum, two pulls of the trigger put 24 projectiles in the air! Sub guns mostly had 30 round mags (yeah, more powerful rounds, but anyway...).

The Steven 311 could be broken down into three compact pieces (barrel, forearm, butt), wrapped in a rolled up newspaper and taken into locations with no one being the wiser. Push the tang safety forward if you want the pellets to go downrange, pull the safety to the rear if you want the pellets to stay in the gun. Confused? Open the action and the safety went on automatically.

Both used this model shotgun as an NYPD detective and instructed detectives in its use when with the Firearms and Tactics Section (sgt and lt).

Wrote a book using my lesson plans used in the Firearms Instructor School I ran. Got to explain the cover S&W J-frame. I won this revolver out of the academy. The date is 1972. I was appointed in October 1969. Didn't go to the Police Academy for a couple of years as I was assigned to police intelligence as a deep undercover upon joining the dept. It's a long story...

https://www.amazon.com/Practical-Handgun-Training-Important-Handling/dp/0988882817/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2K1Y9J0S8HWA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jSwICd0nJE13jmffDynURNl0xdgW8lY_5FzO5nAOuEn9_XVViWkiIbgnl5-boCspX13yZbuslY4kf-aDhGShWyDzMOO3uSS_9buiKQQuuQI.trQvENf9GcU2VdNLsGqJvI8L9633JfjSBv5o8BbqKug&dib_tag=se&keywords=practical+handgun+training+rosenthal&qid=1752345525&sprefix=practical+handgun+training+rosenthal%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-1

 

[dvc45acp]

I think it would be cool!!! As an aside, this fellow came up with a method to make stockless guns work really well. He really likes the Mossberg Aftershock. FWIW.

 

[Shrek Of The Arctic]

I have one of the factory Remington LEO marked top folding stocks. There is nothing thin about it.

Noted. I've only handled them. Can't recall ever shooting one. they were phased out decades before I was ever issued an 870. The older officers spoke downright poorly of them. Too long and uncomfortable on the face, if I recall correctly? Perhaps it's a bit of a subjective matter? Still looks pretty thin to me, compared to a common fixed stock. I'd buy one if I stumbled across it, just for looks, and nostalgia if nothing else. Who knows? Maybe it would work out for me...

 

[SixgunFife]

I like the concept, OP, and would opt for muzzle that's just a bit past the magazine tube endcap as others have mentioned.

 

[BloodyThumb]

If SBS's are included in the $0 tax after it goes into affect, I have tinkered with the idea of putting a stock on a 12 or 20ga Shockwave. Probably a 20 and probably a youth stock.

 

[TLflag]

Where do you Folks think the short barrel H & R .410 pistol stands in this new ruling ?

 

[jdh]

If I may make a suggestion, you will regret hacking yup that 870, go buy a beat up Express for about $250 and hack it up.

 

[pmanton]

I wanna put a short barrel on my semi auto Tommy Gun.

 

[65Whelen]

Salvaged this Ithica from a barn which was left in a corner to rust. Fortunately the internals cleaned up good. Cut the barrel at 18.1", did a rattle can camo job, custom forearm and added the pistol grip buttstock. Thinking a reddot would be a cool addition.

 

[DHernandez]

Look no further than, greatest SBS available…

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Oh boy, yes! I carried an Ithaca 13" model 37 with open sights when in the NYPD Robbery Squad (Bronx Central Robbery. We went after heavily armed robbery teams …

Rich

My Department had 14" 870 as I recall. Very handy indeed.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Did a fast photoshop cut on it. Thoughts?

Looks like bubba did it.

You have the paperwork and money buy a professionally built short barrel shotgun. They exist but somewhat outdated in 2025.

 

[MelvinWalker]

I'd certainly agree with you on a shotgun having a buttstock. Worthless without one, except in the minds of those who have watched too many movies.

Not if you are Kyle Reese and you are explaining to Sarah Connor how to tie a rope around your cut-off 870 and wrap it around your arm so you won't drop your gun when running from the Terminator.

 

[cowboy94916]

I personnaly would not cut that wingmaster, its to nice. I would find a black synthetic express or special purpose and buy a non ribbed 18" slug barrel and cut to desired length. Therby preserving the vent barrel for hunting or target games and having the short barrel at home for social purposes.
I used to own a Ithica 37 riot full length tube (prison surplus sale) It was deadly for bird hunting. I also used it in some three gun matches and a bowling pin shoot game we called the mad minute., back in the day. Got talked out of it.
Setup an 870 special purpose Turkey and Benelli M1 both 21" both with extended mags for hunting and 3 gun.depending on wether doing heavy metal or working with ar and optics. Both nice but I liked that Ithica 37 much more.. Mine was 8 shot 20" barrel parkarized but i am sure a cutting 5 shot tube 37 riot into a SBS would be just wonderful.

 

[Smith391]

I like it, but I'd go 12" so the muzzle was past the mag tube cap. JMHO

I love mine, minus the rib... #OldSchoolCool

 

[Smith391]

CDNN has brand new 18.5 inch 870 12 gauge barrels on Ebay right now for $109 including shipping...They are a non vent rib, riot style barrel and come with three screw in chokes

They're $89.99 right now on the CDNN website, but those are NOT Remington OEM barrels ... they're aftermarket barrels, made in CHINA.

REMINGTON 870 12GA 18.5IN BARREL TARGET SPORTS

REMINGTON 870 12GA 18.5IN BARREL TARGET SPORTS

www.cdnnsports.com

 

[seabright60]

Oh boy, yes! I carried an Ithaca 13" model 37 with open sights when in the NYPD Robbery Squad (Bronx Central Robbery. We went after heavily armed robbery teams, or so they told me...). That "sling" attached to the pump handle is to keep an overly enthusiastic officer from blowing his fingers/hand off should they become a tad too excited.

I carried slugs in the one I turned out with (in order to reach out and touch someone, should that have been necessary. Four slugs in the magazine, one stuck in the "sling" thingy.

Understand this, there is no advantage in having a shotgun without a butt-stock. Unless you can show me how you can reduce the distance from your elbow to your hand. Love that check-weld!

Oh, one final thing. The guy in the photo was much younger young me. Around 1980 or so.


View attachment 775274

We used the Ithaca model 37 with either 20" or 13" barrels, both with open sights and the 20" had a sling (what if you get into a tussle while holding you shotgun, where you gonna put the darn thing?!?) and the Ruger Mini-14 in .223. All good guns.

View attachment 775277

Idk ,I think for a non leo my shockwave with 1.75 mini shells is perfect for home defense, if I were part of a team going after bad guys or taking part in a military operation then I'd want a different weapon for sure lol

 

[Smith391]

I'm jonesing for an SBR and thought you could give me a clue as to cost for the permits and timetable for receipt. TIA. ED

If you wait until the newly signed "Big Beautiful Bill"goes into efect later this year, the current SBR/SBS fee for the NFA tax stamp will be reduced from $200.00 to $0.00 ... That being said, when the tax stamp fees are removed, the demand for these NFA items (including suppressors) is expected to surge & the wait times will certainly increase.

 

[MelvinWalker]

They're $89.99 right now on the CDNN website, but those are NOT Remington OEM barrels ... they're aftermarket barrels, made in CHINA.
View attachment 775570

REMINGTON 870 12GA 18.5IN BARREL TARGET SPORTS

REMINGTON 870 12GA 18.5IN BARREL TARGET SPORTS

www.cdnnsports.com

So are several hundred thousand Norinco AK's, SKS's and 1911's were also made in China and they all command premium prices.

You DO know that if you buy a Mossberg 500 or Winchester 1300 Defender today brand new, that they are mostly MADE IN TURKEY, correct?

When OP's gun was made, the Chevy Vega and Cavalier were brand new cars at the time. Guess where they were made? And they literally rusted on the showroom floor.

Country of origin means much less than it did in the 1950's..All that means is that this barrel is priced at $80 because the overseas workers were paid slave wages to make it...CDNN has reportedly sold over 10,000 of these barrels alone..

 

[Pointblank2U]

I was a Captain my last eight years on the job. The Department got me a 14" Remington 870. It took almost a year for the police the department to clear it through ATF if you can believe that. Last time I used it was catching one of three armed robbers at gunpoint. I think he decided an aged copper from the old days would really shoot him with a "sawed off" he tried anything, so he gave up.

 

[RichCapeCod]

My Department had 14" 870 as I recall. Very handy indeed.

14" 870/13" Ithaca 37, Iceberg/Goldberg, all the same thing.

Rich

 

[Riposte1]

I have side by sides in 20 and 12, coach guns. They are wonderful for quail on the rise or rabbits in cover, I have used the 20 for doves very successfully. Both are 18 inch barrels with no choke.

I cut a pump gun for carry in a police car in the 70s, for grins my buddy and I took it dove hunting, and were amazed at the distance I could kill them without any choke whatsoever. That barrel was 19.5 inches and worked very well for buckshot as well.

I still have the first shotgun my parents gave me when I was 14 - it is a Stevens 311 in 16 gauge. A few years ago I took up quail hunting and I bought an extra set of barrels off eBay. Took a while to fit them and I cut it to 21" - made a handy gun and my buds made fun of it - until I killed 49 quail with 49 shots that year

Riposte

 

[Riposte1]

When I took the Instructor's course at Quantico we used the FBIs 14" 870s for the shotgun part - they had a modified choke - I always kind of liked them but I would rather have sights than a bead.

Riposte

 

[Bald1]

I'd just get a Shockwave or Remington version and put a stock on it.

 

[ARgon]

Oh boy, yes! I carried an Ithaca 13" model 37 with open sights when in the NYPD Robbery Squad (Bronx Central Robbery. We went after heavily armed robbery teams, or so they told me...). That "sling" attached to the pump handle is to keep an overly enthusiastic officer from blowing his fingers/hand off should they become a tad too excited.

I carried slugs in the one I turned out with (in order to reach out and touch someone, should that have been necessary. Four slugs in the magazine, one stuck in the "sling" thingy.

Understand this, there is no advantage in having a shotgun without a butt-stock. Unless you can show me how you can reduce the distance from your elbow to your hand. Love that check-weld!

Oh, one final thing. The guy in the photo was much younger young me. Around 1980 or so.


View attachment 775274

We used the Ithaca model 37 with either 20" or 13" barrels, both with open sights and the 20" had a sling (what if you get into a tussle while holding you shotgun, where you gonna put the darn thing?!?) and the Ruger Mini-14 in .223. All good guns.

View attachment 775277

Rich

Love the pipe! Oh, and the gun.

 

[E5Ranger]

I have a shockwave 590s and it shoots great even one handed

 

[MelvinWalker]

I'd just get a Shockwave or Remington version and put a stock on it.

Agreed...I never even thought of that...The Remington TAC 14 already has a 14 inch barrel and is in the $400 range....Get the stamp, add a buttstock and you're in business.

 

[Octagun]

The V3 Tac13 makes a great SBS.

 

[crasig]

Noted. I've only handled them. Can't recall ever shooting one. they were phased out decades before I was ever issued an 870. The older officers spoke downright poorly of them. Too long and uncomfortable on the face, if I recall correctly? Perhaps it's a bit of a subjective matter? Still looks pretty thin to me, compared to a common fixed stock. I'd buy one if I stumbled across it, just for looks, and nostalgia if nothing else. Who knows? Maybe it would work out for me...

CONSIDER THIS:
My first shotgun was a used X-police, 870 top folder for Law enforcement stamped on stock, I liked it fine. I was uncomfortable about keeping it loaded around the house (which a house gun really ought to be) because of my young daughter & her friends visiting. Then I became aware of box magazine fed shotguns - which would make loading very fast, so I started looking into them. While doing so - I ran across one of the SAIGA 12-C Folding AK platform shotguns that were imported to sell to law enforcement agencies here & DIDN'T. I think they missed a good thing - BUT I DID NOT. I sold my 870 to help pay for my Saiga.
I have owned it for almost 20 years now & still love it. It is not something I use often, but I like knowing its there.
Made by IZMASH arsenal, Stamped for law enforcement use on the receiver, I have 8 & 12 round magazines for it.
It is very well made to be durable under all conditions & has never hiccuped. I was tempted to go shoot clay birds - NAH.
The only time I used it in anger was to cancel a large Snake, intent on biting me, when I tried to evict him from my property. I fired it, folded - from 6 feet away. There was only a smoking crater where it had been. I couldn't believe a big snake could be vaporized - at the time. I learned later - that the snake had been instantly blown onto my Roof, when Vultures started snacking there, & dropping snake chunks around my yard.
I feel lucky that I found & bought it. IMO a semi auto AK, 12 ga. with removable magazines is a very good idea.

 

[LI Ammo]

There are plenty of other guns that would be a better choice. If I wanted a semi-auto, I'd probably go with the Remington V3 tactical and put a stock with a full pistol grip on it or a Mossberg 990 Aftershock. If you want to stay with a pump, there is the Remington TAC 14 or the Mossberg Shockwave and put a full length or folding pistol grip shoulder stock on either.

You can't put a full length stock on a Shockwave or a TAC14 without a stamp. They leave the factory as 'others' , (not AOW) , and if you put a stock on one it becomes an SBS. (designed to be fired from the shoulder, and under 18"bbl)
I'm not even sure that the ATF would let you stamp it, but somebody here will know.