Remington 870 Barrel w/sights

lcdrdanr

I picked up from somewhere a 20" Remington 870 barrel marked for 2-3/4" shells. It has rifle sights installed on it although it is marked "mod" and has obviously been cut down and the sights added.

Here is the question. Both the front and the rear sights have been installed by drilling and tapping and it is not a blind hole, the hole goes completely through the barrel and the end of the screw can be seen by looking down the inside of the barrel. It is flush and smooth with the inside of the barrel but it obviously goes all the way through.

I know shotguns generate fairly low pressures but am I correct in assuming that this barrel is completely ruined by the jackleg mechanic who cut it and drilled it? I'm thinking of salvaging the sights and destroying the barrel but wanted a second or third opinion.

Thanks for the info

Dan R

boltaction

As long as the screws don't hang down where the slug would hit them it should be alright to shoot.

mrbruce

My thoughts are that unless the holes are directly over the chamber there should be no problem, but if done correctly I doubt you would hurt it, but there is no reason for the sights to be that close to the chamber anyways.
The 870 barrels are pretty thin to be able to drill blind holes in them, and they are usually silver soldered on....

lcdrdanr

I measured the inside of the barrel and find that the screw that penetrates completely through is 1-3/4" in front of a chambered shell. There are two screws holding the rear sight on but only one penetrates the barrel. The front sight has one screw approximately 3/4" from the end of the barrel.
The rear sight sits farther back on the barrel than the rear sight on my 870 rifled slug barrel by about 2" but as I said is at least 1-3/4" in front of the unfired shell.
Thanks again,
Dan R

nunn

Many older 870 plain barrels have the bead sight installed in a hole that perforates the bore. The screw end of the bead is dressed down so as not to interfere with shooting. As long as your screws have been dressed down flush with the bore, there is no problem with shooting this barrel.

If it scares you still, send it to me. [:D]

mrbruce

It sure sounds like you have nothing to worry about......

lcdrdanr

I'm sure glad I asked instead of just throwing the barrel out. I will give it a try next trip to the range.

Thanks all for the advice, this has made my day !!!!

Dan R