Shotgun question: barrels

[pitbull88]

I want to purchase a shotgun (Mossberg or Remington), that serves as a home defense weapon. However, I would like some versatility to hunt deer/fowl. Are any of the models capable of switching out barrels (e.g., can you have an 18.5 ince home defense shotgun, but add/swap longer barrels for hunting)?

I've seen some combo guns with 24 & 28 inch barrels. I guess, what I want is a 18.5 or 20 inch barrel for HD, and the ability to change to longer barrels for hunting. Thanks.

 

[sloughfoot]

Yes, switching barrels on the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500 is easily done.

 

[451_Detonics]

Easily done on an 1100 too for that matter. I think the list you can't easily swap barrels on it the shorter list. For example the Ithica 37 can be changed but not easily, on some the barrel is more or less permanently attached to the receiver.

 

[Jtgarner]

Easy as pie on my Mossy:
HD

Deer

Birds/clays

 

[badmac183]

actually an 18 inch barrel works pretty well as a deer gun or rabbit gun.

 

[Mgderf]

Barrel change on the Mossberg 500 can be done by hand in less than 30 seconds.

Don't really know about the 870.

 

[IndyGunworks]

what about an 18.5 inch barrel w/ screw in chokes. rifled choke for deer, and full for waterfowl. add a breacher w/ pointy ends for home defense?

 

[illini40]

I've seen some combo guns with 24 & 28 inch barrels. I guess, what I want is a 18.5 or 20 inch barrel for HD, and the ability to change to longer barrels for hunting. Thanks.

The most common "combo" out there seems to be the Mossberg 500 with both the 24" rifled barrel and 28" field barrel that you mention. In fact, this is the hot item at Dick's right now for $289.

I did find that there is a Mossberg 500 combo out there that comes with an 18" inch barrel (common HD length), but I'm not sure if it is smooth bore or not:
Mossberg 54169 500 COMBO 12 28AC/18CB PG $311.00 SHIPS FREE

However, I alsofound this Savage 12 gauge combo that comes with 28" and 18.5":
Savage 350 COMBO 12GA 28/18.5 $246.00 SHIPS FREE

 

[xM3RC1L3SS1x]

Switches out very easily.

 

[Cerberus]

The 870 and the 500 swap out in rather quick fashion.

 

[Dirc]

actually an 18 inch barrel works pretty well as a deer gun or rabbit gun.

As long as it isn't rifled. Unless you're going to shoot that rabbit with a slug.