28" M2 Pro's and Con's

[MarcCT]

Hi Guys,

I have been hard headed to date and I have been shooting my trusty 870 pump in Factory.

Fortunately (Or unfortunately depending on how you look at it.) I need to get a semi SG to keep up with and compete with the other guys in the Club Series.

Unfortunately we aren't spoilt for choice here in SA and very often you need to purchase what is available, rather than what you actually want.

I have decided I want to go for a Benelli M2, but the only stock currently available in country is a 28". I intend on adding a +9 Nordic extension which if my calculations are correct, will take the tube just past the 28" barrel.

My question is: Is a 28" barrel too long and what are the pro's and con's? I don't want to take a 28" because it is what is available and regret it later.

Any and all is advice is appreciated.

For the hell of it, here is a video of me with my trusty old 870, short stroking and all. Something I won't miss is the fact that you cannot load an 870 if the forend has moved even fractions of an inch!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aty_NC7wWyE

 

[jtischauser]

Only disadvantage is a few extra ounces at the end. I wish I had a 28" M2 actually. I coukd run Diffusion choke on everything.

 

[Matt1911]

28" will do you just fine, go for it.

 

[MarcCT]

Thanks guys. Looks like 28" 'er it is then.

That aside, what is the ideal/best length? 24"? 26"?

 

[Wall]

My choice is 24"

 

[Matt1911]

I've been using a 26" for a couple years now. It's the bee's knees

 

[Lance Jensen]

Your 12 shot extension will still stick out past the barrel, so who cares

 

[MarcCT]

Thanks Guys,

I'm going to pull the trigger.

 

[jtischauser]

My favorite is a 21", 24" & a 26".

 

[MarcCT]

Shock and awe huh?

How do you hold the 3rd?

 

[gondo]

For what its worth i shoot factory and i have a 26" and +9, since i shoot factory all the time I am seriously considering getting a 21" and shorter tube... if you are in factory it is just a bunch of weight out front IMO... somebody please tell me im doing the wrong thing and save me the money

 

[Tech]

I'm no expert, but aren't you losing some velocity with the super short barrels? (18-21"). It sure seems like the guys that bring the "tacticool" 18" gun have a hard time knocking down plates, where my 26" er usually punishes the plate. Maybe those guys have a fixed cylinder bore too, but I usually run I/C for almost everything.

 

[Troy]

I used an 18" barrel for a few years and now a 21" and I never had a hard time knocking down plates using a modified choke.

 

[gondo]

yuck who wants to run modified?

 

[Spiff]

Ain't nothing wrong with mod.

Not all clubs are 3GN clubs. In fact, around here, there are a grand total of zero. Consider that before tailoring your equipment to one particular 3GN division.

 

[Matt1911]

My extended LM choke got a dab of loc-tite a year ago.

 

[FortyMikeMike]

My extended LM choke got a dab of loc-tite a year ago.

Same here. Maybe if I need to breach a door 30ft away I'll put on the full but otherwise LM it is