I believe that trap guns have a bit differnt stock configuration that allows for the rise of the clay targets. In some cases the actions are a bit every to with stand repeated firing.
What is the difference between 870 trap and 870?
I've never owned an 870 trap so wondered what the difference was. I have a couple of 870's with 30 inch full choke barrels and enjoy shooting them but have wanted to know the differences. Thanks Jackie B.
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I "think" it's mostly in the stock dimensions & grade of wood. Probably more hand selection of bbls, some bbls have step ribs & are overbored on trap models & tuning (fitting) of the parts. Either one will outlast me. Ross Puls
Jackie:
Usually the only differences between a trap grade 870 and a field grade is the wood, and an addition of a middle bead on the barrels.
Field grade 870's usually have a lower stock for hunting purposes, and the wood is less figured. A trap grade 870 the wood was graded as TA, TB, and TC, as well as higher grades, TD, and F grade. The TA had the least figured wood on a trap stock, and TC had hand cut checkering and nicer figured wood. The TA and TB had pressed checkering.
The TC grade with the nicer wood weighs more than the TA and TB so Remington took the extra weight out of the pistol grip to make them weigh roughly the same. The TC pistol grip is a bit smaller than TA and TB.
Years ago, two types of trap stocks were offered, a monte carlo type stock and a non monte carlo stock usually refereed to as a straight trap stock. The comb height is higher compared to a field grade 870. Most trapshooters want a trap grade stock with the higher comb so the gun shoots higher for rising targets on the trap field.
Regarding the barrels on a trap grade 870, they came usually with a 30 inch full choke barrel with a middle and front bead. You could also purchase a trap grade gun with a 30 inch modified choke if you wanted. These barrels could also be purchased in length of 28 inches. Remington use to offer numerous barrel lengths with fixed chokes over the years.
Hope this helps you out a bit.
Steve Balistreri
Usually the only differences between a trap grade 870 and a field grade is the wood, and an addition of a middle bead on the barrels.
Field grade 870's usually have a lower stock for hunting purposes, and the wood is less figured. A trap grade 870 the wood was graded as TA, TB, and TC, as well as higher grades, TD, and F grade. The TA had the least figured wood on a trap stock, and TC had hand cut checkering and nicer figured wood. The TA and TB had pressed checkering.
The TC grade with the nicer wood weighs more than the TA and TB so Remington took the extra weight out of the pistol grip to make them weigh roughly the same. The TC pistol grip is a bit smaller than TA and TB.
Years ago, two types of trap stocks were offered, a monte carlo type stock and a non monte carlo stock usually refereed to as a straight trap stock. The comb height is higher compared to a field grade 870. Most trapshooters want a trap grade stock with the higher comb so the gun shoots higher for rising targets on the trap field.
Regarding the barrels on a trap grade 870, they came usually with a 30 inch full choke barrel with a middle and front bead. You could also purchase a trap grade gun with a 30 inch modified choke if you wanted. These barrels could also be purchased in length of 28 inches. Remington use to offer numerous barrel lengths with fixed chokes over the years.
Hope this helps you out a bit.
Steve Balistreri
Steve is the man when it comes to 870's.
The biggest PRACTICAL differences between a field 870 and a Trap 870 are going to be the buttstock and the barrel length.
The field stock has a lot of drop to it. This makes field guns very flat shooting.
Trap stocks come in two styles. Straight comb and monte carlo. Despite appearances, the comb height is the same on both. What's different is the butt pad is lower on the monte carlo. The straight comb stock works better for those with short necks. The monte carlo works better for those with long necks. The purpose is to raise the point of aim so the target will float above the bead.
Barrels for 870 trap guns are generally 30". Most field guns are 26" to 28". As a general rule, the longer and heavier the barrel the more steady the swing.
There are many options for trap barrels. They can have fixed or screw in choke tubes, flat or step ribs, and light or standard barrel contours.
There is no difference in the receivers except for the model roll mark. You can convert a field 870 into a trap gun simply by replacing the buttstock with a trap buttstock and putting on a longer barrel. A 28" barrel will work and some use them. A 26" barrel is a bit too short.
My 1187 "Trap" started as a field gun and I upgraded it that way, starting with the buttstock and eventually a barrel. But a lot of others have bought new or used trap guns and saved themselves some money in the long run.
The field stock has a lot of drop to it. This makes field guns very flat shooting.
Trap stocks come in two styles. Straight comb and monte carlo. Despite appearances, the comb height is the same on both. What's different is the butt pad is lower on the monte carlo. The straight comb stock works better for those with short necks. The monte carlo works better for those with long necks. The purpose is to raise the point of aim so the target will float above the bead.
Barrels for 870 trap guns are generally 30". Most field guns are 26" to 28". As a general rule, the longer and heavier the barrel the more steady the swing.
There are many options for trap barrels. They can have fixed or screw in choke tubes, flat or step ribs, and light or standard barrel contours.
There is no difference in the receivers except for the model roll mark. You can convert a field 870 into a trap gun simply by replacing the buttstock with a trap buttstock and putting on a longer barrel. A 28" barrel will work and some use them. A 26" barrel is a bit too short.
My 1187 "Trap" started as a field gun and I upgraded it that way, starting with the buttstock and eventually a barrel. But a lot of others have bought new or used trap guns and saved themselves some money in the long run.
Steve Ballisteri,
My 1972 new purchase was a 870 TB. It has a "Modified Trap" choke. It is all original as I special ordered this gun. I think at the time I paid a whopping
$162.95 +4% Michigan sales tax. Not a lot of money at todays going rate but back then it was a gold mine to a 20 year old kid.
Chuck
My 1972 new purchase was a 870 TB. It has a "Modified Trap" choke. It is all original as I special ordered this gun. I think at the time I paid a whopping
$162.95 +4% Michigan sales tax. Not a lot of money at todays going rate but back then it was a gold mine to a 20 year old kid.
Chuck
Thanks for the responses. One of my 870's has a immaculate Hastings 34 inch barrel with dual beads, screw in chokes and stock has a fixed length Graco recoil reducer. It's one of my favorites for shooting Scrap. I also have a B80 with a 32 inch barrel fixed full and a Bt99 34 with screw in chokes but always seem to go back to the 870.
Chuck:
Sounds like a nice gun.
Steve
Sounds like a nice gun.
Steve
I wouldn't put too much emphasis on mid-barrel beads being the sign of a trap barrel. One of my light contour field barrels came with a mid-barrel bead.
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