Shotgun Barrel Lengths vs. Tube Length

[Gadela08]

this might be a silly question.

Why do so many 3-gun shotguns come in Barrel lengths of 20, 22, 24, or inches when people are putting +5 extension tubes on there that bring the total tube length to 30 or 32 inches? The "wieldability" argument for a short barrel goes right out the window once you slap on an extension tube. I think 3-gun shotguns should come in 28 and 30 inch barrel lengths and that will make the barrel sit right next to the full length of the extension tube for a 10+1 shotgun ...unless someone else here sees any benefit to having a 24 inch barrel and a 32 inch mag tube?

[TonytheTiger]

That way you can spear them into the ground without plugging the muzzle with dirt!

[Gadela08]

That way you can spear them into the ground without plugging the muzzle with dirt!

ask a silly question...

[P.E. Kelley]

The swing is not changed as much as you might think, The tube weighs a fraction of what the same length of barrel does.

Lot of guys reconfigure the tube length to the particular event. A 24" barrel is nearly flush with a tube that holds 10 and that

is my base gun set up. I might chose to add a plus 2 to that 10 for 12 at a match here or there and even the 12 set up

is only about 4" beyond the muzzle of the 24" barrel.

As to "unwieldy" I have not been to and event that challenged me with my current shotgun set up.

Once in a car it is odd, but even a 21" was odd.

Once in a tunnel with a 22" M14 is was odd but I made it through with an excellent score.

[mike cyrwus]

and yet (almost) no one notices how the gun moves if theres 12 rounds in the tube or one.

[AustinT]

Steel is 3x the density of aluminum. Most tubes are aluminum. Mike's right, I don't notice the difference in handling of the gun on the clock whether the tube is empty or full.

[openclassterror]

Even a 28 inch barrel isn't long enough for THIS mag tube! Makes vehicle stages ummmm......... interesting!

[Garmil]

I'm running a 28" stoeger with a 12+1 tube that actually holds 13 and is barely past the barrel I like it.

[Dan Sierpina]

Even a 28 inch barrel isn't long enough for THIS mag tube! Makes vehicle stages ummmm......... interesting!

I'd like to see how tall the abandonment barrel needed for that!

[Gadela08]

weird. i have a 9+1 capacity and a 28 inch barrel and my tube is nearly the length of by barrel. why would that be when someone else has a 28 inch barrel and 12+1

[Dustbuster1]

Am okay w 21 here and could work w 24 but getting longer makes me think about the dump bucket and using a javelin for a shotgun

[openclassterror]

A Stoeger +7 extension is very close to flush with a 28. Factory tube holds 4, so total tube capacity is 11. 12rd capacity is about 2-1/4 inch beyond barrel, so the numbers he stated add up. Different models of shotguns may vary depending on receiver design.

[openclassterror]

Even a 28 inch barrel isn't long enough for THIS mag tube! Makes vehicle stages ummmm......... interesting!

I'd like to see how tall the abandonment barrel needed for that!

Believe it or not, as long as the dump barrel is staked it will stay. The owner of this shotgun tested it in this configuration and the gun ran, in spite of the 2+ pounds of shells in the tube. The extension actually sags away from the barrel to allow clearance for shot dispersion

[OscarMike]

I'd rather bend an extension than bend a barrel (or break the FO) while dumping the gun.