remington model 17 20 g.a.

boxer steve · 03-30-2009, 07:30 PM

I am looking for info about this gun. I need to know specificly if it is chambered for 3 in shells. I cannot find the info on the barrel and I am looking for a website that gives this info. Also I need to know how to tell if it is a regular model or one of the 5 specialty models.

Barut · 03-30-2009, 08:55 PM

Firearm Model History - Remington Model 17

Remington Model 17 Pump-Action Shotguns

Those links should answer all of your questions.

boxer steve · 03-30-2009, 09:47 PM

Thanks for the links I found them shortly after posting. The info on them is too general. I did find a manual on another site ,stevens page maybe. This site had descriptions of most models but not police or riot models. I am trying to find out if my gun is a riot or maybe police model.
I tried a 3" shell in it and the action did close all the way,however the manual said the gun was chambered for 2 1/2 and 2 3/4 in shells. I thought maybe the police or riot model maybe chambered for 3 in shells.

Lord of Lies · 03-31-2009, 12:21 AM

Try posting your question on AR15.com, in the Armory > Shotgun section. I'll bet someone over there will know.

Barut · 03-31-2009, 07:21 AM

The only difference between the riot/police models and the standard will be the length of the barrel.

BPA00 · 03-31-2009, 01:20 PM

I didn't think that many 20 gauge shotguns were chambered for 3" rounds??

Dolomite · 03-31-2009, 03:11 PM

Depending on the year of manufacture, the chamber may actually be 2 &1/2".

If it doesn't say - 20 Gauge 3" - on the barrel I would immediately assume that magnum ammo (either 2 & 3/4" or 3') should not be used.

Here's why: Round about the 1930's they began switching how they constructed shot shells. What's relevant is that there were drastic changes with the wad material and the manner they used to finally crimp the shells.

Combine that with the many improvements in gun powder that have come along and the value of properly checking out old shotguns becomes pretty clear.

Sure a 3" shell may "fit" and cycle fine through the action - but firing it is a dangerous proposition. If the chamber is really only 2 & 1/2" - that last 1/2" of that magnum shell is actually being squeezed (and squeezed hard) to maximum SAAMI specifications, past the chamber and into the barrel itself.

This constriction of the end of the shell where all the good stuff comes out is unhealthy to both the shotgun and the shooter.

To know for sure you'll either have to buy a chamber gauge (~$25) or talk to a gunsmith experienced in the area of fine shotguns.

Brownells.com has a .pdf of instructions regarding their chamber gauges - it goes into much more detail about the relation between age of the shotgun / chamber size / dangerous shell constriction. It is worth a read.