Serial number tracking?

[Fowlweather25]

Is there a way to do this online? Gotta few I'd like to look up. Thanks!

[Wacenturion]

What are you trying to look up? 

[Fowlweather25]

My buddy has an 870 that isn't marked with an m on the receiver however the side of the barrel says it will tolerate 3 inch shells! He bought it brand new. We just want to make sure I can shoot 3 inch.

[iusmc2002]

The "M" is only designated for the magnum (3 1/2").  Almost all shotguns will take the 3" shells with no problem.  I think the 870 has to be the SuperMag version to take the big-ass shells. 

[Fowlweather25]

Sweet that's what I thought! Thanks for the clarification! Just didn't want to chance it before we shot it! Thanks a bunch iusmc!

[elkslayer069]

The "M" is only designated for the magnum (3 1/2").  Almost all shotguns will take the 3" shells with no problem.  I think the 870 has to be the SuperMag version to take the big-ass shells. 

Then M at the end of the serial number is stating that it will shoot a 3 inch shell not a 3 1/2

[Fowlweather25]

That's on the older express before they introduced the super mag. Now that they have the super mag and all the new expresses shoot a 3 inch they moved the m to the super mags. Just found the answer online finally.