Remington 870, Express vs Police models

Carrier dog spring is the only real improvement. People will often cite build quality, but they're both pretty close now. Same receivers, just with a little extra cleanup internally.

Plus, most Police models are now produced with the poly trigger housing, and quite frankly, it's a pro all around.
 
rommelrommel said:
As per aippi who is basically the guru of all things 870:
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Thank you, rommelrommel. I've never heard of aippi, but that's an interesting perspective. If what he says is factual, he still doesn't dispute the differences below. These all factor into the much higher quality, reliability, and increased cost over the Express models, which I have owned, as well.

- 870 Police shotguns go thru a special 23 station check list – ranging from visual inspection, functional testing, test firing, and final inspection.
- All Police shotguns are assembled in a “special build area” at the plant in Ilion, NY. This section is secured and serves only to build LE and Military shotguns, with the same factory personnel working at that assignment each shift.
- All parts that enter the “special build area” are visually inspected by hand to ensure top quality and functionality
- The fore-end on the Express model is longer and not compatible with many police shotgun vehicle racks.
- The Police shotguns utilize the heavy duty SPEEDFEED Stocks and Fore-ends.
- The Express model will not allow for the addition of an extension tube without physical modification to the tube and barrel, which can nullify the warranty.
- The Express model has a BEAD BLAST BLUE finish while the Police models utilize either High Luster bluing or Parkerization.
- The Express model utilizes a synthetic trigger housing while the Police models use a compressed metal housing.
- The Police shotgun barrel is locked down with a “ball detent” system in conjunction with the magazine cap vs. a lesser grade “synthetic magazine spring retainer” lock down as used on the Express system.
- The receivers used in Police guns are “vibra honed” to smooth out rough finishes and remove burrs before parkerization or bluing.
- Police shotguns use machined ejectors and extractors, as opposed to powdered metal cast which are utilized on the Express models.

As I said earlier, my 870P's are as smooth and reliable as any Wingmatser I've owned, and finished just as nicely. One of these days I should take down one of each to compare internals, as I still tend to think there are differences, aside from just the extractor.
 
gwhysow said:
Carrier dog spring is the only real improvement. People will often cite build quality, but they're both pretty close now. Same receivers, just with a little extra cleanup internally.

Plus, most Police models are now produced with the poly trigger housing, and quite frankly, it's a pro all around.
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They most certainly are not on the same page with regards to build quality, in my experience. The 870P is MUCH higher than the Express.

Also, my 870 Police Magnums have metal trigger housings (this includes current production).
 
Big Bad said:
I wonder where the 870 Marine Magnum fits in here? I always thought they were an exceptionally fine build.
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Except for a couple of the usual MIM Express small parts, they're

Except for the MIM extractor, they're as good as a current police IMO, albeit for more money.
 
EL34/6L6 said:
Crickets...?
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I've never seen an MIM extractor fail, because I don't have one, and even if I did I'd swap it out with a machined piece.

There are lots of examples on the net of MIM components failing prematurely.
 
All this discussion and no mention of the metal follower I was originally told about? I would tend to think the bright orange one is actually safer anyway.

Looking around the WWW, it seems that Volquartsen makes a popular aftermarket non-MIM extractor? They would be the go-to brand?
 
Big Bad said:
All this discussion and no mention of the metal follower I was originally told about? I would tend to think the bright orange one is actually safer anyway.

Looking around the WWW, it seems that Volquartsen makes a popular aftermarket non-MIM extractor? They would be the go-to brand?
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The metal Vang Comp & GG&G followers are excellent but do not have the Hi-Viz factor. S&J's in neon green are best for that.

Volquartsen make an excellent extractor, however the Remington Police model replacement part works great as well.
 
My old Wingmaster has a metal follower - it's blued steel, so there's no reason you couldn't paint or cerakote it a bright colour for high viz. I suppose you could go the whole hog and get it TiN plated too.
 
gwhysow said:
Carrier dog spring is the only real improvement. People will often cite build quality, but they're both pretty close now. Same receivers, just with a little extra cleanup internally.

Plus, most Police models are now produced with the poly trigger housing, and quite frankly, it's a pro all around.
Click to expand...

If it's a police it has a metal trigger guard
 
A couple of observations, I have 4 870's at present, express , wingmaster, marine magnum and i just got lucky enough to get a brand new Police Marine Magnum, I know, stop drooling. the Police version versus the standard MM does have several differences, metal trigger housing, non MIM internal parts, beefier, mag spring, Hi Vis follower, rifle style glow in the dark sights, speed feed stocks, a slightly longer barrel and a standard safety. The receiver area also has a vastly superior finish as far as machining marks etc. are concerned and a less sloppy feeling action. Just my observations, YMMV.
 
My advice - since you can get a Wingmaster that's a few years old for less than the cost of a new Express, you should. You might need to get it refinished, and pick up a suitable barrel but the machining on them is always first class and the internals are superb.
 
I own the standard Marine Magnum and it's really the only Remington product that has stood the test of time for me. It does have a polymer trigger guard which has been subjected to all conditions and is still perfect. I think it has a MIM extractor and I have a spare Tacord forged extracter on standby (probably will never need it). It feeds and functions flawlessly. It was purchased in 2011. I think these models are a cut above the rest. As for sights, I have become quite proficient with the little bead and wouldn't want anything else cluttering up the barrel.
 
It must be getting difficult to produce the milled steel receiver 870 at a price point that's competitive with aluminum receiver pumps at the lower end the market?
 
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