So many 870 version I'm getting confused

.22LRGUY said:
Express vs Wingmaster? Yep, the WM are better-finished guns, but in my experience...treat them both right, they'll both outlast you. Put them away wet, both will rust. Here on CGN, it's common to put an Express away wet..complain about corrosion, and how crappy the finish is. Meanwhile, the Wingmaster the same guy might own get's the royal treatment, and no online scorn. lol
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I feel your right on the money with this, I’ve put my express in the crappiest weather I could this last year trying to get it to rust like everyone says and nothing. I didn’t oil it any more or less than any other gun I own, when it was pouring rain I’d wipe it dry when I got home and leave it near the wood stove till the following day before it saw an oily cloth and it’s still rust free. I even keep it in a gun bag and not in the safe lol, I really have a hard time believing all the rusting issues people complain about with them is due to the gun itself.
 
Well - In my neck of the woods, folks that have shotguns with extended mag tubes are declared to be "all hat and no cattle". Mag tube considerations aside, an 870 Express will serve you fine.... Anything you buy with "tactical" or"police" designation is grossly overpriced.
 
cosmic said:
Well - In my neck of the woods, folks that have shotguns with extended mag tubes are declared to be "all hat and no cattle". Mag tube considerations aside, an 870 Express will serve you fine.... Anything you buy with "tactical" or"police" designation is grossly overpriced.
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The irony is that anyone that looks down on someone negatively that owns and uses a tactical style of firearm likely doesn’t hang around people that use them out in the field hunting, so they likely have no clue what the person is capable of doing with it. I can tell you with certainty that the two friends I hunt with didn’t come anywhere close to the numbers of grouse that I shot with my tactical looking 870’s, their O/U and 28” barrels didn’t help them at all. The one finally started bagging birds when I made him use my 870 lol, the numbers don’t lie. At the end of the day they shot a fraction of the grouse I did when we were out together, I won’t even comment on the season totals between each of us lol.

It’s not about the style of gun you show up with it’s how you shoot it and what your attitude is while out hunting, or maybe it’s just to embarrassing to miss every bird you shoot at while your buddy smashes them constantly lol.
 
Had lot of help from members here and Butcherbill helped me a lot with ideas . Have now on order Remington 870 Police . Police model has stronger springs metal trigger etc. Check out the 870 Forum on the web . Can’t wait.
Leavenworth
 
Buy a Tactical Express.
I have 4 of them. Great guns.
Ghost ring sights, 18.5" Remchoke barrel, mag extension. Has everything you listed.
 
cosmic said:
Well - In my neck of the woods, folks that have shotguns with extended mag tubes are declared to be "all hat and no cattle"an.
Well, the only cattle Ill ever own comes with a side of mashed potatoes so I guess that fits ;)

I’m not looking for red dots, flashlights and lasers. I’ve just never seen a situation where less ammo was better than more ammo?? (Yes I’ll plug in season)

The express seems to be fairing well with many people here.
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Butcherbill said:
This checks all the boxes, if I wanted all of the above without putting it together I’d consider it. It doesn’t have rifle sights but the ghost rings are nice and you get a rail with the xs sights setup in case you feel like using a red dot for slugs. It has the removable +2 mag extension so you can use any regular 870 barrel.

https://www.reliablegun.com/en/remi...t-ring-sight-rail-rem-choke-tactical-extended
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This ticks all the boxes!

At $700 new it tells me the ceiling for price when I see used come up on the EE.

I need to save a up a bit more cash but this really helps narrow the focus.
 
Gentlemen
I do not want to take away form the OP's thread and hope I have my facts right . From the factory I do not think the Express has the beefed up parts that the Police version has unless the Express is a Military version . I have seen many many threads related to this topic on multiple forums. The Police 870 also goes through additional checks for quality control, is assembled by hand in a separate part of the Remington factory .I do know that you can upgrade the Express or any other 870 with upgraded parts .
Please feel free to correct me !
 
Leavenworth said:
Gentlemen
I do not want to take away form the OP's thread and hope I have my facts right . From the factory I do not think the Express has the beefed up parts that the Police version has unless the Express is a Military version . I have seen many many threads related to this topic on multiple forums. The Police 870 also goes through additional checks for quality control, is assembled by hand in a separate part of the Remington factory .I do know that you can upgrade the Express or any other 870 with upgraded parts .
Please feel free to correct me !
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you can see why im so confused though, right!

so many slight variations but still under one model number
 
Leavenworth said:
Gentlemen
I do not want to take away form the OP's thread and hope I have my facts right . From the factory I do not think the Express has the beefed up parts that the Police version has unless the Express is a Military version . I have seen many many threads related to this topic on multiple forums. The Police 870 also goes through additional checks for quality control, is assembled by hand in a separate part of the Remington factory .I do know that you can upgrade the Express or any other 870 with upgraded parts .
Please feel free to correct me !
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I've owned (in order) Wingmaster, Express, and Police...and have also read about the Police models undergoing additional checks/QC inspection. The most I EVER spent was on the Police, bought new from a CGN sponsor as I wanted "the best". The gun arrived with scratches, and the rear sights cocked about 10 degrees. Couldn't believe it. Swung by my LGS, they had 3 x 870 Express/slug guns in the back. Since I was the only customer there, I asked if I could see all three...and sight down the barrels. Sights on all 3 were perfect. Called the dealer, who contacted Gravel and eventually I had a new gun.

Between that experience, and, having a gun parkerized and learning what real parkerizing looks like in the flesh, I'm left with the impression than the 870Ps are not worth the asking price. Great guns? Sure, but no better than a Wingmaster, and neither are worth 2X what an Express is. They are much better, but just not 2X better if you ask me. I've worked on numerous Express guns now, still own one, and have shot Remington shotguns almost non-stop for close to 33 years...so I don't need anyone telling me "Express" are garbage, crappy finishes, etc. The economy has to come from somewhere, but with an ounce of care they run really well. Heck, my nephew's gun doesn't even get the ounce of care and it runs perfectly. lol You can upgrade the extractor and trigger group to bring these more in line with the WM/P models but beyond that, if you're not going to war..most people would be well served by an Express.

If there is "metal" QUALITY (not metal finish) difference between these 3 models, I'm not aware of it. I think anyone examining all 3 side by side would probably notice the roughness of the Express finish, but I've had mine over 10 years, and not a single spec of corrosion. The only time I've ever heard discussions about barrel wall/thickness had to do with Mossbergs. 590A1 vs. 500 There may be a difference with 870s, but I've never noticed.

Now if we're comparing any 870 to a DA Grizzly, I don't know what they do with those Grizzies to make them so heavy. lol Never bothered to compare one side-by-side with an 870, but I've had a couple of them over the years.

There are guys like 3Mac1 (I think I have the username right) on this forum who have probably forgotten more about 870s than I'll ever know. I've had great experiences shooting all 3 levels of guns, and have never had an issue with any of them. I suspect that has to do with giving them all the same level of care after shooting.
 
.22LRGUY said:
I've owned (in order) Wingmaster, Express, and Police...and have also read about the Police models undergoing additional checks/QC inspection. The most I EVER spent was on the Police, bought new from a CGN sponsor as I wanted "the best". The gun arrived with scratches, and the rear sights cocked about 10 degrees. Couldn't believe it. Swung by my LGS, they had 3 x 870 Express/slug guns in the back. Since I was the only customer there, I asked if I could see all three...and sight down the barrels. Sights on all 3 were perfect. Called the dealer, who contacted Gravel and eventually I had a new gun.

Between that experience, and, having a gun parkerized and learning what real parkerizing looks like in the flesh, I'm left with the impression than the 870Ps are not worth the asking price. Great guns? Sure, but no better than a Wingmaster, and neither are worth 2X what an Express is. They are much better, but just not 2X better if you ask me. I've worked on numerous Express guns now, still own one, and have shot Remington shotguns almost non-stop for close to 33 years...so I don't need anyone telling me "Express" are garbage, crappy finishes, etc. The economy has to come from somewhere, but with an ounce of care they run really well. Heck, my nephew's gun doesn't even get the ounce of care and it runs perfectly. lol You can upgrade the extractor and trigger group to bring these more in line with the WM/P models but beyond that, if you're not going to war..most people would be well served by an Express.

If there is "metal" QUALITY (not metal finish) difference between these 3 models, I'm not aware of it. I think anyone examining all 3 side by side would probably notice the roughness of the Express finish, but I've had mine over 10 years, and not a single spec of corrosion. The only time I've ever heard discussions about barrel wall/thickness had to do with Mossbergs. 590A1 vs. 500 There may be a difference with 870s, but I've never noticed.

Now if we're comparing any 870 to a DA Grizzly, I don't know what they do with those Grizzies to make them so heavy. lol Never bothered to compare one side-by-side with an 870, but I've had a couple of them over the years.

There are guys like 3Mac1 (I think I have the username right) on this forum who have probably forgotten more about 870s than I'll ever know. I've had great experiences shooting all 3 levels of guns, and have never had an issue with any of them. I suspect that has to do with giving them all the same level of care after shooting.
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Yikes on your 870 Police that you purchased ! Hope you did not take my mention of the Express as a dig, that was not my intent ! Just wanted to mention what I had come across doing my research . I will let you know what sort of shape mine is in when it arrives
Leavenworth
 
.22LRGUY said:
Now if we're comparing any 870 to a DA Grizzly, I don't know what they do with those Grizzies to make them so heavy. lol Never bothered to compare one side-by-side with an 870, but I've had a couple of them over the years.
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From my comparison of the Grizzly and 870 express the majority of the weight is in the grizzly polymer stock, swap in a laminate or hardwood Rem set and you drop about a pound, swap in a Rem synthetic stock and you loose a bit more weight. I weighed the stock sets when I swapped out the factory set on my wife’s 12.5” grizzly, the complete grizzly receiver (no barrel or stock.) feels a bit heavier as well but I didn’t weigh it when I had them appart. Between the wife and I we have a couple of each, I can weigh a 12.5” grizzly with Rem wood stock set and an express with a synthetic Rem stock and a 12.5” grizzly barrel if you are curious at the weight differences?

I think the express is the best bang for the buck, I know that upgrading the follower, mag spring, jumbo safety, extractor with aftermarket parts you’re still way under the cost of a 870p or Wingmaster and they’re all diy replacement parts if you have a couple basic hand tools. You can also pick up a factory +2 mag extension for cheap. I usually swap these out as it’s not expensive for the parts but it’s not a deal breaker if you don’t.

All those aside I think the best thing you can do to an express to make it a different gun is to get some 600-800-1000 wet dry paper and polish the action bars, the rails they slide in on the receiver and the breach block/bolt. As well as polish the chamber and barrel with 0000 steel wool wrapped around a brass brush chucked in a hand drill, in an hour you’ll have a silky smooth action and it only cost a bit of your time. My 870’s and clones actions are smooth, the grizzlys especially. I spent some real time polishing the grizzly’s internals on a cloth wheel and it shows when you shoot them.
 
Leavenworth said:
Yikes on your 870 Police that you purchased ! Hope you did not take my mention of the Express as a dig, that was not my intent ! Just wanted to mention what I had come across doing my research . I will let you know what sort of shape mine is in when it arrives
Leavenworth
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Not at all buddy. In fact, the only reason I bought one was for my kids to shoot/hunt with, a 20ga. Express youth. (21" VR/RC barrel, laminate stock) Chamber is smooth as could be, and came that way from the factory. Has literally run perfectly from day one. These days, they never touch it because iPhones, Instagram, boyfriends/girlfriends are more interesting I guess! lol It's crossed my mind to sell it, but instead..it's proven to be a great gun to have around when introducing new shooters to shotguns, or even shooters with a little experience to things like trap/skeet. It's also the only shotgun my wife will shoot when the urge strikes every year or two. lol

Butcherbill said:
From my comparison of the Grizzly and 870 express the majority of the weight is in the grizzly polymer stock, swap in a laminate or hardwood Rem set and you drop about a pound, swap in a Rem synthetic stock and you loose a bit more weight. I weighed the stock sets when I swapped out the factory set on my wife’s 12.5” grizzly, the complete grizzly receiver (no barrel or stock.) feels a bit heavier as well but I didn’t weigh it when I had them appart. Between the wife and I we have a couple of each, I can weigh a 12.5” grizzly with Rem wood stock set and an express with a synthetic Rem stock and a 12.5” grizzly barrel if you are curious at the weight differences?

I think the express is the best bang for the buck, I know that upgrading the follower, mag spring, jumbo safety, extractor with aftermarket parts you’re still way under the cost of a 870p or Wingmaster and they’re all diy replacement parts if you have a couple basic hand tools. You can also pick up a factory +2 mag extension for cheap. I usually swap these out as it’s not expensive for the parts but it’s not a deal breaker if you don’t.

All those aside I think the best thing you can do to an express to make it a different gun is to get some 600-800-1000 wet dry paper and polish the action bars, the rails they slide in on the receiver and the breach block/bolt. As well as polish the chamber and barrel with 0000 steel wool wrapped around a brass brush chucked in a hand drill, in an hour you’ll have a silky smooth action and it only cost a bit of your time. My 870’s and clones actions are smooth, the grizzlys especially. I spent some real time polishing the grizzly’s internals on a cloth wheel and it shows when you shoot them.
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^we're on the same page. :) 870s are easy to work on (if/when required) and most of the time I've worked on them it was for one of two reasons~stuck choke tubes (neglect) or a rough chamber causing some shell types to stick if the barrel gets a little hot. One barrel I worked on had a little machining imperfection that 3 seconds with a Dremel corrected...and I'm no gunsmith. lol
 
FWIW the Remington 870s in your neighbourhood RCMP car are wingmasters.

The beauty of the 870 is at it is basically Barbie for dudes. There are no shortage of accessories and options for them, from 12.5" barrels to 32" barrels. Fully rifled to fixed choke to interchangeable. Bead sights, rifled sights or cantilevered scope mounts. So you can do a lot with the platform.

The OP mentioned wanting to get into the 870 game as cheaply as possible. In that case buy a used express with an 18.5" barrel and go from there. The 18.5" will probably have a fixed choke but that's not the end of the world. There are usually no shortage of take off 28" barrels you can pick up affordably. The extended mag tube is easy enough to get as well. Now some people will say that the Wingmaster is the only way to go. Fine. Decide based on your budget. I doubt that you will notice any difference in performance between the two. I wouldn't pay for the Police version, especially given that most police don't use it!

The one to watch out for is the Special Field. It uses different barrels than the rest of the family. Great guns, but you have to know what you're getting.

But my biggest recommendation is that you watch the EE. What you want will show up eventually (you probably won't even have to wait too long) and your dollar will go farther buying used. Few people shoot enough to wear out an 870.
 
Hey Guys,

It’s been 26 years or since I had shot a shotgun, let alone the 870. It belonged to a buddy and was the first pump gun I ever shot. I learned a lot about shotguns with that old 870. Like don’t put it on your hip and shoot it...that really effin hurt.

Like the OP, I wanted my own. And I wanted it for a multitude of different purposes. Maybe some skeet. Turkey hunting. 3 Gun. Home defense and just plain blowing stuff up.

I liked the Magpul equipped ones and the tactical ones but I didn’t want to spend a lot of money, either. The mag fed ones felt stiff and I found the mag changes to be somewhat clumsy.

So I bought the basic 870 Tactical. 6+1 with the 18.5” barrel and synthetic furniture. Just under $500 out the door after the libtards got their share. Bought a box of Sellier and Bellot double ought buck and a box of slugs and took it to the range last night. Smiles all around.

Glad I bought it. I’ll be able to buy a choked barrel for turkey hunting, drill and tap the receiver for sights, throw Magpul furniture on it and a multitude of other things as I require or want them. But for now, out of the box, I’m happy with it and think I’ll hold onto it for a long time.

Cheers,
EZTRGT
Kyle
 
For hunting and general range use there's nothing wrong with an 870 Express. Mine had trouble extracting shells when I bought it, I put some polishing compound on a 12ga bore mop and chucked it in a drill to polish the chamber, no failures to extract since. I had to do the same to an Express that a buddy purchased, same result. My Norinco HP9 required no such treatment to extract reliably however it doesn't feel quite as smooth as my Remington which has well over 2000 rounds through it.
 
28012-148148


18.5"bbl and threaded for RemChokes.

870 Express Tactical 7+1

They also do it in a Magpull Edition.

44461-177853
 
Just going to add that the Remington 870 DM. DM being detachable mag is a sweet looking rig ! I thing they have different mags for different capacity . Ike the idea of just changing mags for birds so your legal then you could have another mag for bears .Just maybe more confusion to add ! Gatehouse has a thread on his .
Leavenworth
 
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