870 question

HChammer

HChammer

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
150   0   0
Location
Pretty close to North Bay Ontario
I’m sure a couple google search’s would answer my question but cgn seems a bit slow tonight…….

Are the newer 870 “tactical” models build any different then the newer express models or are they just stamped tactical due to the configuration they come in from the factory?


Thanks,
Luke
 
Some of the "Tactical" models have a longer integral magazine tube, with the barrel lug mounted further forward, this messes up switching to a standard barrel as the lug is in the wrong place. This means you're getting stuck what you bought, no swapping out an 18 inch barrel for a 12 1/2 or 14 incher. Otherwise there's no internal difference. The only 870's that have internal differences are the Police models which have a heavier carrier dog spring and a machined (instead of MIM) extractor. The internal parts can be sourced and installed on any 870.
 
enefgee is right on the money. That mag tube / barrel lug difference is the only thing that can't be altered.

If you know you are going to stick with the factory barrel it's a non issue. But you're giving up quite a bit: No short barrels, no hunting/clays length barrels, and no option for chokes (that I'm aware of). FWIW, on my high mileage 3-gun 870 I greatly preferred the longer tube as it's more robust than the magazine extension, and it made disassembly quicker.

From what I can see on the current Remington site, there are three 870 models that have the long tube - The 870 Express Tactical Magpul, Express Tactical 7-Round and the Express Tactical 6-Position Stock. The others have a standard length magazine tube (with or without a +2 extension).

The one other significant difference is that the Express Tactical (the one with the breacher choke and XS sights) has the receiver drilled and tapped for an optic mount (comes with a short pic rail).
 
gSNd12N.jpg
 
The finish on my Rem 870 Tac Extended Mag is Cerakoted from factory. XS Shotrail and Breacher. Looks proper with a +1 added. If you plan on switching barrels I would suggest buying 2 shotguns. I was on the fence whether to buy the standard model with 18.5 barrel and mag ext but after looking at the price of barrels I figured I’d just buy another 870. The idea of swapping barrels is nice if they came together in a package or someone gave you one/already had one laying around. I would still suggest buying another receiver and just making a complete gun. The extended mag makes for a rigid shotgun to mount the clamp style sling mount vs mag end cap.
 
I looked at the Express too but got the 870P, just wish I would have opted for the rifle sight barrel over the bead.

I was just curious as to why a Wingmaster and not a new or used P.
 
enefgee said:
No, OP's looking at a "Tactical" - so, an Express that someone at the factory decided to change so it's less versatile.
Click to expand...

Not necessarily. Remington lists multiple models as “Tactical”. Some have the longer one piece mag tube (Tactical 7rd), while others have the old two round magazine extension and some that have no extension at all (4rd mag tube).

As has also been mentioned they do make a spacer so that normal barrels can still be used. Personally if I was looking for a solid, no frills “tactical” shotgun the elongated mag tube makes sense. If I was looking for an all purpose shotgun, not so much.
 
recce said:
I looked at the Express too but got the 870P, just wish I would have opted for the rifle sight barrel over the bead.

I was just curious as to why a Wingmaster and not a new or used P.
Click to expand...

It's cheaper, and almost identical - it already has a forged extractor, machining quality on the Wingmaster is generally a step above the 'P', so it's smoother, and the mag tube is dimple free like a P,
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom