Best Remington 870 year/variant

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Noble473

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Hey everyone I’m looking at getting my first 870 to build out possibly as a shorty/dlask clone or just keep stock so I’m just wondering what’s the best year/model combo I should be on the hunt for or if I should just grab a new one

Also an additional question what’s the shortest barrel I can fit on a standard length mag tube
 
get a wingmaster which ever year you find and a 12.5" barrel will make it just about level with the mag.
wingmaster with a dlask 12.5" barrel
 

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Striker said:
get a wingmaster which ever year you find and a 12.5" barrel will make it just about level with the mag.
wingmaster with a dlask 12.5" barrel
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Yeah I was definitely leaning towards a wingmaster , with Remingtons not so great history and quality control is there any years I should try and stay away from if I can
 
Noble473 said:
Yeah I was definitely leaning towards a wingmaster , with Remingtons not so great history and quality control is there any years I should try and stay away from if I can
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The older Wingmasters are the nicest looking. 1970's-'80's era if in good shape is what I'd be looking at if I were you.
Some will argue that there is a potential problem when using 3" magnums in the 2.75" receiver ejection port, but in my experience it isn't a problem (and who feeds a steady diet of 3" shells anyhow?).
Another great thing about Wingmasters is there are a tonne of spare barrels around and for sale. The shotgun will literally become your "everything" gun. Trap, skeet, slugger, bush carry personal defence, just a swap of the barrel and change the load.
Remington-870-20-ga-Wingmaster-Vintage-Silver-Lifter-Flying-Duck-Pistol-Grip-Fleur-De-Lis-Che...jpeg
 
AI answer to "870 quality?"

Quality by Era

Pre-2007 (Good Quality): Generally well-regarded

2007-2020 (Inconsistent/Lower Quality): This period under Freedom Group saw significant QC issues, leading to poor finishes, plastic parts

Post-2020 (Improved): RemArms (the new manufacturer) has reportedly brought back better quality control
 
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jethunter said:
AI answer to "870 quality?"

Quality by Era

Pre-2007 (Good Quality): Generally well-regarded

2007-2020 (Inconsistent/Lower Quality): This period under Freedom Group saw significant QC issues, leading to poor finishes, plastic parts

Post-2020 (Improved): RemArms (the new manufacturer) has reportedly brought back better quality control
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870s made prior to 2007 were known better quality in express or wingmaster.

I picked up a 1980s era wingmaster receiver for $350 last year. Lots of them on the ee here but the better ones go quickly.
 
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AlbertaBandit said:
70's Wingmaster but dont sleep on the 70s mossberg 500 ATP as well. ;)

I just put on a S&J +1 and 12.5" barrel stripped that discussing orange lacker, stained it and linseed oil the stock.
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This is almost exactly what I want to do as I want it to be compact for whatever I may need it for with the addition of the s&j folding Forend mainly for the cool factor
 
Noble473 said:
Yeah I was definitely leaning towards a wingmaster , with Remingtons not so great history and quality control is there any years I should try and stay away from if I can
Click to expand...
I have never run into a real Wingmaster that was a dog no matter the year and I have ownedva great number . The 870 Express? Well, those are not Wingmasters ......
Cat
 
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Early 2000's Dominion Arms Grizzly 870 clone or Norinco HP9.

Built like a tank and with all metal machined (not molded or compressed powder) trigger guards and perfect for upgrading to whatever tactical shottie you would want.

All 870 parts and accessories will fit, even most barrels. The fit and finish is very good and they are built like a tank. They have a slightly thicker steel receiver, machined solid aluminum trigger guard, plastic on the Express and compressed powdered aluminum on the 870P.

Better recoil pad. The Express pad is very hard. The softer and thicker recoil pad on them is secured by brass inserts in the stock and machine screws. The pad on the Express is held on by wood screws in plastic.

Better shell lifter design on them with no need for a Flexitab. If you can get a shell caught between the lifter and bolt on them you just pump the action and clear it. All 870 parts are a drop in fit on them even the bolt. That shows they are made to tight tolerances and specs.

They are also made and internally machined better than all the 870 Express models and are a far better deal. They are also mostly 3" shell versions unlike a lot of Remington's which are usually 2/4". It is way harder to find an older 3" Remington Wingmaster and they go for a lot more when you do.

They have a actual real parkerized finish. The 870 Express and newer Remington's have a bead blasted blue finish that doesn't provide any rust protection what so ever and often start rusting very soon after getting wet.

And have a machined real steel extractor, ejector & firing pin. On the 870 Express these parts are metal injection molded which fail more often. The polymer stocks on the Grizzly and HP9 shotguns are very thick, solid and made to last. The stocks on the 870 Express may look a bit nicer but are made of thin polymer, have a hollow feel & sound to them.

These shotguns are a heck of a deal and no used 870 version shotgun in the $250 - $350 price range can touch them for what they offer for the money.

Remington through H&R/NEF (they owned these companies) even imported and sold the Pardner Pump 870 clone which was made by Hawk Industries in China who was the maker of the Dominion Grizzly and HP9.


 
Noble473 said:
Yeah I was definitely leaning towards a wingmaster , with Remingtons not so great history and quality control is there any years I should try and stay away from if I can
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the fact that it's a wing master is he answer if it's not a wingmaster then you will have problems NO ISSUES with wingmasters 1951 -2013
 
For a short time in the late 80's the 870 Special Purpose Magnum came with a real parkerized finish and a real walnut stock with machine cut checkering not the die impressed crap, got one with a 26 inch barrel with the 3 choke set, my idea of the perfect 870, it came with sling swivels and a camo sling too
 
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I Dont Care About You said:
I have a late 80's 870 Express that has done yeoman's service over the decades. I like the Express because of the matt surface finish on the metal. It doesn't show scratches nearly as badly.
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BattleRife said:
Agreed. I bought my 870 Express in 1989. It has a metal trigger housing, a ball detent retains the barrel nut, and the finish holds up well.
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Yup, have one as well. 30sec barrel swap (like other 870 variants) and you’re covered from deer to turkey to fowl to what used to be a three gun rig.

Only thing I did was add one of S&Js mag followers and its never skipped a beat. I like the Matte finish over the blued Wingmasters I have had, sure takes the elements and abuse a little better.
 
The one thing you may want to consider is.
remington upgraded the shell carrier to prevent jams from the next cartridge in the mag coming out under the carrier and jamming the shotgun. You can tell by looking at the carrier. If it has a u shaped cut in it that is the new carrier design.
 
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