SXP vs 870

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Arcness

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I am just looking for some feed back on buying a shotgun for just target shooting. I went to sail and I found some short barrel shotguns I am interested in. I haven't shot this short of a barrel before, but I have some experience with a Winchester SXP. I love the feel of the Remington 870 Express Tactical against the shoulder (at the store), but the price of the defender is pretty decent.


Winchester SXP defender - $319.99
Winchester SXP Extreme Defender - $549.99
Remmington 870 Express Tactical - $559.99
Remmington 870 Express Tactical with Blackhawk Spec Ops II - $529.99

Any thoughts?
 
I have an 870 Tactical and like it. It has tons of after market parts to customize it, I bought a Magpul stock and foregrip. I have no idea what Winchester is like.
 
The new SXP is a revised and "made in Turkey" copy of the old 1300 platform. That being said, I've had a few Winchester 1200/1300 series and many 870s and have run many tens of thousands of rounds thru both platforms. Both are rugged and dependable platforms that will give years of trouble free service but both may need a little polishing of the box if purchased new. (870s need chamber work and the 1300 or SXP bolt/ejector surfaces and slide arms need work at times)
If you see yourself wanting to modify your gun down the road, then the 870 is the hands down choice. If you just want to buy a gun and shoot it as is, both will do. If budget is an issue then you've already done your homework and your choice is rather clear.
 
There is absolutely no comparison!

The SXP is head and shoulders above the Remington in every way!

If nobody ever heard of a Remington 870 before, and had the choice I guarantee the Winchester would win every time.

Remington has been relying on their name to sell guns and letting quality slip for a long time now, and their shotguns are probably the best example of this.

BTW, in the last 5 years I have owned a couple 870's, a Maverick, a Mossberg 500, and 930, and the only shotgun in my safe right now is the Winchester SXP.
 
Remington makes an Express deer shotgun for buckshot. 20" improved cylinder with rifle sights and laminate stock for somewhere a little over $300. Spend another $30 or so on a two shot extension and you've got a budget tactical 870. Just throwing it out there.
 
I have a lot of experience with both. I like the sxp defender way more for speed & smoothness. But if you want all the aftermarket stuff then it's 870.
 
I'd rather get a 1200/1300 on the EE for cheap. Although the design's weakpoint is the plastic inserts that attach the magazine tube into the receiver. You need to remember that Winchester discontinued the Model 12 and brought the 1200 out, which was cheaper to make. While they look all nice on the outside, they aren't necessarily made of the best parts on the inside.

870, 590, BPS, Nova, M37, M12 would be the models to choose, and get them used off the EE.
 
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Arcness said:
Winchester SXP defender - $319.99
Winchester SXP Extreme Defender - $549.99
Remmington 870 Express Tactical - $559.99
Remmington 870 Express Tactical with Blackhawk Spec Ops II - $529.99
Click to expand...

Winchester SXP Extreme Defender - $499.99 @ Italian Sporting Goods.
Remington 870 Express Tactical - $519.99 @ Frontier Firearms


870 has loads of aftermarket parts and will have more shell capacity as well. I was thinking about buying a Win SXP but I'm leaning towards an older Win 1200/1300/Defender. Go handle a few and see what you like. I've read that the Win Defender's have a really good recoil reduction system... can't confirm as I haven't shot one though.
 
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Remington 870, I've had mine for over 25 years and it's never let me down, I've shot black bear, deer, and a #### load of birds. Just buy yourself a basic 870 and go from there. You'll be very happy.
 
M&V Gunsmithing said:
Remington 870, I've had mine for over 25 years and it's never let me down, I've shot black bear, deer, and a #### load of birds. Just buy yourself a basic 870 and go from there. You'll be very happy.
Click to expand...

I'd take a 25yr old, well maintained Rem 870 over a new Express model. Old ones were made better.
 
silverfoxdj said:
I ended up with the SXP for the same reasons stated here .. Very satisfied with it .. the "Combo"
Click to expand...

Do you find less 'felt recoil' with the SXP stock compared to an 870? That's what I was reading, but haven't shot an SXP to see if it's true.

Here's a youtube review on the SXP for the OP:


 
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twistedbrilliance said:
I have a lot of experience with both. I like the sxp defender way more for speed & smoothness. But if you want all the aftermarket stuff then it's 870.
Click to expand...

Exactly my experience. I've owned a number of both platforms, and the 1300/SXP guns are just as reliable, are lighter, and cycle much more smoothly and quickly... but aftermarket support suuucks.
 
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