870 Express and parkerized finish, bluing, nickel

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kanelupis

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So, the finish on the 870 Express led me to believe that the gun had a parkerized finish but several things are starting to make me believe otherwise. In advance, if the Express IS actually parkerized, then I'll have made a serious mistake.

But let me explain why

For instance, on the Remington site all the Express pages read "pump-action shotgun features a non-glare matte finish on all exterior metalwork"
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model_870/model_870_express_super_magnum_synthetic.asp
Where as the Wingmaster page makes a point in mentioning, "The highly polished and richly blued receiver is milled... "
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model_870/model_870_wingmaster.asp

Secondly, it seems only the Police 870 is parkerized, according to this page, all the 870P versions are. However, "parkerized" is not mentioned even once on the other 870 pages
http://www.remingtonle.com/shotguns/870synthetic.htm

Then there is the Google search for the terms "remington 870 parkerized" which turns up first of all, the Remington Police 870 page, then a bunch of accessories for the 870 that are parkerized, and them some more entries about the Police 870.


In the search, I saw some statements made by some people and organizations

"Only problem I had with it was on a very hot day (100 Fahrenheit) I'd been holding it all day and before putting it away forgot to wipe it down. The basic-level finish on it didn't resist the rust quite as well as the Parkerizing I'm used to on military weapons, "
http://glocktalk.com/sitemap/topic/438603-1.html

"The 870 police shares many of the things that make the wingmaster great with a couple of key differences that make the gun more suited for law enforcement. Key amongst these variables are heavier springs in the trigger group, a parkerized finish, a shortened forend "
http://www.tacticalshotgun.ca/content_nonsub/shotguns/compare_870_590.html

On wikipedia, the only model mentioned with a parkerized finish is the police magnum
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remington_870

"Other than the wood and the parkerized finish [on the wingmaster] there was not much of a visual difference "
http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=748

"The Marine model comes with electroless nickel plating and a synthetic stock and the police models feature a parkerized finish with either hardwood or sythetic stocks"
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Remington+870


So you see my reasoning for believing that the Express is not parkerized. My buddy is adamant that it is. I believed him for the longest time. If it turns out that he is right, then the internet has failed me...

MSN convo:
[friend] said:
well then if you're soo confident i suggest you go to CGN and say 870's aren't parkerized
[friend] said:
i woudl ike to see how much flaming you'll get
-- Kanelupis 4 - <Secondary work account> <M-F 9am-5pm> said:
ok
-- Kanelupis 4 - <Secondary work account> <M-F 9am-5pm> said:
sure
[friend] said:
sure
[friend] said:
go.


Anyone care to clarify? Thanks
 
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yes a Matte finish is just a non glare flat finish and the bead blasting gives it rhe texture and does reduce glare because the metal is bead blasted. if you want it parkerized you'll have to have it done yourself as claven2 said.
 
Yup, X3.

The express is bead blasted and blued....not 'cause it's better....but because it's cheaper. Anybody who knows guns will tell you that a media-blasted and blued surface will rust sooner than a polished and blued one...has to do with surface area and the film forming effect of oil. The matte finish that they tout as being a "good" thing is really just a "cheap" thing.
 
got into a discussion the other day with a guy who just bought an 870 express from s.i.r. he couldn't understand the price difference from the wing master. i treid to explain such things as metal finnish, wood finish, metal to wood fit etc.didn't matter. he was right. i agree with both savagefan and huntsman. whaddya expect for $300.00 and i'll just have to keep it oiled. at the very worst it's a great entry level shotgun at a super price, at best if it's kept clean and well oiled it will last a life time. no problem
 
Other differences are that the Police and Wingmaster models have all milled or forged internals, while the Express uses some MIM parts. MIM, if done properly, is just as good and is cheaper, but is more prone to inclusions that can cause parts breakage. Chances are you get good MIM parts, but...?

Also the WM and Pol. models come with stronger mag springs and a detent-held magazine cap that readily accepts an extension. the Express has a sheet-metal retainer and dimples. Requires modification to accept an extension.

Finally, some express models have plastic trigger guards. The other models have aluminum trigger guards.
 
And a few more differences:

For Law Enforcement, Military, Corrections, and Security, whose lives depend upon the unfailing performance of Remington shotguns, the Police modifications are of paramount importance. Synopses of the variances are provided below.

• 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.

• Due to heavy recoil in buck and slug loads, all 870 Police guns have a longer magazine spring which ensures positive feed and function.

• A heavier sear spring is used to generate a reliable, positive trigger pull between 5 and 8 lbs.

• A heavier carrier dog spring is used to ensure when the carrier elevates the shell, it will be held there until the bolt can push it into the chamber. This ensures positive feeding when using heavier payload rounds.

• Police shotguns do not have an ISS (Integrated Safety System) which is a locking mechanism on the safety of commercial shotguns. This type of locking mechanism can cause delay to an officer who needs the weapon but does not have the appropriate key. LE shotguns have the standard, proven, cross bolt safety.

• 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.
 
Gentelmen:

Thank you for taking the time to detail the differences. I really apprecaite it. I had always wondered.

I perfer older WM and that lack of "Ball Detent" retention on some 870 barrels has proven to be a real PITA.

regards and all the best

R
 
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