870 identification

[Waterfowler]

Looking at a used 870 right now. Looks like an Express (finish), but there is no marking on the receiver, ie. Express, Wingmaster, Special Purpose.

3" chamber, 28" barrel, comes with one choke that I assume is modified with tells me it is likely an Express.

Any thoughts?

 

[The Baron]

If it's got a plastic trigger guard, then it's an Express. I believe some of the later Express weren't receiver marked as such. The older Special Purpose models were all marked as such and (I think) had metal trigger guards, because they were Wingmaster quality with a parkerized-type (not 100% sure it was parkerizing) finish.

 

[Waterfowler]

If it's got a plastic trigger guard, then it's an Express. I believe some of the later Express weren't receiver marked as such. The older Special Purpose models were all marked as such and (I think) had metal trigger guards, because they were Wingmaster quality with a parkerized-type (not 100% sure it was parkerizing) finish.

Agreed, the SP's were parkerized. Ultimately, that is what I would like to find.

 

[0faustus0]

Looking at a used 870 right now. Looks like an Express (finish), but there is no marking on the receiver, ie. Express, Wingmaster, Special Purpose.

3" chamber, 28" barrel, comes with one choke that I assume is modified with tells me it is likely an Express.

Any thoughts?

If the barrel has a black matt finish .... then it is likely an Express. As far as I know Remington did not make parkerized 28" barrels ....

The Police line of 870s and barrels were parkerized .... but the longest Police barrel I have seen is only 20 inches ....

 

[Longstud]

Many moons ago I owned an 870 special purpose with a 28” barrel as well as a rifle sighted deer barrel with threaded choke. Came as a combo and it was Parkerized. The wood should tell you if it’s an express. They also don’t have the ring of a wingmaster or the same feel when shucking the action.

 

[Lodi]

Prior to the Express was the 'Sportsman'. I don't recall the specs but IIRC the metal was blued but not as highly polished as a Wingmaster, and the stock was birch.

 

[Waterfowler]

If the barrel has a black matt finish .... then it is likely an Express. As far as I know Remington did not make parkerized 28" barrels ....

The Police line of 870s and barrels were parkerized .... but the longest Police barrel I have seen is only 20 inches ....

Thx.

 

[Waterfowler]

Many moons ago I owned an 870 special purpose with a 28” barrel as well as a rifle sighted deer barrel with threaded choke. Came as a combo and it was Parkerized. The wood should tell you if it’s an express. They also don’t have the ring of a wingmaster or the same feel when shucking the action.

Interesting. I thought the SP only came in 26 and 30".

Thanks.

 

[Longstud]

No they were available with 28” barrels as well. I can send you pics and a quick search will show they’re available in both wood and camo configurations. They made a lot of variants and packages with different barrel options.

 

[bb07]

I have a SPS 26" that I bought new in 1994. Although it's barely been used it's much much smoother than any of the recent Express models.
It has a metal trigger guard, non mim extractor and the barrel ring and mag tube cap use the ball detent design rather than the notched spring retainer with dimples in the tube.
And as mentioned above, the later Express guns weren't marked with anything but Remington 870, at least on the last two I had.