Are the Norinco HP9 shotguns still around? I can't recall seeing them advertised anywhere lately, but the one I had blew me away in terms of value received per dollar spent. Shot it for years, never a problem. They were available very inexpensively, used 870 bits'n'pieces, seemed to have a better finish than the 870 Express models of the day. As I recall it had a metal trigger guard rather than the plastic of the 870.
Better/best 870 clone? Blue Line or ATI MB3R
- Thread starter G.Mitchell
- Start date
And could be had with 14" barrels with the HP9-1 model.
They are very good and all 870 parts I bought went straight on mine.
The HP9s were made by Hawk Industries (Norinco) and the Blue Line pumps are also stamped Hawk Industries.
It would seem they are all coming out of the same factory .... just branding is different ......
It would seem they are all coming out of the same factory .... just branding is different ......
Thats the typical Norinco MO, yup. There is no reason to move away from having nearly complete or complete compatibility when its already there. So what's with the changes?
I would agree the Grizzly is the best one I've tried/owned, but I've also (now) seen turkish or chinese guns dolled-up with asking prices higher than an actual 870.
I would also agree there are 870 quality differences, but truth be told...there isn't a clone I'd take over even an 870 Express, and we have a 10+ year old one that looks like it did when new. And after a pile of rounds and a number of hunts. Missing from a lot of the "new 870s s*ck" talk is the fact that an Express can't be neglected like a Wingmaster kinda can be, so the guys putting Expresses into their cases wet then 2 weeks later..when they open the case...the only option? Rush to CGN and post; "you just have to look at an 870 Express and it rusts/they're garbage" lol
No, they weren't built or finished like a Wingmaster but shocker, you can pick-up a Wingmaster for less than $400 depending on how perfect you want it to be. Shooters also have the option of treating an Express like a fine over/under and clean/oil the thing when you're done with it. I know...weird eh? You might end-up with a 10+ year old, perfect looking/functioning shotgun.
I would also agree there are 870 quality differences, but truth be told...there isn't a clone I'd take over even an 870 Express, and we have a 10+ year old one that looks like it did when new. And after a pile of rounds and a number of hunts. Missing from a lot of the "new 870s s*ck" talk is the fact that an Express can't be neglected like a Wingmaster kinda can be, so the guys putting Expresses into their cases wet then 2 weeks later..when they open the case...the only option? Rush to CGN and post; "you just have to look at an 870 Express and it rusts/they're garbage" lol
No, they weren't built or finished like a Wingmaster but shocker, you can pick-up a Wingmaster for less than $400 depending on how perfect you want it to be. Shooters also have the option of treating an Express like a fine over/under and clean/oil the thing when you're done with it. I know...weird eh? You might end-up with a 10+ year old, perfect looking/functioning shotgun.
The “h&r pardner pump” was another good one but seems to be not available anymore. I haven’t seen an 870 clone branded as “norinco” in a long time. For some reason, pump shotguns are exempt from the Chinese gun import ban in the us and I would assume they are all being branded by American company’s for that market. There used to be one called the “780 homeland security” or something back in the day that was just garbage. They had a ton of issues and almost no 870 parts interchanged.
G.Mitchell
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Grande Prairie Alberta
Thanks everyone for the posts and thoughts. I have also been looking at the old Grizzly offerings too. Especially the 14" models. But those seem rare and are now priced comparable to a Remington.
My biggest gripe with the Express 870s is that the wood stocks were not sealed all around. Where the wood would mate to the metal or the but pad ... it was bare wood. Out in the rain ... the wood would absorb all the moisture water ... and it would swell up. And then it would shrink again .... and in the process the finish would chip off .....
Second biggest gripe .... the chamber was not polished ..... you had to take the time to polish that chamber yourself on a brand new gun .... I even had one where the barrel was not polished inside. I had to polish the whole barrel .....
But if you took the time to varnish the wood on a brand new Express ... and you took the time to polish the chamber ..... they were good guns for the price.
In comparison .... I had to do none of these things to my Blue Line pumps ....
Painkillers
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
What some call worn out, I call worn in! And, I'll give you $200.00 cash for it.
(used to love me a late hour gun show at end of season.)I understand wanting an 870 for the aftermarket parts availability but honestly these days it’s really hard to beat a Mossberg Maverick 88 for the price. I’d rather have a Maverick 88 than a Chinese 870 clone any day. If I ever buy another 870 (I probably will) it will be another Wingmaster or police. They just aren’t cost competitive with Mossberg anymore, neither are the 870 clones when you can get a Maverick 88 for 350 bucks.
G.Mitchell
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Grande Prairie Alberta
I had debated the 88 or a 500, my son specifically wants the Magpul stock and forend which I already have for the 870. Suppose I could put them up for trade for Mossberg set. I am not set on the 870 pattern, just is what i know and have parts for.
G.Mitchell
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Grande Prairie Alberta
My biggest gripe with the Express 870s is that the wood stocks were not sealed all around. Where the wood would mate to the metal or the but pad ... it was bare wood. Out in the rain ... the wood would absorb all the moisture water ... and it would swell up. And then it would shrink again .... and in the process the finish would chip off .....
Second biggest gripe .... the chamber was not polished ..... you had to take the time to polish that chamber yourself on a brand new gun .... I even had one where the barrel was not polished inside. I had to polish the whole barrel .....
But if you took the time to varnish the wood on a brand new Express ... and you took the time to polish the chamber ..... they were good guns for the price.
In comparison .... I had to do none of these things to my Blue Line pumps ....
I hear you; every 870 I have bought has needed work. Especially attention to the chamber as you mentioned.
I guess what has me hung up on the clones is the lack of the flexitab system and mixed results with staked shell latches.
G.Mitchell
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Grande Prairie Alberta
That is a lot of shells cycled through them with no live shells fired. Good to know.
Painkillers
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
So, you're working in a gun store and just racking snap caps through shotguns? Like, on your coffee break? As a potential customer, I don't know how I feel about that.
When I first received my 590A1 Retro, I thought something was wrong. QC problems or something. Stiff and gritty as hell. Felt like sand in the action. I reached out here and the guys told me all is good. Hose it down with oil (gun is parkerized) and shoot it. Now it's smooth as a Wingmaster, and locks up like a bank vault.
When I buy a new gun, I want to be the clown breaking it in. When I buy a used gun, I'm assuming some other clown broke it in.
Last edited:
Dark Alley Dan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Darkest Edmonton
I use a Blue Line as a course gun. It's been though many neophyte hands in the last year and a bit and is just getting smoother and smoother.
A lot of gun for the money. Maybe I'll actually shoot it one day.
A lot of gun for the money. Maybe I'll actually shoot it one day.
G.Mitchell
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Grande Prairie Alberta
Great to know. Thank you.I use a Blue Line as a course gun. It's been though many neophyte hands in the last year and a bit and is just getting smoother and smoother.
A lot of gun for the money. Maybe I'll actually shoot it one day.
