Norinco HP9
- Thread starter Diesel_62
- Start date
My HP9 never gave me problems...had it for a year currently have it on consignment at a business unfortunately which cannot be mentioned on this forum......need the cash to repair my car...good gun.....14.5 standard choke.....not ribbed as the newer models come in
sametwinnie
CGN Regular
- Location
- Lotbiniere
Have one for 5 years, no problems with it!
First of all, this isn't the black rifles section so I think you are lost.
Moving along, I've handled a 1990's remy 870 and agree that there is nothing finer in a shotgun. HOWEVER, the new line of 870's will leave you frustrated and poor. A friend of mine picked up a new 870 and has had several issues with it unfortunately.
For the most part, Remington 870 shotguns, even newly made ones, and even Express models at that, have been quite good. I purchased a 870 Express Magnum new in 2006. The only modification I have done to it is to swap the synthetic stock for a wood one for aesthetic purposes. Ran like a top, never failed me. There were definitely corners cut to bring it down to that pricepoint. The finish was not very good, and little inside marks here and there.
But consider that Remington made the shotgun to compete with inexpensive models, it had to. Remington has to pay for living wages and health care of its employees, warranty, liability insurance, taxes, research and development, plus be accountable to their shareholders. I do understand they have to cut some corners to keep costs on the gun down, though not crucial parts (my polymer trigger guard bothers me not, because my entire Glock FRAMES are made that way). But all things considered, they still produce a good, reliable firearm.
I gave my Express to a family member. It still gets regular use, which I am happy to report. I purchased an 870 Police - hell of a slick and well-built gun.
I'm sure the HP9 is a good gun too, but I still think that to this day an 870, even an Express, is a well-built, robust and reliable firearm. I've had three newer model Remingtons and two new model Sig Sauers, guns that both are plagued with rumors of lack of reliability and QC, and I have seen neither. I'm not saying it's an unfounded claim, but it seems to be perpetuated generally by third parties and not actual owners. I get people telling me that Sigs that are made in Exeter today are of abysmal quality and they've never owned one...and they're trying to convince me, somebody who owns two and would likely know, lol.
I'm rambling here. I'm sorry to hear that your friend's 870 is having problems. Remington does have warranty centers in Canada that can take a look at it. I would say that the absolute overwhelming majority of Remington 870s, even new production models with allegations of spotty quality (but from the three I put my hard-earned money down on, have not seen) are good to go.
Obviously Remington cannot compete with the HP9 on cost and it's not because they don't want to, but it's because they have to pay a significantly higher wage to union workers (not a bad thing, I'd like to earn a living wage too) and pay for warranty if something goes wrong or liability insurance in case the gun blows up or something. But even the no-frills Express is a no-nonsense reliable gun.
