Older 870's vs. new?? Differences

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thepitchedlink

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Good day gents. I'm thinking about trying to pick up a 870 12g as a do-all shotgun...maybe with 2 barrels. What's the difference between the older used models and buying a new one. New, combo gun sets seem to be around 600$$, is there big diffenences compared to the older, used models or anything to look for that makes them more or less sought after? thanks
 
Older models, as in pre 1990s, or preferably pre 1980s, tend to be better fit and finished {some will argue but that's the concensus} and have the advantage of usually being broken in somewhat. You may or not end up saving money buying older used, if you end up having to buy a brand new barrel for it, but the gun itself will be nicer. The only real catch with the older guns is that many of them are chambered for 2.75" only.
 
alot of the older ones seem to have fixed full chokes if you look on EE or at gun shows so thats another 80 ish busk to bore them out to say a modified or well over a hundred i think for removeable choke tube to be installed. My express combo i got for my b day two years ago is my beater/ swamp gun and i love her. Not as nice as my beretta but i dont worry about scratching her.
 
The lifter should have a mod on it to prevent a double feed, can't remember exactly how it looks, check a forum for that gun.
 
870P said:
Older models, as in pre 1990s, or preferably pre 1980s, tend to be better fit and finished {some will argue but that's the concensus} and have the advantage of usually being broken in somewhat. You may or not end up saving money buying older used, if you end up having to buy a brand new barrel for it, but the gun itself will be nicer. The only real catch with the older guns is that many of them are chambered for 2.75" only.
Click to expand...

:D
I have a pre-1980 Remington Model 870 and it's a better built gun than the new ones I have handled (& shot) that my friends own.

I've had offers to trade or sell it.......NOPE !

I like my oldies & goodies like my original pre-1963 Winchester Model 12 shotty & my Winchester pre-1968 Model 70 rifle (.300 H&H Mag.) & I'm keepin em.
 
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Colin said:
The lifter should have a mod on it to prevent a double feed, can't remember exactly how it looks, check a forum for that gun.
Click to expand...

The new 870s have a boxed U-shape 'flexitab' cut into the lifter. From my understanding it was to allow the action to be opened in the event that a round found its way into the loading port with the lifter in the down position and the bolt closed.

http://tacgun.com/albums/userpics/10001/normal_flexitab.jpg
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x187/SargeMO/870Carriers2.jpg
 
i prefer the older wingmasters compared to the newer express. the action is much smoother. i have both . the express will get the job done but does not have the smooth action or the fit and finish .if you can find a wingmaster with screw in chokes you should be good for any hunting situation.barrels are readily available so you can use any 870 barrel on the gun except for 870 special field as they are specific to that model.
 
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