Remington 870 vs. Other Pumps

While a nice old 870 Wingmaster is hard to beat for fit and finish, the new 870's will rust if you stare at then too hard and feel nothing like the OG's unless you do some internal work. If your looking for dependability, see what guys that shoot the IPSC standard manual division are running as these guys will go through more shells in two matches than the average Joe will go through in 7-8 years of hunting. I have lots of buddies that run the Benelli Nova, Super Nova and the Nova Speed and I have never heard or seen one of them crap the bed or break any parts.
 
Waterfowler said:
The 870 Special Purpose is really decent as well.

One just sold very quickly on the EE.
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Have one of those SP 870s with 26" that I bought new years ago. They were being replaced with the Express and were discounted at LeBaron. Much nicer than the Express but the matte finish was preferred for duck hunting. I updated the synthetic stock with a walnut police stock.
 
SuperCub said:
Have one of those SP 870s with 26" that I bought new years ago. They were being replaced with the Express and were discounted at LeBaron. Much nicer than the Express but the matte finish was preferred for duck hunting. I updated the synthetic stock with a walnut police stock.
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I know you do....lol
 
Another pump shotgun that should be mentioned is the Browning BPS. They are nice, well made that come with a tang safety and bottom eject so work well with lefties as well.

I've owned a couple, three and liked them.
 
870 WIngmasters are great guns and their popularity is understandable.

The slickest action I have ever ran was an old Model 12, and I'm not sure why the WInchester 1300 aren't part of the conversation either. Quality guns with smooth actions that I don't see why are so markedly less populat than the 870.
 
stubblejumper said:
The Express models cut corners , with plastic trigger assemblies, less finishing, and had issues like rough chambers, but the Wingmaster is a very solid, shotgun.
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I bought an Express in the lat 80's. Still have it. It has NEVER let me down. IMO the Express is getting a lot of shade that it does not deserve. Wingmasters have a shiny blue finish, which isn't great if you aren't using it for hunting and it will scratch easily if you are. I like the matt finish on the Express.



Beyond the 870 having sold 11M units, what makes it so great?
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They sold 11 MILLION of them. You don't sell that many of anything if they suck or there is something better.

My first pump was a Mossberg 500. I didn't like it. Sold it and got the 870 and have never regretted that.
 
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Only thing I'm not crazy about on an 870 is the braised on stamped steel action guides, they work, just flimsy and braised.
I've played with a few of those Turkish pumps, some are pretty well made with full thick aluminum blocks and guides attached to the pump, seemed pretty decent for the price.
 
Re the good model bit. I'd recommend the old 870 Wingmasters as well. An alternative is if you can get an 870 Police Marine 12 gauge. They don't come up very often but they are a good 870 too. If so inclined I'd suggest get Casey B. at Tacord to work on the Wingmaster. Getting the barrel modified with the Vang Comp system with ports makes a big improvement in performance. He can do a lot of other stuff to it too. Good luck!
 
enefgee said:
5 years ago, you could pick up a mint Wingmaster for $250, now I'm seeing $650 locally.
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$250 only 5 years ago? Maybe a very well used one, with 2 3/4" chamber, no rib, lots of finish wear, and a fixed choke for that money...

Ravage said:
I prefer the Mossberg shotguns more than the Remington, The tang safety, action release button behind the trigger...
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I agree. I prefer both the safety and the action release on the Mossbergs over the Remington.
 
I like the 870 because you can just use it and stop thinking about any of the other options. The ithaca is nice but dirt can get in from the open loading gate (my hunting buddy got his for 300).


I got mine in 2023 for $400. Shoot skeet with it, got my first ducks with it, no regrets. Love the thing.

 
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