Remmy 870 prices and opinions, later years.

AlbertanBound

AlbertanBound

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So I have recently picked up several single shot shotguns partially cuz they were cheaper as well as I just enjoy single shots. However I decided I want a pump also. So I looked into remingtons 870. I have heard there quality in the 90's fell off after they were acquired by an investment firm so I want an older one. However I have never bought one before so I am leaving it to the experts, YOU GUYS! Anyone have any suggestions along with aprox used prices ranges?
Ben
 
Had a beautiful old wingmaster as a loaner for a few years. Was a thing of beauty. I shot 20+ year old 870's growing up. My wife has an Express Mag 26" synthetic, and I a 28" Super Mag Synthetic both 3 years old. I have put thousands of rounds through all. Never one failure, ever. 870 is the best pump action in my opinion. But that's mine. Cheers
 
I'm not really up on the value of them anymore as I havn't looked for one for a long time but I own 2 870's.
One is a 870 magnum (doesn't say wingmaster on it) from I believe around 1987 or 88.
The other is a wingmaster magnum with a LC barrel and the rem chokes and it is around a 1996.
They are both great and never had a problem with either. I'd say the 96 wingmaster is a nicer looking gun with lighter colour wood and gold trigger but the 80's model is definitly smoother and tighter.
If I could keep only one it would be the 80's model. Both work great though.
I've seen them advertised for anywhere from $450 to $600. I think they're between $800-$900 new.
 
so it sounds like even the new ones arent awful either? Which is weird I heard they are garbage compared to an older model despite an older models age.
 
I own two Express models. Both function flawlessly. I also have shot Wingmaster and Police models over the years. They are the same gun with some better parts and tighter tolerances. Basically Cadillac vs Pontiac.

The new ones are not garbage. Mossberg, Browning, Winchester, Hatsan etc would like you to believe that.

They are simple to pull apart in seconds. So they are easy to clean and also to change barrels. Between different chokes and barrels they give you almost endless options. Solid and dependable I highly reccommend them.
 
There have been a few people complaining that the newer Expresses finish rusts too easily, this was not my experience with mine. Maybe the salt marshes would have a different impact, but if I start hunting the sal####er it will probably be with an 870 express, if it starts to rust I`ll just get the gun dipped to protect it.
 
I have an 870 express I bought back in 1992.... it has been underwater, covered in mud, ice rained on.... It was the first gun I ever bought myself and I will never part ways with it.... the wood stocks (yes, they used to have cheap wood instead of laminate) began to dry out over time so I picked up a cheap set of camo synthetic stocks off of the EE for 40 bucks and changed them out...

This gun has taken ducks, geese, grouse, woodcock, deer, crows and even a coyote that decided my barbecue smelled interesting.... it has never misfed, misfired, nothing.... thousands of rounds through it... I even used to shoot skeet with it in th egravel pit behind the cottage....

The newer ones are not of the same quality as the old ones, the metal is cheaper, the trigger guard is plastic.... but they still work fine, after all, what can you expect for under 400 bucks?...
 
My tactical 870 build is based on my uncle's old Wingmaster 870. 2-3/4", had a fixed mod barrel no rib, 70s vintage.

Its really a slick gun and the polished blue finish is SO MUCH nicer than the crap they produce these days.
 
"...heard there..." There, their, they're.
"...quality in the 90's fell off..." More about them making lower end entry level stuff to get that market. That's where the SPS M700 came from. There were several variations of Wingmasters too. They weren't always high end kit. Mine cost me around $300, tax included, in the early 80's and it's not a top of the line shotgun. Same fit and innards, but it doesn't have that horrible high gloss plastic finish on the stock. In any case, don't be married to the 870. Mossberg M500s are just as good.
 
I have a new Wingmaster and have had quite a few older ones. If the quality has slipped, it hasn't gone down too much IMO. I like them both equally.

As for the Express I had, well that's another story........

Out of the pumps currently produced, I definitely prefer the Wingmaster for my needs.

FWIW
 
I looked into mossberg but I was concerned about the amount of plastic they use, my buddy had one which was not working well for him. I am not sure which model but I know it did not feed well. I feel I will most likely look into getting a wingmaster!
 
JamesM said:
There have been a few people complaining that the newer Expresses finish rusts too easily, this was not my experience with mine. Maybe the salt marshes would have a different impact, but if I start hunting the sal####er it will probably be with an 870 express, if it starts to rust I`ll just get the gun dipped to protect it.
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Mine will show a slight surface rust if it gets wet and I don't oil it when I get home. G96 seems to be keeping it at bay now. Not really a big concern, I still prefer the matte finish of the Express and the laminate stock. Other than that the gun is as simple and reliable as could be. Points well too. From the talk floating around Remington/Marlin still puts out the odd dud, just go over your purchase carefully for defects before you take it in the field.
 
A wingmaster between 1951& 2013 no problems a express from any time frame may be some problems cheap is cheap is cheap poor quality material & workmanship
That is how they save on manufacturing costs so they can sell them for less its not rocket science
 
Is the express the worst pump in the world. no, But it is not even close to the wingmaster. I have had them both. Cheap is only cheap if it works and lasts
 
I have had and witnessed nothing but bad luck when it comes to 870's and when it came to replacing it I did my research. I looked at a Wingmaster and than I bought a Bennelli Super Nova.
 
AlbertanBound said:
I dont mind paying a little more for a wingmaster anyway.
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You will get a fine firearm then. I bought my 1st one new in 1965 and still have it today followed by years of shooting skeet with 870 4 gun sets since the late 60's and yes I still have all those also and many many more. In fact when I started shooting for fun again I sold off the k32 /tubes and browning 4 barrel sets and went back to shooting my 870 wingmasters
Must be a couple 100,000 rounds through the 12ga skeet and never failed me even once . She is as smooth as a model 31.
I agree with struff55 even though all of mine are pre 1980 with the exception of a 1987 that has a LC barrel and choke tubes and a 2001 that is a rare 3 1/2".
The new ones I have are not as smooth as the old but again they have not been used a lot either.
Just make sure when you get one if 12ga it is 3" and has choke tubes or an extra barrel with tubes
I am not against mossy or the B guns but they are no wingmaster that is for sure
Cheers
 
My 2 year old 870 functions fine (as pretty much all pumps will) but it will surface rust at a spectacular rate. No seriously, of all the guns and knives I own, none of them (carbon or stainless) have ever rusted other then the 870. If I touch it with my hands, I wipe it it immediately. That said I feel the need to define what I mean by "surface rust". Its like a patina on a carbon steel knife. It no way effects performance, but it can look a little weird.

Despite the surface rust I like it; enough to be considering a second "tactical" version.
 
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