The TRUTH about the Remington 870 Express
- Thread starter Until the Angels Fall
- Start date
What's rust? Seriously, I have never had rust on any of my firearms. Of course i put a small bit of effort in keeping them clean and oiled.
As for the Express, I've owned several since they came out. I have never had a problem of any kind with any of them. You are probably asking why I said "owned". Simple I upgraded to Wingmasters. That's right I have several 870 Wingmasters. Are they any better? Operationally I don't see any difference. Cosmetically, the Wingmasters are much better looking.
You asked about wood swelling. I had a Winchester 120 Ranger whose forearm would swell in damp weather to the point of rubbing slightly on the mag tube. Not an issue as it just barely touched and once it dried out again there was no rubbing. A simple fix would have been to seal the wood properly or replace it with a synthetic stock.
Simple solution for you is to buy an Express with a synthetic stock. Or as mentioned there are lots of aftermarket and used ones available.
As for the Express, I've owned several since they came out. I have never had a problem of any kind with any of them. You are probably asking why I said "owned". Simple I upgraded to Wingmasters. That's right I have several 870 Wingmasters. Are they any better? Operationally I don't see any difference. Cosmetically, the Wingmasters are much better looking.
You asked about wood swelling. I had a Winchester 120 Ranger whose forearm would swell in damp weather to the point of rubbing slightly on the mag tube. Not an issue as it just barely touched and once it dried out again there was no rubbing. A simple fix would have been to seal the wood properly or replace it with a synthetic stock.
Simple solution for you is to buy an Express with a synthetic stock. Or as mentioned there are lots of aftermarket and used ones available.
I have an 870 Express Magnum (3" maximum) and never had an issue with any shells cycling improperly. It has seen all weather in all seasons and still looks decent, no rust, just a few scuffs from use.
Maybe I got lucky? Maybe others just got lemons that were made on the Monday after a long weekend?
Maybe I got lucky? Maybe others just got lemons that were made on the Monday after a long weekend?
- Location
- Niagara Region, Ontario. For now
Id rather have a Maverick 88!!!!!!
Shun the express.
Nephew bought the tactical version last winter. total P.O.S.
Cannot believe Remington puts it's name on such substandard product.
Random jams, stovepipes, fails to feed, extreme force to cycle, locks up bolt on firing to the point that two hands needed to open, fails to eject, fails to extract, chintsy plastic and sheet metal trigger group with atrosious pull. Internal machining rough, really rough. Barrel retaining nut detent ball fell out on first disassembly.
Both it and the Mossberg were on the counter at wss, nephew asking me which one to choose. In my ignorance of Remington's decline and fall I pushed for the remmy. Feel terrible now, 'specially cause my old mossy slugger is vastly superior.
Told him to contact the warrantee station, get it functioning(barely), replace missing parts and FLOG it, but being young and into tacticool bling he's already bought a fortunes worth of aftermarket eye candy bits. Now it is my duty to teach him the "can't make a silk purse from a sows ear" life lesson.
No more remmy's in this camp.
Nephew bought the tactical version last winter. total P.O.S.
Cannot believe Remington puts it's name on such substandard product.
Random jams, stovepipes, fails to feed, extreme force to cycle, locks up bolt on firing to the point that two hands needed to open, fails to eject, fails to extract, chintsy plastic and sheet metal trigger group with atrosious pull. Internal machining rough, really rough. Barrel retaining nut detent ball fell out on first disassembly.
Both it and the Mossberg were on the counter at wss, nephew asking me which one to choose. In my ignorance of Remington's decline and fall I pushed for the remmy. Feel terrible now, 'specially cause my old mossy slugger is vastly superior.
Told him to contact the warrantee station, get it functioning(barely), replace missing parts and FLOG it, but being young and into tacticool bling he's already bought a fortunes worth of aftermarket eye candy bits. Now it is my duty to teach him the "can't make a silk purse from a sows ear" life lesson.
No more remmy's in this camp.
I too have owned a few 870s. Never had one fail on me. For me, however, the expresses were very prone to rusting. And I DO know how to clean and lubricate a gun.
Although they always went bang I guess the fact that I no longer own one does say something.
Good Luck
Although they always went bang I guess the fact that I no longer own one does say something.
Good Luck
sledman8002002
CGN Regular
- Location
- Hastings Highlands, Ont. 613 area
In ugly or wet weather, the 870 has been and always will be my 'go-to' shotgun. Rust? Any gun will rust if you let it...The only gripe I have is the tolerances can be too tight in the chamber. No big deal, I've polished the chamber of each and every shotgun I own just for slicker and smoother operation which also makes for quicker and easier cleaning. People can whine and b*tch on the 870 alllll they like, gotta be close to 10 million out there now and I believe they're still making and selling them with no end in sight. That fact alone shows it's value to shotgunners worldwide.
People throw these kind of comments around all the time and it always makes me chuckle. Ten million of this, fifty plus years of that. Truth is, the reputation of the 870 comes from the Wingmaster, not the Express. That is the point of this thread after all.
If there are ten million, it's eight million Wingmasters and two million Expresses. Also, Expresses don't enjoy fifty plus years, they've only been around since the mid-late eighties. The Sportsman model they replaced in 1986 were better quality than the Express, some say even better than today's Wingmaster! So from 1951 to 1984 it was only top quality Wingmasters!
You pay an extra $300 for a Wingmaster because of it's quality and workmanship over it's cheapened brother. You could no more sing the praises of the Express as a 50 year proven design than you could say, the Winchester 1300 versus the Model 12 or an early 90s Win94 versus a pre-64 model. With so many cut corners and compromises to cut costs, the description should read "based on the 870 platform".
I'm not trying to bash the Express but Remington separated the 870 line for a reason. A solid truck gun and beater it is, but not an heirloom or a replacement for a police model.
I've owned three 870s in my life. The first (my first shotgun) being an 870 Sportsman. The sportsman was a plain version of the Wingmaster and was eventually replaced by the Express. In my opinion, a much better gun than the modern express.
Later on I bought an 870 express combo. This was around 1993. And currently I have a new 870 black synth. for deer. I would venture to say that 870 I have from '93 is of slightly better quality than my newest one. Everything in the older model just seemed to have a more refined finish.
P.S. For waterfowling, I eventually gave up on the 870s and went to a Browning BPS (mostly a fit issue). It was like going from a K-car to a Cadillac. I now shoot a Browning semi for waterfowl and have the pump as a backup.
Later on I bought an 870 express combo. This was around 1993. And currently I have a new 870 black synth. for deer. I would venture to say that 870 I have from '93 is of slightly better quality than my newest one. Everything in the older model just seemed to have a more refined finish.
P.S. For waterfowling, I eventually gave up on the 870s and went to a Browning BPS (mostly a fit issue). It was like going from a K-car to a Cadillac. I now shoot a Browning semi for waterfowl and have the pump as a backup.
- Location
- Central Alberta
Yeh, I have to agree, for the most part. They rust up quick, but for $375 my express kicks a$$. I've even had to use it for a canoeing push pole. Dumps honkers and ducks every year. Eats many ,many of my slug loads with it's fully rifled pipe. No, not pretty, but to quote some random internet guy "Did you buy/do you want a jewel or a tool?" If it's the jewel, get the beautiful wingmaster. If you want a tool, well then there's the express, a gun that i do not feel bad about throwing in the bottom od the canoe and beating around a bit as a TOOL. A little TLC keeps it in good shape.
Based on the MOST popular/successful pump design in history,(It works. like a timex) albeit not as finely fit and finished as a Wingmaster, IMO why would you buy a commie made clone? For the price of an Express, Remington has put out a decent product IMO. And yes, I've owned mine for several years, and used it quite a lot. And have used Wingmasters a lot as well. For the money, I think an Express is a good deal.
i been hunting with a 5 year old 870 express. It gets wiped down after each use. Since it see's snow/rain, i use a wipedown of 99% alcohol., let dry and wipe down with RG96.
The only minor problems i have had are:
1) endcap on magazine loosens up. (i use a sling)
2) magazine plug/spring needs to be checked as it sticks sometimes
(so remove and replace).
3) do a hone of the chamber using a drill, dowel and oiled down steel wool.
The only minor problems i have had are:
1) endcap on magazine loosens up. (i use a sling)
2) magazine plug/spring needs to be checked as it sticks sometimes
(so remove and replace).
3) do a hone of the chamber using a drill, dowel and oiled down steel wool.
Back when I first bought my guns, I was using the "Outers" and "Gun Slick" brand of cleaner/oil. I was constantly battling rust on the Express, and every time I wiped, the rag would come off orange. If I wasn't careful and let too much time elapse (a couple months) before checking on it, it would be full of surface rust.
I switched to G96 because I heard so much good about it, and I haven't had a problem since. The first thing I noticed upon application was how it restored the gun to it's original BLACK finish, as opposed to the brown it appeared with the old oil. I quickly wipe my guns with G96 after they are used, and even after sitting for months, I have not had to worry about rust issues since switching. Use a good oil, and you will not have rust problems.
As for function, mine works great, and I have absolutely no complaints. That said, some people have had issues, and I personally have had issues with a Remington 700 SPS Varmint. I will not go so far as to say you won't have a problem with a Remington product, but if you get one that was assembled with some care and isn't one of the seemingly many factory lemons, you will have a well-functioning shotgun.
I switched to G96 because I heard so much good about it, and I haven't had a problem since. The first thing I noticed upon application was how it restored the gun to it's original BLACK finish, as opposed to the brown it appeared with the old oil. I quickly wipe my guns with G96 after they are used, and even after sitting for months, I have not had to worry about rust issues since switching. Use a good oil, and you will not have rust problems.
As for function, mine works great, and I have absolutely no complaints. That said, some people have had issues, and I personally have had issues with a Remington 700 SPS Varmint. I will not go so far as to say you won't have a problem with a Remington product, but if you get one that was assembled with some care and isn't one of the seemingly many factory lemons, you will have a well-functioning shotgun.
Mine jammed on the second shell that went through it. At some point I had to hold the gun by the slide and bang it on the ground to get it to open, and that occured about half the time. Sent it back to Remington to get it fixed, and now it only jams once every 10 shots. It will go back to Remington again until I am satisfied.
Luckily for me, the Remington shop is right here in Quebec City, so I send it and it is back in 4-5 days.
Luckily for me, the Remington shop is right here in Quebec City, so I send it and it is back in 4-5 days.
I have had a Rem 870 express for 20ish years and its been nothing but 100% reliable with any ammo put through it from light trap loads to magnum hunting to slugs. Maybe my 'older' one is a better one versus Remington's new offerings... I don't know but in my books it's a solid shotgun.
I've used a Browing BPS since I was very young. Most solid pump on the market IMHO and I've used most of them. Best deal I've seen is this one, just need an aftemarket barrel before hunting much!
Browning BPS Stalker-Home/Camp Defense Extended mag with swivel studs. Extra hunting barrels available too for $279. 12g/20"/3" $649.95 $399
Outcast
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I have had a Rem 870 express for 18 months and yes if you dont look after it , it will rust but so will most other guns. Any time I take mine out when I get home I pull the barrel off, wipe everything down with hops gun oil and wipe it off. Mine looks as new as the day I bought it. I have carried mine in the bush for many miles, and functions great. I switched out the stock and forend to the hogue stuff and its great. It's simple, take 10 minutes and clean it up after use whether you shoot or not and it wil last a long long time. No concerns with mine.
I bought a 870 express mag ,for a back up gun for waterfowling. First problem shells sticking in chamber. Had to smooth out chamber with emery tape, problem fixed.
I agree these guns rust much easier then they should. buit if you remember to oil it, not a huge problem. Next year my son in law borrowed it for a deer hunt in dec and the trigger broke. Seems Rem thought it would be a good Idea to use plastic parts in their triggers. So now this is replaced with a steel trigger assembly.
Is this the worst pump gun I have seen "NO" but it is not the 870 rem wingmaster, one of the finest pump guns ever made.
These guns were made with one thing in mind keep them cheap, don't worry about quality.
My express is now gone, I will not own another
I agree these guns rust much easier then they should. buit if you remember to oil it, not a huge problem. Next year my son in law borrowed it for a deer hunt in dec and the trigger broke. Seems Rem thought it would be a good Idea to use plastic parts in their triggers. So now this is replaced with a steel trigger assembly.
Is this the worst pump gun I have seen "NO" but it is not the 870 rem wingmaster, one of the finest pump guns ever made.
These guns were made with one thing in mind keep them cheap, don't worry about quality.
My express is now gone, I will not own another
I owned a 870 express mag and it would not close the action when cycling a round.after inspection i found that the barrel breech was not cut out right.i cut out the extra metal and bingo it worked perfect. i have since sold that 870 and now own a 870 super mag which so far a showen me no problems.
so i would say quality control is not at the top of the list in the production of these shotguns but as others have said if you want a tool and dont want to break the bank go with an 870 express.
C
so i would say quality control is not at the top of the list in the production of these shotguns but as others have said if you want a tool and dont want to break the bank go with an 870 express.
C
