Thinking of buying an 870P~interested in opinions (& photos!) from owners

.22LRGUY

.22LRGUY

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
177   0   1
Location
Ontario
Hey guys~the safe has a few odds&ends shotgun-wise, but not getting much use. I was happy with that arrangement until I got a chance to shoot an 870P (with vintage walnut furniture) this past summer, and I've been thinking about that gun ever since. My buddy who owns it uses it for everything, and even has a 22" VR barrel for it for bird hunting. Maybe not your typical hunting gun, but my shotguns need to be able to fill that role too. A CGN sponsor has the one I'm after listed for $875 new and at more than twice the cost of say an 870 Express, I'm wondering what the opinions are of this gun, and, if owners ever regretted buying them. (and why?) If at all possible, I'd prefer NOT to hear "just buy a 590A1" because quite frankly, I've loved Remingtons for the better part of 30 years. I also know the difference between Expresses and Wingmasters because I own both and have worked with them inside-out. I guess I'm wondering if owners feel like they got what they paid for. For me, it might even replace the MINT 8-shot Winchester Defender I just got this spring (NIB) as a "bucket list gun".

Thanks for taking a moment to reply, I appreciate first-hand opinions on the gun.
 
Every 870 is unique imo. I handpicked my express from a few at my local gs. If your experienced you know what to look for. Swap out the extractor and carrier spring. Upgrade the follower and mag tube spring and you have quite the shottie at a fraction of the cost. Now most people see the plastic trigger group as a disadvantage. I see it as an upgrade to the old pressed pot metal assemblies. The polymer bends as takes far more abuse before failure. Yes metal is cool and feels more reliable but a beefy polymer trigger assembly is tough as nails and not as brittle. Just my opinion though. cheers
 
You say you already have a wingmaster, I would use that as a base and build from there. Most Wingmasters are as smooth as butter, and only get better with age. I use them as the basis for all my builds (I have 8 at the moment). You can still find them cheap (not on the EE though) if you watch (and are quick).
Tacshot002.jpg
 
Yep. Find a good Wingmaster, clean interior spotless. do function test. Add some locksmith "graphite", like Canadian Tire sells. Its dry and surprisingly effective. Replace the mag spring. New forged extractor. Big button safety, and magazine follower from S&J Hardware (Canadian guy one of CGN sponsors I think).

Change out the front handguard for a Magpul one. Put a Limbsaver buttpad on it... if you use the Magpul buttstock, there is an adapter plate to let you use aftermarket buttpads.

After that, look at magazine extensions, short barrels (20", 18", 14", 12.5" and even 8.5" if you change the mag tube). Then look at slings and shell holders, rails and dots if that's your thing.

870's are kinda like M4 carbines, 1911's, Ruger 1022's, Lego toys and Barbie dolls: thousands of different parts and options to try!
 
Hey guys~thanks for the tips! The wingmaster I have (currently) is a large frame, 20ga...so the wrong candidate for a build like that. I've give the "build" idea some thought though. In the past, I've tended to shy away from that process since in my limited experience, you often end-up within $100-$200 of what the "dream gun" from the factory would have cost. No doubt...you end-up with a fine gun just the same.
 
They not nearly as well made as they used to be, I'd look for an older one if at all possible.
 
websio said:
What years are the best years to look for?
Click to expand...

The older the better, basically, early '80s and older preferrered.

Although IMO the quality is acceptable up until the point where Remington really started pimping itself to the stock market in the early 90s.

My 2003 vintage 'P' had a very rough action and needed the chamber polished so as not to stick with certain cheap shells. Other than the Parkerized finish and a few small parts its not hugely different than an Express Tactical or Marine of the same vintage.
 
Everyone has an opinion. I use 870Ps whenever I can. They are in fact built with hight quality parts, finish etc and also built in a different part of the factory then the expresses and wing masters. I have heard a lot of griping recently about the 870. I have owned a dozens new ones over the past 10 years, everything from the express to wing masters, Ps and custom guns. never had a problem with any of them.
 
If it says Wingmaster it should be a good starting point. Police models are quite good whether old or new. Its Express and Tactical models that are iffy... hit and miss.

Doing your own build is not about saving dollars... its about getting a top quality 870, with all the right parts for a lifetime of reliability, at a reasonable price. And in the actual configuration you actually want, rather than having to sell stocks and barrels and swap out three dozen parts and get the thing professionally Cerakoted so it doesnt rust in damp weather!

Plus I think the factory "Tactical" models are overpriced and overhyped. Make your own version from a Wingmaster!
 
There is nothing wrong with the police guns by any means, I just think the instant they add P to the 870 they also add a couple of hundred bucks
 
lil_juiced_coupe said:
Everyone has an opinion. I use 870Ps whenever I can. They are in fact built with hight quality parts, finish etc and also built in a different part of the factory then the expresses and wing masters. I have heard a lot of griping recently about the 870. I have owned a dozens new ones over the past 10 years, everything from the express to wing masters, Ps and custom guns. never had a problem with any of them.
Click to expand...

^well, this was my understanding too. No doubt, Remington seizes the opportunity to raise the ticket price once the "P" is involved, but, having spent some time with one (factoring in my Wingmaster & Express experience) it does strike me as being on the upper-end of the quality range for an 870. I've never had a failure/malfunction on any 870 I've owned or used either, for the record.
 
870Ps only have a few different parts than the Expresses, but have more refined internals, better QC, and parkerized finish. I heard the new ones have plastic trigger guards now as well (just what I heard). Others have compressed aluminum trigger guards.

Check this PDF
http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1144778
You can maybe find some basic models for 600ish (bead sight), and I think there is one that should retail around 500, but I have yet to find any dealers with it in Canada, saw one on the EE though.

Models 24461 and 24403 seem to be the most basic (see chart).
http://www.remingtonle.com/shotguns/870synthetic.htm
 
Last edited:
Thanks for that, very interesting. Especially the .pdf from Remington about the differences. Now I'm really wanting one! Checking under the couch cushions for spare change... :)

XTGUN said:
870Ps only have a few different parts than the Expresses, but have more refined internals, better QC, and parkerized finish. I heard the new ones have plastic trigger guards now as well (just what I heard). Others have compressed aluminim trigger guards.

Check this PDF
http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1144778
You can maybe find some basic models for 600ish (bead sight), and I think there is one that should retail around 500, but I have yet to find any dealers with it in Canada, saw one on the EE though.

Models 24461 and 24403 seem to be the most basic (see chart).
http://www.remingtonle.com/shotguns/870synthetic.htm
Click to expand...
 
Police is smoother all around than Express. No sharp edges, nicer operation, better shotgun all around. 870P comes in many flavors. Wood is very difficult to find, so is 14" barrel.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom