Want 870 shotgun, bur not sure what model

Powaowa

Powaowa

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Winnipeg, Manitoba
New to shotguns, 870 obviously a popular/good option
Interested in doing some skeet shooting and duck/ other bird hunting
Is it wise to get a model that offers magnum or super magnum
So I have the option to get larger rounds?
Is there a downside to doing this?
Seems like a no brainier but I'm noob
 
find someone selling a brand new, unfired one from the 80's on 'EE or private sale' since the registry went and people were dumping them... that's what I did, couldn't be happier.

depends what you want as far as 'finish' goes. Some people like it really shiney/blued etc. I just want it to perform its purpose in life without worrying about how shiny it looks... don't get me wrong though, I still take care of it, clean and maintain etc.

wingmaster is the shiny one, express is the less shiny one.

2-3/4 shells seem to still make the shot come out the end of the barrel and I can shoot more ducks or skeet in the same session.
 
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I purchased a "Model 870 SPS Synthetic Turkey" last winter. And I must say It has been a great gun! While I'm yet to take my first wild turkey with it (only a fault of mine) all the times I've had it out "training for the upcomming hunt" it has performed flawlessly even with cheapest of rounds not one FTF or FTE. IMO the Remington 870 in any flavour is a excellent entry level shotgun that won't break the bank;)
 
Wingmaster all the way the older the better as for shot size ducks and geese have been getting killed since the 2 3/4" days without problem IMO the size thing is all about ego when talking with your buddies
 
I own a current production 870 express youth model. If you're a taller guy the short length of pull might be a problem. But with the short 21" barrel its really handy for going through thick brush and dismounting from vehicles. I've also been able to shoot 22 with it on the trap range, so the short barrel does work.

My next gun will either be a 12Ga wingmaster or new Browning A5 though. But for now the express has served me well.
 
magnum just means 3" capable gun. Newer ones all are. Some older ones are 2.75" only

Everything else with 870's is essentially cosmetic. Wingmaster is polished blue with walnut. Express is matte blue with synthetic,laminate, or older ones had cheap 'hardwood' press checkered stocks.

That's a really simple breakdown... they've been making these things for something like 65 years. There have been lots of options and little variations in all kinds of details over the decades.
 
the downside to a super mag is that parts interchange is not great. There are millions of magnum (3") guns out there. All kinds of accessories, different barrels, huge availability for anything you could ever want for it.
 
Keep in mind: 2 3/4" length shotshells are the most common by a wide margin. They'll kill ducks, deer, bears and grizzlys. And soldiers, home invaders, terrorists too.

3" length shotshells are almost always pure hunting only, when the shooter feels he needs a slight edge, even if it means more recoil and muzzle blast. The older Wingmasters, won't do 3" only 2.75" , the newer Wingmasters will do both 2.75" and 3".

3 1/2" are quite heavy recoiling, and seem to be pretty much only for taking down large birds. Most guys try these heavy hitting shells and decide not to buy any more. If they really decide they need such heavy shells, typically the shooters will buy a fancy Beretta or Benelli semi-auto with a very fancy recoil absorbing buttstock that cushions a MAJOR amount of the recoil from you. I know, because I tried one once, and it was dramatic...I have no desire to ever shoot any 870 with 3.5" shells!

To put things in perspective, I chose to buy an old Remington 1100, and it can only use 2.75" shells...and I'm perfectly satisfied with that.
 
there is more differents in a wingmaster and a express that cosmetic. wingmasters has steel trigger groups not Plastic. They have smoother maching in chambers witch means they jam less, I have seen at least three 870 express guns with choke tubes threaded on a angle causing the gun to shoot high or low. The express is made with price in mind. pretty much like putting lipstick on a pig. The 870 Wingmaster, is likely the best pump gun ever made.
 
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