What does "Express" mean with 870's

DVXDUDE

DVXDUDE

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
30   0   0
Location
North of toronto,ontario
I have two 870s.

One says 870 express magnum on the reciever, I have shot 2 3/4" and 3" out of this gun.....

Gun #2 says Remington 870 on the reciever(thats it)....The rifled barrel says 2 3/4 or 3"


Can 870 #2 shoot 3" shells as well? I bought this gun used with the rifled barrel. I can't see much of a difference between the two guns....
 
'Express' is just a marketing term to differentiate the two Model 870s. Magnum means it will accept the longer 3 1/2" magnum shells. It will also chamber 2 3/4" and 3" shells.

The original Remington Model 870 Wingmasters were well made and respected shotguns. Better made than the 'Express Magnums'. I believe they could only chamber 2 3/4" shells.
 
Last edited:
fugawi said:
'Express' is just a marketing term to differentiate the two Model 870s. Magnum means it will accept the longer 3 1/2" magnum shells.
Click to expand...
Thats almost right. On the 870 Express the magnum means you can shoot up to 3" shells. If it says super Magnum then you are good for 3 1/2 inch shells.


fugawi said:
The original Winchester Model 870 Wingmasters were well made and respected shotguns. Better made than the 'Express Magnums'. I believe they could only chamber 2 3/4" shells.
Click to expand...
This is very true, My neighbor owns an older one and its only good for 2 3/4 " shells. When I put my Express up against my neighbors older 870 it feels like I am comparing a honda to a jaguar.
 
THe "Express" portion mean that it changes barrels quick, and the "Magnum" designation refers to the receiver only, meaning it is capable of shooting magnum loads. The barrel itself must be chambered and marked for any 3 or 3 1/2 inch shells, usually marked Magnum as well.
 
If the serial # ends with an "M" you have a magnum receiver for 3" cartridges. BUT you have to have a 3" chambered barrel as well. (it will be marked as to it's chambering ) All Remington 870 Express guns were built on magnum receivers. I have seen the ones simply marked " Remington 870" these are express versions also. If it is an old 2 3/4" chambered gun it will be marked Remington 870 Wingmaster and the serial number will end with a "V". Wingmaster Magnums were marked as such.

Darryl
 
Both guns will shoot 3" shells.... they never made an 870 express that would only handle 2 3/4".....

Only guns marked as "Super Magnum" will handle 3 1/2"

The model that is marked with "magnum" on it is actually the older of the two and will likely be of better quality...... the newer 870 express just says "870 Express" on the receiver
 
joelauto said:
Usually refers to 3 1/2" shells
Click to expand...

Only in recent years. 3" was the magnum length round prior to the late 90's and is still sometimes referred to as such. My 3-1/2" Express is stamped Super Magnum on the receiver. OP, you'll need to determine whether 3" shells will cycle through the action of gun #2. You can put a barrel with a longer chamber onto the shorter action type but if the action isn't long enough to cycle the longer round it will still only work with the smaller shells.
 
thepolinator said:
Thats almost right. On the 870 Express the magnum means you can shoot up to 3" shells. If it says super Magnum then you are good for 3 1/2 inch shells.



This is very true, My neighbor owns an older one and its only good for 2 3/4 " shells. When I put my Express up against my neighbors older 870 it feels like I am comparing a honda to a jaguar.
Click to expand...

This guy is right.

A couple of the others .... Not so much
 
Express is a term the marketing guys devised to try and compensate for the reduced quality control caused by the accountants. The 870 was once a legendary gun just as the Browning Auto 5 was. It was a lifetime investment you could count on. The express stuff put out now not so much. I have owned both so speak from experience.
 
My 870 express came with an 18.5" turkey barrel with a 2 3/4" or 3" marked chamber/barrel. I've shot lots of 3" turkey loads without any cycling problems or excessive wear. It's a newer (2008?) model 870 express.
 
fugawi said:
'Express' is just a marketing term to differentiate the two Model 870s. Magnum means it will accept the longer 3 1/2" magnum shells. It will also chamber 2 3/4" and 3" shells.

The original Winchester Model 870 Wingmasters were well made and respected shotguns. Better made than the 'Express Magnums'. I believe they could only chamber 2 3/4" shells.
Click to expand...






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