What makes a 870SPS a Special Purpose Shotgun ???

[mcgoo7]

Well with all the "what makes a 870 Police better than an Express?" threads, I figured I would ask this one

My first shotgun was a 870SPS with 26" vent ballel with 2 beads that I bought around 1988 and love it.It has had a lot of hunts under it's belt and I picked up a matching 20" deer barrel with Rem Choke and rifle sites .

I know I can't compare it to the new Rems but what made it "Special" back then and compared to now?

Oh and by the way , I just bought a SPS fixxer upper here on the EE that I'm going to install a youth stock on for my oldest son for him when he starts hunting

TIA
James

 

[220Swifty]

It's special because remington said so. Simple marketing.

 

[Claybuster]

I know I can't compare it to the new Rems but what made it "Special" back then and compared to now?

A 1980's Remington 870 SPS was the same gun as the Wingmaster except with a Parkerized finish, heavier barrel, matte finish wood and a lower price. It was an interim step before introducing the Express.

I owned one and it was every bit as smooth and reliable as the Wingmaster I owned at the same time.

Here's a link to a good history on Remington 870s.

http://www.remingtonsociety.com/rsa/journals/870

 

[mcgoo7]

Thanks Buster;
I knew it was just more than marketing
I believe the finish must be powdercoat or paint rather than Park, as I had a 14" Police 870 around the same time and the black finish on the 870 SPS was much better than the grey finish of the Park in my opinion, it has held up great after many a wet day at the duck blind and a few crashes in the bush.Mine came with synthetic stocks with a nice Rem initials logo on the butt of the grip.

Cheers
James

 

[Covey Ridge]

Keep your eye out for a used 870 SPS. Some retailers take them in and because at first glance they look like an express they price them accordingly.
An SPS at typical used express price is a good deal. As CB says, it is a parkerized wingmaster.

 

[Claybuster]

Thanks Buster;
I knew it was just more than marketing
I believe the finish must be powdercoat or paint rather than Park, as I had a 14" Police 870 around the same time and the black finish on the 870 SPS was much better than the grey finish of the Park in my opinion, it has held up great after many a wet day at the duck blind and a few crashes in the bush.Mine came with synthetic stocks with a nice Rem initials logo on the butt of the grip.

Cheers
James

It could be that Remington used different finishes at different times. The finish on my 870SPS was identical to a Parkerized 870P I owned at one time.

 

[Covey Ridge]

It could be that Remington used different finishes at different times. The finish on my 870SPS was identical to a Parkerized 870P I owned at one time.

I think that you are correct. I saw one just recently and it was identical to the parkerized finish. As I recall when they first came out, they were closer in price to the wingmaster than the express. Now on remington guns sps is more often defined as cheap finish.

 

[mcgoo7]

Here are a couple of pics of my 2
The one I just got is a bit older I figure with the serial # starting with a 1 and has a more of a grey finish that has a bit of rust marks. My original is a more of a black finish # starting with a 3.

Can't wait to get her out

James