New Rem 870 Police - why so skinny?

Romulus · March 28, 2001, 11:56 AM

I recently picked up this gorgeous new piece. While cleaning, lubing, stock-waxing, etc, I noticed that the metal on the receiver, around the barrel, is about 22 ga. The top of the receiver also has been milled with long skinny grooves, and the consequent metal thickness there is quite reduced (again, about 22 ga.) This scares me, I would imagine the receiver could get dented quite easily...

Please someone say it ain't so...

Dave McC · March 30, 2001, 06:17 AM

Dunno how big 22 ga is,Rom, but the receivers on mine are also quite thin, and no problems in 40 plus years.

DML · March 30, 2001, 11:51 PM

This is just a perception problem. Your receiver has the same dimensions as the 870 has always had. In fact, the older Wingmasters are even thinner. The new Express models are a little bit thicker because Remington doesn't polish them.

Don't worry about it. There really isn't much stress in that area. The only way you might run into a problem is if you clamp the receiver in a vise with out the barrel installed. I know, I've done it. No big deal though. It's easy to fix.

Romulus · March 31, 2001, 12:15 AM

I figured that if it were really a problem it would have surfaced by now...I just didn't know if the newer Police Magnums like mine were skinnier guns than the older models...

Thanks for the info, and she is a beaut...

By the way, DML, how do you fix that kind of damage?

DML · March 31, 2001, 03:19 AM

If I told you, I'd have to kill you.

The deformation I mentioned is actually very small. You only notice it when you try to insert the barrel into the receiver. I take a hammer handle and work it side to side with moderate pressure. You can feel the sides of the receiver give a little. Not a big deal.

March 28, 2001, 11:56 AM	#1
Romulus Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2001 Location: Kettle Moraine country Posts: 897	I recently picked up this gorgeous new piece. While cleaning, lubing, stock-waxing, etc, I noticed that the metal on the receiver, around the barrel, is about 22 ga. The top of the receiver also has been milled with long skinny grooves, and the consequent metal thickness there is quite reduced (again, about 22 ga.) This scares me, I would imagine the receiver could get dented quite easily... Please someone say it ain't so...

March 30, 2001, 06:17 AM	#2
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Dunno how big 22 ga is,Rom, but the receivers on mine are also quite thin, and no problems in 40 plus years.

March 30, 2001, 11:51 PM	#3
DML Senior Member Join Date: November 24, 2000 Location: Aridzona Posts: 257	This is just a perception problem. Your receiver has the same dimensions as the 870 has always had. In fact, the older Wingmasters are even thinner. The new Express models are a little bit thicker because Remington doesn't polish them. Don't worry about it. There really isn't much stress in that area. The only way you might run into a problem is if you clamp the receiver in a vise with out the barrel installed. I know, I've done it. No big deal though. It's easy to fix.

March 31, 2001, 12:15 AM	#4
Romulus Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2001 Location: Kettle Moraine country Posts: 897	I figured that if it were really a problem it would have surfaced by now...I just didn't know if the newer Police Magnums like mine were skinnier guns than the older models... Thanks for the info, and she is a beaut... By the way, DML, how do you fix that kind of damage?

March 31, 2001, 03:19 AM	#5
DML Senior Member Join Date: November 24, 2000 Location: Aridzona Posts: 257	If I told you, I'd have to kill you. The deformation I mentioned is actually very small. You only notice it when you try to insert the barrel into the receiver. I take a hammer handle and work it side to side with moderate pressure. You can feel the sides of the receiver give a little. Not a big deal.