870 questions

TCW · September 10, 2000, 06:54 PM

Are the 870 express and 870 police the same quality? I'm interested in a sythetic stock/defense (18-20 inch)model for about $350. Why are the HD models more expensive that the wood stock express models? I would like to add GR sights and mag extension, but that's for a later date.
Thanks!

Dave McC · September 10, 2000, 08:14 PM

By and large, the differences in 870s are cosmetic. I've no idea why there's a price gap.

There's lots of used 870s out there, a decent used one should run lots less than $350,and you can use the change for ammo,etc..

Eric of IN · September 10, 2000, 08:44 PM

I'm guessing that since Remington sells less of the synthetics, they have to make up their tooling costs on a smaller production run.
Eric

TCW · September 10, 2000, 09:44 PM

Oops...The HD lists for less than the regular express (w/longer barrel). My mistake. So the difference between the express and police 870s...? I guess a wingmaster isn't even a consideration since I want synthetic stock.

Dave McC · September 11, 2000, 05:18 AM

Might be the plain bbl,TCW. One thing about synthetics,which I personally like on rifles.
If the stock fits you as is, fine.But some synthetic stocks do not shorten well, nor do they take spacers as easily. And stock fit in one of the big factors in effectiveness and comfort.

Also, wood stocked riot 870s run from 6 lbs, 10 oz to about 7lbs,4 oz,synthetics a bit less on average.Adding a 2 shot mag extension should add about 7 oz, empty.IMO, most folks do better with HD/Tactical shotguns running more than 7 1/2 lbs, my HD 870 runs about 9 1/2 with all the bellsnwhistles.But I'm a behemoth.

JNewell · September 11, 2000, 12:53 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>my HD 870 runs about 9 1/2 with all the bellsnwhistles.[/quote]

Gad, Dave, a Garand weighs that much! <g> Your back-up plan is...to drop it on the BG? <ggg>

TCW · September 11, 2000, 01:43 PM

The reason I'm investigating the 870 is because my Mossy 500 is frustrating me. It's having feeding problems and has jammed a couple times at the range(couldn't cycle after firing...stuck). The feeding problem: I cycle back, the new shell stays in the mag, I cycle forward, the shell drops out the bottom! Not the best defense scenario.

Icopy · September 11, 2000, 01:44 PM

Here's my two cents. According to Remington's Customer service, the 870 Police Magnums are fitted better than the regular guns. You pay for this extra attention. As for the HD guns, I'm assuming you're talking about the ones with the silvery finish and extended tube? If so, you're paying for the better finish, the dimple-free mag tube as well as the mag extension. For about 350, you could get a Police Magnum from most any dealer. Or you can get a Mossberg 590 A1. Hope this helps.

Dave McC · September 11, 2000, 02:14 PM

J, it weighs a little less than an E-2 stocked M-14.That's with 5 in the mag and 5 on the SS As for kick, what kick? The SS contributes to the weight big time. Empty, a lb lighter, easy.

TCW, any maker can come up with a lemon now and then.The 870 series doesn't seem to have many, tho.

Secmat · September 11, 2000, 06:20 PM

My pet is an 870 Marine Magnum w/factory mag extension. With a few add ons, she does the job...

------------------
"Those who dance are thought mad by those that don't hear the music."

PJR · September 12, 2000, 07:20 AM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Icopy:
[B]Here's my two cents. According to Remington's Customer service, the 870 Police Magnums are fitted better than the regular guns.

I've owned a couple of Police Mags and I don't buy that they are better fitted than the Wingmaster -- the Express maybe but not the Wingmaster. The lower price of the PM can be attributed to the cheaper (but robust) wood that comes with the gun.

[This message has been edited by PJR (edited September 12, 2000).]

September 10, 2000, 06:54 PM	#1
TCW Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2000 Location: PRK Posts: 430	Are the 870 express and 870 police the same quality? I'm interested in a sythetic stock/defense (18-20 inch)model for about $350. Why are the HD models more expensive that the wood stock express models? I would like to add GR sights and mag extension, but that's for a later date. Thanks!

September 10, 2000, 08:14 PM	#2
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	By and large, the differences in 870s are cosmetic. I've no idea why there's a price gap. There's lots of used 870s out there, a decent used one should run lots less than $350,and you can use the change for ammo,etc..

September 10, 2000, 08:44 PM	#3
Eric of IN Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2000 Posts: 425	I'm guessing that since Remington sells less of the synthetics, they have to make up their tooling costs on a smaller production run. Eric

September 10, 2000, 09:44 PM	#4
TCW Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2000 Location: PRK Posts: 430	Oops...The HD lists for less than the regular express (w/longer barrel). My mistake. So the difference between the express and police 870s...? I guess a wingmaster isn't even a consideration since I want synthetic stock.

September 11, 2000, 05:18 AM	#5
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Might be the plain bbl,TCW. One thing about synthetics,which I personally like on rifles. If the stock fits you as is, fine.But some synthetic stocks do not shorten well, nor do they take spacers as easily. And stock fit in one of the big factors in effectiveness and comfort. Also, wood stocked riot 870s run from 6 lbs, 10 oz to about 7lbs,4 oz,synthetics a bit less on average.Adding a 2 shot mag extension should add about 7 oz, empty.IMO, most folks do better with HD/Tactical shotguns running more than 7 1/2 lbs, my HD 870 runs about 9 1/2 with all the bellsnwhistles.But I'm a behemoth.

September 11, 2000, 12:53 PM	#6
JNewell Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2000 Posts: 1,092	<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>my HD 870 runs about 9 1/2 with all the bellsnwhistles.[/quote] Gad, Dave, a Garand weighs that much! <g> Your back-up plan is...to drop it on the BG? <ggg>

September 11, 2000, 01:43 PM	#7
TCW Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2000 Location: PRK Posts: 430	The reason I'm investigating the 870 is because my Mossy 500 is frustrating me. It's having feeding problems and has jammed a couple times at the range(couldn't cycle after firing...stuck). The feeding problem: I cycle back, the new shell stays in the mag, I cycle forward, the shell drops out the bottom! Not the best defense scenario.

September 11, 2000, 01:44 PM	#8
Icopy Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2000 Posts: 340	Here's my two cents. According to Remington's Customer service, the 870 Police Magnums are fitted better than the regular guns. You pay for this extra attention. As for the HD guns, I'm assuming you're talking about the ones with the silvery finish and extended tube? If so, you're paying for the better finish, the dimple-free mag tube as well as the mag extension. For about 350, you could get a Police Magnum from most any dealer. Or you can get a Mossberg 590 A1. Hope this helps.

September 11, 2000, 02:14 PM	#9
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	J, it weighs a little less than an E-2 stocked M-14.That's with 5 in the mag and 5 on the SS As for kick, what kick? The SS contributes to the weight big time. Empty, a lb lighter, easy. TCW, any maker can come up with a lemon now and then.The 870 series doesn't seem to have many, tho.

September 11, 2000, 06:20 PM	#10
Secmat Member Join Date: September 7, 2000 Posts: 81	My pet is an 870 Marine Magnum w/factory mag extension. With a few add ons, she does the job... ------------------ "Those who dance are thought mad by those that don't hear the music."

September 12, 2000, 07:20 AM	#11
PJR Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2000 Posts: 1,127	[QUOTE]Originally posted by Icopy: [B]Here's my two cents. According to Remington's Customer service, the 870 Police Magnums are fitted better than the regular guns. I've owned a couple of Police Mags and I don't buy that they are better fitted than the Wingmaster -- the Express maybe but not the Wingmaster. The lower price of the PM can be attributed to the cheaper (but robust) wood that comes with the gun. [This message has been edited by PJR (edited September 12, 2000).]