Worth it?

Wild Irish · August 13, 2002, 10:43 AM

The local Big 5 has for its weekly special a Remington 870 Express Magnum, 7 +1, bead sight, synthetic body, for $279 plus the taxes, etc., bringing it to 'bout $320. Is this a durable piece, capable of moderate usage in its lifespan, or should I save for something else. I have two other pumps and a shorty double, so I don't need it, but when did not needing something stop us?

Romulus · August 13, 2002, 12:50 PM

While the 870 Express is the proverbial brick outhouse capable of much more than "moderate usage", $280-320 seems a bit on the steep side...last year I got a Police Magnum for $325...I though I saw an 870 recently at WalMart for about $229...

I see the Express model as the strongest receiver for an 870 since it has no metal milled away for aesthetic reasons, like on the wingmaster or the police receivers...but I gues the difference is academic...the 870, regardless of the model, is a tank

Andrew Wyatt · August 13, 2002, 02:40 PM

big five regularly has mossberg's on sale for 219, and they're plenty durable, after you replace the safety with a metal one from brownells.

HSMITH · August 13, 2002, 09:14 PM

If it has sling swivels buy it. By the time you buy a mag tube extension and put sling swivels on you will be over the price. The synthetic models bring about $20 more than the wood guns you see for $229.

Al Thompson · August 13, 2002, 09:45 PM

Here in South Carolina, expresses (bird guns) go for $249.00 at Wal-Mart. Frankly, that price would be a good price here.

What sort of taxes are you paying? Ten percent equals $310.00, even 20% only works out to $322.00. Surely you guys don't have a 20% sales tax?

Slater · August 13, 2002, 10:01 PM

Here in AZ, $320 was the standard price, $279 was the sale price.

Wild Irish · August 14, 2002, 12:30 AM

We have a 7% or so sales tax, $ to the Great White Father in Washington for allowing us to purchase said item, so $320 is close enough. I'm rallying what little spare cash I have to round out purchases before the first of the year, when classes, fees, licensing, etc. take place here in Wonderland, courtesy of the Grey Queen and his Mad Hatters in Sacramento.

Al Thompson · August 14, 2002, 05:58 AM

There was a thread in General about the coming draconian laws in Kali. The consensus was to get that which you can't have or that which will cost more when the effective date hits. Think most folks were getting Mini-14s and high cap pistols.

Will the 870 be available later?

Wild Irish · August 14, 2002, 09:34 AM

My gunshop guy may be relocating back to ol' Virginny rather than face what he sees as an even more iffy way of trying to make a living here in the Gelded state after the first of the year.
I've looked at the Mossbergs, but for a few bucks more am considering a shotgun that is ready to go, rather than add on goodies piecemeal. I do have a five shot Model 500 equipped with a witness grip, which beats those standard pistol grips any day. For those not in the know, a witness grip is more of a knob that is parallel with the weapon rather than perpendicular, minus a few degrees of angle. When fired, the weapon 'rocks' backwards instead of jolting. Follow-up shots are faster and more accurate. I've tried the regular p-grips, and quit shooting after just a few shots. The w/grip lets you shoot. And shoot.

August 13, 2002, 10:43 AM	#1
Wild Irish Member Join Date: November 25, 2001 Location: Chico Cal. Posts: 77	Worth it? The local Big 5 has for its weekly special a Remington 870 Express Magnum, 7 +1, bead sight, synthetic body, for $279 plus the taxes, etc., bringing it to 'bout $320. Is this a durable piece, capable of moderate usage in its lifespan, or should I save for something else. I have two other pumps and a shorty double, so I don't need it, but when did not needing something stop us?

August 13, 2002, 12:50 PM	#2
Romulus Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2001 Location: Kettle Moraine country Posts: 897	While the 870 Express is the proverbial brick outhouse capable of much more than "moderate usage", $280-320 seems a bit on the steep side...last year I got a Police Magnum for $325...I though I saw an 870 recently at WalMart for about $229... I see the Express model as the strongest receiver for an 870 since it has no metal milled away for aesthetic reasons, like on the wingmaster or the police receivers...but I gues the difference is academic...the 870, regardless of the model, is a tank __________________ I knew Thomas Jefferson, he was a friend of mine...Governor Clinton, you're no Thomas Jefferson Ti faccio vedere come muore un italiano

August 13, 2002, 09:45 PM	#5
Al Thompson Staff Alumnus Join Date: May 2, 1999 Location: South Carolina Posts: 3,611	Here in South Carolina, expresses (bird guns) go for $249.00 at Wal-Mart. Frankly, that price would be a good price here. What sort of taxes are you paying? Ten percent equals $310.00, even 20% only works out to $322.00. Surely you guys don't have a 20% sales tax? __________________ http://www.scfirearms.org/

August 14, 2002, 12:30 AM	#7
Wild Irish Member Join Date: November 25, 2001 Location: Chico Cal. Posts: 77	Onward We have a 7% or so sales tax, $ to the Great White Father in Washington for allowing us to purchase said item, so $320 is close enough. I'm rallying what little spare cash I have to round out purchases before the first of the year, when classes, fees, licensing, etc. take place here in Wonderland, courtesy of the Grey Queen and his Mad Hatters in Sacramento.

August 14, 2002, 05:58 AM	#8
Al Thompson Staff Alumnus Join Date: May 2, 1999 Location: South Carolina Posts: 3,611	There was a thread in General about the coming draconian laws in Kali. The consensus was to get that which you can't have or that which will cost more when the effective date hits. Think most folks were getting Mini-14s and high cap pistols. Will the 870 be available later? __________________ http://www.scfirearms.org/

August 13, 2002, 02:40 PM	#3
Andrew Wyatt Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2002 Location: Bakersfield, Kommiefornia Posts: 549	big five regularly has mossberg's on sale for 219, and they're plenty durable, after you replace the safety with a metal one from brownells.

August 13, 2002, 09:14 PM	#4
HSMITH Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2002 Posts: 2,019	If it has sling swivels buy it. By the time you buy a mag tube extension and put sling swivels on you will be over the price. The synthetic models bring about $20 more than the wood guns you see for $229.

August 13, 2002, 10:01 PM	#6
Slater Member Join Date: January 19, 2002 Location: Arizona Posts: 84	Here in AZ, $320 was the standard price, $279 was the sale price.

August 14, 2002, 09:34 AM	#9
Wild Irish Member Join Date: November 25, 2001 Location: Chico Cal. Posts: 77	and now, My gunshop guy may be relocating back to ol' Virginny rather than face what he sees as an even more iffy way of trying to make a living here in the Gelded state after the first of the year. I've looked at the Mossbergs, but for a few bucks more am considering a shotgun that is ready to go, rather than add on goodies piecemeal. I do have a five shot Model 500 equipped with a witness grip, which beats those standard pistol grips any day. For those not in the know, a witness grip is more of a knob that is parallel with the weapon rather than perpendicular, minus a few degrees of angle. When fired, the weapon 'rocks' backwards instead of jolting. Follow-up shots are faster and more accurate. I've tried the regular p-grips, and quit shooting after just a few shots. The w/grip lets you shoot. And shoot.