Dating my 870.

SpazzTrap · August 29, 2001, 11:43 PM

I've searched the archives and I'm still a little confused about the serial number scheme that Remington uses. I understand that the first letter represents the year of manufacture and the last letter (M) stands for magnum. Also, that the two letter combo on the barrel represents a month and year of manufacture.

FWIW, mine is serial number X19xxxxM, also my barrel is marked
"LK". Was the X in front used for one year only? (and if so, what year?) or for a period of time more than a year.

It has to be at least a couple years old, as it doesn't have the new "keyed" safety mechansim, or the easy to remove magazine spring/plug cap that I have seen on new ones.

Thanks for any help.

-Spazz

P.S. I SWEAR I looked in the archives

UK2TX · August 30, 2001, 01:14 AM

Hello SpazzTrap,

According to the 22nd edition of the Blue Book of Gun Values X was used twice, 1929 and 1973.

http://www.bluebookinc.com/Serializa.../REMINGTON.htm

Regards,

UK2TX

SpazzTrap · August 30, 2001, 01:34 AM

Thanks UK2,

Not that I doubt your reply, but it seems odd that mine would be that old. (it would be cool if it was

)

Mine is an 870 Express Magnum, 28"BBL.

Do you know when the "Express" model was introduced? The engraving font is identical to my bother-in-law's brand new 870 express, so it seems strange that a gun 28 years old would look exactly the same.

His serial number starts with a "D", so I figured that mine was maybe 5 years or so older.

Thanks again.

-Spazz

SKN · August 30, 2001, 03:09 AM

The serial number prefix "X" indentifies an 870 receiver built between 1991-1994 according to my Remington armorer's manual and your barrel was made in 2/90.

UK2TX's reference is to the prefix letter for the years of manufacture for the barrel, 1929 and 1973.

SpazzTrap · August 30, 2001, 03:22 AM

Thanks SKN...that makes sense, and puts it more online with what I suspected the age to be.

Now I can be happy that I have an almost 10 year old 870 in like new condition. (Not to mention at a good price).

I am still interested in when the "Express" model was introduced, and more importantly, as to whether a pre '95 gun was prior to the problems that Remington had with the misaligned choke-tube/barrel thing that I've read about.

Thanks again,

-Spazz

Dave McC · August 30, 2001, 05:44 AM

The misalignment prob you alluded to is much more recent than your 870. As I understand it, the prob surfaced around 1999. Less publicity has attended similiar probs with Beretta chokes, the old Winchokes, etc.

I've noted bbls with more metal on one side at the muzzle than the other. This happens with name brands as well as foreign clunkers.

Note, all makers make lemons. Good makers make less of them. With 6 million 870s made, some are bound to have probs.

Captain Bligh · August 30, 2001, 07:01 AM

Thank God. When I read this topic caption I thought it was about someone that loved his 870 even more than I do.

Man, am I relieved.

RJ

johnbt · August 30, 2001, 05:56 PM

Okay, I'm confused. And curious.

If a serial number beginning with X shows that a receiver is from 1991 to 1994, then why does my Express Magnum have a serial number beginning with A and a bbl. code showing that it was made in 10/93? I bought it in 11/93. Beats me.

John

SKN · August 31, 2001, 03:37 AM

johnbt: Your barrel code then is 'E N' ? I honestly can't account for your 870 since the serial number prefix 'A', according to the manual, should not be on a weapon purchased as early as yours was. I suppose one might try calling Remington for clarification.

August 29, 2001, 11:43 PM	#1
SpazzTrap Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2000 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 467	Dating my 870. I've searched the archives and I'm still a little confused about the serial number scheme that Remington uses. I understand that the first letter represents the year of manufacture and the last letter (M) stands for magnum. Also, that the two letter combo on the barrel represents a month and year of manufacture. FWIW, mine is serial number X19xxxxM, also my barrel is marked "LK". Was the X in front used for one year only? (and if so, what year?) or for a period of time more than a year. It has to be at least a couple years old, as it doesn't have the new "keyed" safety mechansim, or the easy to remove magazine spring/plug cap that I have seen on new ones. Thanks for any help. -Spazz P.S. I SWEAR I looked in the archives __________________ "Great Spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds..." -Albert Einstein Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms...sounds like my bachelor party.

August 30, 2001, 01:34 AM	#3
SpazzTrap Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2000 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 467	Thanks UK2, Not that I doubt your reply, but it seems odd that mine would be that old. (it would be cool if it was ) Mine is an 870 Express Magnum, 28"BBL. Do you know when the "Express" model was introduced? The engraving font is identical to my bother-in-law's brand new 870 express, so it seems strange that a gun 28 years old would look exactly the same. His serial number starts with a "D", so I figured that mine was maybe 5 years or so older. Thanks again. -Spazz __________________ "Great Spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds..." -Albert Einstein Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms...sounds like my bachelor party. Last edited by SpazzTrap; August 30, 2001 at 03:25 AM.

August 30, 2001, 03:22 AM	#5
SpazzTrap Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2000 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 467	Thanks SKN...that makes sense, and puts it more online with what I suspected the age to be. Now I can be happy that I have an almost 10 year old 870 in like new condition. (Not to mention at a good price). I am still interested in when the "Express" model was introduced, and more importantly, as to whether a pre '95 gun was prior to the problems that Remington had with the misaligned choke-tube/barrel thing that I've read about. Thanks again, -Spazz __________________ "Great Spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds..." -Albert Einstein Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms...sounds like my bachelor party.

August 31, 2001, 03:37 AM	#9
SKN Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 1998 Location: Oregon Posts: 264	Hmmmm johnbt: Your barrel code then is 'E N' ? I honestly can't account for your 870 since the serial number prefix 'A', according to the manual, should not be on a weapon purchased as early as yours was. I suppose one might try calling Remington for clarification.

August 30, 2001, 01:14 AM	#2
UK2TX Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Austin,TX Posts: 274	Hello SpazzTrap, According to the 22nd edition of the Blue Book of Gun Values X was used twice, 1929 and 1973. http://www.bluebookinc.com/Serializa.../REMINGTON.htm Regards, UK2TX

August 30, 2001, 03:09 AM	#4
SKN Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 1998 Location: Oregon Posts: 264	The serial number prefix "X" indentifies an 870 receiver built between 1991-1994 according to my Remington armorer's manual and your barrel was made in 2/90. UK2TX's reference is to the prefix letter for the years of manufacture for the barrel, 1929 and 1973.

August 30, 2001, 05:44 AM	#6
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	The misalignment prob you alluded to is much more recent than your 870. As I understand it, the prob surfaced around 1999. Less publicity has attended similiar probs with Beretta chokes, the old Winchokes, etc. I've noted bbls with more metal on one side at the muzzle than the other. This happens with name brands as well as foreign clunkers. Note, all makers make lemons. Good makers make less of them. With 6 million 870s made, some are bound to have probs.

August 30, 2001, 07:01 AM	#7
Captain Bligh Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2000 Posts: 453	Thank God. When I read this topic caption I thought it was about someone that loved his 870 even more than I do. Man, am I relieved. RJ

August 30, 2001, 05:56 PM	#8
johnbt Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Posts: 6,004	Okay, I'm confused. And curious. If a serial number beginning with X shows that a receiver is from 1991 to 1994, then why does my Express Magnum have a serial number beginning with A and a bbl. code showing that it was made in 10/93? I bought it in 11/93. Beats me. John