$1000 Wilson Combat 870 vs $270 870 Express

checkmyswag · December 8, 2011, 10:21 PM

So, I've been looking for a very specific 870 police model and cannot find it. Then I came across the Wilson Combat Scattergun Tech 870. Can get them newish for around $1000.

However, whilst at Academy tonight, looked at a $270 Express 870. To be fair, I'd want to add a different stock and forearm flashlight to this.

I know the Wilson is better, but is it $600 better?

the rifleer · December 8, 2011, 10:22 PM

nope.

upstate81 · December 9, 2011, 07:32 AM

Not at all

**Spats McGee** · December 9, 2011, 09:22 AM

I'm sure that the Wilson is a fine weapon, but I'm going to say no. For $730, you can do a lot of stuff to the 870 Express, and still have money for ammo.

Silent Bob · December 9, 2011, 09:39 AM

I'd take a Remington 870 Police over either a Wilson or the Express.

WVsig · December 9, 2011, 09:40 AM

No not too me. For my money a used 870 Police mag was the right choice. I am not kicking down doors for a living. I put a Knoxx stock on it for awhile but then took that off and put a simple speed feed on it . For me the 870 is a house gun and the 870 police I have more than does the trick for the well under $200 I paid for it.

checkmyswag · December 9, 2011, 01:48 PM

Can get a $270 870 express. Add $100 specops knoxx stock for $125 and a foregrip w light for $150 or so. Then will have around $600 shotgun. But no ghost ring sights. Lesser finish. Lesser internal components.

WVsig · December 9, 2011, 02:11 PM

But does that really matter? Seriously again if you are not kicking in doors for a living what does those upgrades really get you?

checkmyswag · December 9, 2011, 03:32 PM

Didn't say I need any of them. Definitely dealing in the want realm.

jmr40 · December 9, 2011, 03:36 PM

I'd buy 2 of the Express guns and lots of ammo with a $1,000 budget.

Dave McC · December 9, 2011, 03:55 PM

Wilson does good work, but much of the package can be done at home by a non smith.

Get the Express and 500 rounds of target ammo. Shoot it up. Repeat until proficient. At that point you'll know what your shotgun "Needs" and what's just bling....

shortwave · December 9, 2011, 05:15 PM

^^^THIS^^^

checkmyswag · December 9, 2011, 06:19 PM

OK, I'm on board. Too much $ for the Wilson Scattergun.

Trying to figure out what I need and if the 870 Express is decent to build on at
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=471206

Hal · December 11, 2011, 06:53 AM

Quote:

I know the Wilson is better, but is it $600 better?

Yes - it is....

However, you won't know that until you turn around and sell it.

A $270 Express is always going to be just that. A $270 Express.
You can add whatever "goodies" you want to it, but, it will never say "Wilson" on it.
Heck, it might even be "better" than a Wilson,,,but,,,it will still not be a Wilson.

Slugo · December 11, 2011, 07:48 AM

Wilson is the classic snake oil salesman. Look at his line of way overpriced BS 1911's...

Rugerismisticness · December 11, 2011, 08:58 AM

I agree with Slugo, the WC guns aren't Baers or Browns (or brownbaers lol

). An 870 can only go so far, at 1000$, your better off buying an SLP or 930 SPX.

NYCShooter · December 11, 2011, 09:32 AM

Quote:

An 870 can only go so far, at 1000$, your better off buying an SLP or 930 SPX.

Not a fair comparison; the 870 is a pump the SLP and 930SPX semi-auto's. Also, I wouldn't pay anything close to $1,000 for a 930SPX and, if I were going to pay well over $1,000 for an SLP, I would rather spring for an M4.

Newton24b · December 11, 2011, 09:47 AM

it comes down to this pure and simple

1. do you want the stupid logo?
2. do ou actually think its worth the money?
3. you do know that colt made over 100 design changes to the model 1873 SAA over its production run, and because of that you cant say the modern colt clone is more accurate in dimension to the originals then a uberti made clone.

confirmed shooter · December 11, 2011, 09:52 AM

buy the 870, fix it up yourself and you will know it from the inside out. you will have more fun and really, how often do you use a home defense gun any way

SoilworK777 · December 11, 2011, 12:30 PM

If it were me, I'd replace the mag tube spring and follower.

I'd also go for the one that holds 7 rounds, over the 4 rounder.

Most new Express models are a little rough. Burrs along contact points will smooth out with use, or you can have a little fun and get familiar with your new shotgun and remove them manually. Using steel wool in the chamber might be worth your while.

Luke Flupper · December 11, 2011, 02:41 PM

Granted it may not say Wilson and therefore not have resale value. However My self built 870 express rocks. The time spent researching then modifying it was part of the package for me. There are some cool things left to try but $ for $ I would stack mine against the average guy using a Wilson or scatergun any day.

One piece of advice I had to learn the hard way. When adding mag extension I had issues with the Vang shell follower beating up the shotgun. I have swapped from the stainless one to a softer aluminum and painted it flourescent green. I love it an it does slam my gun so hard. The stainless follower with the extra spring was beginning to wear on my gun.

essohbe · December 11, 2011, 10:47 PM

If you're going to spend $1K on an autoloader then consider a Saiga and reconfigure it yourself. Out of $1K you'll have $ left for the expensive 20rd drum mags.

NYCShooter · December 11, 2011, 10:51 PM

Quote:

If you're going to spend $1K on an autoloader then consider a Saiga and reconfigure it yourself. Out of $1K you'll have $ left for the expensive 20rd drum mags.

The OP said he was looking to purchase an 870.

Rugerismisticness · December 12, 2011, 05:19 AM

I agree, for 1000$ there's no point in throwing cash at a pump when excellent semis are around for less that will still shuck em' faster than the most expensive pump shotgun.

Have a look at the semiauto options; mainly the SX3/slp action, 930SPX, Benelli M2, 1100, and maybe think of building up a field gun.

model18 · December 12, 2011, 05:34 AM

bought this early model express that was a mess. Someone that thought they knew what they were doing butchered the stock & barrel. After replacing both, I still have less than $150 in it. Save your $$$ and do it yourself.

December 8, 2011, 10:21 PM	#1
checkmyswag Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 1,328	$1000 Wilson Combat 870 vs $270 870 Express So, I've been looking for a very specific 870 police model and cannot find it. Then I came across the Wilson Combat Scattergun Tech 870. Can get them newish for around $1000. However, whilst at Academy tonight, looked at a $270 Express 870. To be fair, I'd want to add a different stock and forearm flashlight to this. I know the Wilson is better, but is it $600 better?

December 8, 2011, 10:22 PM	#2
the rifleer Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2008 Location: Sunny California Posts: 1,281	nope. __________________ There is no such thing as a stupid question, only stupid people.

December 9, 2011, 09:22 AM	#4
Spats McGee Staff Join Date: July 28, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 8,821	I'm sure that the Wilson is a fine weapon, but I'm going to say no. For $730, you can do a lot of stuff to the 870 Express, and still have money for ammo. __________________ I'm a lawyer, but I'm not your lawyer. If you need some honest-to-goodness legal advice, go buy some.

December 9, 2011, 09:40 AM	#6
WVsig Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2010 Location: NC Posts: 5,309	No not too me. For my money a used 870 Police mag was the right choice. I am not kicking down doors for a living. I put a Knoxx stock on it for awhile but then took that off and put a simple speed feed on it . For me the 870 is a house gun and the 870 police I have more than does the trick for the well under $200 I paid for it. __________________ -The right to be left alone is the most comprehensive of rights, and the right most valued by free people.-Louis Brandeis -Its a tool box... I don't care you put the tools in for the job that's all... -Sam from Ronin -It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. -Aristotle

December 9, 2011, 01:48 PM	#7
checkmyswag Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 1,328	Can get a $270 870 express. Add $100 specops knoxx stock for $125 and a foregrip w light for $150 or so. Then will have around $600 shotgun. But no ghost ring sights. Lesser finish. Lesser internal components. __________________ No brass. No ammo. Last edited by checkmyswag; December 9, 2011 at 02:02 PM.

December 9, 2011, 07:32 AM	#3
upstate81 Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2011 Location: NY Posts: 801	Not at all

December 9, 2011, 09:39 AM	#5
Silent Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2005 Posts: 288	I'd take a Remington 870 Police over either a Wilson or the Express.

December 9, 2011, 02:11 PM	#8
WVsig Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2010 Location: NC Posts: 5,309	But does that really matter? Seriously again if you are not kicking in doors for a living what does those upgrades really get you? __________________ -The right to be left alone is the most comprehensive of rights, and the right most valued by free people.-Louis Brandeis -Its a tool box... I don't care you put the tools in for the job that's all... -Sam from Ronin -It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. -Aristotle

December 9, 2011, 03:32 PM	#9
checkmyswag Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 1,328	Didn't say I need any of them. Definitely dealing in the want realm. __________________ No brass. No ammo.

December 9, 2011, 03:36 PM	#10
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,805	I'd buy 2 of the Express guns and lots of ammo with a $1,000 budget.

December 9, 2011, 03:55 PM	#11
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Wilson does good work, but much of the package can be done at home by a non smith. Get the Express and 500 rounds of target ammo. Shoot it up. Repeat until proficient. At that point you'll know what your shotgun "Needs" and what's just bling....

December 9, 2011, 05:15 PM	#12
shortwave Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2007 Location: SOUTHEAST, OHIO Posts: 5,970	^^^THIS^^^

December 9, 2011, 06:19 PM	#13
checkmyswag Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 1,328	OK, I'm on board. Too much $ for the Wilson Scattergun. Trying to figure out what I need and if the 870 Express is decent to build on at http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=471206

December 11, 2011, 07:48 AM	#15
Slugo Junior member Join Date: September 15, 2001 Location: Central PA Posts: 1,007	Wilson is the classic snake oil salesman. Look at his line of way overpriced BS 1911's...

December 11, 2011, 08:58 AM	#16
Rugerismisticness Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2010 Posts: 909	I agree with Slugo, the WC guns aren't Baers or Browns (or brownbaers lol). An 870 can only go so far, at 1000$, your better off buying an SLP or 930 SPX.

December 11, 2011, 09:47 AM	#18
Newton24b Junior member Join Date: February 10, 2009 Posts: 974	it comes down to this pure and simple 1. do you want the stupid logo? 2. do ou actually think its worth the money? 3. you do know that colt made over 100 design changes to the model 1873 SAA over its production run, and because of that you cant say the modern colt clone is more accurate in dimension to the originals then a uberti made clone.

December 11, 2011, 09:52 AM	#19
confirmed shooter Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2009 Location: reno, Nv. Posts: 109	buy the 870, fix it up yourself and you will know it from the inside out. you will have more fun and really, how often do you use a home defense gun any way

December 11, 2011, 12:30 PM	#20
SoilworK777 Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 247	If it were me, I'd replace the mag tube spring and follower. I'd also go for the one that holds 7 rounds, over the 4 rounder. Most new Express models are a little rough. Burrs along contact points will smooth out with use, or you can have a little fun and get familiar with your new shotgun and remove them manually. Using steel wool in the chamber might be worth your while.

December 11, 2011, 02:41 PM	#21
Luke Flupper Junior Member Join Date: December 11, 2011 Posts: 8	870 Express Granted it may not say Wilson and therefore not have resale value. However My self built 870 express rocks. The time spent researching then modifying it was part of the package for me. There are some cool things left to try but $ for $ I would stack mine against the average guy using a Wilson or scatergun any day. One piece of advice I had to learn the hard way. When adding mag extension I had issues with the Vang shell follower beating up the shotgun. I have swapped from the stainless one to a softer aluminum and painted it flourescent green. I love it an it does slam my gun so hard. The stainless follower with the extra spring was beginning to wear on my gun.

December 11, 2011, 10:47 PM	#22
essohbe Junior member Join Date: March 22, 2009 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 817	If you're going to spend $1K on an autoloader then consider a Saiga and reconfigure it yourself. Out of $1K you'll have $ left for the expensive 20rd drum mags.

December 12, 2011, 05:19 AM	#24
Rugerismisticness Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2010 Posts: 909	I agree, for 1000$ there's no point in throwing cash at a pump when excellent semis are around for less that will still shuck em' faster than the most expensive pump shotgun. Have a look at the semiauto options; mainly the SX3/slp action, 930SPX, Benelli M2, 1100, and maybe think of building up a field gun.

December 12, 2011, 05:34 AM	#25
model18 Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2006 Posts: 419	870 express bought this early model express that was a mess. Someone that thought they knew what they were doing butchered the stock & barrel. After replacing both, I still have less than $150 in it. Save your $$$ and do it yourself.

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