New Remington 870 Express GTG?

[The Last American Hero]

Some old police pro on this forum educated me about the 870 jamming particularly with the Fed low Walmart brass.

It is not the gun's fault.

They are shipped with a PACKING GREASE and NO they are NOT "GTG" out of box.

Must clean grease first, otherwise it will heat weld and THEN you need to "polish the bore". Like cosmoline and Mosins.

IMO Rem needs to put a big orange tag hanging out both the barrel and receiver about this, or switch lubes. Maybe about 3 cents worth of FROG LUBE ? Since their company color is green

Forgot the old pro's handle but he is a legend with the 870s around here. He also debunked a few myths about the Wingmasters being "better guns". Mostly just better looking.

But I'm still shying away from a new 870 due to general Rem company issues. Don't feel like I should "pay" in more ways than one for the new CEO's bonus.

[jyo]

Over many years, I've somehow gathered three older (used) 870s---all were close to new, just 25-35+ years old (two of them) and a slightly newer Police model that has the "flex-tab"---over the years, I've shot them a lot and acquired several hunting and trap barrels to go with the shorter SD barrels that live on them unless another is needed. All blued guns (no rust)---all function all the time (the older two are 2 3/4" only)---I can't think of a more perfect pump gun…
On the other hand, several friends required some polish work to smooth-up their 870 Express models and don't even get them started on rust---what the Hell did they do to these guns to make 'em rust like that? The older guns get a wipe down with BreakFree CLP and are rustless…
Personally. I would consider looking around for an older 870---be prepared to pay more, but realize that you're getting a lifetime shotgun if you pick a nice one!

[NapalmCheese]

Some old police pro on this forum educated me about the 870 jamming particularly with the Fed low Walmart brass.

Must clean grease first, otherwise it will heat weld and THEN you need to "polish the bore". Like cosmoline and Mosins.

Forgot the old pro's handle but he is a legend with the 870s around here. He also debunked a few myths about the Wingmasters being "better guns". Mostly just better looking.

His name is aippi, and post #9 may sum up his feelings on the subject (we've gone back and forth about the Express and I still don't think we see eye to eye, but I don't think we disagree as much as he may think we do either).

[The Last American Hero]

His name is aippi, and post #9 may sum up his feelings on the subject (we've gone back and forth about the Express and I still don't think we see eye to eye, but I don't think we disagree as much as he may think we do either).

nice, and is there data on which 870 are Pre and Post?

Date of birth and/or serial numbers.....

for those of us who might not be qualified to eyeball diffs in machining, particularly when not comparing side by side.

I can eyeball MSRP among bicycles to within 10% about 90% of the time. Guns not so much. Women? Not gonna go there.

[toiletfighter]

Never had extraction issues in my newest 870 (Express Tactical bought Oct. 2012), but feeding was a problem. Solved that with a spring/follower kit from Wilson Combat. Mine is used as an HD/range toy and eats up anything I've fed it.

The main difference between it and the older 870's I have and have owned is the fit and finish. The new ones seem sloppy and loose.

[NapalmCheese]

nice, and is there data on which 870 are Pre and Post?

I have no idea, all I know is I would prefer nearly any other shotgun to a brand new Express at this point. It's not so much that I don't like the Express, I just don't think they are the value they once were. I wish Remington would just bump the price up on them by $100 bucks and put more effort into finishing work and QC instead of trying to hit a price point. Mind you, my opinion comes using a grand total of two different 870 Express shotguns, an older one and a newer one from a couple of years ago. I am not a gunsmith, I'm not an armorer, I've not handled thousands of these shotguns.

[jeffrice6]

I wish Remington would just bump the price up on them by $100 bucks and put more effort into finishing work and QC instead of trying to hit a price point.

That's the whole point, you can spend more and purchase a more refined 870. The Express's price point is to compete with Big 5 (& the like) 500's & cheaper pumps on the market. Look at it this way, on a budget you can buy a SA Mil-spec, but if you want a better (fit & finish, tighter, prettier, ect) 1911, you can pay more & get a TRP/Pro/customshop. Different price points and levels of fit & finish for different budgets.

[NapalmCheese]

That's the whole point, you can spend more and purchase a more refined 870. The Express's price point is to compete with Big 5 (& the like) 500's & cheaper pumps on the market. Look at it this way, on a budget you can buy a SA Mil-spec, but if you want a better (fit & finish, tighter, prettier, ect) 1911, you can pay more & get a TRP/Pro/customshop. Different price points and levels of fit & finish for different budgets.

You can spend $400 dollars more and buy a (what should be a) better put together, brand new, 870.
You can't spend $100 dollars more and buy a better put together, brand new, 870.

For an increase in price of $100 dollars I'd think Remington could spend a little extra time on each gun to ensure good QC and fit. I could be wrong, I'm not a business person.

I also wouldn't mind seeing Remington stop using the Express as their competition in the 'cheapest name brand shotgun I can buy at Big 5' game.

[jeffrice6]

I also wouldn't mind seeing Remington stop using the Express as their competition in the 'cheapest name brand shotgun I can buy at Big 5' game.

Why, that's what it is. As long as the consumer knows that it's the "lowest" of the 870 lineup & is priced accordingly, whats the problem? It a simple tool that goes BANG, you want prettier, smoother, slicker and better QC ~ Then pay for it. The express is priced so most anyone can afford an entry level 870.

[monk]

It just so happens I'm selling an 870 Express if you want to buy one.

[NapalmCheese]

Why, that's what it is. As long as the consumer knows that it's the "lowest" of the 870 lineup & is priced accordingly, whats the problem? It a simple tool that goes BANG, you want prettier, smoother, slicker and better QC ~ Then pay for it. The express is priced so most anyone can afford an entry level 870.

I've not held or played with a new Wingmaster, so they may have problems now too, I have no idea but:

The Remington 870 is one of the most iconic workhorse shotguns ever created. It is an American classic and one of few guns that Remington has made its reputation on. The Express should be held to the same functional standards as the Wingmaster. There should be no burrs, there should be no sharp edges on the loading or ejection ports, and the shotgun should work. It doesn't need to be blued and polished. It doesn't need to be fully dehorned and smoothed. It doesn't need figured wood. I don't even care that the trigger guard is plastic.

It is my opinion that every Express should function as positively and reliably, from day one, as every Wingmaster. If it takes an extra $100 dollars to do that, so be it, that puts the price on par with Benelli's entry pump gun. If that prices someone out of an 870 then so be it. If you need a shotgun, it doesn't NEED to be an 870. There are other good quality options to fit smaller budgets. If you WANT an 870, hopefully it's because you recognize a legacy of quality in craftsmanship and design and are willing to pay the at least the minimum amount required to get that quality.

I think it is a mistake for Remington to compete with, and place their product amongst, the low cost pump shotgun market. Let Escort or whomever have it rather than spawn an entire generation of gun owners that think every 870 is a hunk of crap because the only one they've ever used was an unreliable nightmare.

I would say the same thing for Mossberg with the 500 also; except I don't like Mossberg shotguns so I don't care what they put out.

That is my opinion, and that is why I don't like the Express line of Remington 870 shotguns (anymore). I feel they are no longer a good value at their current price, but be once again with just a little more workmanship and a commensurate (but modest) increase in price.

[L84CABO]

If memory serves I think JD has/had some good info up on his website on what to do with new 870's to help ensure they run right. If not, I know he's posted a lot here and you should be able to find it if you search his name, "aippi"

http://www.aiptactical.com/

[jeffrice6]

If memory serves I think JD has/had some good info up on his website on what to do with new 870's to help ensure they run right. If not, I know he's posted a lot here and you should be able to find it if you search his name, "aippi"

http://www.aiptactical.com/

There is great advice on his site, the only thing he left out (that another member posted that really improved my 870) is to polish out the barrel extention. Did the chamber many times with "some improvement" but Once I hit the tool mark laden barrel extention things went from good to great!

[The Last American Hero]

I've not held or played with a new Wingmaster, so they may have problems now too, I have no idea but:

The Remington 870 is one of the most iconic workhorse shotguns ever created. It is an American classic and one of few guns that Remington has made its reputation on. The Express should be held to the same functional standards as the Wingmaster. There should be no burrs, there should be no sharp edges on the loading or ejection ports, and the shotgun should work. It doesn't need to be blued and polished. It doesn't need to be fully dehorned and smoothed. It doesn't need figured wood. I don't even care that the trigger guard is plastic.

It is my opinion that every Express should function as positively and reliably, from day one, as every Wingmaster. If it takes an extra $100 dollars to do that, so be it, that puts the price on par with Benelli's entry pump gun. If that prices someone out of an 870 then so be it. If you need a shotgun, it doesn't NEED to be an 870. There are other good quality options to fit smaller budgets. If you WANT an 870, hopefully it's because you recognize a legacy of quality in craftsmanship and design and are willing to pay the at least the minimum amount required to get that quality.

I think it is a mistake for Remington to compete with, and place their product amongst, the low cost pump shotgun market. Let Escort or whomever have it rather than spawn an entire generation of gun owners that think every 870 is a hunk of crap because the only one they've ever used was an unreliable nightmare.

I would say the same thing for Mossberg with the 500 also; except I don't like Mossberg shotguns so I don't care what they put out.

That is my opinion, and that is why I don't like the Express line of Remington 870 shotguns (anymore). I feel they are no longer a good value at their current price, but be once again with just a little more workmanship and a commensurate (but modest) increase in price.

If I was doing the marketing psychology I'd want to price 870 just enough higher than any other of the cheap name brands, then buyers would think "Yep, I want the good one, the Rem 870! Accept no substitutes" but it would still be in their el cheapo price range. Pride of Ownership they can afford.

I got a Rem Express over a Mossberg 500 just because the Moss felt so much looser side to side on the slide and that turned me off. Plus the Rem just shouldered nicer like a refined real gun.

[The Last American Hero]

There is great advice on his site, the only thing he left out (that another member posted that really improved my 870) is to polish out the barrel extention. Did the chamber many times with "some improvement" but Once I hit the tool mark laden barrel extention things went from good to great!

what part of the barrel is the 'extension'? The part just after the camber? or just before the choke threads???

The choke itself?