Remington 870 Express trigger group compatability

[bigbossman]

I have a Remington 870 Express that was made in the early 90's. While cleaning it today, I examined the trigger group and it seems fairly cheaply made. So, I was thinking that having an extra trigger group in my blind bag might be a good idea.

So, here's my question..... are all 870 variants share the same trigger group? Can I buy an all steel 870 Wingmaster trigger group from eBay and gain a cheap "upgrade", or is the fitment different?

[NATEWA]

Think the 870 trigger group will work in all 870’s.

https://www.rem870.com/2016/01/03/remington-870-shotgun-faq-frequently-asked-questions/

[JagerDog]

I believe they are interchangeable except for early models without the u-shaped cut out on the lifter plate.

That said, the polymer ones are reported to be more durable.

[bigbossman]

I believe they are interchangeable except for early models without the u-shaped cut out on the lifter plate.

That said, the polymer ones are reported to be more durable.

So - if mine has the "U" shaped cut-out, I cannot replace it with an earlier one that does not have the cut-out?

[Chewy65]

Check with Remington, but I think you can replace the old lifter plate with the cut out plate and that, if true, suggests that you the two trigger assemblies are interchangeable.

[JagerDog]

So - if mine has the "U" shaped cut-out, I cannot replace it with an earlier one that does not have the cut-out?

My read: Would need more parts. Bolt for one.

https://www.rem870.com/2017/05/26/what-is-remington-870-flexitab-system-parts-differences-identification/

Or perhaps it's backwards compatible, but I recall a conversation from Appie (?) that said it's not.

[BOBGBA]

See if aippi's comments help , post #14 in this thread...

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1401824&highlight=trigger

[DArBad]

I have to agree with aippi's comments ^^^^^^^.

After my experience with the trigger assembly of a well know brand of shotgun, reputedly one of the most rugged on the planet and used my the military, I prefer the polymer unit over the metal one. YMMV.

[bigbossman]

Turns out 870 complete trigger groups can be had just about anywhere. I picked one up off eBay for $35 delivered. Fits well, dry fires well, safety works, and the action locks up and cycles properly.

Going to field test it on the ducks tomorrow.

[Barbarossa]

Never had the trigger group fail in the blind, even when dropped in the bottom of the pond and full of mud.

[bigbossman]

Never had the trigger group fail in the blind, even when dropped in the bottom of the pond and full of mud.

Almost never happens, true. But over the course of my life I've had it happen three times, twice with a Winchester and once with a Remington. Usually, debris of some kind gets into the trigger group and makes it malfunction. One of the times with the Winchester, a couple of #8 bb's got out of a loose crimp reload and jammed up the disconnect.

On all three occasions, disassembly of the trigger group was necessary to clear the malfunction - not something that I'm keen on doing in the field. Besides, for $35 I got an "upgrade" over the cheaply made 870 Express trigger group.