Never owned a shotgun before...

[Bird of Fire]

700 for a marine magnum? Freaking ouch.

I'd just as soon hunt down an 870 Police and be done with it. Unless you just gotta have the bling....which I understand.

[AJAX22]

heh, I like to call it a 'gauge' or a 'street howitzer'


My little bro calls my 870 the "DR. Phill"... cause it will solve all your problems

[MasterYong]

Maybe I'm not using the correct terminology, or maybe I'm just misunderstanding some of the replies.

The gun does have a full stock, it's just a folding stock and a pistol grip is included in that. I can always switch it back to the original stock (the owner has the original and I'm 99% certain I could get that form him). He has an identical shotgun that has the standard stock and I like the folding one better- it feels VERY robust unlike most of the folding stocks I've handled at other stores.

I like the folding stock because it shortens the shotgun so considerably that it seems like a plus for transport and storage, in addition to (God forbid) making it easier to turn around in hallways.

[MasterYong]

700 for a marine magnum? Freaking ouch.

I'd just as soon hunt down an 870 Police and be done with it. Unless you just gotta have the bling....which I understand.

Actually he has an 870 police, and it's $100 cheaper. Is there a reason that one's better? All the research I'd done up to this point seemed to point to the police and marine having the same internals, but the marine is less like to rust (I live in REALLYnorcal, Humboldt, it's wet here).

Is there something that's a huge plus about the police model over the marine?

Money's really not an issue here. I just wanted a pump-action shotgun that was reliable and would be fun to shoot. Should I be looking for something else? (If the answer is yes don't worry I'll probably just buy this one anyways... )


ETA: Also, there are five Marine Magnum shotguns on gunbroker right now, and after shipping, tax, DROS, and all other fees four out of five are over $700, and one is listed as "like new" which I never trust. Where is $700 a bad price?

[MasterYong]

The reason why I would pass on a marine is because
it's a pistol grip only shotgun.
it's about $700 for a pump shotgun

IF I had $700 to burn, I would get a semi auto shotgun. I would personally get a Saiga 12. Look up info on it there is tons on this board. If you want fun, the saiga 12 is where it is at. Maybe look into a Benelli or Mossberg semis. $700 is just way too much for a pump shotgun and I find the pistol grip only shotguns not that handy. I had one and put the wood stock back on.

Also, Marine Magnums are not pistol-grip only. In fact, I've never found one that was "pistol-grip only".

[AJAX22]

no huge bonus about police model over marine... if rust is a concern then a marine will work well.

What model of stock is it? side folding or top folding? if top folding is it a factory Law enforcement only top folder?

IMHO the best 870's are C&r wingmasters... no paperwork, no 10 day wait and they have actions like polished glass.

The only thing to really worry about with shotguns is to make sure you don't cram a 3 inch or longer shell into a 2.75 inch gun. they can go boom in a bad way.

with a modern 870 it shouldn't be an issue unless someone has put an older barrel on a new gun (just read it, it will say if it is a 3 inch gun or a 2.75 inch gun.

[K1LLROI]

The Marine is a variation of the 870. I was in the same boat. I bought an 870 Tactical this past Saturday; will be picking it up next week. I intend to break in the gun with about 100 rounds of the Federal "top gun, target load." They are relatively inexpensive shells.

OUCH...I found that those Federals kick good..good for price..bad for shoulder.
The Winchester universal loads are the easiest on the shoulder.
The Remingtons target loads leave a bad smell behind..and they tend to get stuck..just my 2c..
See which one works for you..and be careful..

[AJAX22]

Also, Marine Magnums are not pistol-grip only. In fact, I've never found one that was "pistol-grip only".

I believe they can be ordered from the factory in that configuration (some people like to use them for AOW builds)

[blackberg]

Nickel plated SGs are fun, especially on bright sunny days, mine is heavy though since it has a Stainless Steel 18" barrel, I can hit clays with my clay thrower with it, here is mine with the South Central LA engraved Zip Code actually qualifying it as a true *Shottie*
-bb

[MasterYong]

no huge bonus about police model over marine... if rust is a concern then a marine will work well.

What model of stock is it? side folding or top folding? if top folding is it a factory Law enforcement only top folder?

IMHO the best 870's are C&r wingmasters... no paperwork, no 10 day wait and they have actions like polished glass.

The only thing to really worry about with shotguns is to make sure you don't cram a 3 inch or longer shell into a 2.75 inch gun. they can go boom in a bad way.

with a modern 870 it shouldn't be an issue unless someone has put an older barrel on a new gun (just read it, it will say if it is a 3 inch gun or a 2.75 inch gun.

It's a top-folding stock. Nothing fancy, I can't recall the brand but when I first started looking I found them online for about $100. Locks open and locks closed so it doesn't flop around. I think I recall it's made in Kentucky. Not sure though.

-Blackberg: I don't see a pic.

[Black Majik]

Actually he has an 870 police, and it's $100 cheaper. Is there a reason that one's better? All the research I'd done up to this point seemed to point to the police and marine having the same internals, but the marine is less like to rust (I live in REALLYnorcal, Humboldt, it's wet here).

Is there something that's a huge plus about the police model over the marine?

Money's really not an issue here. I just wanted a pump-action shotgun that was reliable and would be fun to shoot. Should I be looking for something else? (If the answer is yes don't worry I'll probably just buy this one anyways... )


ETA: Also, there are five Marine Magnum shotguns on gunbroker right now, and after shipping, tax, DROS, and all other fees four out of five are over $700, and one is listed as "like new" which I never trust. Where is $700 a bad price?

The Marine Magnum is based off of the Express, with pimper electroless nickel finish. Great shotgun, just overpriced and damn that folding stock. Get the regular stock back and have him knock down the price.

The Police is a parkerized Wingmaster. Smoother internals, metal triggerguard and way better value than the overpriced Marine Magnum.

[Z ME FLY]

Thought you were talking about this one. This was the only one I have seen before.

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=131669279

But yes on the other hand IF I wanted a pump shotgun, I would pick up a regular mossberg 500/590, wingmaster 870, model 37 and with the extra money you could order enough ammo to last a long long time.

[Z ME FLY]

and how wet is it really where you live? Do you plan on having the gun in the water a lot?

[Gigan]

Call it your "Boom Stick"!

[AJAX22]

It's a top-folding stock. Nothing fancy, I can't recall the brand but when I first started looking I found them online for about $100. Locks open and locks closed so it doesn't flop around. I think I recall it's made in Kentucky. Not sure though.

-Blackberg: I don't see a pic.

If it is an ATI topfolder stock then you might want to negotiate a better price for the gun.

The ATI topfolder is trash, pure trash.

Its fun for a range trip, and if you're really lucky it won't cut your face up when you use it, but it is not a quality stock.

the Remington factory LEO topfolder stock should run about 150-200 and is really the only high quality topfolder option that is out there.

try offering him 550-600 with just the original stock