Problems with remington slug barrel

[trevilli]

I've been planning to go back east for a hunting trip with my Dad and brother for some time now. Back in August, I found a nice deal on a very well cared for 870 wingmaster. I was looking for a rifled slug barrel for it when I came across this combo package that Remington had, a scope and barrel for $259. I realize that at this price, I wasn't getting top shelf equipment, however, the quality of this product was such that I wonder if there is a problem in the Quality Assurance department at Remington. The first barrel I bought (online through cabelas.com) looked good out of the package, but when it I took it to the range, I couldn't hit the paper. The ad for the barrel and scope said the scope was bore sighted at the factory, but I it clearly was not. I took it to my local gunsmith and he took one look at it and said "It's crooked!" He was referring to the cantilever mount for the scope. He took it back in his workshop and five minutes later he returned. What he showed me kind of blew me away. It appeared that someone had tried to adjust the screws (yes, the cantilever mount was screwed to the barrel not welded) but in the process they had stripped the screws. Then, to cover up their mistake, they used a bunch of epoxy to glue the screws into place and also glue the barrel back together. And presumably, Remington repackaged it and tried to sell this garbage as new. Cabelas has a "no questions asked" return policy, so they promptly sent me a new one. When that one arrived, I could see how crooked it was. It wasn't that the cantilever was mounted crookedly, it's that the cantilever was clearly defective, and not made to spec. I own a Remington shotgun, which I've been happy with, and my Dad owns two 1100s which have performed flawlessly these many years, so I don't want to make it seem like I'm trashing Remington because I'm fan of another brand. But I was really disgusted by the quality and lack of workmanship on these two barrels that I bought and returned. I'm going to buy a hastings barrel, and though it's a little more expensive then the Remington combo, it looks like a far superior product. Like to hear your thoughts about the barrels and the state of Remington in general, thanks.