Yup, it's another 870 thread

[CelticRanger]

Yea I'm looking to pick up a Rem 870. Actually almost made a purchase yesterday. I handled quite a few and couldn't make up my mind.

The one that felt the best was a used 870 Police Magnum, it just seemed to lock up better but it was a little more then I wanted to spend.

I guess my question is what would it take to get a regular Express to feel like the Police? I've read about the "better parts; tighter tolerances" but how much can really be different? Or might have just have been that it was broken-in?

Thanks for the impute.

[Foriegn power]

Spend the doh$ upfront don't waste the time upgrading with parts and labor to make something feel the same as _____. I hope you understand, that is the way I look at certain things.

[40cal.]

DSC00424.jpg

DSC00425.jpg I agree with getting the best you can afford, but here's my 870 Express I bought in 1992 and it shoots great and feels almost as good as my high end Wingmaster. I've decked it out as you can tell. Just ran 400 rounds is a shotgun class and it ran flawless.

[bsg]

how much was the used 870P and what condition? upgrades, changes?

[aippi]

there is only one 870. They only differ by finish and furniture. There are two small parts differnt between the models you mentioned. Less then $20 in parts. Any difference in feel is in the imagination as no one could tell the difference if they could not see the finish.

On another site I proved that I could build a 4+1 Police from the Remington parts list for $46 less then I could build a 4+1 Express with both having the same synthetic stocks. Just to show this is true look at the 18.5" Express bead sight barrel on the Remington parts list, it retails for $134 yet the 18.5" bead sight factory parkerized police barrel retails for $101.
The stripped Express receiver retails for $247 and the stripped Police reciever also for $247. The Stripped Wingmaster Receiver also sells for $247. The Express breech bolt with MIM extractor is $93. The exact same bolt, same finish, all the same parts except comes with a solid steel extractor is the one used in the 870 Police is also $93.00.

Down load the 870 parts list from their web site and study it. You soon see through the Marketing mess and realize that there is only one 870. There all not tighter tolerances as these all all the same parts. There is no police sears, no police trigger, no police firing pin or any other parts, they are all the same. There is not even a police sear spring any longer, it comes with the same 4-5 lb sear spring as on as in your Express because they realized the 7-8 lb sear was causing damage.

Yes 870's smooth out with round counts. Shoulder a 10 year old 870 that has been taken care of and has thousands of rounds through it. Slicker then eel snot for sure.

[Starlifter]

+1
JD is the expert.

[bsg]

there is only one 870. They only differ by finish and furniture. There are two small parts differnt between the models you mentioned. Less then $20 in parts. Any difference in feel is in the imagination as no one could tell the difference if they could not see the finish.

On another site I proved that I could build a 4+1 Police from the Remington parts list for $46 less then I could build a 4+1 Express with both having the same synthetic stocks. Just to show this is true look at the 18.5" Express bead sight barrel on the Remington parts list, it retails for $134 yet the 18.5" bead sight factory parkerized police barrel retails for $101.
The stripped Express receiver retails for $247 and the stripped Police reciever also for $247. The Stripped Wingmaster Receiver also sells for $247. The Express breech bolt with MIM extractor is $93. The exact same bolt, same finish, all the same parts except comes with a solid steel extractor is the one used in the 870 Police is also $93.00.

Down load the 870 parts list from their web site and study it. You soon see through the Marketing mess and realize that there is only one 870. There all not tighter tolerances as these all all the same parts. There is no police sears, no police trigger, no police firing pin or any other parts, they are all the same. There is not even a police sear spring any longer, it comes with the same 4-5 lb sear spring as on as in your Express because they realized the 7-8 lb sear was causing damage.

Yes 870's smooth out with round counts. Shoulder a 10 year old 870 that has been taken care of and has thousands of rounds through it. Slicker then eel snot for sure.

the guru has spoken; go now....

[johnthomas]

[ATTACH]60891[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]60892[/ATTACH] I agree with getting the best you can afford, but here's my 870 Express I bought in 1992 and it shoots great and feels almost as good as my high end Wingmaster. I've decked it out as you can tell. Just ran 400 rounds is a shotgun class and it ran flawless.

I'm curious what is that chrome bling on the side of the receiver?

[40cal.]

Those are the screws that hold the Vangcomp sidesaddle on the other side. I've since dyed them black with a paint stick. www.vangcomp.com

[prc77]

Those are the screws that hold the Vangcomp sidesaddle on the other side. I've since dyed them black with a paint stick. www.vangcomp.com

Those screw heads are ginormous

[CelticRanger]

Spend the doh$ upfront don't waste the time upgrading with parts and labor to make something feel the same as _____. I hope you understand, that is the way I look at certain things.

I do see your point, but it wouldn't be a "waste of time" for me as I like to tinker. Thank you though.

[ATTACH]60891[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]60892[/ATTACH] I agree with getting the best you can afford, but here's my 870 Express I bought in 1992 and it shoots great and feels almost as good as my high end Wingmaster. I've decked it out as you can tell. Just ran 400 rounds is a shotgun class and it ran flawless.

Those HUGE screw heads look like they make for a quick and easy take-down, I'll have to look into them.

how much was the used 870P and what condition? upgrades, changes?

It was just over $400 and looked factory to me. It did have some definite signs of wear along the mag tube and fore end of the barrel.

there is only one 870. They only differ by finish and furniture. There are two small parts differnt between the models you mentioned. Less then $20 in parts. Any difference in feel is in the imagination as no one could tell the difference if they could not see the finish.

On another site I proved that I could build a 4+1 Police from the Remington parts list for $46 less then I could build a 4+1 Express with both having the same synthetic stocks. Just to show this is true look at the 18.5" Express bead sight barrel on the Remington parts list, it retails for $134 yet the 18.5" bead sight factory parkerized police barrel retails for $101.
The stripped Express receiver retails for $247 and the stripped Police reciever also for $247. The Stripped Wingmaster Receiver also sells for $247. The Express breech bolt with MIM extractor is $93. The exact same bolt, same finish, all the same parts except comes with a solid steel extractor is the one used in the 870 Police is also $93.00.

Down load the 870 parts list from their web site and study it. You soon see through the Marketing mess and realize that there is only one 870. There all not tighter tolerances as these all all the same parts. There is no police sears, no police trigger, no police firing pin or any other parts, they are all the same. There is not even a police sear spring any longer, it comes with the same 4-5 lb sear spring as on as in your Express because they realized the 7-8 lb sear was causing damage.

Yes 870's smooth out with round counts. Shoulder a 10 year old 870 that has been taken care of and has thousands of rounds through it. Slicker then eel snot for sure.

Wow, This answers pretty much all of my questions about the internals.
If you can, explain more about the MIM extractor. MIM is the material? This is the hook on the right edge of the bolt, correct?
Also I have seen Police bolt carriers for sale. I imagine this is what might make if feel tighter and smoother.

Thanks you guys for your input.

[marcusrn]

I've had 6-8 870s and wish I owed them all now. In Southern Cal there are good priced Wingmasters 20-30 yrs old old just broken in for sale. The problem recently with some express mods is extraction. Get a used wingmaster and get (3gungear) side saddle and cheapest 2-3 shot extention. That surefire flash light is nice but pricey. I've had 1/2 dozen and used wingmaster have good stats. I almost bought a beauty I don't need a few weeks ago for 325. at Sothern Cal Guns in SD.

[bsg]

I've had 6-8 870s and wish I owed them all now. In Southern Cal there are good priced Wingmasters 20-30 yrs old old just broken in for sale. The problem recently with some express mods is extraction. Get a used wingmaster and get (3gungear) side saddle and cheapest 2-3 shot extention. That surefire flash light is nice but pricey. I've had 1/2 dozen and used wingmaster have good stats. I almost bought a beauty I don't need a few weeks ago for 325. at Sothern Cal Guns in SD.

we could sit down together and commiserate; oh... the ones that got away.

[BigDogatPlay]

It was just over $400 and looked factory to me. It did have some definite signs of wear along the mag tube and fore end of the barrel.

If the wear appears honest, the bore is bright and there are no outward signs of abuse, I'd buy it although I'd try to haggle a bit. But that's just me and I also am a huge fan of the 870, have owned a few and currently have an early 90's vintage 870P as my HD shotgun.

If you can, explain more about the MIM extractor. MIM is the material? This is the hook on the right edge of the bolt, correct?

The hook on the right edge of the bolt, yes. MIM = Metal Injection Molding so it's the process used to manufacture, not the material itself. Long story short the MIM process uses powdered metal and injection molding similar to plastic production to make parts in huge volume cheaper than even stamping.

Someone with more insight than I on the 870 platform would have to discuss the difference in potential performance between a MIM extractor and a stamped one.

[Black Majik]

There are many used Wingmasters for sale here in Calguns that you can purchase for a steal. Everyone just seems to rather buy a new Express than a used Wingmaster.

I currently have 3 Wingmasters; the smoothest of the bunch was an old beat up hunting shotgun, when I detail stripped it I found leaves behind the bolt. It looked the part too, but I'll be damned it is tight and smooth. My current production 2005(?) Wingmaster I bought new pales in comparison.

The old ones were the ones to get.