For a 870, which one should I get?

[Mesa Tactical]

And I really would like to know what are the exact "Police Accessories" (surefires??) that a 870Police can use and a 870Express can't.....

Just the magazine extension. A plain-Jane Express has a dimpled magazine. It's not meant to accept a magazine extension. You have to drill the dimples out before it can accept a magazine extension.

Of course, for a while now Remington has been selling Express models (such as their Special Purpose and Tactical) with the magazine extension already installed.

870 Police models are sold through a different division of Remington, Remington Law Enforcement, so they are generally not available through normal retail channels. Not because of any legal reasons, just because of how the distribution is set up. You might try Davidsons, or a police supplier like All State Police Equipment Company of Pomona, or a smaller FFL specializing in LE sales. We bought ours from Vang Comp Systems.

[Jicko]

How much will a 870Police + VangComp cost? I have heard a LOT of good reviews on the VC...

[Scotto]

Im not sure what you need but if you decide on a regular express wait until august when everything goes on dove hunter special. I picked one up last year for like 220 or somthing.

[rushta]

I am slightly hybridizing a couple of your questions about which 870 and 870 vs TPS, but here it is.

The VCS is pricey but good. I haven't decided that I need less recoil than what a standard 870 kicks out with Win Super X 9 pellet full power. It just isn't that bad for me to justify a ported barrel yet, at least if you shoot enough. A VC system will cost 240 with ports, but remember the TPS porting system only reduces muzzle flip.

An 870P with VCS will cost about 640, but if you just want it ported it would be 480.

The main benefit of the VC system come from lengthening the forcing cone and back boring the barrel. This reduces recoil and improves accuracy. You can get a barrel ported from Magnaport for around $80, which is basically what the TPS has. It does nothing for better patterning or accuracy.

A TPS also is nothing more than a fancy winchester 1300. It has (to the best of my knowledge) an aluminum reciever which is a big - in my book for reasons state earlier. It is not a very good shotgun design, despite the rotary bolt the action is not smooth or very reliable. It's light, uses a small, uncomfortable (for heavy recoil anyway) stock that doesn't readily accept good recoil pads (a pad is all the recoil reduction you really need) with a pistol grip and a higher line of sight. The pistol grip will not handle right for anything besides tactical shooting, and is slower to bring up from the waist. Collapsable stock on a shotgun? I don't see a need for it.

I know you can get an 870P brought in by a good FFL, I can IM you a good one in Escondido if you want.

[esskay]

rushta, thanks for your posting.... there are just so many variation on a 870that make it so confusing.... and your posting is to the point stating the real difference between a 870P and 870E....

now... is there ANY local stores that carry these? I know Big5 and Turner always have some 870... but seemingly now, that they won't be the nice "POLICE" version?

do you know anything about the FN-TPS then? once getting up to like $500+.... I may be able to get a FN-TPS instead...

I think it will be cheapest to purchase from out of state (e.g. I bought my 870P from http://www.firinglineinc.com/store1/. Looks like their site is being overhauled so you can't see their pricing but it was really good at the time)

These guys are in the SD area, you could check them out:

http://www.capoliceequip.com/main.htm

I've had good experiences buying ammo from them mail order but I've never been there in person.

[Jicko]

I think it will be cheapest to purchase from out of state (e.g. I bought my 870P from http://www.firinglineinc.com/store1/. Looks like their site is being overhauled so you can't see their pricing but it was really good at the time)

I think i really have to search around....

These guys are in the SD area, you could check them out:

http://www.capoliceequip.com/main.htm

I've had good experiences buying ammo from them mail order but I've never been there in person.

Their 870P-max is a little pricey... @ $899!!!

[ivanimal]

I would buy an 870 wingmaster and accessorize it after you get used to shooting it. All the crap you can put on it and model differences that cost money wont help if you are uncomfortable with the weapon. I bought a wingmaster as my first shotgun in 76" and still enjoy shooting clays with its full choke. On the other hand I have an Express and a few other guns as well. They all have their good points and their pains as well. I do not own a Mossberg but the last time I shot one I did really well with it. I say dont just take peoples words for what you may like. Try a bunch of guns till you see what fits. If you go to a gun club most of the guys will let you shoot theirs, if you show real interest, are not a pain in the ***, and bring your own quality ammo. I have found that taking a shotgun class no matter how well you shoot is good for gettin in touch with new or tried and true methods. People in the classes usually bring guns and let you shoot them. I find the police models to be tighter than the regular 870's that is great for deer and turkey not so good for duck and dove where speedy second shots are a must. All that said my go to gun is the Browning Gold Hunter in a 3 1/2" chamber. Semi autos are hard to beat.

[wangankin]

There are so many favours......

I want to do 3-guns, I want to have it as home defence, yet I wanna shot sporting clay...

;-)

I guess... a 18" w/ extended magazine is probably what I want.... (since... altho not optimal... i can still shoot sporting clay with an 18")

So... now... for a 18".... what choices are recommended, guys?

Oh by the way, why is the new 870 tactical($500+ @ turners) so much more expensive than a 870 synthetic($299 @ big5)?

Ill tell you right now; buy which ever 870 which tickles your fancy. After your fancy has been tickled... Contact:

Bob Day
562-923-3608

https://www.americhoke.com

He can install choke tubes onto your 18" barrel... QUALITY work... I can dispatch clays (the kind that leave clay dust lingering in the sky like flak) at a distance.

[Mesa Tactical]

How much will a 870Police + VangComp cost? I have heard a LOT of good reviews on the VC...

I think it's about $1,200. Same as a Wilson, only Vang sells you a Police instead of an Express.

[rushta]

Thats the whole gun from him, plus other goodies. Again, just the Police and the Vang Comp ported and tweaked barrel is $640.

[Mesa Tactical]

Thats the whole gun from him, plus other goodies. Again, just the Police and the Vang Comp ported and tweaked barrel is $640.

Yeah, it's the complete Vang Police 870, with the barrel, magazine extension, LPA ghost ring and front post, oversized safety and fancy magazine follower:



I mention the package price because Jicko is looking for a base 870 Police to begin with, and these are hard to find at typical firearms retailers. If you go to Vang and give him $1,200 or $1,300, he'll sell you an 870 Police complete with all the goodies.

For a casual shooter, that's probably an awful lot of gun. I needed the ghost ring because I have a physical problem that won't let me use the bead to shoot slugs accurately.

[Robf]

Are these 870 Police version common to find? I've been looking around for a shotgun and wonder what's the typical cost of these shotguns.

Rob

[Stanze]

Are these 870 Police version common to find? I've been looking around for a shotgun and wonder what's the typical cost of these shotguns.

Rob

Read the thread, all your questions are answered right here in this very thread you posted in.