$1000 Wilson Combat 870 vs $270 870 Express

One item that the current police comes with that is unwanted is the 10 pound trigger spring. The synthetic trigger guard of the Express is actually preverred.
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The Police never came with a 10 lb. trigger (sear) spring. It was 7-8 lb, and it was for police liability issues and nothing else. However, several years ago Remington began using the same 4-4 1/2 lb sear spring in all 870's, including the Police. I have owned a couple of older, used Police, and have always swapped out the heavier spring for the "normal" version.

You are correct, the plastic trigger guard on the Express is actually more durable than the pressed aluminum version on the Police.
 
$ 170.00 parkerize (not necessary)
$ 45.00 extension tube (factory guns have one)
$ 120.00 sights (Bad idea. Too slow and could get you killed at close range)
$ 75.00 butt stock (not necessary)
$ 30.00 foreend (not necessary)
$ 15.00 jumbo head safety (not necessary and dumb)
$ 45.00 sling (not necessary and dumb)
$ 12.00 spring and follower kit (can get at Brownells)
$ 45.00 sling (not necessary and dumb)
$ 15.00 swivel and mount (not necessary)

There is no difference in the action of a police, a wingmaster, and an express. They are the same gun.
 
Guys,a brief interlude in the Mine IS Better dispute going on here.....

A box stock 870 of ANY flavor is an awesome weapon. It's limited by the operator, not vice versa.

Sure, the right bellsnwhistles can help a little, but most of us would benefit more from a few cases more of ammo through our tools, not another bolt on gimcrack.

Conscientiously apply a set of wear marks to your choice of shotgun. Get the stock fitting you, and buy more ammo than most Central American revolutions need.

Like my good friend Lee Lapin says.....

" Mindset, skilllset, then toolset"...
 
Conscientiously apply a set of wear marks on your choice of shotgun...
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:D

Best statement yet.

Don't know about anyone else, but I'm usually more comfortable around a guy with a base model gun that has these 'wear marks' then a guy with a 'star wars' gun without them.
 
I think your $572 figure is $45 to high. You added the $45 sling in twice.

So, bottomline, the cost difference between the two would actually be $340.
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Shortwave - thank you for pointing out my error.
I corrected the post.


Oldguy,
Your comments and opinions do not follow the topic.
The discussion isn't what you think is or isn't needed.
It's about the cost of a Wislon and a stock express with all the same features.

Dave,
Guys,a brief interlude in the Mine IS Better dispute going on here.....
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Excuse me - but - I don't think the Wilson is better than someone else's. No way no how. I don't even like the damned thing! I wouldn't keep one even if someone gave it to me.
OTOH - Neither would I spend anything to change my $249.00 870 Express either. Box stock it's fine for me.
The orignal question was is the 1000$ Wilson 600$ better than the 270$ Express.

My answer still stands as - yes, but, only if/when you sell it.
 
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The one gun that I have regretted buying and sold at a loss to a friend is a VERY reputable custom race Benelli M2 worth $2300. IMHO just get the 870 off the rack ...it really is just a shotgun
 
Actually, my comments are spot on. Wilson adds a bunch of marginal stuff that is not needed and does not contribute to the usefulness of a shotgun for fighting purposes. Things like ghost rings sights actually make the gun less useful, not more useful. Aippi is absolutely right about shotgun sights.

This is about the wise use of money spent on a fighting shotgun. Therefore, a $1000 Wilson 870 is a waste of money.
 
Ive got an 870 Express thats about 15 years old. Its been submerged in salt water, had a muddly lab stomp all over it and lived in the bottom of a duck boat for weeks on end with little less than an occasional hosing off and oiling. Its shot God only knows how many shells and killed about every type of game that can be killed without a hiccup. Ive shot 25's in trap and skeet with it, killed 5 deer in about 30 minutes on deer control hunt, killed turkeys, killed hogs, shot limits of ducks, doves, and geese. My youngest is still shooting ducks with it. If I needed a shotgun for survival, I would choose it over my 1000 dollar Berettas any day. Hard to imagine anyone thinking they could improve on that record for any amount of money.
 
$ 170.00 parkerize (not necessary)
$ 45.00 extension tube (factory guns have one)
$ 120.00 sights (Bad idea. Too slow and could get you killed at close range)
$ 75.00 butt stock (not necessary)
$ 30.00 foreend (not necessary)
$ 15.00 jumbo head safety (not necessary and dumb)
$ 45.00 sling (not necessary and dumb)
$ 12.00 spring and follower kit (can get at Brownells)
$ 45.00 sling (not necessary and dumb)
$ 15.00 swivel and mount (not necessary)

There is no difference in the action of a police, a wingmaster, and an express. They are the same gun.
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I agree with a lot of what is in this post. These days the difference between the different model 870s is not what it used to be.

I have a pretty basic setup which works for me.

870P.gif


Used 870 Police I paid $175
Knoxx Spec Opps $50
Wilson Tube 870 Extension tube with follower $50
Houge Handall $10

Total: $285

I used to have a Speedfeed stock on it but sold that replaced it with youth stock for short length of pull but ended up with the Knoxx setup which I pick up used. Still have the youth stock somewhere I think LOL. Does the trick for a home defense gun anyone in the house can pickup and run.
 
I hunt waterfowl with my 28" 870 Express. It has worked wet, muddy, and even with junk in the action. They are simple to operate, disassemble and clean. They do every thing you could want from a shotgun.

I have 18" factory barrels for my stock express guns for home defense. It takes seconds to convert a hunting gun to a home defense gun. I prefer no mag extension because the gun handles better for me that way.

I also have a nice Wingmaster I use for upland hunting. The truth is that it shoots exactly like my Express. The Wingmaster has a different barrel profile. But, both actions feel the same. The only practical difference is cosmetics.

The 870 is one of the best values in firearms a person can find. They just work without strapping a bunch of useless gadgets on them. Less is more.

If you need a project because you are bored and need something to work on, buy Legos or a model car kit.
 
I personally prefer the 870 police guns less to mess with or undo to get them where I want them. For an express I would look used, I have seen some in the 200 dollar area at pawn. That is a lot of gun for very little dollars.

If I saw a mint Wilson 870 used at the price of a new 870 p I would think about the Wilson just to have it, they are good sound guns but not worth it at MSRP to me.

I say thus based on my observation that the Wilson delivers nothing more in the box than an 870p. It is not tighter, smoother better fitted or more reliable than a 870p most of which can be had with whatever bits you want from the factrory or have these added in a matter of minutes. So why spend the cash.

Now 1911's would be another ball of wax, there are few factory 1911's that will come close to the fit of a semi-custom like Wilson. Of course Wilson is the most expensive of the semi-custom guys, so there are better values out there in 1911 's as well. Guess someone has to pay for all the wilson ads and marketing.
 
...and he doesn't look one bit impressed to be in the pics.
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No doubt... he is saying what the what.

I would have totally setup my shotgun differently.

Only someone with really short arms needs a 13" length of pull. LOL :eek:
 
Actually, a 13" LOP is often preferred by folks who wear body armor or are on the smaller side.

I'm a behemoth, and I can make 13" work, though I prefer a bit more.

The standard stock works better most of the time, my wingshooter 870 goes to 15" and works better.

A defensive shotgun is used more like a rifle, though,and being stocked like a rifle is no handicap.
 
Actually, a 13" LOP is often preferred by folks who wear body armor or are on the smaller side.

I'm a behemoth, and I can make 13" work, though I prefer a bit more.

The standard stock works better most of the time, my wingshooter 870 goes to 15" and works better.

A defensive shotgun is used more like a rifle, though,and being stocked like a rifle is no handicap.
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You do understand we are talking about what a cat said and I am kidding....

FAIL.... :cool:
 
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