Doc,
Don't obsess too much over this. Any good pumpgun will do, if the shooter will do. Doesn't matter too much whose name is stamped into it as long as it's reliable.
I've been shooting 870s for going on 40 years now, and have yet to own a new one. So you're already ahead of me there 8^). I wouldn't mind someone giving me a new one though. But if you find something you like better, that fits you better, I see no reason not to do the trade-in you were talking about. As to the price, it's about run of the mill, pretty much, There may be a rebate available- I'd look into that if I were you.
To people who ask 'what shotgun should I get,' I always advise trying to get some trigger time on other peoples' shotguns if possible- family, friends, co-workers might take you to the range for some shooting with their shotguns if you ask. It would be mannerly if you bought your own ammo though.
If that fails, some gun clubs or shooting ranges have rental shotguns. That might be a possibility. As a last place option, handling different makes/models at various gun shops will help some, but not IMHO as much as actually shooting different guns. You might have some time constraints to work under that might curtail your opportunities in these approaches however, I don't know. If you're in SE NC or NE SC, drop me a PM.
As to learning the basics, as with most new things, RTFM. Which means 'read that fine manual,' the owners manual that came with the gun. Remington has a good basic presentation on their website to explain how different shotguns work- see http://www.remington.com/pages/news-and-resources/safety-center/online-safety-courses.aspx fwiw. For field stripping the first time, having someone on hand who has done it before can be a help, though an 870 is pretty user friendly.
As to magazine tube worries, I have yet to have that kind of trouble- but I use clamps on magazine extensions and don't use the gun as a club or hammer. There's a mandrel in the 870 tool kit to raise dents in magazine tubes, if that's the only problem. If it's worse than a dent, then the magazine tube might need to be replaced- and that's a factory level job.
I wouldn't worry overmuch about the gun being an Express either. I have had several of them over the years, and there's nothing wrong with them. If I had a newer model Express with magazine tube dimples, I'd leave it as a 4-shot magazine and not try to remove the dimples at this point. In the long run it isn't worth it IMHO. If you really want a magazine extension, trade in your existing gun on the model that has a factory extension ( http://www.remington.com/products/f...-870/model-870-express-synthetic-7-round.aspx ).
The last 870 barrel I got a good deal on was right here in the accessories for sale forum about a month ago. Shop around, there are deals to be had.
hth,
lpl
Don't obsess too much over this. Any good pumpgun will do, if the shooter will do. Doesn't matter too much whose name is stamped into it as long as it's reliable.
I've been shooting 870s for going on 40 years now, and have yet to own a new one. So you're already ahead of me there 8^). I wouldn't mind someone giving me a new one though. But if you find something you like better, that fits you better, I see no reason not to do the trade-in you were talking about. As to the price, it's about run of the mill, pretty much, There may be a rebate available- I'd look into that if I were you.
To people who ask 'what shotgun should I get,' I always advise trying to get some trigger time on other peoples' shotguns if possible- family, friends, co-workers might take you to the range for some shooting with their shotguns if you ask. It would be mannerly if you bought your own ammo though.
If that fails, some gun clubs or shooting ranges have rental shotguns. That might be a possibility. As a last place option, handling different makes/models at various gun shops will help some, but not IMHO as much as actually shooting different guns. You might have some time constraints to work under that might curtail your opportunities in these approaches however, I don't know. If you're in SE NC or NE SC, drop me a PM.
As to learning the basics, as with most new things, RTFM. Which means 'read that fine manual,' the owners manual that came with the gun. Remington has a good basic presentation on their website to explain how different shotguns work- see http://www.remington.com/pages/news-and-resources/safety-center/online-safety-courses.aspx fwiw. For field stripping the first time, having someone on hand who has done it before can be a help, though an 870 is pretty user friendly.
As to magazine tube worries, I have yet to have that kind of trouble- but I use clamps on magazine extensions and don't use the gun as a club or hammer. There's a mandrel in the 870 tool kit to raise dents in magazine tubes, if that's the only problem. If it's worse than a dent, then the magazine tube might need to be replaced- and that's a factory level job.
I wouldn't worry overmuch about the gun being an Express either. I have had several of them over the years, and there's nothing wrong with them. If I had a newer model Express with magazine tube dimples, I'd leave it as a 4-shot magazine and not try to remove the dimples at this point. In the long run it isn't worth it IMHO. If you really want a magazine extension, trade in your existing gun on the model that has a factory extension ( http://www.remington.com/products/f...-870/model-870-express-synthetic-7-round.aspx ).
The last 870 barrel I got a good deal on was right here in the accessories for sale forum about a month ago. Shop around, there are deals to be had.
hth,
lpl
I saw someone mentioned a Maverick 88 stay away from that one. I had one and hated it. I had a side scope mount on it. If I tightened the screws too much it would pinch the receiver and it would not operate.
Never on a SHOTGUN!