I am getting ready to buy a shotgun for home defense. I have researched and I found the Remington 870P max. It is expensive but it has what I want on it and it seems like I will end up spending that much or more buying a regular police shotgun and adding on to it. Does anyone here have any experience with the Remington 870P max? Does anyone have any suggestions or other shotguns to choose? I realize they are loaded questions but I am just trying to find other perspectives. I am relatively new to shotguns I shot clay pigeons when I was growing up with a double barrell shotgun but I have not shot one in quite a while.
Home defense shotgun choice
- Thread starter bubba2
- Start date
VirgilCaine
New member
Remington 870's are always a good choice. You may wanna look at the winchester 1300 defenders, or the mossberg persuader as a comparison. All have up and down sides to them. i like the position of the saftey on the mossbergs, but they tend to rattle and make noise. I like 870's but the saftey is in a bad spot for me. I keep a 1300 defender next to my bed. I sleep pretty good most nights. 
I don't want to change your mind but have you thought of a coach gun side by side......short barrel easy to handle ?
It all depends on how you feel and what you feel your needing.... Remington now offers Spartan side by sides and over and unders too. I think they are economy priced guns. I think they are built in Russia?
As I stated above, not trying to change your mind just offer an idea besides a pump...
Good luck what ever you pick.........train, practice and survive
It all depends on how you feel and what you feel your needing.... Remington now offers Spartan side by sides and over and unders too. I think they are economy priced guns. I think they are built in Russia?
As I stated above, not trying to change your mind just offer an idea besides a pump...
Good luck what ever you pick.........train, practice and survive
I purchased the 870 straight blk synthetic stock 18" barrel/8shot ... but the other night when I thought there was trouble near I grabbed my coach gun and did a full 180 in the hall way...try that with another shotgun you will defenitely scrap the walls...and my glock in my waist
Dfariswheel
New member
The 870P Max is just the 870 Police model with a full load of accessories.
The Remington 870P is THE American police shotgun.
Some where OVER 95% of all American law enforcement agencies use the 870.
The reason for this is the 870's 55 year history of being durable enough to take the abusive treatment police guns get, and still keep working.
I had a friend who had been the armorer for a large police department.
He joked that his 870 repair parts inventory would fit into a shoe box, with "enough room left over for a burger and fries".
Although there are other good shotguns, the 870 Police is at the top of the list, and you just can't go wrong with one.
When more than 95% of people are using something BY CHOICE, you have to figure they KNOW something.
If you buy something else you will "probably" be pleased with it.
Buy an 870 Police and you WILL be well pleased.
It's the top-of-the-line in defense shotguns.
The Remington 870P is THE American police shotgun.
Some where OVER 95% of all American law enforcement agencies use the 870.
The reason for this is the 870's 55 year history of being durable enough to take the abusive treatment police guns get, and still keep working.
I had a friend who had been the armorer for a large police department.
He joked that his 870 repair parts inventory would fit into a shoe box, with "enough room left over for a burger and fries".
Although there are other good shotguns, the 870 Police is at the top of the list, and you just can't go wrong with one.
When more than 95% of people are using something BY CHOICE, you have to figure they KNOW something.
If you buy something else you will "probably" be pleased with it.
Buy an 870 Police and you WILL be well pleased.
It's the top-of-the-line in defense shotguns.
rellascout
Moderator
I second the 870 Police
I have an 870 Police model with 18" barrel. It has great feel. Came with a Davis synthetic speedfeed stock. All the home defense shot gun I will ever need. You can get them NIB for around $400 and used even cheaper. Get one of the basic models and then once you put a thousand rounds through it accessories. The 870P Max overpriced.
Rellascout
I have an 870 Police model with 18" barrel. It has great feel. Came with a Davis synthetic speedfeed stock. All the home defense shot gun I will ever need. You can get them NIB for around $400 and used even cheaper. Get one of the basic models and then once you put a thousand rounds through it accessories. The 870P Max overpriced.
Rellascout
I appreciate having your opinions and perspectives on the matter. I do believe I am going to go with the 870P but probably not in the max configuration. One of the items that I want to have is a tac light like the surefire that replaces the forend and has a flashlight on it. How important do you feel it is to have a light on the gun? I have a surefire flashlight that I can pull out with my handguns but I cannot do the same with the shotgun. I guess that is why I was considering the max because it seemed to throw a lot of options at a reduced price than buying them seperately. When buying a firearm I try to think of every possibility that will happen so a lights out condition is something that concerns me, the most important part of a weapon is the person wielding it so no matter what I get I will practice until it becomes muscle memory.
I just went through the same process and chose the Remington 11-87 with an 8 shot tube, smooth cylinder bore, and rifle sights...
Just me, but had I chose a pump gun it probably would have been an 870 in the same configuration. Good choice.
But I don't think 95% of all PDs use the 870. It is deffinately a majority, but not that one sided. Mossbergs have a large portion of the market and Benelli's and Winchesters are eating up quite a bit. Last few class I've been too seemed like that was the way of it with the 870 share being around 60% or so. (95% seems like a bit of an exaggeration)
Need a weapon light for target identification. In HD situations, what if the power's out - don't wanna shoot at shadows unless you know just who's shadow it be!
Just me, but had I chose a pump gun it probably would have been an 870 in the same configuration. Good choice.
But I don't think 95% of all PDs use the 870. It is deffinately a majority, but not that one sided. Mossbergs have a large portion of the market and Benelli's and Winchesters are eating up quite a bit. Last few class I've been too seemed like that was the way of it with the 870 share being around 60% or so. (95% seems like a bit of an exaggeration)
Need a weapon light for target identification. In HD situations, what if the power's out - don't wanna shoot at shadows unless you know just who's shadow it be!
rellascout
Moderator
Light mounts are cheap and can be put on any shotgun. It can be done cheaper than buying it preconfigured.
Rellascout
Rellascout
I wanted to thank everyone for taking the time to help me out I went and put the money down for the 870P order #4421. It has the extension and rifle sights and it is much cheaper than the 870P max. After hearing what everyone had to say I figure I will start out with the basic shotgun, practice until it feels natural than add on whatever I feel necessary after I have some experience. I will take the money I would have spent on the max and put it towards ammunition to practice with. Thank you for your time.
Dfariswheel
New member
Some advice when you get your new Police gun.
Take a look around Remington's LW web site under the FAQ's and you find info on what to do BEFORE using the gun.
In a nut shell, Remington sprays the Police guns with hot cosmoline as a preservative during shipping and storage.
They say this is for storage ONLY and should be cleaned off before using the gun, or it may rust.
They recommend spraying the gun dripping wet with Rem-Oil and allowing it to soak for 1/2 hour or so, then wipe the excess off and put it in service.
I used CLP Breakfree on mine, and I did get some brown cosmoline off.
Enjoy your new Police gun, you've bought the Cadillac of HD pump shotguns.
Take a look around Remington's LW web site under the FAQ's and you find info on what to do BEFORE using the gun.
In a nut shell, Remington sprays the Police guns with hot cosmoline as a preservative during shipping and storage.
They say this is for storage ONLY and should be cleaned off before using the gun, or it may rust.
They recommend spraying the gun dripping wet with Rem-Oil and allowing it to soak for 1/2 hour or so, then wipe the excess off and put it in service.
I used CLP Breakfree on mine, and I did get some brown cosmoline off.
Enjoy your new Police gun, you've bought the Cadillac of HD pump shotguns.
guardsman012301
Inactive
The Remington 870 Marine Magnum is a good choice.
Hello...
The 870 Police is an excellent choice (and is my choice as well!)...that being said, IMHO any of the remington offerings are good. Also good would be a mossberg (I have recently posted a comparative review on the shotguns page at www.tacticalshotgun.ca). I hope this helps...
Take care,
Brobee
The 870 Police is an excellent choice (and is my choice as well!)...that being said, IMHO any of the remington offerings are good. Also good would be a mossberg (I have recently posted a comparative review on the shotguns page at www.tacticalshotgun.ca). I hope this helps...
Take care,
Brobee
WillBrayjr
Moderator
Aircraft grade aluminum, I can assure you they're not plastic!
WillBrayjr
Moderator
No problem!