The problems discussed on this forum and others about the 870 express - seem to be more about the fit and finsh than mechanical ( rust on barrels, etc ) - but I see comments about the gun not feeding rounds out of mag ( may be a spring or something ) / some trigger issues ( doesn't break cleanly, parts seem to wear pretty quickly )../ spent shells tend to stick in the chamber ( chamber not polished ) / stock is cheap wood with a "paint on finish" that tends to flake off if the gun gets wet.
You have to ask yourself, is Remington putting the same quality of parts in the 870 express as they do in the 870 Wingmaster - when they charge way less for the 870 express.
If you really want a good looking pump gun / Browning BPS has by far the best fit and finish - and the best durable finish on a good looking walnut stock for the money .... in my opinion.
I see you're asking about recoil issues too / impressions of recoil are one thing - but Recoil is stictly 3 things - Weight of the gun, how many ounces of shot in shell and what is the velocity of a shell. Now, if a gun doesn't fit you properly ( it may recoil up into your cheek bone, etc - it will hurt a little more ) - but any pump gun weighing 8 lbs, shooting 1 oz of shot at 1250 fps ( and I don't care if its a 12ga, or a 20ga / or who makes the gun ) they will all have exactly the same Recoil.
