Remington 870 quality?

M

Mokumbear

New member
I have gotten some good feedback here on the Remington 870
for a home defense shotgun.

I was researching the history of Remington on Wikipedia and, like many
"old school companies", they have changed hands several times.

First, they were acquired by DuPont and then in 1993, Remington was sold by DuPont to an investment firm called Clayton, Dubilier, and Rice.

I wonder how much interest an investment firm has in maintaining high standards of quality. On the other hand, it seems they have injected new capital into expanding and modernizing production.

That being said, is the Remington 870 of today still a quality firearm
"right out of the box"?

Thanks...
 
Remington is America's top long gun maker, and the Remington 870 is still the finest pump shotgun made in America, and very arguably, the best in the world.

Sufficient to say, the Remington 870 is THE pump gun all others are compared to, usually unfavorably.

Others will argue for their favorite brand, but you can't argue with success, and the 870 is the most successful pump shotgun of all time.
 
and the Remington 870 is still the finest pump shotgun made in America, and very arguably, the best in the world.

does that include the "express" ?
 
I had some problems with my Express ...After a couple years of shooting full loads ( buckshot #4 and 00) the bolt would come unengaged when the weapon was fired. I don't know if this is common, we use Rem. 870's in our dept. and they seem to hold up well............FS
 
I have hunted waterfowl and upland game birds for about 12 years. In that time I have fired possibly tens of thousands of rounds and have bagged many, many birds with my two 870's.

I have slogged with my 870 through mud in Nebraska, walked countless miles with it through North Dakota, used it as a boat paddle on the Sacramento River in California, and it's been dropped in the Platte river in below zero temps. Don't forget the salt water in coastal South Carolina and the sands of southern Arizona.

I use and abuse my 870s. How do they repay me? By firing every time I pull the trigger!

When my buddies replace their autoloaders every few years or have jams and have to clean their guns, mine just keep on working.

My 870's are truly ABUSED - and although I don't suggest anyone treat their 870's the way I have treated mine, it's nice to know I don't have to baby a gun. I can just keep on hunting!
 
That being said, is the Remington 870 of today still a quality firearm
"right out of the box"?
Click to expand...
Yes it is although it might not be a gun of the same quality from years earlier. I've owned a variety of 870s and the recent guns are not as nicely made as the older models. A 2002 28 gauge Wingmaster had a barrel flaw that prevented it from feeding and functioning properly and compared to a couple of older guns it shows a lot more machining marks and it not as nicely fitted and finished. A new Police model that I owned briefly was better in all respects except that the barrel interior was very rough making the gun difficult to get clean. The new owner had the barrel polished and it is now working very well.
 
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For what it's worth...

The model I was considering is the Remington Express® Synthetic 18"
for home defense.

I will be the 1st to admit that I will research a gun to the "nth degree"
before making a purchase.

I want a gun that is reliable and can be kept for a lifetime.

Not too much to ask, IMHO, as I am not a multi-thousands of rounds kind of guy.

Most importantly, it better damn well go "bang" when the trigger is
pulled in a SHTF scenario!
 
I had some problems with my Express ...After a couple years of shooting full loads ( buckshot #4 and 00) the bolt would come unengaged when the weapon was fired. I don't know if this is common, we use Rem. 870's in our dept. and they seem to hold up well............FS
Click to expand...

From the Remington Support Website concerning this issue.

Perfectly normal. In a recent shotgun course that I took, the instructor had an 870 that has literally thousands of rounds through it. He fired it several times with out touching the forend. It would not only open, but would eject a shell. Try it yourself. On a fairly new (i.e. stiff) 870, the action will open everytime. On a gun that is very well broken in it will often eject the shell.
 
Mokumbear, based on the gun you are looking at I'd strongly suggest spending the extra dollars a get a Police model. Better gun in several respects and worth the extra cost.
 
Great weapon

I have owned an old 870 for over 35 years, have fired hundreds of rounds thu the weapon and it keeps on ticking without missing.

A couple of years ago when I was living in Alaska I picked up one the the new stainless 870's with an 18in barrel because of the moisture and I wanted a boat gun. The need breed is just as awsome as the old timer. The action is smooth, and even after being soaked in water in the bottom of a boat the gun fired without a problem. (We actually had to shoot a hlibit before we took it on board as it had too much fight for the size boat we were in)

I now have the stainless home, (cleaned up of course) as a home defense weapon and with 8 rounds I sure feel secure when I pick it up for some reason or another.

I highly recommend this weapon.

Txbillyed;)
 
Curious...

Here and there, people recommend Remington's "Police Model"
of the 870.

A couple of questions...

- Where are these shown on their web site?

- What are the advantages of the police model?

- How much more $$$ are we talking?

- Would the police model be "overkill" for someone who just wants to use it
for home defense? I don't think I really have any great interest
in "tricking it out". At least not yet... :D

- Also, I would only be taking it out for practice several times a year.
I don't have the time or money to be be putting it through intense use.
 
The regular Mossberg 500 or the regular 870 will be MORE than enough gun for home defense and hunting. Be sure and get one that has threads for screw in chokes.
 
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