the time is approaching..

K

Kiel_Everett

New member
Well, my birthday is coming up rather quickly and as a treat to myself I am looking into purchasing a home defense shotgun. No, this isn't another "what should I buy?" thread, rather a thread asking for some help. I am seriously considering the Remington 870 18" Express with the 7 shot cappacity. My questions?

-Remington's website states- "NOTE: The Model 870™ Express® is intended for personal use and will not accept law enforcement accessories."

Now, does this mean I cannot modify this particular firearm with doo-dads such as forend lights,etc?

-Is this model available in the "magnum"?

Anybody's $.02 is muchly appreciated.
 
Happy birthday, KE!

The 870 Express _is_ a magnum receiver/3" chamber gun. Note that the serial number ends in M, which tells you it's a 12 ga. magnum.

It will accept any accessory that other 870s will accept. I don't know why Remington keeps blabbering that law enforcement only BS, likely because the mag-tube dimpled Express guns have to be modified before installing magazine extensions. Since your gun has an extension from the factory, no dimples and no problem.

First mod I would make would be switching out the locking safety button, if they still install them. They've been known to lock by themselves in use, without the key. The old style safety button, spring and plunger don't cost a whole lot (from Brownells, about $15 total IIRC) and are not difficult to change out.

Stay safe,

lpl/nc
 
IIRC the fore end tube assembly is not modifiable on the Express version. You can change it to a 870 Wingmaster fore-end which then can be changed with different fore-ends.

I agree with Lee Lapin that the trigger group should be replaced with an older, non-locking model.

Why go to all the trouble of modifying the Express when there are so many good used Wingmasters out there at a comparable price? Pawn shops, estate sales and gun shows, to mention a few possibilities, have good candidates for customization.

The effective way to get gun locks to go away, is to NOT BUY THEM.
 
"I don't know why Remington keeps blabbering that law enforcement only BS"

Lawyers, politicians, BATFE and they are in New York.
 
Ummm,

Big Green's not in NooYawk any more... in fact corporate HQ is right up the road from here in Madison, NC now- has been for a couple of years.

But the lawyers and pollytickians, I can't argue there.

lpl/nc
================================
http://www.remington.com/about/company_information.asp

Company Information

Corporate Headquarters

Remington Arms Company, Inc.
870 Remington Drive
P.O. Box 700
Madison, NC 27025-0700 TEL: 1-800-243-9700
Fax: 1-336-548-7801
 
Remington advises that the Express will not accept law enforcement accessories...... Because it WON'T.

Due to the "dimples" in the magazine tube, magazine extensions won't work unless the dimples are removed.

The long sporting type forearm prevents putting many side saddle shell holders on the receiver.
This also prevents the Express from locking into a Police car gun rack.

The Express usually comes without sling swivel studs so a sling can't be installed.

The Express was originally conceived as a low cost sporting gun, and Remington probably had no plans to offer it in a defense version.
Remington no doubt got tired of hearing complaints from people who bought an Express and were mad that they couldn't just install all the LE accessories without having to first modify the gun or replace parts.
 
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