Used Shotgun Purchase

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SoilworK777

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Hello all. I have an opportunity to purchase a used Remington 870 Express in 12ga. It looks to be at 95% or better finish on the steel, which is blued. The stock and for-end look like gloss walnut, and appear to be at 90% or better. I wrote down the serial number, and called Remington's corporate headquarters regarding the manufacturing date. They tell me that the gun was made in 1995. It looks like better machining/quality than alot of the Express models I've seen. The gentleman is asking $250 and it's a private sale, so no tax. My feeling is that I should buy it. Anyone have any input?
 
I would buy it my father has one of those older express models cant really tell the difference between those and the wingmasters.
 
If the stock is gloss walnut it is not an Express, or the stock has been changed. All Express guns have a matte finish on the metal and either a plastic stock or cheap hardwood stock with reverse stamped checkering. I did see a handful of 870 Express guns sold at K-Mart years ago with real walnut, but they still had dull finishes and reverse stamped checkering.

A Wingmaster will have walnut stocks. Guns made within the last 20 years or so have real checkering, older guns used the reverse stamp. All Wingmasters will have polished blue metal.

If the barrel is from the factory there is a date stamp on the barrel that can be looked up here for date of manufacture. If the barrel is not original you'll need to contact Remington with the SN for an accurate date.

http://remingtonsociety.com/rsa/questions/barrelcodes

Regardless, if it is in good shape it is easliy worth $250
 
This one has the dull blue finish, and the stock/for-end may indeed be after market, or they may have been removed and re-finished. Should there be a serial # on the barrel that matches the one on the receiver?
 
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I purchased the shotgun. I've taken it apart and cleaned it. It has almost no wear, and the action is super slick. I'll post pics of it soon, if anyone cares to see them. Thank you for the input guys.
 
Will do. This one has a 28 inch vent rib barrel with choke. The cost to have it taken to a local gunsmith and shortened, and a new sight installed would be $80. The cost of a new OEM barrel is $130 and up. I don't hunt. Would it be worth the money saved to have the original barrel modified?
 
I don't hunt, and I bought this gun with the desire to have a shorter barrel. Would there be an advantage in having 8 extra inches? (Insert joke here.)
 
It's a fair price !!

The older Expresses are more desirable than the new issue. I suspect you have a Birch stock and there is noting wrong with that. I still have mine and provides great service. Is your a Magnum or 2-3/4"? :confused:
Why? I mean for what purpose? 28'' is a good all around barrel.
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It's entirely your call but I too would ask this question. You can always find a used barrel cheap, especially in a fixed choke. ... :)

Be Safe !!!
 
It may be birch, I'm not sure. It has a marbled look to it, in my opinion. I'll try to get pics posted soon. It does have a 3 inch chamber. Remington tells me that this one was made in 1995, and I think at that point all current production 870's would accept 3 inch shells. Where would I check besides Gubroker for a used barrel?
 
You currently have a 28" vent rib bbl. with chokes.
You are wanting a 20" bbl.
Your gunsmith charges $80 to shorten your bbl. and inst. sight.
question: does that include having bbl threaded for chokes as well?

New OEM bbl. is $130-up.

If the answer to the question is 'no', then I would sell/trade your existing bbl. for a shorter bbl. (new or used) in the configuration I wanted. Your existing bbl in good shape will most likely bring around $80-$100.

If you cut your existing bbl. and do nothing else as far as a choke goes, you will then have a smoothbore, 20" bbl with an OC. Same as a slug bbl.
So you could take your existing bbl. and trade it most likely even up on a used slug bbl. that has rifle sights and no vent rib. Don't know about your area but around here used 870 smoothbore 'slug' bbls are readily available at around $100.
 
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Just buy a second 20" slug barrel with sights (smooth bore / un-rifled). You will at some point in your life want to hunt or shoot a round of clays with the original barrel.
 
You can sell your barrel and buy a short fixed choke barrel and come out ahead. If you ever might want to shoot clay pigeons, keep the 28" barrel. Perfect for that and hunting.
 
Keep that 28" barrel and pick up another 20" barrel. If you ever decide to sell the gun that 2 barrel combo will increase the value of the gun as well.
Cary
 
Based on the responses, I'm leaning toward buying a 2nd barrel. hdbiker, if you don't mind, what did you pay for your barrel? (Providing it didn't come with the gun.)
 
Could always go buy you a pardner pump for $170 and have the 18.5" barrel, 5+1 capacity, 2 working guns and one so ugly it doesn't matter what you do to it.... Only $40 more than a new barrel...:
 
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