Which Remington 870?

R

rain252

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I want to buy a Rem 870 for defense use. I am thinking either the XCS or marine magnum for its corrosion resistance, or a police model (probably the 4407 or 4421).

I want the extended mag tube and synthetic stock. How does the XCS and marine magnum compare to the quality of the Police models? Are the P models really that much better?

If I went with a police model, would you do the bead sighted 4407, or the rifle sighted 4421?

Who is a good price source on the internet to order one after I choose?
 
All 870's are reliable and well made, some have different features but are the same basic gun. I'd just choose the one with the features you want. Personally I like a bead on a HD gun. impactguns.com have good prices. Good luck
 
Here's mine

870-1.jpg

I got it with a 28" barrel, sold that on ebay and bought a 18.5" from Buds' Gun shop. Added a mag ext and barrel clamp. It holds 7+1 and sits next to my bed. Total invested: $245. Beat that!:D
 
heh
i found a 870 supermag for $150 at a pawn shop, slapped a knoxx copstock on it for about another hundred, and sbs'd it $200. total length is 23.5 inches. :p
 
870 Super Mag for $179 Wally World clearance, another $50 rebate from Remington, added a Knoxx Copstock just now for $59. Added Rem 18" police barrel, sold original, almost no cost. Less than $190 total cost for the whole thing, and the copstock actually lets you shoot Super Mag shells as a pistol grip.

works for me. :)
 
Welcome to TFL.

I am old school.

I suggest a bone stock shotgun, in this case a 870.
With the assistance of a seasoned shooter, that know about gun fit and how to access a student, get this gun fitted.
Quality lessons on correct basic fundamentals , including but not limited to administrative drill, pattern boards, load selection, inspection and maintaining.
Use light loads to learn with.

Then attend a defensive shotgun class with this gun.
Be upfront and honest, and have a willing attitude.
Ask instructor(s)
"I have this gun that I got assistance on gun fit, correct basics. Here is my environment and tasks I have to consider for defensive use" .

Instructors will access, recommend with Pros and Cons what fits YOUR criteria.
From this, do only what you need for defensive use.


Too many folks are using bone stock shotguns as serious situation shotguns as they have forever.

From the best kept secret, an 1100 20 ga skeet gun / 20 gauge semi -auto, to pumps, to SxS , O/U and even single shot shotguns.

My serious situation shotgun is a Youth H&R Topper 20 ga with fixed modified barrel, factory recoil pad.
 
To answer your specific questions, the XCS and Magnum Marine are both based on the Express gun, not the Police model.

While the basic Express gun is made from the same forged and milled steel receiver, the Express does use a plastic trigger group, and is not as well polished and smoothed before finishing as are the Police models.
The Express guns will have some burrs and roughness both internally and externally, while the Police gun will be very smooth.
While the Express guns action will smooth up with use, the Police gun is smooth right out of the box.

The Express plastic trigger group appears to be standing up just as well as the powdered aluminum group as used on the Wingmaster and Police guns.
It even has the advantage of not having a coated finish to wear off and get ratty looking, and will flex and return to shape after a blow that would bend or break the aluminum version.

The Police guns are a Cadillac to the Express guns Chevy.
They really are built to a much higher standard of fit, finish, and inspection, along with heavy-duty springs in the magazine, shell lifter, and sear.
The Police models are built in a special area of the Remington plant, where they receive much more careful inspection and workmanship.

While the Express is just as strong and will last just as long, the Police model is the top of the line, and is the best pump shotgun in the world.
My advice is, if you have the money, buy a Police model, and you'll have the very best there is.

Strictly as a matter of personal preference, I always have rifle sights on my 870's, so I'd go for the 4421.
 
Thanks to all for the excellent info. Wealth of knowledge here.

A followup question: Does the plastic trugger group of the Express mean just the trigger guard is plastic, or also internal trigger parts plastic as well?
 
Just a FYI - there's a new model 870 express with a 7 shot tube for the bargin price of around $319. Not as nice, of course as the police model, but for me the price was right.
 
The 870 Marine models are built like the 870 Express models, so you are not really gaining any quality- just they are finished for corrosion resistance.

In regards to the Express trigger group, only the trigger guard itself is plastic, while I believe that most or all of the internal parts are metal.
 
Any 870 will be fine. The XCS with that new coating is probably just like duracoated nickel or something, but it probably has the same corrosion resistance of the marine pump.

The trigger guard is the trigger group frame, btw.
 
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