Will Remington Barrels fit Norincos?

D

DougB

New member
I looked at a Norinco copy of a Remington 870 yesterday. It seemed decently made (kind of a tight safety, but I suspect it would loosen up with use and lubrication). Does anyone know if Remington replacement barrels will fit these? A friend of mine wants a low-cost defensive shotgun, but would like to be able to get a hunting barrel for it as well.

Doug
 
I recall reading an article that said NO. close but not close enough for swap-ability.
Best buy would be the 870 express combo commonly found on sale for a few bucks over $300 with 2 barrels and made in the U S of A.
 
Suggest.
Get a used real 870. Less money, more gun.
In the unlikely event that it breaks, readily fixed.

Sam
 
Guys,

I did search the archives, and I posted my own question about cheap shotguns the other day (to which several of you responded). I became interested in the Norinco because, in searching the archives, it seemed to be well-liked by those who actually have one. Clearly there are some political/philisophical reasons some don't want to buy foreign - especially Chinese.

But I also see that current Remingtons apparently aren't all up to the quality standards of the past, so you tell me to buy an older, used 870. This is actually for a friend, but I'm now considering one myself. We have our reasons for preferring to buy new (my friend has a rifle "on hold" with a dealer and wants to get a shotgun at the same time to save an additional $20 state fee). He's not in a position to wait months to see if the dealer gets a used 870. He can order a new Norico 982 (?) with plastic stock, 18.5" barrel and ghost ring sights for just over $150 (that is dealer cost - the dealer is a good friend). That's probably about what it would cost him just to get the ghost ring sights installed on a used 870.

So, I understand your reasons for recommending he buy a used 870, and maybe he still will, but if the Norincos really are pretty good clones of the 870, and current Remingtons are of questionable quality, and will cost my friend at least $100 more, and not include the sights (which he likes), it makes the Norincos pretty appealing. As for the politics of this choice, that's another big discussion of its own.

Doug
 
Leaving politics aside....

The shifting winds of international trade make warranty work a maybe with the Chinese stuff. Same with parts. The 870 is made from good metal, the metallurgy of the clones is suspect.

There's a zillion 870s out there, and for each there's tons of aftermarket stuff. Literally, one could start with a receiver and action bars and end up with a good working shotgun with ONLY the receiver coming from Remington. A TG from Timney, bbl from Vang, stock and forearm from whomever, etc...

Also, not all the new 870s have probs, maybe not even a large minority do. The worst 870 I've ever seen was still a functional, reliable weapon.

Sidenote,GR sights are nice, but not an essential. On guns used for other than deer hunting or HD/"Serious" work, they're more of a drawback.

$150 in most places can put one into a beater 870, a police turnin that's roached on the outside, and practically new inside. I've had hearsay evidence of a handful of old 870s being worn out, but it's a handful of trap and skeet guns used for decades.

It's your choice, and your buddy's. Good luck...
 
Politics of the Communist Chinese is a biggie with me.

Aside from that. I have seen lack of support for Norinco guns that are not current production. Parts that have to be made to repair a gun because the aftermarket suppliers do not have the part and Norinco stated that they couldn't furnish.

Puts them in the realm of some of the Spanish guns. If part broken, you have new part made. Darn expensive.

870 support will probably be available for many years after the model is discontinued.

Sam
 
From owners I have spoken to, all internal parts are interchangable with the 870 except for the barrel and the stock. The stock uses a metric stock bolt of a different length than the Remington and requires a little fabrication to get Remington stocks to fit snug. As you might guess by looking at it, the barrel is not interchangable due to the fact that the Norinco's magazine tube holds 1 more shell than the 870, and the barrels magazine tube lug is mounted further out.
The Norinco's 982 I've tried worked well, their ghost ring sights are hell for stout and very effective. I'd pick one over the various Brolin Ithaca copies. As durable as an 870? Only one way to find out.
 
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