Rem. 870 purchase help

[Douglas S Graham]

Model 5077 holds 7 rounds. Would serve my needs. Should I upgrade to the Police version, or the Marine version. Heavy duty works for me, but I'm not sure if these two upgrades are worth the extra cash.

Thanks for your input!

[FAL GRUNT]

The police version includes a number of upgrades and better parts. Worth the extra $, I don't know... I wish I had one.

Kinda depends on how bad you plan on abusing your new 870?

What is the price difference?

-myers

[Fn/form]

If you are going to use it infrequently, the Express HD version will be great.

If you are going to use it a lot and don't mind a slightly stiffer trigger, go with the Police.

[Heat]

I'd like to buy another shotgun but not have to pay $700 just to get a metal trigger guard..all the lower priced shotguns have plastic/polymer everywhere..tired of it..I know that plastics are the 'wonder of the future' but the crap gives me the willys..seen alot of broken trigger guards/parts from drops on concrete

[fixit]

Aside from the plastic trigger frame, the extractor is not cast on the police, but you can fix that difference by going to Midway and buying the milled version and installing it on the HD version. I think the price was under $10 for the extractor.

[kotengu]

So where can you buy a steel triggerguard?

[Survey Punk]

Mossberg 590.

For no other reason than the location of the safety.

JB

[W.E.G.]

For home defense, I'd much rather have an AK-47.

Shotguns are for killing little things that fly through the air or run through treetops,
or for Sunday afternoon with the Fudds on the trap/skeet range - Crocs or flip-flops optional.

[kerplode]

Originally posted by Survey Punk
Mossberg 590.

For no other reason than the location of the safety.

JB
Agreed...Having owned and used both, I think that the control layout on the Mossberg is better.

[kotengu]

Originally posted by W.E.G.
For home defense, I'd much rather have an AK-47.

Shotguns are for killing little things that fly through the air or run through treetops,
or for Sunday afternoon with the Fudds on the trap/skeet range - Crocs or flip-flops optional.

I sure am glad I don't live anywhere close to Gary!:eek: I think my 870 with a cylinder choke and buckshot still patterns better than most AKs anyway, and there won't be nearly the chances for collateral damage.:wink:

[W.E.G.]

People always say that.

Show me ONE instance of somebody defending their home with a rifle, up to and including .50 BMG, where an innocent was even scratched by an overpenetrating or deflecting projectile fired the defender.

[kotengu]

I don't know of any documented cases, but it's certainly feasible. Besides, why hit him with just one 30 caliber pellet when you can hit him with NINE 30 caliber pellets at a time (within most house ranges)?

I love the FAL, but the old 870 is definitely the "jack of all trades" around the house and farm.

[yarro]

The Mossberg 5xx safety is superior if you are using a fixed stock. If you have a stock with a pistol grip or pistol grip installed the 870's is superior though not ideal. Used 870s from an earlier time of less plastic and no MIM parts can be good buys. I dislike plastic parts that will disable the gun, especially if they are made out of cheap plastic.

-yarro

[Douglas S Graham]

Picked up an 870 today, refinishing a wood stockset to replace the Plastic versions. I am excited. Mossberg 590 in the future. (can't have TOO many guns now , can we). Thanks for the help in trying to decide. DSG.

[parisofthewest]

I found a nice 870 Express Magnum from the guy I bought my FAL from. It had a 20" rifled deer barrel but I wanted a shorter, smooth barrel for use with 00 Buck and found a NIB 18 1/2" Police Barrel. I want to upgrade the extractor but Midway is out of stock at the moment.

Police Barrel: $125
870 Shotgun: $175
Rifled Deer Slug Barrel: Free

Having a wood stocked 870 Magnum for $300....priceless.

Parisofthewest

[olgier]

i had a 590..... i switched to this.

http://www.mossberg.com/images/Mossberg_Guns/930/New/85370.jpg

[FAL guy]

Follow this link to see the defferences between the 870 Express and the 870P.

http://www.remingtonmilitary.com/articles/870expvspol6-30-05.pdf

[kotengu]

So the logical followup to that is - where do you get those heavier/longer springs?

[NC Rifleman]

parts are available direct from Remington at very reasonable prices and were nice to deal with on the phone. Parts for the 870P models are on a seperate list. For example I picked up milled extractors for $8, mag springs $3, factory shipping boxes $5, etc. I'd post the lists here but don't know how to attach a pdf file but you can get them off the Remington site.

[legion489]

I have never seen a worn out Rem 870. My 1958 vintage 870 is doing fine. I HAVE worn out new Mossberg 500s. There was one 870 a friend brought in, it had been buried in pig doo for about a year. The farmer set the gun down in the barn and the pigs knocked it over and he couldn't find it later. A YEAR later he cleans out the barn and guess what?! NO stock left at all, 100% pitted, after boiling the crap out of it, and oiling it, it STILL WORKED! Replaced the stock, extractor, all springs and it is STILL in use! I don't know if we HAD to replace all the springs, but as long as it was apart, why not? Cheap insurance and well worth it to me. Bought a used 870 Express at an auction and it seems fine. Not as smooth as the other 870s I have, but if I was forced to use only it, I would be happy enough.

[billyreed1]

I lucked up on an 870 police magnum.Has chrome bolt with wood stockset,unfired for $300. I may be Happy with that but am lusting after an M2 BENELLI. FOR its intended home defense use the 870 is good enough for me.
I did purchase an extended tube by CHOATE and my 20" can hold 6+1 in the chamber. I keep it w/6 in the tube.

[1MOR]

I have an older 870 Express that I picked up for $75. It had the ribbed 28" barrel. The front sight was broken off and some clod had attempted to remove the bolt by inserting a pry bar or large screwdriver through the port, resulting in some nasty gouges. I picked up and 18" barrel from Remington for less than $100. It has the plastic trigger guard and stock extractor. I have a Wilson 3 shot mag extension, dayglow green mag follower, M16 sling and a hd mag spring. I have used it for 3 gun matches prior to purchasing a Benelli. This shotgun is very reliable and the action is very smooth after polishing the action and internal areas with a small stone. Some Brownells cold blue fixed the receiver scratches.

The standard 12ga #00 buckshot load sends nine 32 caliber pellets downrange at 1300ft per second. Throw in the wad and shot cup, you have a disaster sent from the master.

About the effectiveness of a shotgun as a self defense weapon. Having been in the neighborhood several times when a 12ga pump gun and #00 buck were used to terminate hostile activity by bad guys, this combination is most effective as a man stopper. When used at close distances, it will distribute body pieces/parts in a wide area after initial penetration and exit. If you use this inside your residence to nuke an intruder, you wife or momma will be pissed when she sees her furniture blown up and the bad guy's shit all over the place. Should you use at night indoors, the muzzle flash is tremendous and capable of negatively affecting your follow up shot if you are not prepared or have not shot it at night. For those who live in Kommy states, a shotgun may be the best and only option. YMMV!

[tac556-1]

Remington 870's- as my dad says, "they always go bang!"

I can fix just about anything on them that does break, and have a batch of old beaters that keep on chugging at work despite everyone's best efforts to neglect them.

Gotta be doing something right- they've been standard police issue for 50 years. I'd take an 870 over a mossberg any day....

Matter of fact, I have a Rem Armorer Certificate to use for a discounted gun...maybe a nice 870 Police Magnum to join my others...

[gunplumber]

the differences - compared to an older, used express, without the stupid trigger lock, are essentially a marketing gimmick to get more money for the same stuff.

Read the other thread where I take apart every so-called "upgrade" on the 870 police.

And for the record, the aluminum trigger guard fails the military drop test, which is why mossberg went to the plastic one - it is more durable.

And +1 on the AK - other than bird hunting, there isn't much that can be done with a 12g that can't be done better with a 7.62x39.

[kotengu]

Originally posted by gunplumber
Read the other thread where I take apart every so-called "upgrade" on the 870 police.

You have a link, Mark? I searched "gunplumber" and "870" and came up dry -

[gunplumber]

http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=255121

[millerphys]

Best cheap bang for the buck is an old wingmaster. Our state police bought theirs in the 1960's.

I traded a Galco Glock shoulder rig for mine. I see tons of them around here for around $150+ in desent shape.

Then buy the police parts from brownell's etc.

Otherwise, I love my Police Magnum with the top folder. I paid $450 for it 8 years ago for it. Love it.

[TheOtherChris]

Originally posted by millerphys
Best cheap bang for the buck is an old wingmaster.

+1

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g154/TheOtherChris/Rem870-1.jpg
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g154/TheOtherChris/870bbl.jpg
I even tapped it for screw in chokes after cutting it down.

Love it

[gobbler]

I put about $150 into my Winchester Defender and added a pistol grip, top folding stock, shell holder & 2 round extension tube. Really made a compact, easy to handle home defense weapon. Combining it with a go-to converted Saiga AK with an Ace folder, you have a combo the whole family can easily use if needed.

gobbler