alwslate--

Thanks for yr comments. I phoned Remington the other day & was told that the 870 receivers are now aluminum, machined from bar stock, so I have corrected my post above to reflect that info.

I have a Model 31 made in 1947 that I've owned since 1950. It is a 26" skeet gun with a vent rib. Ca 1958 I sent it to Remington & had them fit a 32" full choke plain bbl. They sent the skeet bbl back to me & shipped the gun to Herter's in MN to fit a vent rib. IIrc the plain bbl cost $30 & the Remington vent rib cost $60 and the Herter's rib cost $15, so even w/ shipping I saved a bit of money. I would agree that the 870 is a better design as it allows interchangeable barrels w/o special fitting, stc.