aterry33
Well-known member
Anyone compare these two shotguns? The WC BP is basically a rebuilt Rem. Express. Which would you prefer?
Wilson Combat Border Patrol vs. Rem. 870 Police
- Thread starter aterry33
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Bat Guano
Well-known member
The govt. is not always the measure of what's good. Back in the 80s or so my agency bought some highly modified short 1100s called the "Sidewinder" which were awful. As firearms officer I managed to turn them back in for a couple of experienced standard 870s and considered that I got the best of the deal. God knows what the taxpayer paid for those 1100s.
I'm not really a shotgun person, but I've seen some awfully good shooting done with some very worn looking 870s that probably wouldn't bring $100 at a gun show. A standard 870 with a set of night sights in the right hands is awesome.
Methinks putting the extra money into training and practice ammo is a better investment.
I'm not really a shotgun person, but I've seen some awfully good shooting done with some very worn looking 870s that probably wouldn't bring $100 at a gun show. A standard 870 with a set of night sights in the right hands is awesome.
Methinks putting the extra money into training and practice ammo is a better investment.
RdrBill
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Sir.
Have handled both of them. The Remington factory gun has good configuration however you make it. The Wilson Combat was made with a short stock to fit any body size that was wearing body armor. It was very short stocked. I don't wear body armor. It was also about twice the price.
I prefer to add my own options to Remington shotguns. Short barrels and magazine extensions are essential.
The Ghost Ring rear peep on the WC did nothing for me.
Bill@Yuma
Have handled both of them. The Remington factory gun has good configuration however you make it. The Wilson Combat was made with a short stock to fit any body size that was wearing body armor. It was very short stocked. I don't wear body armor. It was also about twice the price.
I prefer to add my own options to Remington shotguns. Short barrels and magazine extensions are essential.
The Ghost Ring rear peep on the WC did nothing for me.
Bill@Yuma
ncy54
Well-known member
The 870 will have the most aftermarket options available, if that's important. I think that it is.
keith44spl
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David Sinko
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I recently bought a used ScatTech/Wilson Border Patrol from a friend's son. I paid less than half of what they go for new today. I bought it mostly for the high quality ghost ring sights. It's minute of man at 100 yards with good slugs. I detest combat shotguns with a standard bead sight, which is what my other 870 has. I'm a huge fan of aperture sights and I really like the ones on the Wilson shotgun. I was nervous about the short stock, but now I really like it. It's a wonderful shotgun for the $450 I paid for it, but I wouldn't pay over twice as much for a new one.
Dave Sinko
Dave Sinko
charlie sherrill
SWCA Member
I've carried basic 870's or Ithaca 37 Featherlight riot guns for the last 41 years. Both are good and I do not believe the bells and whistles added to them alter the end result. I like dependable pumps and I also hunt with them. I don't own a semi auto shotgun and never have. I'm sure they're OK but the pumps have always worked for me.
GatorFarmer
Well-known member
For most users, it doesn't really matter what shotgun you get. I'm assuming that you're an average user who wants it for home defense. An old J C Higgins pump that left a Sears show room when LBJ was in the White House and a few minutes work with a hacksaw and files is going to work about as well as today's latest and most expensive gun.
That said, I would look for a POLICE MODEL 870, not one of the HD or Express guns, or even the new tactical ones. I'd look for an old Police Model stamped gun with rifle sights. Just get the forend cut/sawn so that it doesn't block the loading port down below. Many used guns will have had this done already.
Some users, such as the Marines, benefit from the added marginal utility of specialized guns such as the Benelli autoloaders. Tricking out a Saiga is another option. For most people, it doesn't matter so long as the gun works and hasn't had holes rusted right through the receiver.
If you need to engage targets at 100 yards or more, you need a battle type rifle or carbine. Unless it is bears in the yard, then you need a dedicated dangerous game rifle.
I think Wilson products - 1911s, magazines, and what not are overpriced for what they actually deliver.
My current household shotguns are two Mossberg 500s, a Winchester Model 12 made in 1919, a JC Higgins pump so old that there's no number on the receiver, a Remington Model 11 that's so old it has the trigger style safety, a Stoeger coach gun, a cut down NEF boom stick, and a youth 870 in 16 gauge plus a 20 gauge Winchester 120 with a long cylinder bore rifle sighted deer barrel on it.
I do wear body armor. However I have long arms. Thus the stock length on most guns is fine for me. On the Model 12 and Stoeger, I did fit slip on recoil pads since these guns tend to thump the user otherwise. Even my tac armor isn't the type that makes it that hard to shoulder a weapon.
That said, I would look for a POLICE MODEL 870, not one of the HD or Express guns, or even the new tactical ones. I'd look for an old Police Model stamped gun with rifle sights. Just get the forend cut/sawn so that it doesn't block the loading port down below. Many used guns will have had this done already.
Some users, such as the Marines, benefit from the added marginal utility of specialized guns such as the Benelli autoloaders. Tricking out a Saiga is another option. For most people, it doesn't matter so long as the gun works and hasn't had holes rusted right through the receiver.
If you need to engage targets at 100 yards or more, you need a battle type rifle or carbine. Unless it is bears in the yard, then you need a dedicated dangerous game rifle.
I think Wilson products - 1911s, magazines, and what not are overpriced for what they actually deliver.
My current household shotguns are two Mossberg 500s, a Winchester Model 12 made in 1919, a JC Higgins pump so old that there's no number on the receiver, a Remington Model 11 that's so old it has the trigger style safety, a Stoeger coach gun, a cut down NEF boom stick, and a youth 870 in 16 gauge plus a 20 gauge Winchester 120 with a long cylinder bore rifle sighted deer barrel on it.
I do wear body armor. However I have long arms. Thus the stock length on most guns is fine for me. On the Model 12 and Stoeger, I did fit slip on recoil pads since these guns tend to thump the user otherwise. Even my tac armor isn't the type that makes it that hard to shoulder a weapon.
I have extensive experience with both. I liked the 15" barrel on the WC. It made it a lot handier, but didn't adversely affect muzzle blast or accuracy. If money is not a big issue, then go with the Wilson Combat. I liked the sights on the WC for serious work. Either will serve you well and will keep going like the "Energizer Bunny". Having said that, I have two police 870's in my safe. They don't serve me as serious first-line defensive shotguns now, however.
