Remington 870s?

[Ron H.]

Greetings, all:

A buddy of mine is interested in a defensive shotgun, ideally a short-barreled 12 gauge pump. I told him about the 870, Ithaca 37 (my preference), Winchester Model 12, Mossbergs, and the higher end stuff such as the Benellis. He seems interested in an 870.

Are there any particular bugaboos or trouble spots in these guns, particularly those of recent manufacture? And what's the good version to get?

Thanks, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[Ron H.]

Greetings, all:

A buddy of mine is interested in a defensive shotgun, ideally a short-barreled 12 gauge pump. I told him about the 870, Ithaca 37 (my preference), Winchester Model 12, Mossbergs, and the higher end stuff such as the Benellis. He seems interested in an 870.

Are there any particular bugaboos or trouble spots in these guns, particularly those of recent manufacture? And what's the good version to get?

Thanks, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[conn ak]

None.

 

[conn ak]

Originally posted by conn ak:
None.

870 is old reliable, like the Mossberg 500.

 

[sipowicz]

We just switched from 37s to 870s in the LASD...mainly because parts are becoming non-existent for 37s...our 870s have the shock absorbing stock and surefire forearm...but my preference is still the simple 4 shot 37 as it is so light, but the 870 is a great gun and probably in more police cars than any other shotgun...either way, you can't go wrong...I also own a Mossberg 590 and it's every bit as reliable and well built as the 870...

 

[truckemup97]

I've had no problems with mine. I did add a three shot extention and a 20" slug barrel for home use, but I can put it back like new in about five minutes. If you're picky and buying used, make sure it can be used with 3" shells. Mine can't, but that's OK. I just buy 2 3/4" for everything so that there's no confusion.

 

[zercool]

Originally posted by conn ak:
None.

+1

what's the good version to get?

For defense? I'd find a used one for a good price, 12ga, then either cut down the barrel that's on it to 18.5-19", or find a good price on a police-model cylinder-bore 18" barrel.

Alternatively, if recoil is an issue, a youth model 20ga with a cylinder choke is a good bet.

 

[jkc]

Being of modest stature and wearing a 32" sleeve, I find pump guns to be annnoying in their requirement of a long stretch to the forend. I've gone to an auto, and am much happier. This may be a consideration...

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Are there any particular bugaboos or trouble spots in these guns, particularly those of recent manufacture?

Yes, people will want to borrow it.

And what's the good version to get?

Marine Magnum version

 

[Beaver]

I would recommend to your friend a Rem 870 Express 20 gauge, youth model. I have one and this gun makes an excellent home defense gun, and with a barrel switch, a fine game gun. I put a thick decel pad on it and this gun has been loaned to 1/2 the kids in town, and keeps on tickin. My hometown Bi-Mart sells 870"s every day of the week for $330. Now they come with a laminated stock and chokes. It is quite handsome. The 870 is brutely tough, parts are easy to get, and is fun to shoot. OK, I'm done. beaver.

 

[GatorFarmer]

Try to find one without an internal lock on it.

The ones marked "Police" used to be pretty good ones, and would come with extended mags from the factory. On some the other models, you'd have to tinker with them to fit an extended mag tube. This seems to have changed in recent years since there is an "Express" model with the extended mag as well as the newish Tactical line from Remington.

If shopping for used guns, check the markings. Some will have only a 2 3/4" chamber. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing, just something to watch for.

It might be a good idea to get one with either rifle sights or a ghost ring rear sight rather than just a bead.

Of course if money is tight, there's always the Walmart special to be had.

 

[Frizzman]

My wife gave me an 870 Deer Gun in 12 ga. for our first Christmas as husband and wife in 1979. I was a new rookie on a city PD. We had to supply our own shotguns. It served me well during my LE career and also took a few deer. I still have it and it has never failed me.

 

[silvercorvette]

When I started in 1970 my department was using 870s at the range for training that were pretty old, They probably had 300 to 800 rounds go through them every day (5 buck, 5 slug per man 30 to 50 men per day and sometimes another 30 to 50 men to shoot at night) except for a few holidays when there was no training scheduled. They were still working fine when I retired in 1990 and I bet they are still being used today. I doubt they were ever cleaned, if they were it probably wasn't more than once a year. That is why I bought an 870

 

[Spotteddog]

What Gator said,
The only thing I didn't like about the 870 I bought, to replace a stolen Winchester 1300 (no longer made except via FN) was the idiot keyed safety button on the Express model. They have since dropped that feature.

 

[rchall]

One of the best,if not THE best, pumps ever made. You can never go wrong buying an 870.

 

[pps]

Originally posted by sipowicz:
We just switched from 37s to 870s in the LASD...mainly because parts are becoming non-existent for 37s...our 870s have the shock absorbing stock and surefire forearm...but my preference is still the simple 4 shot 37 as it is so light, but the 870 is a great gun and probably in more police cars than any other shotgun...either way, you can't go wrong...I also own a Mossberg 590 and it's every bit as reliable and well built as the 870...

Sip, Ithica is back in production. You should be able to get parts again.

 

[The Big D]

There is no finer, more reliable, or practical weapon made. PERIOD!

Be safe.

 

[940lvr]

You can't go wrong with an 870. There is a model called the "HD" for home defense comes with a 18 inch bead sight barrel, synthetic stocks, and a factory installed magazine extension. I have seen them at a lot of big chain sporting goods stores and gunshows for about $400. You can always add goodies to an 870 later down the road if you want to.

 

[Smith357]

For the 870 I prefer an older model with the metal trigger group, the heavy follower, smooth bore with rifle sights. The older 870s can be found for about 200 bones and with another 100 dollars worth of parts be every bit as tacticool as one of it's newer siblings.

Better yet get an 870 Wingmaster.

 

[Igiveup]

I bought an ex-cop 870 years ago, I think called Wingmaster. I used it for a beater gun on the ranch, it has taken badgers, and other various varmin. It is 2 3/4", but really no need for more than that. I recently put a new synthetic stock on it, the old original got pretty beat up, and it is the HD weapon of choice.