Remington 870

[horsesoldier03]

Well I came across a buy at a pawn shop today that I didnt walk away from! I purchased a Remington 870 Express Magnum 12 ga 28" barrel with REM CHOKES for $107 out the door. I will post a pic when I get the chance. The wood is solid and the action is slick; although, the cosmetics are a bit rough, it is freckled with rust although there is NO PITTING! My only frustration at this point is deciding if I want to play with it myself and clean it up (I am no gunsmith) or if I want to send it off to Wilsons for a Remington Steal Rebuild. I did call and get a quote the basic starts at $230 and if I add the ghost ring site and front post it goes to $350.

I am curious if anyone out there has redone their own or had the Remington Steal package done by Wilsons or another outfit?

[nemhed]

Every 870 Express I've seen (including mine) has a dull Parkerized type finish that seems rather thin and easily rusts unless liberally dosed with oil. That being said that finish readily accepts paint or duracoat type finishes and I wouldn't hesitate to do that myself ( and I didn't). I certainly wouldn't pay somebody to do that type of work for me. I didn't have my all black 870 home for one day before I camoed it and both barrels. That was also before I had even shot it. I really like Krylon's Fusion camo paints. They're durable and cheap, and touch up is only a rattle can away. I've now used those paints on two of my guns. Of course this is all just my opinion your results may vary.

[Old Savage]

Just shoot it. A buddy hunts with and express he has worn to a silver color carrying in the field.

[horsesoldier03]

NEMHED, that is definately what I am looking for, OPINIONS! there are 2 ways to look at it here...

1. I have a cheap functional gun that I can tinker with or

2. I have a good buy on a solid platform to send off and have a NICE professional build.

At this time I only have the 1 barrel, It would be nice to have a short barrel as well. The reason the barrel is so bright is because I have started using steel wool and rust remover trying to clean it up a bit. I will confess, I do like the idea of doing it myself, however, having never done this before I am a bit reserved from fear I could mess it up.

[Barcelona Rick]

Depends upon what you are gonna do with it....I would look at some really fine 0000 bronze or steel wool for cleaning both the stock and the metal. If that is grease or thick oil on the wood then a blow dryer will help loosen it up some....use a good wood cleaner and just take your time. The metal will take some elbow grease and a little sewing machine oil along with the wool....if I was gonna hunt with it that is what I would use....if it is gonna be a HD shotgun....just take a hacksaw and cut her off then file the edges and wipe her down with gun oil....great price....

jumbeaux

[Chas.]

Somebody help me out here. I have a Remington 870 Wingmaster. What's the difference in a 870 Wingmaster and a 870 Express?

[Hobie]

I would shorten it up and have the Rem choke threads redone then I'd get a rifled slug barrel. I wouldn't bother to have it done. The 870 is a great USING shotgun.

[O.S.O.K.]

I'd leave it as-is. Just use some fine steel wool and oil and clean up the metal and use it like that. Hey, you won't feel like you have to baby it! It looks cool to me. I really like old firearms.

[Rusty]

And then you could leave it as is. It does have a certain character about it the way it is. Just don't do anything you can't undo and you'll be OK. It still an 870. The best pump around IMHO.

[Sarge]

I have one myself, an old Special Purpose with the 21" RemChoke barrel. It is an excellent shotgun and perhaps the most versatile one I've ever owned.

http://sargesrollcall.blogspot.com/2009 ... html#links

Be advised that most Express models have a set of dimples pressed into the end of the magazine. These facilitate the use of a cheap plastic mag spring cap. If you wish to install a magazine tube extension on one of the dimpled 870's, you'll have remove the dimples. This is accomplished by drilling, grinding or 'ironing' them out. Personally, I iron them out and follow with a motor tool to smooth out the tube's interior.

Just did two department shotguns this week, in fact.

[Idahoser]

Aside from the "use it as it is" advice...

wouldn't the total of all that work be more than a new one costs?

[tman]

do like Hobie said. that's the way mine are set up and they work great for me. at the price you got it for, you are WAY ahead

[Old Savage]

Chas. - the finish is the difference. The Express had a rough dull finish. I have both but I use the 20 express more than the Wingmaster. I hunted with mine in the rain all day and just wiped it off with no rusting. I had coated it with RIG at some time and wiped it off as I do with all the guns.

[Idahoser]

...I will confess, I do like the idea of doing it myself, however, having never done this before I am a bit reserved from fear I could mess it up.

There'll never be a better guinea pig.

I fell into a Marlin 30AW that I didn't have any use for and ended up trading it for an 'ugly' 870 Magnum, doesn't say "Express" but that's what it looks like. I figure it must pre-date that designation, but it's the 'cheap' model. The choke tube that it came with has some guy's name on it, supposed to be pretty nice. I'll probably sell the choke and cut down the vent-rib and add a 3-shot extension...
stuff I would never attempt on a "nice" gun.

It does have the ball detent in the barrel extrusion for use with 'proper' mag tube caps, not the dimples in the tube like the Express.

My first 870 Express cost me $105 at an auction in front of the courthouse, and I've never found a better deal.

[Mitch1352]

I have done the Remington Steal on 2 870's: one I kept and one I gave to my neighbor's son as a police academy graduation present. He got the Trac Lok sights and modified choke added. The one I kept went to my son. You won't be disappointed if you go that route. Wilson Combat is great to deal with.

[Blaine]

IMO, pumps don't need to look good....

[kimwcook]

I think it looks great just the way it is, with a little cleaning.

[David]

Somebody help me out here. I have a Remington 870 Wingmaster. What's the difference in a 870 Wingmaster and a 870 Express?

Stock quality, fit, finish, and checkering... I *think* the express may also has a plastic trigger guard.
Some people say the express is junk, I wouldn't. The 870 is the best design pump out there.

[gamekeeper]

I'd leave it as-is. Just use some fine steel wool and oil and clean up the metal and use it like that. Hey, you won't feel like you have to baby it! It looks cool to me. I really like old firearms.

+1

[Old Savage]

I agree - this thing has earned it's look.

[horsesoldier03]

Well it seems pretty unanomous on leaving it alone. I think I will for now! If it was an old Wingmaster with bluing and better wood, there would be no doubt. I dont feel too bad for altering a Parkerized gun. I did take it out and shoot a box of #6 low brass through it and it does pattern pretty good, although it shoots a little high at 25 yrds but at least it is centered over your aiming point. I am not sure what choke constriction it is, the choke is stuck and I have done lots to try to unseize it. (i.e. penitrating oil, kerosene, freezing, heating) I can tell you its not full, I took a dime out and it had quite a bit of clearance. I will get my calipers out tomorrow and get the measurement.

I have decided that whatever I end up doing money spent will be a minimum. For now I will leave as is, but I would really like to find another barrel. As Hobbie suggested, I do like the idea of a 22" barrel that has remchoke or a poly choke on it. I am toying with the idea of the krylon as NEMHED suggested as well. OD Green receiver and barrel with black wood and ventilated rib. If anyone has an old 870 express barrel (any length with remchoke or a modified choke) I would be interested if you thinking of selling it. I do like the idea of a combo barrel.

[Joel]

A good friend duracoated many of his old shooters, looks great and was easy. I am going to do an 1187 that has same issues, and maybe an old rem 721 that I am rebarreling to 25-06, will be a hunter to get dirty

[Streetstar]

Finally --- someone gets a decent deal at a pawnshop !

[madman4570]

What a awesome deal/Great Gun.
Just leave it be and shoot and enjoy it.
Later,If you want it shorter keep your eye out on a shorty slug barrel(gun for about everything)
That 28" barrel is a great barrel/also if need be shoot shot/or slugs out of the shorty too.

[Modoc ED]

Don't do anything with that barrel -- shorten it etc.

Go to Cabela's shotgun barrel section and order:

1. 870 3" Chambered 20" Rem Choked barrel with iron sights. Comes with Mod and IC choke tubes. Of course this barrel is smooth bored.

2. 870 3" Chambered 20" Fully Rifled barredl with iron sight.

You can get em both for what Wilson's wants to charge you for their work and you'll end up with one great all-around shotgun.

I've got three 870s and all are set up this way. I'm good to go with the OEM 28" barrel for pass shooting (pheasant, quail, rabbits, etc.) and for the other two barrels, everything else.

[L_Kilkenny]

Don't do anything with that barrel -- shorten it etc.

Go to Cabela's shotgun barrel section and order:

1. 870 3" Chambered 20" Rem Choked barrel with iron sights. Comes with Mod and IC choke tubes. Of course this barrel is smooth bored.

2. 870 3" Chambered 20" Fully Rifled barredl with iron sight.

You can get em both for what Wilson's wants to charge you for their work and you'll end up with one great all-around shotgun.

I've got three 870s and all are set up this way. I'm good to go with the OEM 28" barrel for pass shooting (pheasant, quail, rabbits, etc.) and for the other two barrels, everything else.

I'm with the guys that say leave it and shoot it or do it yourself. Maybe it's just me but I can't see what the point would be to send ANY good ol' 870 off for an expensive rework. What do you gain? They're already reliable with tons of do'it'yourself parts and finishes. Now keep in mind my tactical imagination only goes as far the slug barrel on a stock 870, all I think I will ever need. So if tactical is what you are wanting take my opinion for what you paid for it .

Do leave the barrel stock length and buy a second, shorter Rem Choke barrel. Only buy a slug barrel if you need it and then I avoid rifled slug barrels like the plague. I'll only shoot smoothbores, something about sighting in with ammo that cost $2.50 a shot that I hate . Foster's work good to 100 yards, good enough for me anyway.

LK

[Modoc ED]

If ya don't want to get a fully rifled barrel you can always use a rifled choke tube. They work pretty good.

[madman4570]

Don't do anything with that barrel -- shorten it etc.

Go to Cabela's shotgun barrel section and order:

1. 870 3" Chambered 20" Rem Choked barrel with iron sights. Comes with Mod and IC choke tubes. Of course this barrel is smooth bored.

2. 870 3" Chambered 20" Fully Rifled barredl with iron sight.

You can get em both for what Wilson's wants to charge you for their work and you'll end up with one great all-around shotgun.

I've got three 870s and all are set up this way. I'm good to go with the OEM 28" barrel for pass shooting (pheasant, quail, rabbits, etc.) and for the other two barrels, everything else.

SPOT ON!
Can you imagine that 870 also with the extra 20" rifled barrel shooting those babies below??
What wouldn't that take care of. How about the first 3 rounds those slugs the next 2 rounds those 315gr (3)ball jobs
http://www.dixieslugs.com/products.html

[Sarge]

My smoothbore 21" Remchoke barrel does a passable job with slugs, provided you use the IC tube. Five shots of 2 3/4" Super X slugs at 50 yards 'stacking the beads'. Would have had 'em all in about 3 1/2", had I not tossed one.