Lawyerman
Member
I have my fair share of 870 shotguns. Most are switch guns with both riot barrels and hunting barrels. I have three that are dedicated riot guns with Trak Loks on them.
I have been following the Older 870's thread these last two weeks. It has proven to be my downfall! While out cruising the pawn shops this weekend in a neighboring town I came across 4 870's in one shop. There were two Expresses, a 20 youth and a standard 12, both pre J lock and dimples. They wanted $139 apiece for them and "would deal". Those I could resist, I can find them most anytime like that.
The other two got me in trouble. Both were red tagged, Managers Special,. I happen to know that this chains shops will only red tag after merchandise has been on the shelf for at least 6 months. By reading the code on the tickets I found that one gun had been there for a year and the other for 13 months. Red tags means that the guns are for sale essentially for whatever was loaned on them, usually not too darn much.
The first gun was made in 1951, has a XX prefix on the barrel. It has a matted barrel top and a longer foreend with checkering, buttstock too has checkering. The barrel is a 26 incher, modified. Bluing is fair, no rust at all, bore clean. The wood needs a refinish as the old varnish has yellowed and peeled in places. A Pachmayer decelerator is fitted to the buttstock which has been shortened an inch or so. Action is like ball bearings! Tag says $118.99.
Second old gun has a ZZ prefix, 1953. This gun is in about the same condition. Bluing good, wore right across the receiver-where someone would carry it, wood needs to be refinished. There is a small hunk of wood missing where the stock meets the receiver on the underside, typical of these old guns. The black plastic recoil plate is gone, replaced by a grimy and torn Pachmayer, red slip on recoil pad. Foreend is a corncob unit, short round, ribbed. It has a 28 inch barrel, full choke. Barrel has alot of crud in it but no rust. Tag says $111.99
I call the manager over. We discuss the old, useless guns that have sat for a year now. How much for the pair of clunky antiques....$200 out the door, includes tax. Done. As I head for the door she stops me, how about a couple of cases? Sure, the first is a nondescript vinyl brown POS. The second one she drags out of the back room is a dang near new BOYT canvas and leather unit. I run for the door, a gun under both arms........Time to check the Tru Oil.......
I have been following the Older 870's thread these last two weeks. It has proven to be my downfall! While out cruising the pawn shops this weekend in a neighboring town I came across 4 870's in one shop. There were two Expresses, a 20 youth and a standard 12, both pre J lock and dimples. They wanted $139 apiece for them and "would deal". Those I could resist, I can find them most anytime like that.
The other two got me in trouble. Both were red tagged, Managers Special,. I happen to know that this chains shops will only red tag after merchandise has been on the shelf for at least 6 months. By reading the code on the tickets I found that one gun had been there for a year and the other for 13 months. Red tags means that the guns are for sale essentially for whatever was loaned on them, usually not too darn much.
The first gun was made in 1951, has a XX prefix on the barrel. It has a matted barrel top and a longer foreend with checkering, buttstock too has checkering. The barrel is a 26 incher, modified. Bluing is fair, no rust at all, bore clean. The wood needs a refinish as the old varnish has yellowed and peeled in places. A Pachmayer decelerator is fitted to the buttstock which has been shortened an inch or so. Action is like ball bearings! Tag says $118.99.
Second old gun has a ZZ prefix, 1953. This gun is in about the same condition. Bluing good, wore right across the receiver-where someone would carry it, wood needs to be refinished. There is a small hunk of wood missing where the stock meets the receiver on the underside, typical of these old guns. The black plastic recoil plate is gone, replaced by a grimy and torn Pachmayer, red slip on recoil pad. Foreend is a corncob unit, short round, ribbed. It has a 28 inch barrel, full choke. Barrel has alot of crud in it but no rust. Tag says $111.99
I call the manager over. We discuss the old, useless guns that have sat for a year now. How much for the pair of clunky antiques....$200 out the door, includes tax. Done. As I head for the door she stops me, how about a couple of cases? Sure, the first is a nondescript vinyl brown POS. The second one she drags out of the back room is a dang near new BOYT canvas and leather unit. I run for the door, a gun under both arms........Time to check the Tru Oil.......
