Is there any reason I should avoid getting a new 870 Express 18"?

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Hi. I was thinking about getting a new Remington 870 Express synthetic with an 18" barrel, but I have concerns about some things I've read here.

For starters, I've read that Remington's quality control hasn't been too good lately and their products should be avoided.

Secondly, I've read that the locking safety is a potential liability, in that the firearm can be rendered inoperable, even without a key or tool.

So, my question is: Should I avoid a brand new 870 Express and get something else? Or...is there really nothing to worry about?

Thanks.

P.S. I've seen many posts previously suggesting getting a used 870...but I'd prefer a brand new shotgun. So, as far as "brand new" is concerned, should I get the 870 or something else?
 
I've got one; have put several hundred rounds of bird, buck and slugs through it with no problems.

Go for it. It's a pretty cheap risk.

Sawdust
 
Secondly, I've read that the locking safety is a potential liability, in that the firearm can be rendered inoperable, even without a key or tool.
Click to expand...
Where is this locking safety? I have an 870 express, but don't remember a locking safety.

I guess it's used 870's from now on. Man, Colt seems like the only new gun can buy.
 
That safety can be replaced. I did it w/ a Wilson oversized and it works just like the old model.

When replacing it, you just need to get a new spring and detent. The parts can be found on Brownell's website when looking at the schematics.
 
Apparently, Remington has DISCONTINUED the locking safety button feature.

Looks like the latest factory-fresh guns DO NOT have the locking safety.

As far as quality goes, EVERYBODY'S quality has taken a hit over the years.

You stand LESS a risk with the Remington than you do with other brands, and if you do happen to have a problem, Remington WILL take care of it.

A Remington 870 with quality "problems" is still a definite step above the competing brands.
 
ABsolutely no reason to not get the Express. The locking safety's history, and those so cursed are easily retrofitted with proper buttons.

Remington's dud rate is no worse than other makers, they're just more visible due to the 870's well deserved rep as do anything tools.

Both of the LC barrels I got within the last year are excellent. Some of the chokes were off, but that's common to all brands.
 
What Dave and dfaris said. My Dad and I have nothing but remingtons, won't buy anything else.
 
I cursed the locking safety when I bought a new low end 870 with 18 1/2 barrel.

But I quickly found I liked it.

I leave it locked every morning before leaving crib.

I carry the little green thingie on my key chain.

A lot more handy than fumbling with a master lgun lock.

If it wears out, THAT would tick me off.

I think I'll order the metal button as backup.
 
Thank you for your replies.

dfariswheel: What is your source for the info that current "factory fresh" 870's no longer have the locking safety?

I just got off the phone with Remington and they said that they've only discontinued the locking safety on their rim fire products. 870's still have it.
 
I was told by a old customer who talked to a Remington Rep.
He was told, Remington is discontinuing the locking safety on the 870 too.

He was under the impression, this had already happened, and they were shipping the guns without it.

If you'll note, I said "APPARENTLY" in my post.
 
A friend of mine bought a new 870 about 2 months ago and it had the locking safety on it. I just ordered one last week and am picking up next week and will report back whether the locking safety is on it or not.
 
Secondly, I've read that the locking safety is a potential liability, in that the firearm can be rendered inoperable, even without a key or tool.
Click to expand...
the 870 series are all interchangable.you can swap out an entire trigger assembly from an early 870 from the lockable one if you like by popping out the two pins ,sliding in the old trigger assembly and replacing the pins-its very easy.

Ive seen the chromed bolt and shell carrier swapfrom the standard blued to a chrome plated.easy as pie.
 
Just so y'all know, I picked up my new 870 Express today (Serial # D653XXXX) and it did have the locking safety on it.
 
Interesting. I wonder if it will be like the new Winchester 94s. It took almost a year after the announcement for the new top tang safety models to replace the cross bolt ones in local stores in my area.

WJR
 
My friend bought a 870 a week ago, two weeks ago he asked me if the 870 was a good gun. Well I figured I dont really know anything so I told him yeah it should be fine... But he goes out to the range with us after his waiting period and it jams every time. (with the ammo we were using). We gave him some buck and it cycled fine so I figure its the ammo and told him to avoid it. :( Which is kinda lame IMO, your shotty should be able to eat anything you feed it. So I wish I told him this:::


I think if the 870 fits you great get it. Other then that try a winchester 1300 but the saftey is in a different spot and it doesnt have that locking saftey feature. Or maybe a Mosburg, any one of those guns will function in a similar fashion (if there is nothing wrong with them). You should shoot all of them first if you can.

But if you have the cash and a Benelli Nova fits you I would get that. No better pump out there period (but its expensive compared to the other three). However I dont have one because I dont like how it fits me and thats what is most important.

And one thing about the Winchester 1300 is that it is able to cycle the Aguila Mini shells the best. So if you are ever interested in using those thats another bonus to buying a Win1300.

I've seen enough of the recent remingtons where if I was gonna buy a 870 I'd buy a old used one, I am just as certain you can't go wrong there as you could go wrong buying a new one.

Oh yeah and the 870 he just bought had a locking saftey as well.
 
Did your friend clean and lube the 870 before he shot it? If not, that is probably the reason why it jammed.
 
Another friend helped disassemble, lube, and clean it with him. I thought maybe because it was new so we made him throw some slugs and buck through it (hehehehe) to see if that broke it in. But it didnt. I had half a box of winchester bird shot left and it seemed to do fine. I'm guessing its the ammo. In order to clear it you had to hold the release and pound the butt on the ground 3-4 times to get the shell out.

The ammo was the FEDERAL HIGH VELOCITY GAME LOAD (Game-Shok) from WALMART.
 
hmmmm...

the 870 series are all interchangable.you can swap out an entire trigger assembly from an early 870 from the lockable one if you like by popping out the two pins ,sliding in the old trigger assembly and replacing the pins-its very easy.
Click to expand...

My son(15) and I each have 870's. Mine is a newer 12 Express magnum with the locking safety. His is an old wingmaster from the early 60's (20ga built on the 12 ga reciever).
Since his only comes out durring deer season and mine is used as the HD/Trap/target/turkey/deer/fun gun I've thought about swapping the trigger groups. His has a metal trigger guard with a smooth, well broken in trigger.
With his being a 20 gauge, would I still be able to switch? The locking safety would be less of an issue on the 20 ga. I'd rather him have a trigger group that functions fine but if it were to malfunction, do so where it fails to fire instead. (pulling the trigger and not hearing BOOM when there is a deer downrange is better than not hearing BOOM when there is an intruder in your house, right?)

Thanks,
cs

PS. I know putting a locking safety/plastic trigger assembly on a classic Wingmaster is a sin punnishable by keel hauling but I'd sooner part with the Express. If I ever did so, the good trigger group would stay with the WM.
 
"Did your friend clean and lube the 870 before he shot it? If not, that is probably the reason why it jammed."

I have 2 of the Remington 870 Express' we're discussing (18" barrel with factory 6+1 capacity). One is several years old and the other is less than a year old. One works perfectly (the newer one) and the other is a piece of junk. It jams frequently with diferent types of ammo. Yes, I cleaned and lubed it many, many times and still have the same problems.

The junk one is at a factory authorized repair facility right now. I think the problem is that the chamber is not within spec. It is a known problem but, the newer ones are supposed to be OK.

Joe Mamma
 
The 870 Express 18" has a crappy finish (not very rustproof), and the dimpled mag tube if you get the 5-shot.

Save a little more cash, and buy the 870 Police Magnum. Parkerized, no locking safety button, 7-shot tube from the factory, all the little extra doodads come factory stock.
It's about $100 more, and worth it. I had an 870 Express, and it was okay for an HD gun but I used mine in the field and wished I'd bought a PM.
 
Go for it. My 870 Express 20 gauge just ran through about 400 shells (mostly WWB, but also some Federal target loads) without cleaning over two days (we shot skeet and trap, and guess whose gun was used to teach all the newbies? ;) ). Crappy wood, crappy finish, but to-hell-and-back reliability. I'm getting another 870, a 20" Express Turkey for HD, BTW. :)
 
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