I'm the guy that started the thread 'What is a choke tube?' I had mentioned that I was considering the Remington 887 Nitro Mag Tactical. Well, today I went to Dick's Sporting goods to look at the 887. They didn't have an 18 inch barrel version. So I looked at a Rem 870 HD Express (which I don't see listed on Remington's web site). It looks good for what I want it for, which is home defense. It doesn't have the HiViz front sight or the Supercell butt pad, but the guy working the counter said that there are aftermarket pads that work as well. So I'm going to think on it a little more, and read up on the forums a little more, but I'm leaning very much towards the 870 now. Seems like a proven winner, and recommended by Lee Lapin and Clint Smith.
Leaning heavily towards the Rem 870
- Thread starter wbwanzer
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oneounceload
member
At HD distances, a hi-viz sight should not be a major concern - there are always add-on versions if you think you need one. After market pads are generally of great quality - combined with a good fitting, they can be tailored to absorb a lot of the recoil
Good point about the HiViz not really being necessary.
hawkeye10
Member
I bought a Remington 887 Tactical at Buds yesterday. They have good prices. Hope to get it next week. DonPS Check this out.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/62447
straightshooter9
Member
If the 887 Nitro Mag doesn't look like a "tactical" weapon, nothing does! I love the look and "feel" of that gun!
Buds has come down in price from last week of $419.00 to $411.00.....tells me people are buying this thing!
Buds has come down in price from last week of $419.00 to $411.00.....tells me people are buying this thing!
mgkdrgn
Member
Nobody ever got fired for buying a Remington 870. There -is- a reason (several in fact) why it's the best selling shotgun of all time, by far.
Fred Fuller
Moderator Emeritus
I've never bought a new-in-the-box 870 in 40 years of shooting them, but if y'all keep this up you're gonna make me go and do it just to see how good the new current production Express guns really are. There's no way to know save to run one through its paces. I think a lot of the Express gun woo-woo on the WebZ is just the usual everybody-says-it stuff, but it's hard to tell just what the product is like without owning one and living with it for a while. And even then a one gun sample isn't much of a deep statistical pool to dive into, but it's something.
With shotguns and most other tools in life, I've always operated on the principle that I'm buying it not marrying it. IOW, if I don't like it or if I break it or whatever, there's always another one to be bought. And if it works and lasts and I like it, I can pick up a spare or three just to be on the safe side. Things DO wear out and DO break sometimes, it's just a fact of mechanical life, and buying the finest whatever that there is, is no guarantee that it might not go down at some point. Mechanical stuff breaks. Murphy loves you. That's life. Get on with it.
I understand the anticipation of buying something new, I've been there and for some things I still get that old kid in the candy store feeling. If I didn't ever feel that way any more, I guess it would be a good time to just curl up in a ball and die. But an 870 Express gun is a pretty utilitarian purchase, as I see it. It's like buying a good hammer at the hardware store.
I'm a little ashamed to confess that at this point I just couldn't tell you how many 870s I have, there are 870s of mine in different quantities in four different houses in three different states, and over the years I've just lost track of how many there are, all added up. Most of them by far are older Express guns bought used for $150 or less. I've always said I'd rather have another good shotgun in the safe than $150 in depreciating dollars the bank. I still say that, and I'll still buy any good cheap used 870 I come across.
So all I can say is that I can't see any reason not to buy a new 870HD, or even that fancy new Italian movie star/870 cross they got out now, and shoot the snot out of it and see how it works and how you like it. I know how modular an 870 is and how many accessories there are for it out there, and how it's possible to turn a basic 870 into almost anything you want it to be. But even so, it's best IMHO to start with a plain jane riot gun if you want it for a defensive shotgun, learn to run it safely and efficiently, get some good training on how how to take it into a gunfight if you have to, and go from there.
fwiw,
lpl
With shotguns and most other tools in life, I've always operated on the principle that I'm buying it not marrying it. IOW, if I don't like it or if I break it or whatever, there's always another one to be bought. And if it works and lasts and I like it, I can pick up a spare or three just to be on the safe side. Things DO wear out and DO break sometimes, it's just a fact of mechanical life, and buying the finest whatever that there is, is no guarantee that it might not go down at some point. Mechanical stuff breaks. Murphy loves you. That's life. Get on with it.
I understand the anticipation of buying something new, I've been there and for some things I still get that old kid in the candy store feeling. If I didn't ever feel that way any more, I guess it would be a good time to just curl up in a ball and die. But an 870 Express gun is a pretty utilitarian purchase, as I see it. It's like buying a good hammer at the hardware store.
I'm a little ashamed to confess that at this point I just couldn't tell you how many 870s I have, there are 870s of mine in different quantities in four different houses in three different states, and over the years I've just lost track of how many there are, all added up. Most of them by far are older Express guns bought used for $150 or less. I've always said I'd rather have another good shotgun in the safe than $150 in depreciating dollars the bank. I still say that, and I'll still buy any good cheap used 870 I come across.
So all I can say is that I can't see any reason not to buy a new 870HD, or even that fancy new Italian movie star/870 cross they got out now, and shoot the snot out of it and see how it works and how you like it. I know how modular an 870 is and how many accessories there are for it out there, and how it's possible to turn a basic 870 into almost anything you want it to be. But even so, it's best IMHO to start with a plain jane riot gun if you want it for a defensive shotgun, learn to run it safely and efficiently, get some good training on how how to take it into a gunfight if you have to, and go from there.
fwiw,
lpl
Deltaboy1984
Member
Get a 1980's Wingmaster and customize it too fit your needs.
2 years ago, bought the Express and a Mossy 18" barrel. I run it monthly at the local Defensive Shotgun match. No issues -- haven't needed a warranty.
Recently bought a late 1950 Wingmaster. Gorgeous, not much use and a crack right in the middle of the much ballyhooed metal trigger body. Warranty? Got another trigger on my nickle and it's good to go.
Both are good. If I had to give one up, it would be the Express, because I can easily buy another one, and I would do just that.
Recently bought a late 1950 Wingmaster. Gorgeous, not much use and a crack right in the middle of the much ballyhooed metal trigger body. Warranty? Got another trigger on my nickle and it's good to go.
Both are good. If I had to give one up, it would be the Express, because I can easily buy another one, and I would do just that.
Smokey in PHX
Member
Between me and the kids we have several 870's and never had a problem with any of them.
okiewita40
Member
There is nothing wrong with an 870. I just prefer a mossberg 500 or a Maverick 88. I just like the little bit less weight of a mossberg. Can't really go wrong with any of them.
mgkdrgn
Member
Gee Lee, you make me feel like I'm "slacking". I've only got two ... mine and my dads, a 1968 and 1972 Wingmaster. ;-)
788Ham
Member
btg3,
I've got a WingMaster 870 my folks gave me back in 72, can one just buy a Mossberg barrel, say 18", and just install it? Would a smithy need get involved, any fitting required? 2 3/4" chamber. Thanks before hand.
I've got a WingMaster 870 my folks gave me back in 72, can one just buy a Mossberg barrel, say 18", and just install it? Would a smithy need get involved, any fitting required? 2 3/4" chamber. Thanks before hand.
BikerRN
member
With so many 870's produced finding spare parts is a breeze.
The same cannot be said for some other well made, but less common, shotguns. Make mine an 870 any day of the week please.
BikerRN
The same cannot be said for some other well made, but less common, shotguns. Make mine an 870 any day of the week please.
BikerRN
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
I wish everything in my life ran as well as my 870s.
Nigh flawless, for a half century of service.
More than 50K rounds, maybe twice that.
Total parts replaced, two firing pin springs....
Nigh flawless, for a half century of service.
More than 50K rounds, maybe twice that.
Total parts replaced, two firing pin springs....
bushmaster1313
Member
I would get a used police wingmaster
I'm another person on the 870 band wagon. Have three none the same. First one is an old deergun with factory rifle sights,20"cyl bbl,speedfeed pistolgrip stock. Don't know how many highbrass slugs,#4,000 buck has gone through it. Has been through at least 6 classes and qualified 4 officers. Still will cloverleaf slugs at 75yds.
The 870 is the pump shotgun all others are compaired to.
You ever notice that the guns issued to ground pounders are lowest bid.
But look at any embassy picture and the guards for the politicos are using 870s.
Cheers,
ts
The 870 is the pump shotgun all others are compaired to.
You ever notice that the guns issued to ground pounders are lowest bid.
But look at any embassy picture and the guards for the politicos are using 870s.
Cheers,
ts
To clarify, Mossberg makes an 18-1/2" barrel specifically to fit the 870 for less dollars than a Remington-made barrel. It has a matte finish and looks very nice on an Express.
For my wingmaster, I lucked up on a Wingmaster barrel with a bulge at the end for about half the cost of a good used barrel -- with the intention of salvaging it as a 20" barrel. Of course, the finish is blue like the wingmaster. After playing around with it at 20", I think it'll probably end up as 18-1/2" like the other gun.
One other thing to note, is whether the barrel you consider has the tiny metal ball to retain the mag cap. The Mossy barrel on my Express has the ball retainer, even though it's not needed for that gun.
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