Rem 870 Police

[halfarack]

Hello. Need some help deciding whether I should get a Rem 870 Police 12 gauge shotgun. I'm looking at the base model, synthetic with a bead site. It will be my home defense weapon. I have looked at a lot of other models. (Mossberg 500/590a1, Benelli SNT, H&R Pardner, Maverick) but the 870 Police was always my first choice.
I have read many posts describing the awesome durability of the older 870 Police shottys made years ago. Are the current day models as reliable? Also, my local gun store is asking $700 for the 870 Police, is that a fair price. Thanks in advance.

 

[dfariswheel]

Current models are just as reliable as the older guns....they HAVE TO BE. These are not commercial guns, they're for police to use in life or death situations.

Where there "might" be a difference is in quality of appearance or finish.
I doubt it, the latest Police models I've seen are every bit as well made as the old ones.

Price is a matter of where the gun is bring sold, and on whether the seller is a scalper. I don't know what the street price is today, but $700 for a base model sounds high.
The 870 Police is the Cadillac gun.
If you can afford it...buy it. I've never said, "Gosh, if ONLY I'd bought the cheaper gun".

 

[nathan]

I wouldnt waste money for a Police model. Its in fact heavier than the regular HD model. If you are not using it for heavy use, the HD version fits perfect for home defense needs.

 

[dprice3844444]

870,when intruders absolutely,positively have to be repelled on time.

 

[halfarack]

I don't mind shelling out extra cash for the 870 Police, but of course would appreciate not getting fleeced. Had no idea that the Police was heavier than the HD (Express) model. This will be a gun I want to keep for a long time.

Was very tempted to get the Benelli SNT tactical but was told that it may be difficult to have it serviced locally since many gunsmiths are not experienced with the brand. It's supposed to be a great deal. My local Dicks store can order them and final price (tax included) is right at $500.

 

[gamestalker]

Although I have a number of different 870's, each with it's distinctive differences, barrels, stocks, tubes, and so on, I don't have any less confidence in any one of them. One of my HD scatter guns is the Charles Daily 870 clone. It will hold 5 shells in the tube, has the 18-1/2" barrel, synthetic stocks, and it's every bit as reliable as any of my Rem 870's, and it's a good $400 less expensive too.
Personally, I can't see spending $700 on a base Police model.

GS

 

[lemaymiami]

From what I've seen Remington has done a good job with their "Police" model.... Funny thing though --- all those old Remington police shotguns were never marked "police" they were just standard Wingmasters in plain dress.... and as reliable as any weapon ever made, in my opinion. Wish I'd been smart enough to snag one back when most agencies were selling them off....

 

[Black Knight]

In the 1970s I was a police Explorer with my hometown police force. One of the advantages was we were allowed to ride along with the police officers on regular patrol. One of the required checks was the shotgun in the trunk rack. They were all 870 Wingmasters with plain wood. In the mid 1980s I was at a gunshop near the state capitol and they had police turn 870s for $125 - $150. Most of those were kept in the rack more than fired. They had scratches and worn blueing to different degrees. Check around you may be able to find a used police 870 for far less than $700. You may also wish to checkout Remington's Law Enforcement website. There they list the different shotguns and rifles available to not only law enforcement but also the general public. You can find there suggested price as well as the model number. Take the model number to where you prefer to buy from and see if they will order it. I did this a few years ago when I was planning my own security company and Dick's was very helpful. Good luck.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

bright & shiny 870 police magnum

From what I've seen Remington has done a good job with their "Police" model.... Funny thing though --- all those old Remington police shotguns were never marked "police" they were just standard Wingmasters in plain dress.... and as reliable as any weapon ever made, in my opinion. Wish I'd been smart enough to snag one back when most agencies were selling them off....

Old School "Police" marked...

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Cool but it is the only one I have seen marked that way. The rest I have seen in cruisers or in the armory were plain wood 870 wingmasters in either 2 3/4 or 3 inch mag.

 

[dogtown tom]

nathan I wouldnt waste money for a Police model. Its in fact heavier than the regular HD model......

Since when?

Same receiver
Same barrel
Same parts (save a couple)

I have both a current Police Magnum and one of the older Police Wingmasters, an 870HD, a Marine Magnum and 870 Tactical....they weigh the same as any other 870 fitted with identical stock/forend/magtube.

 

[halfarack]

Black Knight, I had a look at their website but didn't see any prices.

 

[PabloJ]

Hello. Need some help deciding whether I should get a Rem 870 Police 12 gauge shotgun. I'm looking at the base model, synthetic with a bead site. It will be my home defense weapon. I have looked at a lot of other models. (Mossberg 500/590a1, Benelli SNT, H&R Pardner, Maverick) but the 870 Police was always my first choice.
I have read many posts describing the awesome durability of the older 870 Police shottys made years ago. Are the current day models as reliable? Also, my local gun store is asking $700 for the 870 Police, is that a fair price. Thanks in advance.

Last one I have seen was second-hand but little used condition. It was marked 'Police Magnum' had birch wood stock, adjustable rear sight, parkerized finish (basically 'Express Magnum' where 'Express' was replaced by word 'Police'). The tag was $350 which means $325 cash. Seven hundred tag is basically nuts. That is what one would expect to see on Model 12 riot in collectible condition but not Remington 870.

 

[frankenstein406]

I thought the only difference with police models is there made in a different factory and metal trigger guards?

 

[PabloJ]

Older 870s had alloy trigger guards. To get factory steel trigger guard on Remington pump shotgun one would have to jump back and grab steel framed Model 31.

 

[gamestalker]

My Son grabbed an "870 Police"a couple years ago for $200. It looked much like a Wingmaster because of the nice furniture and blue job. And I've seen a few of the one's stamped "Police", but never any that were $700, that's out outrageous. Personally, I wouldn't spend more than $350 for a used one, and that's only if it is in nearly flawless condition.

For the money, there isn't a better shotgun than the 870, in my opinion. They are the top dogs for reliability, longevity, and simplicity. There have been more manufactured than any other shotgun, and they have been the issued shotgun to LE, and the military for a good number of years.
GS

 

[halfarack]

Glad I asked about the price. Will see if my local LE distributor can give me a better deal. Otherwise will just go to Wally World and pick up an 870 Express if no other option. Thanks everyone.

 

[lemaymiami]

Cocked... that's a great looking popper but in my era, 1973 to 1995, you never saw one marked "police" at all... that's why I made that first post. I have no idea when the Wingmaster line ended and the newly marked "police" line began, but knowing the responses I've seen on this site I imagine we'll be hearing shortly... The move towards carbines and away from shotguns for most agencies was just beginning when I retired out and left that world behind (Oct 1995).

 

[Virginian]

Get an Express. Hone the chamber IF it needs it, swap the extractor to a forged one, swap the sear spring to a heavy one, and you have a Police model. If it has an extended magazine, it already has the heavier magazine spring. If you do get the forged extractor, you may need to file the EXTERIOR dimensions to match the bolt, otherwise it will leave a mark in your receiver. If you get one with the plastic trigger housing, I think it is superior to the aluminum ones. For some reason when the I-talian guns use plastic, it's innovative. When Remington does it, it's cheap. There is nothing wrong with filled structural polymer (plastic).

 

[dprice3844444]

a good solid inexpensive 870 is best.just remember,if you ever have to actually use it(heaven forbid),you take a chance of having to lose it also.(trial etc).make it functional.always remember the kiss principal.

 

[dfariswheel]

In the old days, the Police 870 was nothing more than a Wingmaster with a duller blue finish and plain, oil finished non-checkered walnut wood, and a short 18" or 20" barrel and short Police forearm.
These were usually stamped "Wingmaster" just like the sporting Wingmaster.
You could tell you had a Police model only by the finish and the shorter Police type forearm with grooves instead of the Wingmaster checkering.

When Remington started making the Express model, they added the "Police" stamp to prevent confusion with the cheaper "budget" Express guns.
Shortly after that Remington started adding accessories and options to the Police line, so it diverged much more from the Wingmaster line.

To buy a new Police gun, select the model you want and ask FFL Dealers to shoot you a price. Some will want to scalp you, some will offer fair prices.
Remember, that often a Police gun is a special order for a dealer, since the Police guns are only sold through Law Enforcement wholesalers to FFL Dealers.
Since it's usually a special order, the price may be a little higher, but NOT $700 high for a standard model.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Cocked... that's a great looking popper but in my era, 1973 to 1995, you never saw one marked "police" at all... that's why I made that first post. I have no idea when the Wingmaster line ended and the newly marked "police" line began, but knowing the responses I've seen on this site I imagine we'll be hearing shortly... The move towards carbines and away from shotguns for most agencies was just beginning when I retired out and left that world behind (Oct 1995).

If the barrel is original to my Police Magnum the gun was made in April 2000.

 

[Neo-Luddite]

The department I work for has an inventory of 870's from 40 years old to brand new and the markings differ as described- as does the use of sythetic stocks and gloss vs. more matte blue. They are all nice, but the one I use most often is an older one and it feels better somehow. It is just marked as a Wingmaster.

 

[PabloJ]

The department I work for has an inventory of 870's from 40 years old to brand new and the markings differ as described- as does the use of sythetic stocks and gloss vs. more matte blue. They are all nice, but the one I use most often is an older one and it feels better somehow. It is just marked as a Wingmaster.

The real old ones with nice high polish blue hand 70mm chambers along with lighter barrels.

 

[lemaymiami]

In my agency's armory we always had a choice of Remington or Mossberg shotguns. My favorites were always the Remington (I'm not a fan of the safety on a Mossberg). When I moved into supervision I was able to get a weapon issued to me (none of that different weapon every shift stuff) and very carefully kept mine in the trunk of whatever vehicle I was in. Nothing like a weapon you have high confidence in when things get bad on the street. When I left police work I chose to do without and haven't regretted it to date.