Tale of two 870s.

[bkjeffrey]

Im looking for a new 870 to turn into one of these. This guy calls it a "retro-tac 870"



I have found two old 870s in town that I need to choose between.

Number one is an 870 Special purpose with great wood stocks in perfect shape and a decent "parkerized looking" finish and I believe a 26" threaded barrel. The price is 199 plus tax so about $214 out the door.

The other is an 870 express magnum with a synthetic trigger guard and pretty beat up stocks. It has the same grayish park looking finish and a 26 inch barrel as well. Price is $165 out the door.

Im going to be cutting the barrel down to 18.5ish either way so barrel length doesnt matter. I will also be sandblasting and gunkoting in OD Green so finish is not a concern either. They both shoot 2 3/4 or 3" also.

I gues what I want to know is what is the diff between an 870 Special Purpose and an 870 Express Magnum?

Is the Special Purpose worth the extra 60 bucks or so?

Thoughts? Discuss. Thanks.

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // IIRC the Special Purpose had a more weather resistant finish than the Express.

Found this on Google:
According to the Remington Rep. there are no mechanical differences in Special purpose, Express or even Wingmaster just finish of parts.

I guess they do not include the plastic trigger assembly ... in that statement.

I'd probaly go with the Special purpose,( especially if it has a metal trigger assembly) it sound like it got less use..
I would guess this "Special Purpose" was for Deer.

Keep the rifled barrel to sell or trade and buy a cut down barrel (take a tape measure) or other used barrel.----the rifled barrel is best used for slugs and cost more.
I found a smooth bore at the last gun show for $75.00, 18 3/4", 12ga. ,VR, large bead a little rough but does the job.

Good luck with your choice.

P.S. If they will let me, I like to see how they feed snap caps in the store before purchase. HTH

 

[Milkmaster]

Take the one that during an inspection has the least amount of internal wear. You can do a field strip really easy right there on the counter in front of them. Get the one that is in the best condition and run with it.

 

[broken]

you cant even touch a remington for 165.00 these parts,thats a steal,crazy deal,,thats what i would buy,dang some of their barrells are almost that high.

 

[dawico]

Buy them both. They both sound like a steal, and the 870 will last forever.

 

[Black Knight]

If you could buy only one I would choose the Special Purpose. Instead of cutting the barrel down, keep it or sell it and buy a new barrel. I would recommend a 20" smooth bore with rifle sights. The 870 Wingmaster I bought used and keep for HD has this as factory setup. It is just as easy to move with as the 18" and gives better shot control. It also feels better balanced than an 18" barrel.

 

[augustino]

Which 870 Remington...

BUY THEM BOTH!!

If you don't let me know which one you do not buy and I will scarf it up in a NY minute!

At the prices you mentioned to NOT buy them both would be crazy.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Buy both. Those are screaming deals these days.

Adding a new barrel and selling the old is a better idea. The 20" RS barrel with choke tubes is amazingly versatile.

As for less wear, I've beer trying to wear out any 870 since Ike was in the White House and admit to complete failure. 20K rounds just slick up the action.

 

[bkjeffrey]

Buy both

Think I might.....Hmmmm. Gonna go look at the SP again and see what trigger guard it has in it, if its metal Ill get both!

 

[broken]

let me tell you what i just seen,yesterday, a shop here in nw arkansas i wont name not the good gun shop i normally hit but a kinda pawn/gun shop had a older remington 870 wood was really scuffed up and somebody sanded the reciever bad,it seemed to work fine but 169.00, i was looking at it and they wouldnt budge on price,cheapest 870 ive seen.

 

[bkjeffrey]

I ended up picking up a beautiful Express Magnum at the gun show today for $150 out the door! Metal trigger guard and not any noticable wear. Thats going to be my new project gun. Thanks guys.