Changes in Remington 870 since 1981?

[VG]

My father in law bought an 870 12 ga with improved cylinder back in 1981. It's in perfect shape in the original box. Cost $289.

What are the differences between one made then, and now? are the older guns more sought after, or?

[dfariswheel]

Mechanically about the only change on the Wingmaster has been the introduction of a lockable safety button, and apparently, the discontinuing of the lockable safety button.

In fact, there has been amazingly little change on the 870 series since it was introduced in 1950.

Parts on a 1950 model will interchange on a 2004 model.

Most changes have been cosmetic.

Most changes on the 870 have been to those on the budget Express model, and the introduction of screw-in chokes.

Some people think the older guns have a better finish, some don't.

[Flatfender]

One thing to watch out for is when you buy extra barrels.

You can swap barrels within the same gauge except:

The SP (special purpose) barrels only fit on the SP 870s.

The early 20ga barrels fit only the early 20ga receivers that were modified 12ga recievers.

The later 20ga receivers take the later 20ga. barrels

You can put a 3" chambered barrel on a 2-3/4" receiver, but you cannot use 3" shells.

You can put a 2-3/4" chambered barrel on a 3" magnum receiver, but you cannot use 3" shells.

[moorerwc]

Also, I've learned that recently manufactured guns have a mag tube that is mounted to be slightly closer to the bbl. and thus has a shorter bbl. ring. I don't know if the difference is enough to notice when changing bbls. with the standard magazine but if you go for a mag. extension with bracket you better have the right bracket or you have trouble.
I was told this change was made to increase rigidity/strength.

Besides the chamber issue, is this gun new enough to have the flexi-tab?

-Chad

[Dave McCracken]

There's been relatively few changes in 870s since the first one rolled off the line in 1950. Most parts from a 1950 model will fit new 870s without trauma. The exceptions are already listed here.

The magazine spring retainer has changed a couple times.

New trigger groups use a polymer base instead of an alloy one.

The Mag caps used in the Express line now lack the ball and detent lock and are not cross slotted.

The finish used on WMs has been through a few changes, from glossy to very glossy and so on.

IIRC, the flextab was introduced in the 80s. Not important on a civilian firearm used by competent personnel.

Many of us believe QC has degraded in recent times, but still few lemons exist.

[VG]

Thanks for the info. It appears to be in unfired condition, but there are some small areas of corrosion on the barrel. I'm going to get some preservative on it while we're visiting.

[MrMurphy]

Wipe the whole gun down with a Sentry Solutions Tuf-cloth and it'll be okay for rust.

[Johnpl]

The SP (special purpose) barrels only fit on the SP 870s


According to Remington, the Special Purpose barrels will fit Wingmaster and Express 870's (I checked with them, and they confirmed they will fit and that the matte finish of the Special Purpose would closely match the receiver finish of the Express.) I do know that the 870 Special FIELD barrels will not interchange with the standard 870's, as the mag tube ring on these barrels is in a different spot.

For real confusion, try to figure out what barrels fit on an 1100 Special Field, what with gas port concerns, steel vs. lead, chamber length, light vs. heavy game loads, magnum vs. standard receiver, etc...:confused: ;)

[Flatfender]

Johnpl

Thanks for catching my brain fart on the SP vs SF barrels. :D

flatfender

[Johnpl]

Flatfender-
No prob...now if you'll excuse me, I have to go watch "News For Badgers"! (Good to see other Monty Python fans!)

[VG]

Well, further great news - it's been given to me. I'll be taking it home Monday, have to call U.S. Airlines about their policies as they don't list anything on their website.

[Dave McCracken]

Huzzah!! Now go shoot it until one of you wears out.

My guess, the IC barrel is 26". Correct?

Sounds like a good all round upland gun and SC tool.

[VG]

It has a 20" Improved Cylinder barrel. Original purchase price was $289 in 1981.

I don't believe it was purchased for hunting anything that flies or has four legs.....

the serial # begins with a T followed by numbers. Is that a date code?

[Dave McCracken]

There may be a date code on the barrel in the mishmash of letters and cryptic symbols on the barrel. Better to call 800-243-9700 and ask Remington.

20" IC barrel, probably an early HD tool. You have a treasure. Good for skeet as is, and certainly for bobwhite too.

Now go wear it out...

[riverdog]

A 1981 model should have a plastic follower, older ones had a very nice but unnecessary machined steel follower. Buy a new LW RemChoke barrel (26", 28" or 30") and go shoot some Skeet.

As for traveling with it, you can make it really short by removing the stock (the bolt is accessed under the recoil pad) and barrel (you should know how to do that). Then put the disassembled shotgun in your baggage and make sure the airline knows it's there.

Is this a Magnum?

[VG]

By Magnum do you mean supprts 3" shells? The barrel says 2 3/4".

I'm going to go out and try some patterns this weekend. Interesting advice I'm getting for home defense loads, OO, #4, and #7, each proponent with a heart-felt reason for his choice.

[riverdog]

3" receivers will have "Magnum" stamped into the left side. Yours is probably not but it doesn't much matter unless you're shooting waterfowl and need a bigger payload. For HD and Skeet 2 3/4" shells are fine.

As for HD shot size: at HD distances of maybe 20" max, call it 7 yards, it doesn't much matter because the shot will hit in a tight, 7"-8" pattern. Closer and the shot will still be in the cup. #1 Buck is supposedly optimum for penetration and number of pellets. 00 will tend to over penetrate if that's a problem and #4 Buck will have less penetration but a few more holes. It's really situation dependent. Some folks like birdshot for very close, apartment situations due to the proximity of neighbors -- your call.

[HankB]

I was told that the new 870's have some sort of modification to the magazine tube that prevents easy installation of a magazine extension - can anyone confirm this?

[MrTuffPaws]

I have also heard that the mag tube is different, but I just bought a 870 Youth Express 20ga, and it has the spring ball detent slotted mag cap.

I have read that they added some indents to the mag tube to hold the mag cap in place, and that you would have to drill them out to allow for a longer spring to move by. With my new Express, this is not an issue.

[duckslayer]

Did they even make 3" shells in 1981?