Remington 870 Marine Magnum

[Texasred]

Is the marine magnum built on the same level as the Police magnum. In respects to the plastic parts on such.

[Jorg]

Don't take this as gospel, but I don't think so. They say that the nickel finish is on all metal parts and the trigger/triggerguard are clearly not nickel plated.

Take a look at this thread:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=183301

[dfariswheel]

The Marine Magnum and the new "Tactical" models are all built on the Express guns, not the Police models.

[JohnKSa]

Mine's at least 15 years old, but there are no plastic parts other than the stock.They say that the nickel finish is on all metal parts and the trigger/triggerguard are clearly not nickel plated.The trigger guard is clearly metal but is not nickel plated.

They may have changed things since mine was made.

[Texasred]

All Express models? that sucks...

[Dave McCracken]

TexaRed, how so? I've seen no flies on any Express. With some use, they smooth up nicely.

IMO, too many folks turn up their noses when they should be just accepting the fact that not all shotguns need to be gorgeous.....

[Texasred]

Naw, it's not that I think it is trash. But I already have a Express Super Magnum with a wood stock that think is awkward with the plastic parts.

Plus I read an article on the differences of the police magnum and I was really turned on by the all metal and strengthened parts.

[Dave McCracken]

Tex, I put over 20K round sthrough the 870 TB I sold recently. No 'Strengthened" parts. Outside of two firing pin springs, no probs.

Two of my shooters date from the 50s, 50 and 55. No strengthened parts, no glitches. Lots of rounds through both.

Strengthened sounds fine, but the standard parts just do not break.....

[xd9fan]

The Marine Magnum and the new "Tactical" models are all built on the Express guns, not the Police models.

says who
got a source

[MEH]

The new Marine Magnums do have some polymer parts, but that doesn't mean they're bad guns... I absolutely love my 870 MM, although I would like a version with a 14" or 15" barrel.

[dfariswheel]

xd9fan:

says who
got a source

How about Remington themselves.
Here's what Remington says about the Express versus Police models:


REMINGTON ARMS COMPANY, LE DIVISION
Important differences between Remington 870 Police and 870 Express shotguns

The 870 Express has been an important part of Remington’s offering to the sporting market.
It was designed to meet a price point in the commercial market while still providing classic 870 functionality.
All of Remington’s 870’s have interchangeable parts, even if they have cosmetic differences.
It is also important to note that many manufacturers use the 870 Express platform for their Police / Combat models.
Without exception, every manufacturer who utilizes our 870 platform serves to upgrade their system to a more efficient, street worthy platform.
While the 870 Express is still an 870, the best pump shotgun on the market, there are some very important cosmetic and functional differences between it and the 870 Police.

To our customers in Law Enforcement, Military, Corrections, and Security, whose lives depend upon the unfailing performance of Remington shotguns, the Police modifications are of paramount importance. Synopses of the variances are provided below.

• 870 Police shotguns go thru a special 23 station check list – ranging from visual inspection, functional testing, test firing, and final inspection.

• All Police shotguns are assembled in a “special build area” at the plant in Ilion, NY. This section is secured and serves only to build LE and Military shotguns, with the same factory personnel working at that assignment each shift.

• All parts that enter the “special build area” are visually inspected by hand to ensure top quality and functionality.

• Due to heavy recoil in buck and slug loads, all 870 Police guns have a longer magazine spring which ensures positive feed and function.

• A heavier sear spring is used to generate a reliable, positive trigger pull between 5 and 8 lbs.

• A heavier carrier dog spring is used to ensure when the carrier elevates the shell, it will be held there until the bolt can push it into the chamber. This ensures positive feeding when using heavier payload rounds.

• Police shotguns do not have an ISS (Integrated Safety System) which is a locking mechanism on the safety of commercial shotguns. This type of locking mechanism can cause delay to an officer who needs the weapon but does not have the appropriate key. LE shotguns have the standard, proven, cross bolt safety.

• The fore-end on the Express model is longer and not compatible with many police shotgun vehicle racks.

• The Police shotguns utilize the heavy duty SPEEDFEED Stocks and Fore-ends.

• The Express model will not allow for the addition of an extension tube without physical modification to the tube and barrel, which can nullify the warranty.

• The Express model has a BEAD BLAST BLUE finish while the Police models utilize either High Luster bluing or Parkerization.

• The Express model utilizes a synthetic trigger housing while the Police models use a compressed metal housing.

• The Police shotgun barrel is locked down with a “ball detent” system in conjunction with the magazine cap vs. a lesser grade “synthetic magazine spring retainer” lock down as used on the Express system.

• The receivers used in Police guns are “vibra honed” to smooth out rough finishes and remove burrs before parkerization or bluing.

• Police shotguns use machined ejectors and extractors, as opposed to powdered metal cast which are utilized on the Express models.

NOTE: Some of this is out dated.
Remington has discontinued the ISS (locking safety button) and it fails to mention the Magnum Marine and Tactical models which are Express based, but DO have extension magazines.

[Texasred]

Yeah thats the article I was talking about.

[xd9fan]

see this is the stuff I wish I had before a made the MM purchase.

But I do love the nickel finish;)

[trbon8r]

Wow, that is some great information! I knew about the machined steel extractors, metal vs. plastic trigger guard, and no ISS. But I had no idea there were that many internal differences in the Police vs. Express.

I'm glad I paid extra to get my 870P Max. :)

[Lone_Gunman]

Thats a long list of improvements, but only about 4 of them have any potential to improve the performance of the shotgun.

[dfariswheel]

The point is NOT that the Express is "junk". It's very definitely not junk, it's simply a super-strong 870 with a lesser grade of finish to cut costs.

An Express will last every bit as long as a Wingmaster or Police model with the sole exception of the extractor, and that's an EASY owner replacement item.

The point to the Police models is this: When the police pull out a shotgun, things are SERIOUS, and they MUST have a 100% reliable gun.
Remington goes the extra mile to insure this, and this is why over 95% of all American law enforcement use the 870 Remington shotgun.

Then too, the police shotgun is something that's "Used by all, owned by no one".
Since it gets little care and has to be able to stand up to the Third Watch version of "hold my beer and watch this" the police shotgun must be tough and durable.
The average "civilian's" shotgun will last him for more than a lifetime.
It's just that a police shotgun is guaranteed to be used in real life or death situations, and it'd BETTER work, each time, every time, thus the extra manufacturing effort.

[Geno]

I'm not sure, but the "870 Tactical Magnum" is :) and the action is as-smooth-as the Wingmaster's.