[PeteyPete]

I plan on purchasing my first shotgun in the near future, and read some favorable reviews on the 870 MM.....any reviews or opinions?

btw...this is primarily a home defense gun, and occasionally for "fun shooting" at the range.

[cslinger]

I guess I will chime in. I love mine. No malfunctions of any kind as of yet, tough finish, looks good, patterns well with all the ammo I have tried, is very soft recoiling for a 12 gauge and is easy to break down and clean. What more could you ask.

We also have a Benelli Nova Special Purpose that is very nice and works like a charm but I don't like it as much as my MM. The 870 just feels right and shoulders just right. The Benelli seems a little long for me. I do however like the Ghost Rings on the Benelli, although I really don't feel they would offer me much of an advantage unless I was shooting slugs at 25-50 yards which as HD goes probably ain't gonna happen.

I say go for it. I did a lot of research and the 870 seems to be the most robust of the bunch but to be honest all the pumps were good.

Mossberg...don't like the forearm but they hold like 9 rounds and come in a marinecoat silver finish.

Win Defender 1300 or FN nice and fast action but just didn't do it for me. I dunno, not cool enough looking I guess.

Benelli, my second choice. Great shotgun.

I think those are the big choices. For me the Marine Magnum or 870 Police fit me perfectly.

Chris

http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/002401.JPG

[Dave McCracken]

Great shotgun, it's an 870 that even more rust resistant. Eons from now, an archeologist can chip one out of bedrock, mount new wood and make ammo, and go shoot his dinner with it. A Forever gun...

[Sven]

Me wonders what the folks at the Trap range would say if I pulled that out to bust clays.

There seems to be a little shotgun snobbery on the Trap line... 870s aren't FROWNED on... but I notice the expensive-gun-toting folks turn their nose up the SLIGHTEST bit when a 870 is pulled out.

[Dave McCracken]

True sometimes, Sven. Others smile in delight. I showed #6 off at PGC to folks into Model 21s, Purdeys, et al, and they admired it greatly.

Snobbery can strike anywhere.

[hunter44]

Another thumbs up for the 870 MM. Could not tell the difference between a new one and my police trade in when it arrived. It has been excellent since then! Easy to strip and clean (once I learned the technique), beats me up a little at the range, but then, am a novice so I may not be able to recognize its short comings yet. As of now I think you won't regret getting one.

[riverdog]

I'm familiar with the nickel finish on my S&W Mod 27 revolver and how I need to be careful with it lest risk damage to the nickel and allow corrosion to get into the copper underneath. Does the 870 MM use a different nickel finish?

My current "Marine" Magnum is an 870 WM that a Marine parkerized. Which is the better finish, nickel or manganese phosphate?

[CWL]

Phosphate guns are not immune to humid elements. They will rust.

The nickle coating on Marine magnums are probably more weather resistant. Nickle is harder and will survive 'dinging' better. Nickle is slick and so will clean better as well.

I have yet to hear of any complaints of shoddy worksmanship of the marine magnum.

Owned my 870 MM since 1990. No sign of wear in chamber, bolt. Only some light scorchmarks on magtube under barrel.

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