[Slater]

A lot of folks seem to agree that the 870 is one of the most durable (if not THE most durable) and long-lasting pump shotguns on the market. Not being all that knowlegable about firearms design, what is it about the 870's design that gives it this durability? And who actually designed this weapon, or was it a joint effort?

[dfariswheel]

The American Rifleman has a nice article this month on the birth of the 870.

It was designed by a team of Remington engineers.

The reason for it's strength and durability: The 870 was the first "modern" post-war shotgun design in which the engineers simply "got it right".
The 870 was designed without the multitude of small parts, tiny pins, and even tinnier springs. The design is simple, strong, and durable.

Up to this point, most shotguns were made of milled steel parts, and were overly complicated. As long as they were well made, everything was more or less Ok. The problems started when the other guns were discontinued and replaced by new designs which were designed to use stamped or fabricated parts, and many still were overly complicated with small parts.

The 870 had simple, strong parts, that even made of fabricated or stamped metal, was tough and long lasting. Too many other guns used overly complicated designs that weren't durable when made with stamped parts.

As an example, Winchester and Remington used to share the police and military shotgun market. When Winchester discontinued the Model 12, and replaced it with the cheaper to make Winchester Model 1200, they essentially gave that market to Remington.
A number of police departments tried the 1200, but it was so big a disaster, that even when Winchester redesigned it as the 1300, few, if any police or military units will even consider a Winchester gun today.

THIS IS NOT A KNOCK ON WINCHESTER. The 1300 is a good gun, but when put to "real world" use in police hands, it just didn't stand up.
The 870 stood up in the real world so well, Remington OWNS the police market to the virtual exclusion of other guns.
Mossberg sells a few, Ithaca sold a few, other brands sell a very few, and Remington laughs all the way to the bank.
In short, nothing succeeds like success, and the 870 just out performed everybody else.

Too much is made of "anecdotal" stories about durability. The "I've got a 1300 that's gone X number of thousands of rounds with no problem, or the "My 870 failed on the first round out of the box" are interesting, but the proof is when you put 20,000 guns into the hands of police all over the world, and see what the failure rate is, and how well the guns last before getting worn.
Most brands have high failure/durability rates. Remington 870 have rates that are the envy of every gun maker in the world.

The bottom line is, Remington's 870 is a classic example of KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid). A simple design made of larger parts, will always outlast and out perform a design that uses a more complicated, smaller parts.

[Dave McCracken]

Thanks D, nice explanation....

The Md House of Correction had some old 97s and 12s when I started, but they weren't issued. Some S&W 3000s and Winchester 1200s were tried and found wanting as to holding up to the incredible levels of abuse and neglect Correctional weaponry is burdened with.

At the time, I had one 870, was surprised to find out that other shotguns didn't make the cut, and was vastly relieved to see 870s in the towers. An 870 will spoil ya.

Over 10K rounds have passed through my TB in the 2 1/2 years I've had it. No glitches on its part, a few on mine.

5000 Police and Correctional agencies yield a terrific amount of data about longevity and reliability. Most depts rotate inventory every ten years, and the stuff they turn in looks like bloody heck and works nigh perfectly.

Spare parts in my last prison for about 30 870s fit into a shoebox. A complete bolt, a couple mag springs and beads was most of it.