[weldoya]

which version is best to get, and can you get a long barrel with it to make it a combo? and what type of sights for each purpose? :confused:

[ugaarguy]

First, welcome to THR. Below is just my opinion, but I'm not a shotgun expert. Someone like Dave McCracken, Lee Lapin, sm, PJR, or one of the other true experts will be here to give you a better answer. If they disagree with what I wrote then take their advice.

The 870P is the Police model, which has some upgrades in terms of internals, finish, and assembly over the standard 870. Without getting into SBS paperwork, all 870P models will ship with a fixed IC choke (unless you can find an overrun from an agency that spec'd a tighter choke) 18 or 20 inch barrel. Since they're sold through Remington's LE division, they are not offered with an extra sporting barrel.

The synthetic guns offer the widest variety of standard combinations of 18 or 20 in. bbl, bead or rifle sights, and with or with out magazine extension. Still, I like the standard models, which have walnut stocks, better. The wood stock can be easily shortened and recoil pad re-fitted to fit the gun to the shooter. The extra weight of the dense American walnut furniture also helps to absorb recoil.

For all around use I like the 18" bbl bead sight standard walnut model. Note that it's only cataloged with mag extension in wood stock with bead sight configuration. I'd recommend buying a standard length magazine spring and magazine cap. Shoot the gun a good bit with and without the mag extension to see which way it balances and handles best for you.

If you intended to use the it primarily for slugs at longer distances, then either of the standard wood guns with rifle sights may be a better option.

As far as barrels go, any standard 870 accessory barrel will work on an 870P. Do note that sporting barrels are finished either gloss or matte blue, and neither will perfectly match the parkerized finish of the police models. (I personally don't care about looks, and police model will function perfectly with a sporting bbl on it).

Sporting barrel length and sights are dependent on intended use, and your preference for that use - for example a gun setup strictly for dove or quail hunting with a 28" brass front bead sight bbl is quite different than a gun set up strictly for turkey hunting with a 23" fiber optic rifle sight bbl. A 24" or 26" bead sight bbl with the screw in chokes is a great all around sporting bbl. The beauty is that you're always just a barrel swap away from a specialized configuration.

[PJR]

If you are going to use the gun for HD and for clays/hunting the combination I like best is the 18.5" barrel with rifle sights, a fixed improved cylinder choke and no magazine extension.

The rifle-sighted barrel is better for slug shooting and the sights are entirely on the barrel. Unlike the ghost ring model when the barrel comes off so do the sights. The ghost rings don't work as well IMO with a vent rib sporting barrel.

The model without the magazine extension makes swapping barrels more convenient. Just take off the mag cap, install barrel and replace the cap. No fumbling with magazine springs and followers.

The 870P in its current factory form comes with a heavier trigger spring. I swapped the heavier spring for a standard weight which returned the trigger pull to a reasonable and yet safe weight. It is easy to change the spring.

The other point to remember is when you acquire the longer sporting barrel make sure the barrel has the ball detent on the ring that fits over the magazine. The Police uses the older magazine cap which is serrated on the edge and needs the ball detent on the barrel ring to ensure it stays securely seated.

I acquired a 26" vent-rib Remington 870SP barrel for my 870P. It has a matte finish and is closer although not identical to the parkerized finish of the 870P. If I had to do it over again I might go with the blued version because the two-tone look was quite attractive.

[Dave McCracken]

Like Lee, I prefer older Wingmasters as base guns to build on. However, I've yet to see a lemon 870 of any flavor.

The P versions are pimped as heavy duty this and that. Maybe so, but I've yet to see any standard parts fail other than a couple firing pin springs on a high milage TB.

The 20" RS, RC barrel is a good utility barrel for slug use, defense, etc. If your eyes work well with open sights, that would be a good start for a custom build.

As stated above, mag extensions are not universally useful. I'd learn to run the gun first, then decide if an extension was advantageous.

Whatever you decide,exercise it often.

HTH....

[weldoya]

Wow!! thanks for the replies! alot of good information here. i like the idea of an 870p because basically it's a tactical wingmaster if you will. i think the rifle sights on the 18" barrel (by the way, what does "bbl" mean? i think it means barrel but there is only one "b" in barrel) is a good idea, because i want to shoot slugs too. but do they glo in the dark for HD?

And the blued long barrel is a good idea, thanks for the tip, the two toned look seems like it would work. i don't ever see myself turkey hunting, the long barrel will be for bird and deer. i guess the length for all would be 26 or 28"?

one more question. for HD ammunition i want the federal low recoil control flite 00 buck and the winchester ranger low recoil slugs. are these hard to find? because i understand these are police rounds. i live in houston and our main gun shops here is carters country and gander mountain. would these places have these rounds and the 870p for that matter without getting the run around "oh no, we sell those to police only"

thanks for your time. looking forward to being a member here.

[rodinal220]

The standard 18.5" with a bead sight is hard to beat.Personal preference whether to get synthetic or wood furniture.The standard Wingmaster is a good choice,just doesn't go through the same QC as the P models.


http://www.remingtonmilitary.com/articles/870ExpvsPol6-30-05.pdf

[PJR]

i think the rifle sights on the 18" barrel (by the way, what does "bbl" mean? i think it means barrel but there is only one "b" in barrel) is a good idea, because i want to shoot slugs too. but do they glo in the dark for HD?
The short form "bbl" for "barrel" as a volume measurement has been around for a very long time and has since migrated over to gun barrels.

The standard Remington shotgun sights have standard white markings but tritium sights that glow in the dark are offered as an option on the 870P. Tritium or Hi Viz sights are also not hard to find as aftermarket accessories.