[JohnVF]

I am about to buy a new 870 Express (7-shot, synthetic) from Big 5. Does anyone know of any issues with the new 870's that i should know about?

Thanks for the input............

[fireman 9731]

I bought the same thing back in August, not a single hiccup yet!

[mgkdrgn]

I am about to buy a new 870 Express (7-shot, synthetic) from Big 5. Does anyone know of any issues with the new 870's that i should know about?

Thanks for the input............

The only "problem" I know of is that if you care for it properly, it will out live you by, oh, two generations. :evil:

[Fred Fuller]

RTFM (read that fine manual) when you get it, field strip it and give it a good cleaning to remove the factory preservative- especially in the bore and chamber. The stuff is sticky and may give you extraction problems if you don't get it out. Lube it properly before you take it out the first time.

OBTW, the separate magazine cap/coupling part of the magazine extensions have been installed with too much torque at the factory in some cases lately. Be prepared with a strap wrench, or slip jawed pliers heavily padded with terrycloth or leather to get it loose if need be. No need to reinstall it that tight, just 'tight' will do 8^).

Start out shooting with light loads. Probably it's best not to start with Winchester...

Pump it hard in a two-count movement ONE is all the way back till the forearm stops, then TWO is forward briskly to chamber the next round. Get used to feeling that full stop at the back of the rearward stroke on the forearm- if you do, you'll never short stroke your pumpgun. And start making it a reflex early along to ALWAYS run the bolt the instant your follow through to your shot is over. Yes, follow through. You have to follow through with a shotgun, too just as with a pistol or rifle.

Buy a standard magazine cap (the old style with dimples around the outside edge), magazine spring, and magazine spring retainer (the old style, spring steel cup shape). Try the gun without the magazine extension at some point. See if you like it better that way, without the extra weight up front. It'll help encourage you to learn to load the gun, an essential skill in a fighting shotgun. No magazine is ever big enough anyway, far better to get the skill of shoot one/load one down pat.

Remember what Dr. Dave says- BA/UU/R...

Stay Safe,

lpl

[Sniper X]

I just bought one for a project Tactical Shotgun. Trying to do something trick but on a budget, I am halfway thru it. I love the gun, shoots great typical of a Remmy 870.

So far I have installed a side saddle and a ATI AR15 style collapsable stock only because of the adjustability, and of course it looks very cool. I am doing a scope mount and red dot next, and a cheap alternative to a Surefire fore end. That will be it. I DID have to make a cut out in the fore end of the thing to clear the side saddle.

[czarjl]

I think Lee hit the nail right on the head.

Losts of range time and good cleanings will make you and that gun work well together.

mgkdrgn you sure its not 3 generations?

[JohnVF]

Thanks for all the input..............

I intend to buy the 870 on Friday..... I will update then................

Thanks again..............

[MAX100]

Some of the newer 870 shotguns have problems with the lower cost WalMart value packs. They tend to stick in the chamber after being fired. Winchester VP seem to cause the most problems.

Keep the finished oiled and don't put it up after shooting without wiping it with a oily cloth.

GC

[Mike U.]

Yes, +1, what MAX100 said. That finish will readily rust if left unattended. Especially the receiver...

[Capstick1]

On many of the 870's the chambers are a little rough. This is the main reason why they have problems with fired shells sticking in the chamber when you try to pull back on the forend. There's a 12ga chamber polishing tool you can purchase from brownells that mounts on any standard portable drill. Just run this back and forth a few times in your barrels chamber and this will prevent alot of problems with the shells sticking in the chamber. Other than that just keep it clean and well oiled and it will probably outlast a few generations of your family.:)

[whatnickname]

Once in a while (pretty rare actually) I'll see a new 870 that won't feed back. All that is required to correct the problem is to drop the trigger group and adjust the height of the small retangular cut out on the shell carrier. Once in a while it's too high and the shells hang up on it coming out of the magazine.

[md7]

hey johnVF, i have had that same model of shotgun for a little over a year now, and it has not had any issues.

i use mine extensively as a rabbit hunting gun. it has been rained on, sweated on, and had blood on it. it was even once dropped in a creek. (i dropped in with it.) prior to use, my 870 soaked in a breakfree CLP bath for about an hour, and i have not had any trouble with rust. just ocassionaly wipe it down as you would any other gun. great shotgun.

[monkyboy1975]

avoid the cheap Winchester ammo.

[Specs]

I have the 870 HD 6+1 with 18 in. barrel. The only mod I did was to change to a Limbsaver (Remington 3) recoil pad. I like to keep things stock when I can. No pistol grip, lights, or sirens on it. I do keep one in the chamber and 6 in the tube.

[czarjl]

I learned something new today… Thank you.

[mr2guru]

I just picked up a 7 shot express tactical over the weekend. Has a surefire 618 forend and 6 shell side saddle.

Ordered a Choate MK5 pistol grip stock, 240 lumen Malkoff drop-in LED for the surefire, and Trijicon ghost ring sights for it.

Should make for an excellent zombie killer weapon.

[JohnVF]

King............... you have pm.........

Excellent info..........

[JohnVF]

Thanks for all the input.....

King, thanks for the list......

I will be buying my 870 this week...................... I will update all when it comes in.

[chupacabrah]

I bought an 870 express today!

Very nice gun, now I just need to strip and clean it