[FullEffect1911]

In response the the huge number of problems that some people are having with their Remington 870 express models, I thought I would post about my experiences so far.

I bought a new Remington 870 express 18" to replace an older shotgun of the same model I had. The first 870 was made in 2002 the current one in 2009.

The "older" shotgun had well over 1000 shells through it with no real hiccups or problems and was as reliable as a sunset. Even with the 18" barrel and cylinder bore, I used it for clay bird shooting. This shotgun had the internal lock in it.

The new one only has about 100 through it and has so far proven to be perfect. No internal lock, fit and finish seems fine, no rust and seems to have a pretty smooth chamber. It ate slugs and birdshot just fine and I'm going to pattern it with buckshot next time out.

I just want to post some positive experiences with the 870 as a change of pace.

[Runningman]

I bought a new Remington 870 express 18" to replace an older shotgun of the same model I had. The first 870 was made in 2002 the current one in 2009.
I got to ask, if you already had the same model with only a 1000 rounds thru it that "was as reliable as a sunset". Why would already have to replace the made in 2002 express with a new one?

[dak0ta]

My 2007 870 express has been awesome. I swapped the bolt with a wingmaster bolt that had a milled extractor and put a norinco 870 metal trigger group that is more positive.

Good gun. No jams on the types of ammo I've used. But I use Clever Mirage and Federal.

[jlv08]

The complaints that are aired on these forums are not the only complaints that I've encountered about the Express shotguns.

I have stated that I know some hunters that swear by there Express shotguns and will state that those manufactured to the quality standards that Remington is famous for are great shotguns.

Now, alot of the debate comes from ,"Do I buy a Pardner pump or do I buy an Express?" (Paraphrased.)

They are, to me, different shotguns and also are very much the same in functioning platform.

But, we are talking about the Express shotgun and I will admit, with internet forums being what they are, are recieving bad press,

I would like to think that it is overblown but some of the accounts given with the quality gaffs of late regarding the Express guns have been enough for me, coupled with my own experience, to be wary of them.

Does this mean that I've written off owning Remingtons in the future?

Heck No!!

I'm aways looking for that "deal" on a older used 870 that from time to time, pops up on occasion.

The older ones great guns and will more than likely be priced to reflect being a great gun

YMMV.

[jlv08]

I would also say that the same could be said about some of the claims

regarding the guns that stir up so much contraversy due to being made off

our shores

as being "cheap (name the country) junk".

I've been really surprised at the claims made from folks who've never even handled those guns.

I have had a bad experience with an Express as it rusted badly and have a

bro. in law that has the same problem with his, not to mention a few that

others own with rusting issues.

Well, bad press is bad press and folks are influenced by it.

[Niel4]

I bought the same 870 express with a tactical choke about 6 months ago.

It's great...I have 500 rounds through it.

Also added a turkey choke and shoot trap with it all day long.

Other than the looks I get from some of the other trap shooters :cuss:, its a perfect shotgun in all regards.

[sneedb82]

I got to ask, if you already had the same model with only a 1000 rounds thru it that "was as reliable as a sunset". Why would already have to replace the made in 2002 express with a new one?

Prolly different gauges? Dunno until the OP chimes in.

I just purchased the 20 gauge version with the 26" barrel, and it seems to work great as well. Obviously the most significant issue is patterning and trying different loads... but that's not a gun issue.

[DMS]

I too, bought a new 26" express in 12ga about a year ago. Used it all last rabbit season and it was flawless. No rust issues either, even with our Newfoundland winters and salt water.

[Leaky Waders]

"The truth is there is a huge number of complaints often from the same people over and over again. The complaints get shot down by lots of satisfied customers but people still believe there are a huge number of problems. There aren't."

There are many documented cases of 870's locking up and having to be dismantled to remove the hull stuck in the chamber. Search these forums or the net.

People with this problem have either sent it back to remington or finished remington's work for them by honing out the cylinder. Or, they have stopped using x brands of shells because the 'shell if the problem not the gun....'

I didn't know that remington got rid of their lawyer locks - that's good.

Congrats on your new gun. I'm glad it worked out for you. If it hasn't locked up yet, then it most likely won't. The case of lock up I saw - and wrote about on these forums - happened right from the get go.

[dak0ta]

I don't get why you need to hone your chamber. Mine is fine the way it came from the factory.

[oneounceload]

I got to ask, if you already had the same model with only a 1000 rounds thru it that "was as reliable as a sunset". Why would already have to replace the made in 2002 express with a new one?

I put approximately a thousand rounds through my O/U every MONTH - why would anyone consider that gun worn? Sounds more like it is just getting broken in

[swampboy]

I don't get why you need to hone your chamber. Mine is fine the way it came from the factory.

Most are fine. Some have reported rough tooling marks in the chamber which would require honing. One of mine had what looked like "overspray" from the finishing process, making the chamber slightly rough & dull-looking. Steel wool cleaned it right up.

Personally, I don't mind a little "fit-and-finish" work on less expensive guns. If I can pay less than half of a high-end model, then spend a little time "getting little things right", I'm happy. Sort of a hobby, I guess. Don't even get me started on all the stuff I've done to my Kel-Tec. That little P11 is a dead-reliable, slick shooter now though.

[MAX100]

To true reliability test is, buy a Winchester Value Pack from WalMart and fire all of them without cleaning. If no problems you got a good one.

GC

[throdgrain]

No offence but 1000 shells in 7 years? Thats not even run in.

[MAX100]

The ONE problem that very many people have reported was Winchester bulk shells sticking. And practically everyone that tried polishing their chamber fixed the problem. Then people make a huge deal out of the fact that ONE brand of shells has a problem. Sounds a lot more like a problem with the shells than the gun if you ask me

You could say that the problem is with the shells if it happened with most shotguns. That's not the case because you hardly ever heard about problems with WalMart Winchester VP shells in other shotguns.

It's not the same people over and over having this problem. Anyone can do Google search to find out or just do a search on THR.


GC

[fuelie777]

I recently purchased a new 870 express. I had an issue with the 870 express with shot shells sticking, most of 25 rounds fired (different shot shell brands). Posted a question, then polished the chamber. Test functioned with different shells and it worked fine. My new Remingtion Express is great now. Able to change out chokes and use for some of my action shotgun events.

I also was using Wal Mart Winchester Universal shells. They work fine in my 1960's vintage 870 wingmaster trap gun. My friend which was with me during the last function testing and he indicated the same problem with his dependable Rem 1100 (with thousands of rounds through it) and the Wnchester Universal shot shells. Other members of the club have also.

End result is I am happy with the Rem 870 express. Maybe I should not have had to polish the chamber, but in this case I did. It was easier to do then return the gun. Had help from this forum so thank you.

[spyderdude]

I have had good experiences with the two 870s I have owned. The first one I bought was in 2006 which was the 4+1 870 Express with 18" cyl bore. I took it to the range a couple times and had a few empty hulls get caught in the action, but overall it was a good gun up until I tried modifying it to accommodate a mag tube extension. I spent four hours drilling and sanding the dimples that prevented an extension from being added. I eventually got it to work right but then for some reason the hammer wouldn't always fall when I pulled the trigger. I ended up selling it to a buddy for 50 bucks who had it fixed so now he has a working 870 that cost him 50 bucks.

I ended up buying another 870 Express that already had a factory tube extension and the new shorter forearm and it has been reliable so far. I have only put 100 or so rounds through it. I think the 870 is a solid and reliable pump shotgun so as long as it is not altered in any way other than cosmetic features.

[Bass Killer]

Got rid of mine, im getting a new model. I bought it in 2001 and locked her away without a shot fired, came back from my last tour and sold it to my father. I didnt like the shell capacity. Now im wanting a 20" model with Spec Ops

[Tim the student]

I have had an Express for maybe 15 years. No problems with it.

[Teppo Oni]

i bought a 12ga Rem870 for 200$ at K-mart in 1998 with a metal trigger group
put a 8 shot tube on it and a 20in slug barrel with rifle sights
and still never shot it

[surfrider115]

This is my first post..I actually came here looking for info on my Remington 870 Express. I've owned it for ten years, put thousands of rounds through it and it has never failed me--not once.

My question is: how often do you clean you pump shotgun? With my rifles and pistols, I religiously clean them after every use. However, for some reason I only clean my shotgun once in a blue moon. Doesn't seem to be a problem. Any wisdom wouldbe appreciated

[FullEffect1911]

I got to ask, if you already had the same model with only a 1000 rounds thru it that "was as reliable as a sunset". Why would already have to replace the made in 2002 express with a new one?

I have a "sickness" that involves trading firearms that I think I don't want anymore for ones I think i do want. If I had more money (don't we all wish that :) ) I would just buy things outright.

Anyway, I would have never bought the same model if I didn't think it was a great shotgun. I had not shot the first 870 for a year or so and decided to sell it... being that it was my only 12 gauge and that I realized how useful shotguns are I got another one.


Congrats on your new gun. I'm glad it worked out for you. If it hasn't locked up yet, then it most likely won't. The case of lock up I saw - and wrote about on these forums - happened right from the get go.

Thank you. I know I don't/haven't put many shells through my shotguns as some people, but I do feel it's more then most and less than some.

The chamber seems real good and I don't expect problems.

[Virginian]

Plastic trigger housing -
with Benellis, it's "Innovative"
with Remington it's "cheap"
B S !

plastic is plastic

[Leaky Waders]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=424646

Or you can search for "Have you had jamming issues with your 870 express?" on these forums...and see the numbers. Out of ca. 100 people responding...59% had no jamming issues. That's 41% did...or 40 not so well documented cases.

Look, you can buy whatever you want. To me, remington is caveat emptor - let the buyer beware. If you buy an express...it may perform awesomely, or it may have problems with shell shucking. Just, have a plan if there's a problem.

If it is a factory finishing problem, then it seems present very early...that is the second shot. So, if your gun is shooting fine then great! You win. You've gotten what you paid for and expected - a reliable tool with easily replaceable parts.

Prepare for this thread to degenerate too:

We'll have W.O. or some other remington minion come and say how their new express is the best thing ever - flawless in design since disrupting the death star and freeing tattooine from some evil Jawa's grip.

Then we'll have a bunch of old timers pile on and flame me about their remington express that was used in the battle of bullrun and has been shucking for the confederates or yankees when reloaders had to handroll their paper hulls with cigarette paper. Yeah it's not new...but why would a new one be any different than one that has been in their family for generations and started out as a simple club?

Next we'll have people come and bash winchester ammo again, soon followed by other gun owners who shoot brownings, berettas and benellis and then multiple other brands who shoot winchesters flawlessly.

[Delmar]

I bought a 26 inch express back in the late 80s, back when K mart still existed in texas. Guess I should have paid closer attention than I did...just swabbed the barrel out and went quail hunting. Fired once, and the action locked up. After wiggling a few times on the handle, ejected the shell and figured it was a fluke. Shot again with the same result. Picked up my two birds and went home. Took the thing apart and couldnt figure the problem until I looked at the locking notch in the barrel extension. One quick swipe with a deburring knife and its not missed a lick in several thousand rounds. Guess one got past the QC, but that does happen from time to time.....

[t george]

I bought my girl friend a brand spankin new 870 express youth 20 ga. about a week or so ago... went to the range today and I am very pleased that we did not experiance any functioning problem from the 870. we used the bulk pack shelles from wal mart and every thing went well... I had a blast and my girl friend enjoyed her first shot gunning experiance and was able to catch on very quickly! (she missed the first 4 then hit about every other one for about the next ten. then took a break for a few min. then came back and finished with a string of 8 or 9 with out missing... then she was kinda cocky but thats ok!

geuss i got a good one!

t george

[eitrheim31]

lucky you! i wish i had that kinda luck with my 2008 870 express... it's a worthless pile.

[FullEffect1911]

lucky you! i wish i had that kinda luck with my 2008 870 express... it's a worthless pile.

Did it melt? :neener:

Seriously though, what is the problem with it? If it is the chamber sticking have you tried polishing it?


I can fully understand how a good design can have some QC problems when sold on the cheap. I can even accept this. Coming from more of a handgun background, when a handgun slips through QC it usually doesn't work at all. When an 870 slips through, it seems you just need to polish or deburr.

[bhk]

Mine works fine. Never a problem.

[Gary G23]

"My question is: how often do you clean you pump shotgun?"

Every other February 29th.

[FullEffect1911]

"My question is: how often do you clean you pump shotgun?"

Every other February 29th.

:D





I usually clean all of my guns after they are used.

[dom1104]

Plastic trigger housing -
with Benellis, it's "Innovative"
with Remington it's "cheap"
B S !

plastic is plastic


not correcting you, but if living in 2009 has taught me anything, plastic is not plastic.

There are many different types, and some are much MUCH better than others.

Just sayin, one day all of our guns will be plastic, because its cheaper, and we we differentiate between them by the types of plastic. and metal guns will be a thing of the past.

"remember when they used to make guns out of steel? hahahahahahahaha"

Personally, I will be sad.

[Nolo]

I think the 870 Express is a well-worthwhile buy.
I own three different levels of pump-action shotguns at the moment: a Mossberg Maverick Model 88, a Remington 870 Express and a Remington 870 Police.
All are great weapons for different people.
The Maverick is pretty reliable, complicated (but only when you field strip it), uber cheap (I got mine for something like $150) and somewhat more difficult to customize. Just the ticket for a person looking for a strictly practical, rarely-used, HD gun, like my dad (who I recently gave it to).
The Express is quite reliable, much simpler than the 500/88 series, about half again as much in price, heavier but easier to customize. It's great for someone who's willing to spend a bit more for a shotgun that he can customize and accessorize.
The Police is reliable, quick to cycle, better finished than either the 88 or Express, hand-fitted and comes with a recoil pad that tames 12 gauge down to about 20 gauge levels, meaning that anyone in my household can use it if need be. It's about twice as much as the Express, but it's the gun I wanted for practical and aesthetic reasons.

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Have had a few Express' over the years---never a problem---I have trading and money issues too:(

[frontgate1]

870s are basically flawless.
Your "old" gun has a 1000 rnds thru it? Not even broken in yet.
10K will get you thru the break-in period.

[Leaky Waders]

Some cleaning information based upon 870's can be found here...

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=17035

W.O. I'm not going to waste too much time on your rhetoric...at the start of this thread you stated that you've only heard of one express with problems - then you said that you had to work on yours and known people who has worked on theirs to get them to shoot right. Finally, you saw the poll I was refering to...

The one that said express models worked 60% out of the box as purchased and 40% of the time had to get worked on.

Throughout all of my posts relating to the express model...my advice has been pretty consistant. Buy an 870 if you want, but have a plan if you get one with the problems. Fix it. Don't blame the hull.

But this particular board is very fond of the green and yellow coolaid. "It's the ammo, it's the operator, well mine has always worked so nobody else should ever have a problem." Are common arguments that seem to come up.

Does remington send you rebate checks or something for all of this endorsement? If so how to I get on that bandwagon? Can I get a sticker for my flak and kevlar too? :)

[Tim the student]

Can I get a sticker for my flak and kevlar too?

Uh, flak?

No IBA?

Still have a kevlar?

Stay safe man.

[Leaky Waders]

Heya Tim...I call it flak and kevlar out of old habits.

W.O. - I know you are fond of your express. But, wingmasters are 870's too. So it doesn't make sense to say you'd prefer your 870 over a wingmaster.

The great thing about the 870 - is most people (gunsmiths...and I'm no gunsmith) can fix them easily. So...if you find a great deal on a wingmaster (think about it as an express in a prom dress) then go for it and get it fixed.

P.S. I think most posts have to be gun related...so edit yours with from 'Troll' to like Troll with a shotgun hunting hobbits or something ;)

[Tim the student]

Heya Tim...I call it flak and kevlar out of old habits

Good, I know I wouldn't want to be there in those, so I was hoping you weren't.