[hunter44]

Thanks to you all, my "new" shotgun arrived. It is a Remmy 870 Marine Police trade-in from a small town in Michigan. Pricey at $300 but am not complaing.

She looks extremely clean and non-evil; can't find a single scratch or ding anywhere, and no real evidence of heavy use or abuse. Do I need to go ahead and clean and lube it anyhow? Even though I 've acquired some 00 buckshots (that's the only one allowed at the only nearby range that allows shotguns) I am resisting the itch to go try it out until I take some shotgun lessons.

I am not particularly interested in "tricking out" this gun but are there any essentials that I have to do? I may take it out once in a blue moon to hunt birds, no serious hunting envisaged.

[foghornl]

Probably a good idea to at least remove the barrel and give it a good cleaning and look-see. Not really required to take it down to a pile of parts on the table, but just give it the basic cleaning and inspection.

[Smoke]

I second the "ggod cleaning and inspection"

That should be all you need. Take it to a competent gunsmith if you want it checked out good.

That said, the 870 marine is a good weapon as it comes out of the box, no need for add-ons or other improvements. It already ahs the "essentials"

Have fun with it.

[Soap]

I would get a sling for it.

[Dave McCracken]

Since you do not know when it was cleaned inside last,if ever,a deep cleaning would be beneficial. One of the floating threads at the top of this forum may be helpful.

And many agency weapons are less than perfectly maintained. A few minutes here might just add a generation to its working life.

Make sure the stock fits you, the trigger's under 4 1/2 lbs,and sling studs should be added for GPs.

That's it....

[ruger357]

Do the cleaning and you should be all set to go.