A long search and a stroke of luck

[Malice]

So I have been shopping for my first shotgun, a home defense shotgun and I finally did it!

First of all, I am cheap, because I am a poor college student.

The thing is, when I make a gun purchase, because I take firearms seriously and they are so few and far between, I am terrified that I will make the wrong choice and regret it. Like settle for a used field model 870 and then see a security model a week later for the same price and feel lousy.

So I read ALL... and I do mean all of the threads on THR and TFL about shotguns for home defense but my cheap side had me leaning towards the Maverick. But I can only find the 26 inch choke barrel ones anywhere localy. So that option was eliminated.

Also, the consensus seemed to say that the Rem 870 is the best all around model. But, the Remington 870s at Walmart and Academy, in San Antonio and back home in Houston had long barrels and small magazines. So I decided on the Mossberg 500 Persuader w/ spare PG from academy for $230. Seemed to fit all my needs.

But when I got to Houston for the weekend I decided to stop by my favorite gun store before I bought. I was dissapointed. Their used field models were little less than a brand new one at Walmart and they had one used wood stock 870 Police for $275. Id rather have the mossberg for that much, I thought.

So on my way to Academy, I decided to check Carters Country. They sometimes even have new and used guns on sale, I thought to myself. I stopped by. Looking at the used shotguns there, they had a couple of NICE 870 fields with I think a 24'' barrel on sale from $200 to like $150. For that much, I might have been able to forget about the long barrel and the 4-rnd mag.

Then I turn around. I see a big neon green sign. SALE!!! New Synthetic Remington 870 Police, 18.5'' cylinder barrel, 8-shot capacity, $280.

Needless to say I bought it. It was too good to pass up. In the end I am glad I shopped around and found what I really wanted for a great price. It just reinforced for me that its best to look at all your options and not buy the first decent gun that fits what you are looking for.

So how did I do?



PS anyone in the houston area, this sale will be going on for at least another week.

 

[Malice]

Also, is there anything I need to know about this gun?

A quick search showed me that I need to remove a cosmo-like substance before I shoot it. Do I need to dissassemble the gun for this or just wipe down the exterior?

Edit: now I have read that people say the guns no longer come in cosmo- what gives?

 

[asknight]

It's not cosmoline, but is a thin brown preservative type lubricant that you need to remove. Get a rag and soak it in Hoppe's #9 solvent and wipe the thing down good. Then take the barrel off and clean the bore and chamber areas well... You did get a shotgun cleaning kit didn't you?

You don't absolutely have to clean it out of the inside of the receiver if you don't want to, or are not comfortable detail stripping it yet, but it will help slick up the action if you remove the preservative and replace it with a good gun lube. At least push out the two trigger group pins and pull it from the receiver and blast it with a CLP and wipe it down to make sure there's no preservative gooping up the trigger group. The one's I've seen didn't have any in the trigger areas, but the exterior would be covered in the preservative. Some guys were freaked out after wiping it down the first time, finding the preservative thinking it was rust.

 

[JohnBT]

If you don't have a brass punch you can knock the two trigger pins out with hammer and a golf tee, bic pen, pencil or something like a finishing nail with the point rounded off smooth. It's not difficult.

John

 

[byf43]

Congrats on the purchase!!!

What I've done for years and years is to take-down (as far as YOU are comfortable) and clean either with gun solvent, OR what works equally well, is kerosene.

For the trigger group, pour either a small amount of kerosene into a container and allow the trigger goup to soak for a little while (then clean with an old toothbrush), or, pour kerosene over the trigger group in a small 'zip lock' bag. Push/squeeze out most of the air, then seal the bag.
Shake the bag vigorously!!! All of the original preservative will come out of all of the nooks and crannys in this procedure. (After a shooting session, you will be surprised at the amount of powder residue that comes out!)Take the trigger group out of the 'baggie' and place on/in a rag. Wrap the rag around the trigger group and swing it around and around. Centrifugal force will pull out most if not all of the kerosene.
Spray with CLP and you are done.

For the receiver group, either solvent or kerosene and a toothbrush will get inside the receiver to clean out all of the manufacturer's preservative. Then follow up with CLP and a rag to spread it around.

(Don't forget to clean the barrel and the magazine, too!!!)


Keith

 

[Fred Fuller]

I've seen dealers who mis-labeled 870 Express HD models as Police guns. They aren't the same thing. That's a reasonable price for a new 870 Express with magazine extension, it would be a screaming steal of a deal for a NIB 870P.

How is your gun marked on the left side of the receiver? Does it have a J-lock safety?

lpl/nc