Hello, I am considering buying a new Remington 870 Express Super Magnum Synthetic and would like to know anything good or bad about this shotgun. This will be my first shotgun but I have rifles and handguns. I will be using it for clays and targets. Mabey small game someday. Thank you for any replies.
Remington 870 Sythetic Good and Bad?
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BlackJack
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You almost cannot go wrong with an 870. The model you're looking at will be adequate for all the purposes you have in mind, plus others. It won't be the best available for any of these purposes, but will do fine, especially for the cost, and especially as a first shotgun. The 870 is strong, reliable and will last forever. Also after-market parts--stocks, sights, etc.--are readily available for it and easy to install and remove as your needs and interests change.
The only drawbacks I would note are these: The gun is heavier than a lot of purpose built guns and is relatively rough--not so it affects function, only the look and feel isn't as nice as more expensive guns. One note on the magnum thing--it's good to have a gun with that capability--you might use it in hunting or defensive situations, but most of the clay shooting you'll do and any light hunting like dove, etc. will be done with non-magnum shells.
I've had many 870s and my main general purpose shotgun now is an 870 Wingmaster in 20ga. I'd say go for it.
The only drawbacks I would note are these: The gun is heavier than a lot of purpose built guns and is relatively rough--not so it affects function, only the look and feel isn't as nice as more expensive guns. One note on the magnum thing--it's good to have a gun with that capability--you might use it in hunting or defensive situations, but most of the clay shooting you'll do and any light hunting like dove, etc. will be done with non-magnum shells.
I've had many 870s and my main general purpose shotgun now is an 870 Wingmaster in 20ga. I'd say go for it.
Fred Fuller
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Unless you plan to do a LOT of waterfowl or turkey hunting, skip the Super part and get a plain Magnum- or for that matter a 2 3/4" chambered gun will do what you say you're looking to do with it just fine. Trying to get 10 bore performance out of a 12 bore is a losing proposition, chances are unless you are hunting geese or turkeys you won't ever be shooting 3 1/2" shells anyway (or not many anyway). No need to buy the capability if you don't need it.
The Super Magnum guns have a longer pump stroke, and unless they have changed it, the 870 version has a chintzy little clip-on piece of spring steel snapped onto the back of the bolt (which is the regular size) to fill in the extra room in the ejection port. Kludge...
Stick with the standard Magnum Express, 3" magnum shells are a gracious plenty. Good luck with it, and Stay Safe,
lpl/nc
The Super Magnum guns have a longer pump stroke, and unless they have changed it, the 870 version has a chintzy little clip-on piece of spring steel snapped onto the back of the bolt (which is the regular size) to fill in the extra room in the ejection port. Kludge...
Stick with the standard Magnum Express, 3" magnum shells are a gracious plenty. Good luck with it, and Stay Safe,
lpl/nc
IDriveB5
Member
i started out with a super magnum, i wanted a gun that could do anything. that gun does everything. ive put several thousand rounds through it now and the action is very smooth and have never had any problems with it - not even the "chintzy" metal tab.
as i got more and more into the clay games i got an 870 classic trap for clay games.
nothing at all wrong with getting a super magnum, just not needed.
as i got more and more into the clay games i got an 870 classic trap for clay games.
nothing at all wrong with getting a super magnum, just not needed.
oletymer
Member
I would also go with the 3 inch gun. Once you get hooked on clay target games you will probably want another gun though.
870 Express is a smoother, simpler, rock-solid shotgun.
3" shells will do anything you want to do, now that steel is not the only non-toxic option. A 3" pump gun WILL do anything. 3.5" is a waste of money, complexity, and weight.
I'd get the wood stock, personally. The new one is a nice laminate, and I don't much care for plastic on my face. Some nylons and textured fiberglass are fine, but you would need to buy those aftermarket anyway. For the same price, the laminated wood stock 870 Express is a better deal, IMO. You can buy synthetic take-offs really cheap on eBay, or you can buy better synthetic stocks aftermarket if you want one (wide variety of camo, Hogue overmolded, etc.)
3" shells will do anything you want to do, now that steel is not the only non-toxic option. A 3" pump gun WILL do anything. 3.5" is a waste of money, complexity, and weight.
I'd get the wood stock, personally. The new one is a nice laminate, and I don't much care for plastic on my face. Some nylons and textured fiberglass are fine, but you would need to buy those aftermarket anyway. For the same price, the laminated wood stock 870 Express is a better deal, IMO. You can buy synthetic take-offs really cheap on eBay, or you can buy better synthetic stocks aftermarket if you want one (wide variety of camo, Hogue overmolded, etc.)
bigj8550
Member
I have a rem 870 super express magnum and I love it!!!!!! It has the synthetic stock and black receiver, I have three barrels for it a 16" for home defense, a 26" with modified choke for fowl hunting and skeet shooting, and a 28" rifled slug barrel for deer hunting. It does it all!!!!!!
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