RifleDude4Ever
Member
Please post any facts or personal experiences with the Remington .870 shotgun. Preferably 20 gauge. 
Thoughts or Comments on Remington .870 12 gauge or 20
- Thread starter RifleDude4Ever
- Start date
- Status
Preacherman
Member
Just do a search on "870" and you'll find a boatload of threads about it. It's probably the single most popular shotgun in the USA, never mind among our members. I'm sure most of us have already posted most of what we'd want to say about it.
Everybody has their own preferences and you are going to hear them all, but since I am first I will give you mine. To me the 870 is the most durable pump gun ever made. I say this as an avid Winchester M12 collector. The M12 is simply a work of art. The 870 is an incredible working tool and as far what I have sitting next to the bed for what ever happens? Its a 20ga. 870. Its also the gun I have hunted deer with, rabbits and just plain drag along with me when I go outside. Its a good friend and it always works. 20ga. is my favorite because it is smaller and lighter and it kills just as dead as my three 12 guage guns.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Mine the archives, there's tons of stuff on 870s is all gauges.
The 20 gauge 870 YOuth Express here has a thousand rounds or so through it, ranging from slugs to 7/8 oz skeet loads. No probs. Not as smooth as my others, yet.....
The 20 gauge 870 YOuth Express here has a thousand rounds or so through it, ranging from slugs to 7/8 oz skeet loads. No probs. Not as smooth as my others, yet.....
Fred Fuller
Moderator Emeritus
Been running one or another 870 for about 30 years now, still got the first one I ever had (12 ga.) and it still works just fine. My wife and I each have a 20 ga. too, if anything they are even handier.
BTW, some 20 ga. 870s were built on full size receivers- if you want a 'true' 20 ga. be sure it's on a small frame. Full size receiver 20 ga. guns have serial numbers ending in X or N, small frame guns have serial numbers ending in K or U (per Jerry Kuhnhausen, _The Remington Shotguns, M870 and M1100/M11-87: A Shop Manual_, McCall, ID, VSP, 1992. P. 16).
Stay safe,
lpl/nc
BTW, some 20 ga. 870s were built on full size receivers- if you want a 'true' 20 ga. be sure it's on a small frame. Full size receiver 20 ga. guns have serial numbers ending in X or N, small frame guns have serial numbers ending in K or U (per Jerry Kuhnhausen, _The Remington Shotguns, M870 and M1100/M11-87: A Shop Manual_, McCall, ID, VSP, 1992. P. 16).
Stay safe,
lpl/nc
I love mine. I have a 12 gauge, 20 gauge and a .410. The only thing I don't care for (but it's no big deal I suppose) is the safety location on the rear of the trigger guard. I started shotgunning with a Browning BPS in 12 gauge (another great gun IMO) and was always more comfortable with a tang safety, it's easier to click the safety off before you fire in a hunting situation, for me anyways.
Estela216
Member
I've used both the 870 20 gauge and 870 12 gauge and can tell you that the 12 gauge is the way to go. There are more loads coming out every year that are easier on birds if you are concerned a 12 is too heavy. There are more accessories available for the 12 gauge model. The 870 is my primary field gun and I own 3 of them. I love them all and wouldn't give them up for anything else (well, maybe some things).
- Status
