Review of the new 870

Remington 870 Fieldmaster Review: Torture Testing the Shotgun That Will Replace the Express (msn.com)

Looks like they may have a winner. Real walnut. The checkering looks shallow, but at least it isn't the awful reverse stamped stuff used on most of the older guns. Comes with 3 choke tubes vs only 1 with the Express and a MSRP of $600.

Who knows what the street price will be, but in today's world with $5/gallon gas somewhere around $500-$550 is probably a fair price. They claim better finish and a smoother action. Will have to see in person to say for sure. I'm looking forward to seeing one in person.

It does say in the article that the checkering is stamped.

Click to expand...

I missed that part, but judging from the photo they have a new and improved stamp. Even most older guns going back to the 1950's used the reverse stamp. They used real cut checkering on Wingmasters from the 1990's until present.

I never understood why Remington did this for so long. Winchester and a few others used the reverse stamp BRIEFLY in the 1950's or 60's. But by the late 60's everyone but Remington found a way to use real checkering even on budget guns. They had machines that would do it to reduce costs. If Mossberg can offer it on their least expensive 500 Remington can do it too.

New "checkering". Looks like the real thing with sharp points missing. Often real checkering will look like this after a lot of use. The sharp points get worn down.



Old "checkering". Completely reversed with no raised surface to improve grip. Utterly useless and cheesy looking.



Real checkering.