870 Express HD vs. Marine Magnum

[trbon8r]

Can anyone tell me if the 870 Marine Magnum shares the same internals as the 870 Express HD? By this I mean does the Marine Magnum have the weird "J Lock" safety and plastic trigger housing? I guess what I want to know is, is the Marine Magnum closer to the Remington Police models in terms of fit, finish, and internal parts, or is it closer to the 870 Express? Are all Marine Magnums the same, or is there a certain date of manufacture that is better than others? Thanks!

Ben

 

[rugerfreak]

The Marine appears to be built to a higher standard-------a trip through Midway's gunsmith section has separate parts for the Marine----even though they are priced the same---------the J-lock is easily fixed.

 

[Black Majik]

Yeah the Marine Magnum is finished to a higher detail than the 870 Express.

Anyone know whether the MM switched trigger groups to the Express? Last Marine Magnum I looked at had a plastic trigger guard. ***? I always thought they were aluminum for some reason. Hmmm....

 

[PJR]

The Marine Magnum is somewhat better fitted and finished but neither it or the Express are in the same league as the Police series IMHO.

Although Remington has apparently dropped the despicable J-lock, I still have yet to see a new 870 without it in my part of the world. The Police model comes with a standard safety. The Police model doesn't have magazine dimples like the HD Express and has an aluminum trigger guard.

If there is a drawback to the Police Model is a heavy trigger pull circa 6lbs. but that can be reduced with a lighter sear spring.

Paul

 

[Fred Fuller]

870 MMs are plated, all the metal parts are plated, wouldn't surprise me if the reason for different parts numbers is that the MM parts are plated. MMs cost almost twice what plain ol' Express HDs do. Haven't asked Remington, dunno if they would even tell me but I suspect MMs and HDs are the same basic gun except for the plating and the rollmarked name on the receiver.

Gun gonna be on a boat on salt water? Get a MM, no question.

Gonna be in your bedroom closet mucho miles from the nearest beach? Get an Express HD. Spend the difference on ammo and by the time you shoot it up that new HD will be smoother than any MM, and you will be a lot better acquainted with the gun.

Better yet, find a Cinderella 870, take it home, give it a good deep cleaning, maybe replace the magazine spring, and shoot it till it's an old friend. Someone else did the breaking in for you, someone else paid the new-gun depreciation, you can reap the benefits and save a bunch of $$$ at the same time. LOTS of Cinderella 870s out there, police gun trade-ins, used sporting guns, lots of them needing homes out there if you will just look for one.

Good luck, stay safe,

lpl/nc

 

[jobu07]

Not to draw off topic, but last summer I was in a local bass-pro shop with cash in hand ready to buy a brand spankin' new remington marine magnum. The counter attendents acted like I didnt' exist. Ha. They lost out on a rather good sale that day I think. Personally, I think that the standard 870 is a great platform for shotgunning. But, the marine magnum has some "cool factor" AFAIK the mm has the same parts, but they are just nickel plated. Right?

 

[trbon8r]

Thanks for the info guys.

 

[esskay]

What I'd love to know about the Marine Magnums is whether they have the same action tube as the Express or the 870P? Anyone know? The reason I ask is that my understanding is the KAC 870 RAS will hit the action tube on an Express (this I know for sure) but clear the one on the 870P (this I've read).

 

[dfariswheel]

By action tube, I assume you mean the steel liner and action bar assembly inside the forearm?

If so, Remington uses the same assembly on all the standard 870 guns.

It's the FOREARM that's different.
The Police guns use a shorter forearm that won't interfere with a side saddle.

The Magnum Marine and the HD versions of the Express all use a longer, sporting length forearm.

To attach a side saddle or some other accessories, the forearm needs to be either replaced, OR simply cut off at the rear.

 

[357wheelgunner]

Go with the Police, you'll be much happier. The plastic triggerguard and sloppy fitting of the other Remingtons leave much to be desired. You can find a Police model for the same amount as the marine, and the parkerized finish of the police guns is a good one.