870 Express, Model Variations

[Sulaco]

Anyone know how to date a Remington shotgun short of calling Remington? I just picked up a used 870 Express and was wondering when it was made. It isn't a current model because it is pre-"J safety" and doesn't have the magazine tube dimples. It also only says "870 Express" on the reciever unlike the new ones which add "Magnum". It will chamber 3" shells though. It says so on the barrel. The serial number is A0095**M.

Oh and what is the proper way to measure barrel length? Is it from the reciever or from the end of the barrel itself?

Thanks!

 

[1911user]

It sounds like you have an earlier version, but you already knew that.

The way to measure length of a barrel is close the action with an empty chamber. The distance from the breechface to the end of the barrel is the length. The easy way is to put a dowel rod all the way down the barrel until it hits the breech then mark the dowel where the barrel ends. Remove the dowel and measure the length to the mark.

 

[Dave McCracken]

All 12 gauge Expresses will handle 3" mag shells. The M suffix on the receiver indicates 3" capability.

The first Expresses came out around 1988.

 

[9mmMike]

The two Express models here are from '94 & '92. The '92 has an "A" prefix serial number but it had dimples. It was much higher in serial than the one you posted though. A254***M. Figure yours is pretty close to that.
I have a police trainer that is also an "A". A067***M from '91. It is not an Express but as far as I know, it is the finish work (or lack thereof) that makes an Express.
I'd call Remingon. It takes about three minutes on the phone and they are always very friendly. - 800-243-9700.
My guess - 1990.
Mike

 

[farscott]

The following is from a post by Claydust on the Shotgunworld web site.

On 870's, 1100's and 11-87's these codes appear as two small
letters stamped closed together on the left side of the barrel,
close to the receiver. The first one is the month, the second is
the year.
Months

1. Jan. - B
2. Feb. - L
3. Mar. - A
4. Apr. - C
5. May - K
6. Jun. - P
7. Jul. - O
8. Aug. - W
9. Sept - D
10. Oct. - E
11. Nov. - R
12. Dec. - X

Years (partial)

1989 - J
1990 - K
1991 – L
1992 – M
1993 - N
1994 - O
1995 - P
1996 – Q *
1997 – R *
1998 – S *
1999 – T *
2000 – U *
2001 – V *
2002 – W *
2004 – Y *
2005 – Z *

* Estimated year markings, unconfirmed; but they seem to be accurate from my observations of new guns in the past few years.

 

[9mmMike]

Those markings are an excellent way to date a barrel. I have used them myself several times but I'd not place odds of a used 870 wearing it's original barrel. In fact, out of all the ones I own, only one still has the barrel with which it was shipped.
Mike

 

[Sulaco]

"DK"

September 1990.

Thanks fellas!