870 Express Slide Release

[Regolith]

I've been looking to get a relatively inexpensive shotgun, and I'm hung up between the Mossberg 500 and the Remington 870 Express. The Mossberg 500 is slightly in the lead at this point, but only because I don't like the slide release on the 870. I'm a lefty, and don't really feel like shelling out an extra $100 for a left handed gun, and the stock 870 slide release is too stiff and too thin to easily manipulate with an index finger.

So, is there a way to lighten it up, i.e. make it so that it takes less pressure to depress it?

Another question....why in the hell did Remington choose that style of slide release? Maybe I'm just too used to the Winchester Model 12, but it seems to me that having it rearward of the trigger guard and relatively easy to depress makes better sense.

 

[rantingredneck]

Both the Mossberg and Remington are great shotguns. The slide release and safety position on the 870 are frequently criticized and cited as reasons to go with the 500. Either way you go you will be getting a fine shotgun. There are definite tradeoffs but you really can't go wrong. I have both an 870 and an 835 (3.5 inch but otherwise similar to the 500).

To answer your question:

I know of no way to lighten it up other than use. Mine got better over time. For defensive purposes I keep mine "cruiser ready", meaning firing pin down on an empty chamber. All you gotta do is rack the slide, no release necessary. Only time the slide release ever matters much for me is in the field, and even then it's not a big deal.



But I'm not a lefty either.

 

[zinj]

I'm a lefty, and have never had a problem with the slide release. Just hook your finger around the front of the trigger guard and pull back.

 

[pdowg881]

Same here zinj.

 

[Regolith]

Well, I think I'm going to get the 870. Really, the slide release is the only thing I dislike about them. They come up real nice for me, and I like their modularity. There are a lot of things I'm not a fan of on the 500's, so I guess I shouldn't let the slide release be a deal breaker.

I am still really curious as to why Remington chose that type of slide release. Does anyone know the story on that? It would be interesting to know what the reasoning behind it was.

 

[zinj]

IIRC they have always used that style of release.

 

[rantingredneck]

I've got a Remington Model 31 pump that has the same release.

 

[spankaveli]

I'm a lefty, and have never had a problem with the slide release. Just hook your finger around the front of the trigger guard and pull back.

^ What he said.

 

[wdlsguy]

I'm a lefty, and don't really feel like shelling out an extra $100 for a left handed gun

It's pretty easy to install a left-hand safety in a right-hand 870. You have a lot more barrels to choose from with a right-hand model.

 

[Regolith]

It's pretty easy to install a left-hand safety in a right-hand 870. You have a lot more barrels to choose from with a right-hand model.

Edit: N/M. Thought you were talking about the slide release, rather than the safety.

The safety isn't an issue; I've always used right handed guns, so I'm used to the right handed safety. A left handed safety would probably mess me up until I got used to it.

 

[Eyesac]

My first shotgun was a 500 for that reason alone. I think controls are one of the most important features of a gun (plus their made in the US).

 

[Regolith]

Well, I got the 870 Express. The slide release on this one isn't as stiff as the store model I handled a few days ago, so I think I'll be able to get used to it. Got it with a synthetic stock and 28" barrel. Now i just have to get some ammo, a cleaning kit, and find a place to use it....

Interestingly, it looks like Remington has stopped putting that key safety on their newer models, or at least the baseline Express. Its just a regular safety, now.