870 for $250

[rbernie]

I own 870 Wingmasters (20ga and 12ga) and I own 870 Expresses (20ga and 12ga). I probably put close to 5000 rounds per year through some combination of various shotguns, including the abovementioned 870s. Based on that, I think that I have some ability to speak to this topic.

For $250, an 870 Express is a good buy and a heckova shotgun (as is the Mossy 500). I have owned 500's, but I prefer the 870's feel and design and so that's what I run insofar as pump guns go.

For range work, I prefer the 870 Wingmaster - it's simply prettier and yes, it is slicker. For field work, I prefer the 870 Express - its utilitarian nature make it perfect for use when out-n-about.

Every single one of my 870 Express guns has given me problems extracting Winchester bulk pack/promo ammo (as have many other of my shotguns). None of my 870 Expresses have ever quarreled over using Win AA or any Remington ammo. The issues with the 870 and the cheap Win ammo is something that can be fixed by Remington under warranty of you complain to them about it, or alternately can be avoided simply by bypassing the cheap Win ammo.

I can think of no better bargain in the gun world than a $250 870 Express; it has more utility and more longevity than most any other gun for that price point.

Were I looking for an 870 Wingmaster, I would not buy a new $700 unit. There are simply far too many good 870 Wingmasters (12ga) out there in the $300-$350 range to make it worthwhile to buy a new one. Anyone looking to buy a 20ga Wingmaster would be well advised to do their homework first; Remington has made several variants over the years and they are not all parts-compatible with each other.

 

[FruitCake]

$250 for a new 870 Express sounds real good. For around that price or maybe a little more you can find used Wingmasters. I just bought a used Wingmaster 12GA from a THR member for $260 shipped.Not new or the pretiest but a little TLC got this this thing back to beatiful.The action is outstanding compared to my regular 870 Express, its like the twin action bars are making love to the receiver. I used to have an 870 Express that I paid about $360 for. For $250 a new express is one heck of a deal. BTW my 870 express NEVER gave me an issue just had to sell it at the time to help fund an emergency.

 

[JoeMal]

I would pass on the Express...my cousin has one and it's a POS. Had the typical jam/eject problem. Sent it off to Remington for repair and it still has problems. Save your $250 and put it into something worthwhile that won't malfunction as a brand new gun.

I personally only own 1 pump and it's a Winchester 1300...thousands of rounds shot through that baby and I can never remember EVER having a problem with it.

 

[Steve Danielewicz]

I have a Wingmaster and an Express and both shoot and function great. For the price you cant beat it just keep it clean. The only notable problem I have ever had was the firing pin broke but thats an easy fix on them.

 

[MAKster]

For $250 an 870 Express is the best deal. Don't bother with a super magnum version because you will probably never fire 3 1/2 inch shells. New Wingmasters cost $700. All the under $300 Wingmasters are 30 plus years old and often have fixed full chokes. Newer Wingmasters with screw-in chokes are really hard to find because Wingmaster sales dropped off a cliff when the Express was introduced. If you buy another barrel so you can get screw-in chokes that will cost $200.

 

[mgkdrgn]

Oh I am not looking for a tactical shotgun. I just want a decent 12 guage for small game/Turkey hunting. A 12 guage for home defence is a bit of an overkill IMHO. I am a very good shot with a pistol and a good .40/45 cal will drop anyone I don't care what kind of drugs they are on I don't plan on shooting 3 1/2 mags anyway the recoil is just too heavy for my likeing. If the base model 870 is a poor choice would anyone recomend the Mossbergs?

If you shop around a bit you could find a good used Wingmaster for about what you will pay for that new express. (there are 41 on gunbroker right now, 12 at $250 or under) You'll never go wrong buying quality up front and then taking care of it. You'll always come put ahead in the long run.

Don't worry about the 3 1/2 in shell bit.... unless you are going after geese or some other =really= big bird, you aren't going to want/need anything that large.

One big plus for the 870 is it's versatility. There is more after market stuff made for that shotgun than probably any other ever made. In 5 mins you can go from HD gun, to field gun, to Rifled barrel deer gun ... and back again ... blindfolded.

It's also very reliable ... if you buy a well cared for 870, and take care of it yourself, your grandkids could still be shooting it 60 years from now.

Chokes .... RemChokes are a good thing. Like was said above, look for the 4 little notches on the inside of the barrel. That will mean there is a choke already in there.

 

[1moa@500]

I bought my first 870 express in 1990 and I still have it. It has hunted birds of all kinds in several different states and in mexico. I have hunted in the rain snow and worse. In 20 years I have spent fifty cents on repairs( one trigger retaining spring). It has never let me down and it still is my back up for dove season. I cant even count the cases of shells it has digested. Buy the gun and shoot the hell out of it. 250 is cheap for what is sure to be a lifetime of memories.

 

[Pony Express]

How about the 835 and 930 mossbergs

cant vouche for the 835s, but I had a 930 and sold it in favor it an express. Haven't looked back once. To date I have had no failures with my Express, with about 14 months of use. It is my designated hunting gun, about 85% of its use is in the field and the other 15% is at the range sighting it in (slugs) or patterning.

I can't say enough good things about the 870s. I would opt for a Police or Wingmaster if I was in the market for a 12 gauge, but the express is pretty good too.

 

[Joe Mamma]

"If you should have a problem (like the guy above) I'm guessing a quick trip to a qualified gunsmith will turn it into a really well tuned firearm. The 870s are common and I don't think they are real expensive to work on."

I got an Express and had problems with it like others have mentioned. It took me a while to decide the problems weren't me or ammo. The problem was definitely the gun.

I took it to an authorized Remington gunsmith/repair center (or whatever it's called). They fixed it but it obviously had to spend some time in the shop and I ended up having to pay for it.

I would suggest not buying one.

Joe Mamma

 

[roo_ster]

My 870 served me very well for the first 15 years I abused it. Then it started getting very hard to cycle the action after firing. Sure enough a good cleaning solved that problem. I have nothing bad to say about this gun, it is an Express model BTW.

"Needs Cleaning Every 15 Years" might be a selling point.