870 for $250

[Kachok]

I just saw a remington 870 for sale at the local wally world for only $250. It is not rated for 3 1/2" magnums but it will handle 2 3/4" and 3" I am assuming this is a base model, does anyone have any experence with this shotgun? The inside of the barrel is not threaded is it compatable with a choke? I am kinna new to the world of shotguns and looking for my first hunting shotgun, and price wise I am kinna limited to the 870 or the Mossberg.

 

[hometheaterman]

More than likely it has removable chokes, but not already has one screwed in. Look at the end of the barrel and see if it has little notches cut in it. Should be four notches cut in the choke. This is so you can use a choke tube wrench or similar to remove the chokes.

This model is the regular model and won't handle 3.5" shells. That being said, I've had a 870 Express and wouldn't recommend or buy another. If I had to have an 870, I'd get a Wingmaster, but there are still much better guns out there imo.

The problem I had with mine which is very common is with cheap 2 3/4" shells after a couple of shots the pump will start sticking and you won't be able to get it open without slamming it on the ground or something similar. This can be fixed by polishing the chamber on the gun. However, I don't feel that you should have to work on a brand new gun right out of the box.

The next issue I had is even after fixing that, it still jammed way more than I felt it should. I would say 2 or 3 times in 50 rounds was about normal. IMO a pump shotgun should never ever jam. It would just do random jams like double feeds, stovepipes, etc. Neither I nor a gunsmith could find what would cause the jamming issues.

I have one friend that's had good luck with his and loves it, but a few more than have had the same issues as I did and they have traded theirs off.

The 870 isn't a bad shotgun, but the one that built the name for them is the Wingmaster. So if you get one, I'd make sure you could get a Wingmaster. Used ones can often be had for similar prices to new Expesses. However, If it was me I'd look for a Benelli Nova or Browning BPS. I think they are better guns.

 

[deafdave3]

An 870 for $250 at Wal-Mart??? That does raise a brow.

 

[jessegpresley]

Bud's has 870P's for $300.00. They're police trade ins. Get one of those.

 

[Kachok]

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?

 

[murdoc rose]

Nothing wrong with them, agreed a wingmaster is your best bet.

 

[Kachok]

If I had a larger house mabey I could justify a 12 guage tactical, but in my small house even an 18.5 inch barrel would be akward. I want a pure hunting shotgun. I could use a 20 guage but I perfer the versatilty of a 12 guage. Any sugestions in the under $400 range? Last I checked the wingmaster runs about $599 at discount retailers.

 

[thisisoriginal]

I had a camoed mossberg 500a. 28 inch barrel, I liked it a lot. I liked it over my winchester 1300.


both 12g. Now I only own a mossy mav88, 12g.

 

[Kachok]

How about the 835 and 930 mossbergs? I have owned a Mavrick 88 before and other then the Mossy rattle I never had a single complaint with it.

 

[Blue Line]

I have Wingmaster and Special Purpose (parkerized) models of the 870. I've never had a problem with mine in any respect. It will do what you need doing all day long. As far as the 3.5 mag aspect If I had a chance to buy one over the 3 inch, I'd go for it just for the versitility. Just because it can shoot 3.5's doesn't mean you have to but you could if you wanted to.
BTW I have about 8 870's in various configurations and gauges.

 

[Kachok]

I know the wingmasters, 870Ps, and high end imports are great guns. The problem is most of them are twice my price range. Mabey I can find a good used one? If not I will have to take my chances with a wal-mart special 870 Rem or 835 Mossy because I cannot afford an $800 shotgun sadly

 

[heeler]

I recently came across several 870 Expresses with true wood stocks at a local Wal-Mart for $258.00...Brand new too.

 

[Sergeant Sabre]

There's nothing sad about not being able to afford an $800 shotgun. You don't need to spend that much to get a good one. I bought a used Mossberg 500 about ten years ago. It works perfectly every time.

Remington hit the eight million mark this year in terms of 870 shotguns produced. Yep, somewhere along the line they made a few that weren't perfect. Don't let the gun snobs convince you that you just need a Wingmaster, though. I agree that the Wingmaster is prettier and the action is remarkably smooth, but those two things don't kill animals. When I worked at Gander Mountain while going through college I sold a boat load of 870 Express shotguns. I remember only one coming back because of what appeared to be some bad machining in the receiver.

$250 for a new 870 is a good deal. Take it.

 

[roo_ster]

If you are scared off by the Express, many of those 8 million 870s made are used Wingmasters selling pretty cheap.

Here's one I see on gunbroker for $310 "Buy It Now":
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=200174393

Lots of others like that, seeing as the 870WM has been around for decades.

 

[Jason977]

A few years ago Academy had them on sale for $199. My dad had always shot a Wingmaster and I had never had a pump, so I jumped on it. It was my first 'utility' gun, that I don't care if the stock gets beat up, if it develops some surface rust, etc.
It has never given me any trouble. It's not a competition gun, I've probably shot less than 1000rds through it, although I'm taking it to a 3-gun competition this weekend to see how she does.
As much as I neglect the metal, the coating has been durable and hasn't rusted at all, still looks like new. The furniture, on the other hand, looks pretty bad. For a couple years it hung on a plastic gun rack near my back door, and that somehow ruined the finish wherever it contacted the stocks. I could just spray paint it flat black, and it would look like a composite stock, I suppose.

My father in law recently gave my wife an 870 express in .410. I just took it out of the box, dripped some oil on the moving parts, and we put 4 boxes through it without a hitch. Who knew a .410 pump would be so fun to shoot clay with?

As you might guess, I say go for it. I'm glad I did.

 

[sansone]

870 is a fine shotgun, new means there is a warranty as well. Remington will email a shipping label to you if there is a problem.. buy it

 

[Sock Puppet]

Wal-Mart usually has the Mossberg 500 for around the same price, sometimes less. Look at both and decide which one you prefer. You can't go wrong with either for $250.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Any sugestions in the under $400 range?

Amigo, I'm a full time student and in the same boat. I wanted a good shotgun and only had about $400 to spend. I ended up with a slightly used Remington 11-87 Special Purpose. I got it for $399 at a local shop. It only handles up to 3" as well, but for my needs, (skeet and dove) I don't need the 3.5". I have been happy with it so far. I would suggest you do like me and look used. You can definately get a better gun for your money.

Of course, if you're set on a pump action, there's certainly nothing wrong with that either. I'd still look in the pawn shops and local gun stores on the used racks though. Checking the classifieds in the local paper wouldn't be a bad idea either.

 

[SR_]

I've seen folks ask more than $250 for a used 870 Express.

I have both an old 870 wingmaster and a 870 express. I got the 870 expressed used and don't worry if it gets wet (duck hunting). It works great.

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.

Sounds like a great deal if it comes with chokes.

 

[TNboy]

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.

 

[oletymer]

The shipping label to fix an Express will not do you any good if it fails during a hunt, save up and get the Wingmaster.

 

[Blue Line]

I've never spent 800 on a any gun, buy the express. it will last longer than you.

 

[cleardiddion]

I'd say go for it.
Another thing to think about is that you can go bargain hunting for a bit, that 870 will still be at wally world if you don't find anything you like.

My shotgun that sits around (more than I'd like, not much of a shotgunner) is a Mossy 500A that I picked up for 200 OTD. And the perk was that it was pretty much new.

 

[Yarddog]

Great Deal (Express) Nothing wrong with em ; )
Y/D

 

[CaveLake08]

My first gun was a used Mossberg 500 for $192 after taxes. I shot tons of ducks with it in the 5 years it was my only shotgun, and did have the occasional issue but only with Remington magnum shells. Federals were always perfect. I've used both the 500 and 870 and know several people with each; reliability is basically the same (according to the Marine's testing the 500 wins and is what they went with) but I like the controls on the 500 better with the top tang safety and slide release behind the trigger guard. I have since upgraded to a Benelli SBE II which I find better in every way; but the 500 is still my backup gun on duck hunting trips. I recommend considering a synthetic stock though; they are not as thick and I find them much more comfortable.