870 has problem......really?

[IdaD]

What counts as an old 870 in terms of when they were still good? I've got one that's never given me any trouble. I got it new as a teenager, probably early 1990s sometime. 1992, 1993 - something like that. It's a 3" magnum express model.

 

[300Whspr]

What counts as an old 870 in terms of when they were still good? I've got one that's never given me any trouble. I got it new as a teenager, probably early 1990s sometime. 1992, 1993 - something like that. It's a 3" magnum express model.

That sounds like the same vintage as mine, I think mine was purchased new in 1992 as a Combination with the 28" VR RemChoke and a 20" Smoothbore Rifle Sights barrel. I would have been 22 years old back then... man that was a long time ago, and lots of hunting trips and busted clay birds and deer put in the freezer.

Mine has been flawless.

 

[Hookeye]

Good find/save. If its one of those parkerized express models, it needs a good coat of motor oil on it at all times. On mine, the wood was replaced with a synthetic mossy oak camo set from midway, so its more durable and ready for duck/turkey blind duty.

The Express line is not parkerized. Its just a matte finish.
When the Special Purpose line came out, the 870 was also just matte finished. The 1100 however, was actually parkerized.
There may have been some military/.police models later that got parkerized, but for the most part...........lots of people think the matte finish of the Express to be that, when it isn't. Maybe due to some of them being rougher in finish that other?

 

[Hookeye]

What counts as an old 870 in terms of when they were still good? I've got one that's never given me any trouble. I got it new as a teenager, probably early 1990s sometime. 1992, 1993 - something like that. It's a 3" magnum express model.

Remington standardized by the time the Express came out, all of the 12s (and maybe 20's) are 3" magnum.
At least the receiver is. Even if not stamped "Magnum" you should find an "M" at the end of your serial number.

Maybe early on some were sold w 2 3/4" bbls. I can't remember. The "Magnum" designation possibly to discern models within or just an evolution of the general line's marking.

Supermagnums don't have a serial number ending in M (mine is an A).

IIRC the M designation may have been discontinued, since all 12's are magnum and have been for so long.
My two Wingmaster Magnums had the "M" (and were stamped low on the receiver w the word "Magnum".
My buddy's has taller lettering on the side, his bought new in '79 (older version lettering).
Police magnum was shiny, w 2 3/4" bbl, but had the wording stamped low like my WM's.
All of my Express and Special Purpose stamped Magnum.
And all of my 1100 Magnums (3 reg, one DU, and one SP) all stamped Magnum...............and all of the above had an M at end of serial number.

The 870 pre Express.........called the "Sportsman 12"..........I dunno about those.
The Magnums stamped Magnum. I haven't seen a reg or mag for a while. Will try to remember to pay attention next time one comes around LOL.
Note, they are round top receivers, no flat machined for sighting plane.
Some guys really wanted them to build into slug guns, as they got a thread or more when mounting scope base.
It wasn't needed though.
I drilled and tapped flat tops and they worked fine.

 

[FL-NC]

The Express line is not parkerized. Its just a matte finish.
When the Special Purpose line came out, the 870 was also just matte finished. The 1100 however, was actually parkerized.
There may have been some military/.police models later that got parkerized, but for the most part...........lots of people think the matte finish of the Express to be that, when it isn't. Maybe due to some of them being rougher in finish that other?

Whatever it is, its a rust magnet- seems like its standard on all of those cheaper guns like the wally world 700's and such- my WM 700 in 243 isn't a bad rifle since I replaced the fugly plastic stock with a Boyd's laminated one.

 

[Hookeye]

All those dimples......in the matte finish................keeps oil from sheeting, and lets moisture sit in one spot.
Bit of a conflict.

Having said that, my SP and Express guns............never rusted.
But I proly sweat gun oil.

My 1/2 brother will rust a gun overnight if he touches it (seriously).

I like my 700 w Tupperware stock. Stiffened and painted, it's kinda sorta less ugly.
Maybe I'll get an HS Precision for it come tax time.

Had one laminate stock and will not own another.
My ol lady however, prefers laminated stocks for looks and her rifle wears one.
To each, his or her own

View attachment 817244

 

[dfariswheel]

For all the complaints about the Express dimples and rough matte blued finish, remember, it was intended to at least try to compete with the much cheaper to make Mossberg and the foreign made guns being imported.

Remington simply can't make a forged steel receiver and heavy duty fabricated internals gun that can sell for the same price as a cast aluminum receiver and stamped internals gun like the Mossberg, or the cheap labor produced imports.

In order to get the price down something has to give and what gives is hand labor.
Any time a human has to do something to a gun the price soars.
Remington employees don't work for minimum wage, and they can only do so many operations per hour compared to machine operations.
So Remington eliminated as much hand labor as possible.

I'd still rather have a Remington 870 Express then a gun made in Turkey or in China by virtual slave labor.

 

[swoter]

I found a 20 gauge youth express in a shop awhile back for a good price. It came with a light colored hardwood stock, which was too short, so I swapped it out with a walnut stock and forearm. It looks really good with the black bolt and matte finish against the walnut.

 

[TMW Trav]

Regarding the express hate, I have one of the TAC 14 870s and I have fired several hundred rounds of double ought with no problem. Is it possible the bad times for the 870 has passed?

PS: it is Christmas here as of about 30 minutes ago.