870 Police Magnum - New or Used?

[Rhyno37]

Well, I went ahead and bought it. I'll keep you guys updated

 

[Fred Fuller]

If this is your first 870, download or request an owners manual from Remington, or get a friend who knows the design to teach you the basics of field stripping, cleaning, lubing and reassembly. FIRST thing you should do when you pick it up is give the gun a good going over, and having a set of eyes with experience on the 870 to help won't hurt, if you are unfamiliar with it.

Link to owners manual-

www.remington.com/~/media/Files/Owners-Manuals/om_870.ashx

That one looks to me like a pre- Police, Wingmaster marked Riot gun... the difference in the older Wingmaster marked 870s is that the Police gun came with an 18 1/8" CYL bore barrel, while the Riot gun had a 20" CYL bore barrel.

 

[MikeJackmin]

870 takedown tip - before unscrewing the magazine cap to remove the barrel, stand the gun upright, crack the action open, and allow the forearm to slide down an inch or so until it is resting in a partially-open position. This takes the strain off the internal parts and helps keeps the shell latch from popping loose.

 

[Rhyno37]

Thanks for all the help guys. Sadly when I called in this morning, they had sold it even after I told them to hold it. Whatever, must not have meant to be.

Found another dealer, said he had a few wingmaster police trade ins for about $250. Think that's still a fair price? I'm thinking I'd rather have an older worn gun than new, and typically police trade ins are rough on the outside but shot little. He also said he had a few in 18" or 20" barrel lengths. I assume the 18" is more desirable for HD?

 

[sappyg]

I cut one barrel down to 21". I liked it but not as much as the 18 1/2" Mossberg barrel so I cut it down to about 19" or so. Big difference. Couldn't say whether 18" barrels are preferred by others for HD but I like this one better for what I use it for.

$250 for a wingmaster police trade in (in good working condition) would be fair pricing if that's what you want. It will hold its price and exceed it's value.

 

[ilmonster]

I would do what I did. I purchased a very used 870P (rusty barrel, beat to heck stock). As others have said, it was racked a lot (beginning and end of shift load/unload), but didn't look shot a lot. The barrel was pitted on outside, but shiny on inside. As I wanted a 20" barrel anyways, I put a new 20" IC barrel on it (and sold the old one), new furniture, and gave the rest of it a good cleaning. I also replaced the various springs and extractor (how to's on AIP Tacticals website-good folks there) and was good to go. As it's been used, the action is slicker than snot, and I can be confident that the wear parts are all new. I've shot a 100 or so rounds through it to confirm reliability and patterning, and it's good to go for not too much money.

 

[t16sugarbabe]

I'd go with the old one. The new ones aren't much different then the express models. The finish, extractor, and some spring,(not sure which one) are all that separate the police magnum from the express now days. That and the price. From what I know the old ones used better quality parts as well but don't quote me on that.