Early 870 Express?

[ilmonster]

Saw an 870 Express at local gun shop for $199. It looked nicer than the new ones out there with a very smooth finish, no tooling marks I could see, and no hints of rust. I took the magazine cap off, and the barrel had a ball detent and the cap had the concave detent holes (no teeth), although the ball seemed to be pushed in as the cap didn't click when putting it back on. On the left side of the barrel were the letters "DI". Looking at the Remington Society website, it looks like it could be a 1988 gun. Does this sound right?

If this is an early 870 Express, the price seems right for a perfect looking gun. The only wear marks are on the shell lifter where someone loaded the magazine. Thanks!

 

[batex]

I don't know about the date, but I also have an early Express model. In addition to it have the ball detent style magazine cap, it also has the wingmaster style spring retainer as opposted to the plastic piece with the two dimples in the mag tube. Oh, it also have a machined steel extractor as opposed to the MIM part on newer express guns. Since Remington still uses the machined extractor on Police models, I'm sure it's better than the MIM part. Mine is every bit as slick as my Wingmasters which is apparently much nicer than Express models made today. Enjoy it.

 

[JohnBT]

If it's like my uncle's, it's marked Express and not Express Magnum, but the serial number still has an M. Those early ones were pretty nice I think.

My '93 Express Mag. isn't too bad either. It was $199.95 on sale just before Christmas of '93.

John

 

[ilmonster]

The one I saw today did say "870 Express Magnum" on the receiver.

 

[chas08]

Buy it, if you're looking. They're great guns compared to the Expresses of today. (IMHO)

 

[blastdark]

The Model 870 Express Magnum would have been introduced in 1987. It's possible the gun could date back to 1988. The factory barrel would be a 28" ventilated rib.
It would feed either 2 3/4 or 3 shells. If wood stocks then it's older.

Do you recall if the safety had a "J" slot in it ? Or was it just a straightforward push button? The J is where the trigger lock key goes. The older ones would not have these. A good thing in my opinion.

The slight issue with the magazine cap is annoying. However, a new magazine cap is about $20 shipped from Midway. Book value for the shotgun in poor shape is 75, Good 150, Very Good 200 and NIB 330. If it was my money, I would take some snap caps with me, run them though. If it cycles then buy that gun as it would be a solid performer. If you wind up getting it, post back with a picture !

 

[ilmonster]

I didn't look at the safety, should have. I may go back this week to take another look. It says "870 Express Magnum" on the receiver, so it is a magnum, has a 28" vent rib barrel with choke tubes, and has wood stocks (as opposed to the laminated or synthetic?). Thanks for all the reply's!

 

[Virginian]

I got one in '87 when they first came out. 28" vent rib barrel with RemChokes (came with a Mod. tube only) and 3" chamber. Except for the matte (as opposed to crude) finish on the metal and the hardwood stock it was exactly like a Wingmaster. Never had a problem with it, but eventually I sold it and got another Wingmaster.
This was definitely before the dumb 'J' safety and before the MIM parts.

 

[Ed Lacy]

blastdark:
" Do you recall if the safety had a "J" slot in it ? Or was it just a straightforward push button? The J is where the trigger lock key goes. The older ones would not have these. A good thing in my opinion."

The new ones I've seen don't have the J slot either, which is a good thing.
On those that do have it, it's easy to remove and replace with either a regular or oversized safety button.