Got my 870!

[usp_fan]

Monday I went to a local chain store (Sheel's) and picked up a new '06 model 870 express with a 26" barrel. I've been trying to find the right shotgun for me for the last year and a half. After buying and selling a Nova, and an 835, I realized the 3.5" guns were just a bit too long for me to pump reliably. I then tried several semi's and almost bought the Stoeger 2000. In the end, the best fit and value ($30.00 rebate on right now) for me was the 870.

These new express models seem a bit nicer than the express sold last year. The laminate wood stock is an asthetic step up. The safety still has the little key hole in it, but I've been led to believe it's easily replaced. The mag tube still uses dimples to retain the spring guide. Perhaps upgrade that stands out the most is the machined rib. Many of the expresses I handled had plain ribs and they often weren't straight. The rib on the new guns seems to be attached straight, and it is machined with a small semi cresent pattern allong its length.

I took it out today to patern it and test for function. It worked as it should and shot where it was pointed. After I follow McCracken's BA/UU/R break in proceedure, I'm sure the action will smooth out quite a bit. I'm looking forward to pheasant season this year.

--usp_fan

 

[Geno]

26"?

I've never had a 26" shotgun barrel. 100% of mine, for shot, have been 28". Someday I'd like a Wingmaster!

Drooling!

Doc2005

 

[The Deer Hunter]

Nice.

870's rule

EDIT: the new laminated stock is horrible looking. sorta

 

[elcaminos]

What's this break-in procedure?

 

[The Deer Hunter]

Umm, shooting it?

 

[IDriveB5]

Nice purchase, hope you get the chance to wear it out. I like the look of the new laminate in comparison to the synthetics and the birch(?) stock never seemed to have much(any) character.

 

[elcaminos]

Sorry if that was a stupid question, Deer Hunter, I was just wondering what he was talking about.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Elcaminos, the procedure is in one of the floating threads up top of this forum.

Follow that with lots of rounds. Expresses take a hair longer to smooth up than Wingmasters, but they do get smooth.

Put 5K rounds through an 870 and the action feels like butter.

usp, congrats on your new shotgun. A 26" barrel can work well for a variety of stuff, though I like a longer tube for clays and waterfowl.

Dakota Ringnecks and a new pumpgun. It can't get better....l

 

[SASS#23149]

congrats on the new shotgun!!
Break it in by working the action a few hundred times while watchng tv or just hanging out at home.Don't pull the trigger,I'm not a fan of dry firing since I had a firing pin roll out the end of the barrel on a gun years ago when dry fired.
Be sure to lube the moving parts while breaking it in.
Better yet,if you can go shooting right away,break it in the 'correct' way...shoot the snot out of it!!!!

 

[Rupestris]

Congrats UF!

Mine is the 26" as well. When I bought it I was looking for a bbl that would work well with clays but wasn't too long for turkey. The 26" has done well for me. Great choice!

 

[usp_fan]

Thanks for all the encouragement. This is new country for us, both owning a shotgun and living in North Dakota. It really is prime bird country up here.

Elcaminos, it's buy ammo, use up, repeat. I will need to get a lot of rounds through this to feel confident on the birds. The 26" just seemed a little more handy to me. I'm sure I'll learn the error of my ways in a few years when I know enought to notice a difference.

--usp_fan

 

[Rupestris]

I'm sure I'll learn the error of my ways in a few years when I know enought to notice a difference.

Ahhh.. but its an 870, the error can be corrected for under $100.

 

[IDriveB5]

If youre looking for a good read, pick up a copy of The Orvis Wing-Shooting Handbook by Bruce Bowlen. Lots of good information on wingshooting (suprise!) in a concise format with helpful illustrations. Have fun with that 870 and don't be suprised when more show up in your gunsafe.

Dave said 870's don't breed, but they do multiply. Turns out he was right...

 

[[email protected]]

congratulations, yesterday I broke in my new 870, exactly like yours with a half case at the trap range. Its a good gun, mines still a bit stiff actioned but thats expected. That half cresent machined rib you talked aobut is to eliminate glare, So far i dont think I like mine, its too rough and I never had a problem with glare or funny ribs before. and actually the longer 3 1/2" chambered super mag was easier for me to shuck with, but it might have just been that guns charicter. Good buy.

 

[gaweidert]

If you have the rough finish, it does tend to rust a bit. I just wipe mine down with some EEZOX once in awhile. For the rails I use regular moly grease that you can get in an auto parts store. Just a very light coating. I figure that between my Garand and pump action shotguns this can should lst for 5 or six generations. I have started shooting sporting clays with mine and find it more fun to use a pump than a my semi auto.

 

[usp_fan]

You know I was looking at the finish and thought it would be a great base for gunkote to adhear to. I think when I get time, I'll break out the airbrush and the matte black GunKote and give it a good weather proof finish. I was thinking if I did this, I could take a fine stone and break the edge on the each side of the rib, just to take the "cheese grater" character away from the machining.

--usp_fan