H&R Pardner pump vs 870 Police

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I've had both. I've never been able to find out how close a copy the HR Pardner is to an 870. I know that some things fit- stocks, forends (a little tight), but have not seen evidence of of trigger groups or bolts cross pollinating so to speak. The Pardner was heavier than the 870 Police I had. I did have to take a dremel and smooth out the barrel of the HR as it was extremely rough just outside of the bore and fired shells were getting caught up making extraction difficult. Afterwards, it worked fine.

I haven't been able to find out what kind of round counts the HR's hold up to- information of the 870 is out there about it's longevity. The humpback of the HR receiver grew on me.

I never shot enough of either to tell you which was better. In my mind, the Police would probably be the better one, but who knows?
 
I suspect if someone is going to shoot a lot 870 is better otherwise HR is cheaper to buy. It is just like with a handgun. Why pay extra for S&W or Colt if it's just going to stay in the drawer?
 
I've shot the Pardner, and shot and owned many 870's. Purchased new, the Pardner is less expensive. A used 870 can occasionally be found for what a Pardner goes for new. That would be my first suggestion, a used 870. The Pardner is handy to keep in a duck boat, in case you need a stern anchor. Needlessly way too heavy.
 
"The Protector will accept up to 3-inch shells. Note that the loading port does not feature a “Flexi-Tab” like that found on an 870."

What is a flexi - tab?
 
Flexitab system is a few updates to the 870. Earlier 870s (early 80s and older) could get slightly worn and have a shell from the magazine release to the carrier while the bolt was either in or closely to battery.

This jams up the action something fierce. The so called flexitab system modified the bolt and side plate so these jams could be cleared much easier. It is easy to tell if your 870 was manufactured with or had the flexitab system retrofitted by the U shaped cutout visible from the bottom of the action on the shell carrier.
 
I have a couple of 870's, and used them quite a bit in the military as well as hunting. I also picked up a H&R like new for $100- the "riot gun" type. I fired a box of bird shot through the H&R and patterned a few 00 rounds, and it worked fine, with predictable patterns. Also slung a couple slugs. I keep the H&R in my jeep. For something that isn't going to see a lot of heavy use that costs $140 new at walmart, it is fine for what i am using it for. I have no idea what 870 accessories will bolt to it, though.
 
FL-NC said:
I have a couple of 870's, and used them quite a bit in the military as well as hunting. I also picked up a H&R like new for $100- the "riot gun" type. I fired a box of bird shot through the H&R and patterned a few 00 rounds, and it worked fine, with predictable patterns. Also slung a couple slugs. I keep the H&R in my jeep. For something that isn't going to see a lot of heavy use that costs $140 new at walmart, it is fine for what i am using it for. I have no idea what 870 accessories will bolt to it, though.
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You hit the nail on the head. They are best as a truck gun, or for something to set next to the bed for things that go bump in the night.
 
Local Wal-Mart sells the Pardner pump for $150. So it is looking good to me as another work horse shotgun to go with my Maverick. I won't be getting another 870 unless it is a Wingmaster. The 870 Express Tactical I had was not worth the much higher price tag.
 
herrwalther said:
Local Wal-Mart sells the Pardner pump for $150. So it is looking good to me as another work horse shotgun to go with my Maverick. I won't be getting another 870 unless it is a Wingmaster. The 870 Express Tactical I had was not worth the much higher price tag.
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For $150 it's worth a try. If you don't like the gun you are not going to loose much even if you sell to gun store (wholesale). My friend found Makarov for $160. I told him same thing.
 
Palolosj said:
For $150 it's worth a try. If you don't like the gun you are not going to loose much even if you sell to gun store (wholesale). My friend found Makarov for $160. I told him same thing.
Click to expand...

That is my exact thought. Right now there is only one shotgun in the house and the wife wants her "own." I am thinking she would like the smaller Pardner pump to my Maverick 88.
 
The 870 police is a grade above the express. With the QC problems that Remington has had the last few years the pardner may be about even with the express quality wise. It is heavier, I don't know about parts interchange though. From what I've seen of them the pardner will make a low cost, serviceable shotgun for someone. It's not the fanciest gun on the rack, but it's not junk either.
 
And I know why. The one I bought for the 4-H Trap program 'bowed up', to use the same terminology. The magazine tubes are threaded, unlike the 870, which is brazed in. They seem to be threaded off center more often than not. I decided to leave it as is, because a high POI is desirable for a Trap gun.
 
Been doing research on H&R...

Not sure how true it is, but I read the Norinco shotgun have a different shaped shell carrier/lifter design. Thats why there is no flexi tab U cut out. It helps prevent the shell from getting under the bolt.

Does the bolt look like it had the flexi cut out?

H&R_Pardner_Pump_Protector_110_tn.jpeg

H&R_Pardner_Pump_Protector_104_tn.jpeg
 
The bolt appears to have a distinct cut out on the bottom forward portion. That is one flexi tab modification. That side plate is a different shape than the 870 and as such I couldn’t say whether it has any sort of flexitab-like features.

Many folks will assert that all the problems the flexitab solved were user inflicted to begin with. These folks say as long as you push the shotshell all the way into the mag tube and be sure to get it past the shell retainers at the front of the mag.
 
All that's needed for an 870 - any 870 to work right every time.... is for the user not to baby it ever.... Work that slide like you were angry at it and it will never fail you - will load properly every time, period.... Once you're cocked and ready - then you need to take the time to line up your shot and do all the things that any good shooter would do...

All of my experience with 870's was hunting "two-legged critters" - I haven't done any ordinary hunting since I was a kid. The only other small advice I ever had for my officers was to aim - just a bit low, since under high stress you're very likely to shoot high... but that's it.

Flex tabs only came around long after I retired out so we all learned early on that stroking a pump gun lightly was a no no... and I'd take any old Wingmaster without flex tabs all day long... They're that good when it's all on the line and you have to be able to point that shotgun at someone and be fully confident you'd never fire until you cleared the safety... I only cleared the safety on one occasion in 22 years - and spent six months in and out of court over it - all those years ago...
 
I had one a few years ago. I compared it with my older 870. Only thing i noticed was the ring on the barrel was higher on the H&R. That was it, even with a sleeve, the barrel would fit and fire. Tho the finish was alot better on the 870.
 
Looks like the trigger assembly on the Pardner is metal? Like that more than the plastic on the Mav 88, as I am experiencing.
 
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