You know that Remington makes left handed 870's, right? I two Son's that are left handed, I bought both of them left handed Express 870's back around 1999-ish. They cost a few bucks more, but they have been every bit as functional and reliable as any of my right handed 870's.
As far as the quality of current 870's verses the older one's, the newer 870's can sometimes be a bit rough around the edges, but nothing that a little TLC can't smooth out. I have two relatively new 870's one in 12, and one in 20, both are slicker than snot, and every bit as reliable as my old one's are.
I evaluate them by performing two steps.
First I set them against the bench, empty magazines to reduce the weight. Then I slide the action completely open till it stops, then as carefully and slowly as possible, I try to pick them up without the action closing. If they don't close, I continue polishing the rails and rail guides.
Then I test them for reliable function by rapidly firing and cycling a variety of 2-3/4" shells, magnums and standard field loads. I then do the same thing with a variety of 3" shells. If anything hangs up, or I get a double drop, as I refer to it, I tune the shell catches until they are functioning as intended. Usually though, the offending problem is a rough shell catch, or a rough spot on the recess is delaying the catch from returning quick enough to stop the next shell from dropping.
If it's not a rough catch or recess, it's crude or grit that has built up during an active day of bird hunting. This quick clean only takes a few minute to address, or about as much time as it takes to remove the barrel and put it back on, a quick wipe inside the shell catch recesses usually does the trick, which is another reason why I love the 870 so much.
GS
