Ive got 870 fever

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oerllikon

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hey guys and gals,
I was just browsing walmart's shotgun selection. (it was midnight, so my gun store of choice was closed) I saw a remington 870 express with looks that i fell in love with. I just have a question: is 277 a good price for an express, and whats the difference between an express, supermag, etc? I know they can be pretty versatile, and in the case that i get it, it would probably be used for deer, maybe turkey, HD, and maybe clay pigeons. Is there any reason i couldnt use it for this? Any help would be appreciated, since Im very new to shotguns, and I am also very fascinated with them
Keep up the great work on the forum!
 
I would say that's not a bad price.
Last summer I was at a Walmart and the going price was $258.00.
So that's pretty close and fair.
The Express is capable of firing 2 3/4 and 3 inch shells were as the Supermag can fire 3 1/2 inch shells.
Think duck hunting here and a sore shoulder.
I wouldn't bother with one personally.
It will work perfectly within a shotguns limitations on the above purposes you mentioned for it.
 
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You can read the problems with the express on here, and google. I hated mine, until I put 500is rounds through it, and a trip back to the factory.

My advice, go with a Mossy.
 
I have 4 Remington 870's so it's safe to say that I like them... The SuperMag will fire 3 1/2 inch shells. Here is a reference on the Remington website that will help you figure out what can be fired in which receiver: http://remington.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/162

If you do get an 870 I suggest getting the SuperCell recoil pad if it doesn't come with it from the factory... it will make a huge difference. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=314558 Just make sure you get the correct one for your stock (wood or synthetic) if you decide to get the SuperCell.

What barrel does it come with? I'm assuming it's a 26" or 28". It will work fine for all of your stated uses, but you may want to get a different barrel(s) in the future, such as an 18" or 20" for HD.
 
I have four. They are awesome shotguns. You can avoid the problems with shells sticking in the chamber if you clean the barrel thoroughly before use.

My son has the synthetic. I have wood versions. The wood has less felt recoil.

The 870 is the only shotgun you will ever need.
 
While I do not own any of the 870 express versions I have 9 wingmasters. I really have a prefrence to the older guns that were made mid 50's to mid 70's. The guns were heavier and the fit and finish were so much better. I use my 870's for everything you listed except for deer. Kansas does not limit you to slug guns. A great used wingmaster can be has around here for $275 range I have purchased two magnums with the 3" chamber. I have no use or do not see a need for the 3 1/2" for anything that I do. While $277 is a fair price for a new express you can get a much nicer wingmaster 10x the gun for the same money is you don't mind used.
 
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I also stick with the older used 870 Wingmasters. Can generally be bought at a good price for a quality shotgun.

Superposed
 
I had (note "had") an 870 Express. Bought it at Dick's Sporting Goods. After all the rebates, etc, I wound up paying around $230 for it. I polished the chamber with everything I could think of, and then some. I got tired of the shells sticking in the chamber, so I sold it and found a nice deal on a new Wingmaster. Knowing what I know now, I would have avoided the new Express models completely and gone with either an older model, or the WM. Love the WM!!!
 
Granted the older WM that I am so fond of are fixed choke barrels. So you can either swap to a newer barrel with choke tubes, have the barrel cut and tapped out for the choke threads. Or do what I do and just buy another one with the choke I seem to want. I see nothing wrong with having 3 12ga with no diffrence between them besides being full, mod, and improved chokes.:)
 
The Wingmaster is a thing of beauty, no doubt. I have one in 20 ga. Well, make that had, my son sort of commandeered it and I am happy to pass it along to him. With all that said, I have 2 870 Express 12 ga. that have had no issues whatever and they do not just sit around. I shoot them a lot. By no issues, I mean no stuck shells, no rust, no nothing. They just work. I have recommended the 870 Express to several friends, and they have had the same results. I know there are those that have had problems, and I know that those can be frustrating, but frankly, I have to think there are a lot more without problems than with.

Having worked in customer service in one capacity or another for over 40 years, I can tell you that satisfied customers rarely call up to gush praise upon you. However, those that are dissatisfied will wail long and loud not only to you, but to everyone that will listen. I'm not saying this is wrong, after all when we buy something we have the expectation that we will be happy with it, but it is the way it is.
 
I would recommend a used WingMaster too. If you can get past the used part you wind up with an excellent shotgun.
 
I haven't ever bought a new 870 in all the years I've been shooting them. I ordered a new 870P as a 50th birthday present to myself and the distributor sent the wrong gun so I sent it back. I took that as an omen not to break my string :D. So I'm a poor source of advice on new Express guns.

We have a bunch of older used Expresses around here though, and I'll still buy every pre-mag tube dimple example I find in good mechanical shape at a decent price. Usually dealers around here want too much for used Wingmasters but occasionally I see a deal on one of those as well.

There's a lot of satisfied 870 customers out there, no reason you can't be one too...

Happy shopping,

lpl
 
I remember reading how bad the 870s were back in the day. Cops would have to kick the slide to get it to cycle, ended up just stock piling in closets and safes at the Dept.


Mossberg 500 all day

Take your pick!

3_jics.jpg
 
Ummm, I thought this thread was about 870's and it sorta veered a little to talk about used Wingmasters?? That's what I thought anyway. I am partial to the 870's and the older Wingmasters especially.

One of the things about an 870 is you can fix 'em up anyway you want. This is a 1964 vintage Wingmaster with an Arizona Highway Patrol arsenal stamp and number on the receiver. I massaged it a bit and this is what you get:

ahp.jpg
 
Ummm, I thought this thread was about 870's and it sorta veered a little to talk about used Wingmasters?? That's what I thought anyway. I am partial to the 870's and the older Wingmasters especially.

One of the things about an 870 is you can fix 'em up anyway you want. This is a 1964 vintage Wingmaster with an Arizona Highway Patrol arsenal stamp and number on the receiver. I massaged it a bit and this is what you get:
Click to expand...

Wow! Is that the factory walnut?
 
870P American Walnut satin finish. You used to be able to pick up stocks sets like this as new gun take offs cheap. Not anymore-- the price has gone sky high.
 
DEAHEAT. "Back in the day" !!??

I've been shooting 870s since the 50s. Most of that time, 870s outnumbered other brands in Cop hands about 10 to 1. I've run at least 50K rounds through a good number of 870s, mine and agency weapons. Glitches I can count on one hand with fingers left over.

Mossbergs arte nice shotguns but nothing has the track record of the 870.
 
I can see why the price of a stock like that would be sky high. That's excellent walnut.

Why did you have the steel refinished?
 
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Sarge,

My folks gave me a NIB Wingmaster in '72, 12 ga. full, ventrib bbl., still in the gun safe. It has the prettiest stock and fore end on a shotgun, the walnut used then was good stuff! I can't tell you how many trips to the geese pastures its been on, sure dumped a lot of honkers though, never got the barrel red hot, too danged cold for that to happen.:what:
 
is 277 a good price for an express
Click to expand...
That is about average for price at the big box stores, and less than you'll find at most mom-n-pop gun stores.

, and whats the difference between an express, supermag,
Click to expand...
The standard express is chambered for 2 3/4" and 3" shells, while the Supermag is chambered for 2 3/4", 3", and 3 1/2" shells. I do not like the feel of the Supermag (too heavy) and I have never found a use for 3 1/2" shells since I don't shoot waterfowl.
 
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