Model 870 Express Compact Camo????

[walker944]

Looking for a new shotgun for my wife and stumbled onto this one. I have not seen one in-person; nor known anyone with one, but the specs indicate everything she is looking for. Here's the Remington site link:
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/compact/shotguns/model-870/model-870-express-compact-camo.aspx

The list of key features states:
13" length of pull
Offered in 20-gauge
Adjustable Length of Pull System
Features Rem™ Choke barrels
Perfect length, weight and balance for smaller-stature shooters
Model 870 action is the reliability standard for pump shotguns around the world
Realtree® Hardwoods® HD camo

Does anyone have first-hand experience with this shotgun? Pros/Cons? Worth the $450-500 price tag? Seems a little steep to me for an 870 Express.

I wasn't able to find any prior THR treads for this particular gun, so I'd be interested in any owner comments.

 

[AI&P Tactical]

the retail is not that high. You can not go by a manufacturers web site as they set the MSRP high so it looks like the dealer is giving you a great deal. Besides, Remington only sells these to Distributors who sell to dealers so they can set any price they want to as the MSRP since they are not selling it for that price.

That weapon can be had for under $400 anywhere but you are paying more for the stocks since they are cammo and Real Tree is a registered brand you are paying to much for the stocks.

The exact same weapon with black synthetic stocks has a dealer price of $285 and you can find them for $330 simply by looking or going to a gun shop and have them order it. It is Model #5093. In fact one dealer sells them for $310 on Gun Broker.

And yes, it is a good weapon. Multi use by changing chokes, adjustable length of pull and it is a 870.

 

[Fred Fuller]

It seems to be the same basic gun as the 870 Express Youth (Model 5561), which has wood furniture - 21" VR barrel with RemChokes and 13" LOP stock, in a 20 ga. frame. I've had two of them, one of which I gave to my oldest neice when she chose it as the gun she wanted to shoot during a session of Defensive Shotgun 101. I still have the other one. Great gun for younger/smaller shooters.

Lists for at $325 at Bud's - http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/678/products_id/95561

Also, Gander Mountain had an even shorter version - called an 870 Express Junior, with 18.5" barrel and 12" LOP IIRC, if you need an out of the box gun that is even smaller.

ETA - AI&P made me look 8^). The Model 5093 is the same gun with black synthetic furniture. http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/812/products_id/95093

 

[walker944]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the responses. I called Remington customer service and they stated the item number is 81166. My wife and I happened to be at Cabelas this morning and they had one left in stock. She was able to handle it and decided it was just right for her. I was curious about the "adjustable length of pull system", and learned that it comes with a very soft rubber recoil pad, and several spacers to extend the LOP as needed. That was a very nice feature. Otherwise, y'all are correct, it is just a shorter length 870 with camo furniture...everything my wife was looking for!

Thanks again for the comments.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Made me look again .

The #81166 is the same gun with the adjustable LOP camo stock - http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/56470

 

[walker944]

Yep, that's the one, Fred!!

My wife had the 870 Express Youth for years, but wanted the camo. We tried to find youth sized camo furniture for the 20 gauge to swap out, but could not find any. This one seems to fit all the requirements for camo, gauge, barrel length, LOP, etc. So, I guess a new shotgun was inevitable! LOL

 

[Fred Fuller]

I found a set of laminated wood for the second youth model we have here, on the Remington Country Store closeout site. This furniture was layered in brown, green and black - it gives a neat camo effect. I like that better than the plain wood it had previously.

 

[walker944]

We found the camo stocks for youth in 12 ga, but not for 20 ga. Which do you have?

 

[Fred Fuller]

They had a limited number when I called - this was a while back and I imagine they sold out of the laminated wood.