Opinions on 870 Express Deer for home defense?

[Commander Crusty]

I mostly shoot handguns and don't play any shotgun sports. All my experience is with plain metallic sights. So, for my HD shotgun, I ordered a the Remington Express Deer version with good ol' iron sights, a high Monte Carlo stock and a cushy butt pad. One day I might go deer hunting. I could see myself going turkey hunting. I don't plan to do trap, skeet or clays. Mostly I want something extremely reliable to keep in the house and maybe take to the range a couple times a year. I figure with an 870, I can load everything from slugs, to 00 buck to been bags and just pump in another round if I need it. Did I do good?

PS
This shotgun has a 20" barrel and is available with either full length rifling or an improved cylinder. I don't know which type the store ordered. Which would you recommend? Here is a link to view the Express Deer at the Remington site: http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model_870/model_870_express_deer.asp.

 

[springfield30-06]

Which type of barrel did you get? Is it the 20 inch smooth bore or rifled?

 

[mgkdrgn]

Any 870 pump is more than capable of "getting the job done" in terms of HD. You did just fine. #1 buck will be more than adequate for indoor "social work", without having to worry too much about your lead leaving the dwelling. Once you fire it, it's your problem, no matter where it lands.

Take care of the 870 and your grandkids will still be shooting it.

 

[DaleCooper51]

A 20" smooth bore rifle sighted wingmaster has been doing duty at my house for a number of years. The rifled barrel will not perform with buckshot and requires sabot slugs, but the smooth will do it's part with both shot and slugs as long as you can do yours. I see no reason why the express version would be any different.

Owning a shotgun does not make one a shotgunner, just like owning car doesn't make one Richard Petty. You can miss with one rather easily. I miss each week at the skeet field. Continual practice is needed to build and maintain proficiency. The false sense of security from owning a shotgun will be quickly shattered when you short stroke it when you need it.

 

[springfield30-06]

PS
This shotgun has a 20" barrel and is available with either full length rifling or an improved cylinder. I don't know which type the store ordered. Which would you recommend? Here is a link to view the Express Deer at the Remington site: http://www.remington.com/products/fi...press_deer.asp.

You will want the 20" smooth bore improved cylinder choke. You will be able to shoot rifled slugs, buckshot (which I'm assuming you're going to load it with for home defense duty) & bird shot out of this barrel. With the rifled barrel you are limited sabot slugs only.

I suggest that you give a call to the store so that you can be sure you're getting what you need/want.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Took a standard 12ga Express--added an OEM "youth" stock and a Wingmaster deer barrel and that comprises my HD gun.

Only differences are that I have shiney barrel that takes choke tubes and a shorter LOP.

Doesn't look the best due to different finishes--but will definitely get the job done.

Maybe that polished barrel gives me an excuse to get a Wingmaster---hhhhmmm.

 

[Al Thompson]

Maybe that polished barrel gives me an excuse to get a Wingmaster

Or a can of Krylon.

 

[jmr40]

Excellent choice in my opinion. I'm primarily a hunter and have several 870s set up with longer barrels, but found a used 20 IC barrel with rifle sights that I keep on one as my dedicated HD shotgun. It is only 1 1/2" longer than most HD barrels and the rifle sights make aiming slugs more accurate. Mine will shoot into around 2"-3" at 100 yards and will leave 1 large hole in the target at 50 yards. Buckshot loads pattern well also.

My brother has the same barrel, but his is threaded for interchangeable chokes. With a turkey tube it is his turkey gun.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Any 870 with a 20" RS Smoothbore barrel makes both a great deer gun and a good HD gun, in practiced hands.

Number Two, my deer gun is so equipped, though the rear sight is gone and a peep installed.

It helped me take HOA at LE 3 gun in 85.

Since, there has been an awful lot of venison acquired thereby.

 

[Younggunner]

My 20 gauge 870 express keeps the large hogs down with deer slugs. I'm sure that buckshot in your 12 gauge will do you fine. That's if the robber doesn't run at the sound of the first shell gong in the chamber.