Past vs. current Remington 870's

[CrazyIrishman]

How does the current production of 870's compare with those from years past regarding quality control and workmanship(fit,finish,etc)? Years ago I had a bolt action Mossberg 12ga but no pumps or auto's.

I have shot a couple different 870's while hunting. One was made in the early to mid 70's and another was only a couple years old. Aside from using them for a brief period I don't have much experience with them. Primary use would be hunting.

About a month ago I read a post that mentioned Remington had made some manufacturing changes in most 870 models. The changes were supposed to either prevent or make it difficult to add magazine extension tubes and stocks.

Would anyone happen to know if this is true or "an old wifes tale"?


THX

 

[Fred Fuller]

"...Remington had made some manufacturing changes in most 870 models. The changes were supposed to either prevent or make it difficult to add magazine extension tubes and stocks."
=============================

Remington made some changes to its budget Express line of 870s back in the 1990s. Police guns and Wingmasters remained the same as always. The changes were made to the magazine tube and magazine cap detent in a bid to reduce manufacturing costs, no changes were made re. stocks. Later the trigger plate was changed from aluminum to plastic and a few MIM parts were substituted on Express guns also, again Wingmasters and Police guns remain the same.

The 'J lock' safeties appeared on _both_ Wingmasters and Expresses at the same time. They were never installed on Police guns AFAIK, and supposedly have now been (or will be) dropped from all current production.

Older Express guns differ from Wingmasters only in finish (matte blue vs. polished, hardwood vs. walnut furniture). No need to rule out ALL Express guns if you learn to tell the difference in old and new, the older Express guns are qualitatively as good as Wingmasters, just not as pretty- and often are available in good used condition as excellent values.

hth,

lpl/nc

 

[bp78]

What does one look for to identify the older 'good' 870 Express models?
Any one have a quick list to print when shopping the gun show or pawn shops?