Police Trade in 870Ps?

[Panzerschwein]

Anybody have a lead on any used Remington 870 Police shotguns? I can't seem to find any, they appear to have all dried up. I'm hearing bad things about the current 870Ps otherwise I'd just buy new. Apparently the old police trade ins are far better guns.

I am looking for a 4+1 model with the rifle sights and black stock.

And leads would be so cool right now. Thanks.

 

[AI&P Tactical]

There is nothing wrong with the current production models. If there is an occasional issue a new one is under warranty. Department trade in's are some of the worst guns to buy. They are abused and neglected and any LE Armorer trading in guns will go through his inventory and pick out the worst ones and even cannibalize parts.

Can you get good ones, of course you can but it is a crap shoot. If you can examine the gun and know what you are looking for then you get the best deals.

I generally don't take Deparmental gun in trade unless it is a deal breaker because bringing these guns back to 100% Duty Quality often takes more money then they a worth. That is why they are being traded in for new guns in the first palce.

My advice is by a new one, take care of it and it will last your life time.

 

[Panzerschwein]

I have read in many places that police trade in guns are good since while they may be scuffed up on the outside, the insides are usually excellent as they were "carried often and shot little".

I have also heard that current 870Ps are not as good and are like the Express models nowadays except with a different finish.

 

[AI&P Tactical]

In that case ignore my advice as I am sure those posting the things you have read have more knowledge on the subject then I do.

 

[Kookla]

You could always have AI&P build you one.

 

[Panzerschwein]

In that case ignore my advice as I am sure those posting the things you have read have more knowledge on the subject then I do.

Sorry, I didn't mean it that way.

I'm just trying to get a good shotgun. With so many stories about Remington not being a good manufacturer and how everyone says "don't get a new one, get a police trade in" I was just wondering. Sorry again.

I made the mistake of not reading your signature line. It appears if anyone would know, it's you. I meant no disrespect.

So the new Police guns are good? Glad to hear that from a real expert. Thanks for clearing that up for me... think I might just get a new one after all.

 

[Kookla]

Cooldill- I'd still haunt the used racks and see if you can find anything there. I got my near new 870 police. It had next to no wear on the mag tube or bolt. I'd be surprised if it had more than 100 rounds through it. Got it at Cabelas for $300, maybe a little over that.

Looking at some of the prices on new 870 police models- seriously, I'd give AI&P a call and see what he can build for you. His HD/Duty model looks close to what you want, except for the extended magazine. And it's $650. If I didn't snag the one I got, that's the direction I would have gone.

Here's a link to the HD/Duty model

 

[Panzerschwein]

Thanks Kookla, but I think I'll stick to the 870 Police.

 

[lobo9er]

i'd echo buying new, unless you can check out the trade in. I thought new ones were looking pretty slick.

 

[Panzerschwein]

i'd echo buying new, unless you can check out the trade in. I thought new ones were looking pretty slick.

Good to hear. Now I'm torn between the ones with bead sight or rifle sights... this will be my primary HD option.

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

There were some awfully nice police & wingmasters floating around about 8 months ago. I kinda wish I got one from summitgunbroker when they had them. A few weeks ago shoot straight had trade in mossbergs. If you don't have to get one now, I'd wait 6 months and see what turns up at your local gun shows and the usual police surplus websites: summit, recoil gun works, SOG etc.

I have a new 870 express tactical, the older 870s are nicer.

 

[lobo9er]

The 870 police is a step up from the express if I'm not mistaken. As far as sights low profile rifle sights or bead. No need for adjustable rifle sights. I have a wing master slug gun and have knocked the rear sight out of whack carrying it deer hunting. Not real easy to do but can happen. Keep it simple. Also less to snag on clothing or what not in a high stress sit-e-ashin.
Just my thoughts on it.

 

[bowhntr04]

Check armslist. There are some available in KC. Dealer or shop I think.

 

[I6turbo]

There is nothing wrong with the current production models. If there is an occasional issue a new one is under warranty. Department trade in's are some of the worst guns to buy. They are abused and neglected and any LE Armorer trading in guns will go through his inventory and pick out the worst ones and even cannibalize parts.

Can you get good ones, of course you can but it is a crap shoot. If you can examine the gun and know what you are looking for then you get the best deals.

I generally don't take Deparmental gun in trade unless it is a deal breaker because bringing these guns back to 100% Duty Quality often takes more money then they a worth. That is why they are being traded in for new guns in the first palce.

My advice is by a new one, take care of it and it will last your life time.

^^ Excellent advice about police surplus guns from a guy who makes his living working on them. Yet in internet world where every swinging d**k with a keyboard has ..... Never mind. It's not worth the rant.

Thanks for taking the time to post, AI&P. I, for one, value your advice and appreciate the experience-based input.

 

[Panzerschwein]

^^ Excellent advice about police surplus guns from a guy who makes his living working on them. Yet in internet world where every swinging d**k with a keyboard has ..... Never mind. It's not worth the rant.

Thanks for taking the time to post, AI&P. I, for one, value your advice and appreciate the experience-based input.

I do too.

 

[John Joseph]

I had a vintage 1960's Wingmaster and a brand new Express. I'd take the Wingmaster any day(I gave the Wingmaster to my nephew, btw----sold off the Express)

 

[Panzerschwein]

Thanks, John. I am mainly interested in the Police model, not the Express one.

Guys I'm leaning towards a new Police model with 18.5" bbl, 4+1 magazine, bead sight, and a wood stock. Actually I want to have a synthetic stock... but, for some really weird reason it appears the wooden stocked Police 870s are quite a bit cheaper for some odd reason. Counterintuitive I know. I plan to get the gun and as long as everything is okay with it, I'll sell the walnut stock on ebay then buy the proper black synthetic police furniture and attach them.

I am confident I'll still be about 40 dollars ahead doing it this way vs buying it already with the black stock. Weird, I know.

 

[1KPerDay]

Personally I'd get the wood stock, and if I were given one with synthetic stock, I'd sell them to you and put wood on it.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Personally I'd get the wood stock, and if I were given one with synthetic stock, I'd sell them to you and put wood on it.

Yeah I'm looking for something more modern and durable. While the wood is nice, it looks a bit dated to me.

 

[Kookla]

Yeah I'm looking for something more modern and durable. While the wood is nice, it looks a bit dated to me.

That's probably the reason why the wood stocked ones are cheaper. Most people probably look at the wood stocks and think the same. Personally, I think the wood looks sharp.

 

[Panzerschwein]

That's probably the reason why the wood stocked ones are cheaper. Most people probably look at the wood stocks and think the same. Personally, I think the wood looks sharp.

Well this way, I'll be saving money.

 

[AI&P Tactical]

Wood stocks are not cheaper. A set of Walnut Police stocks with Hardware will run you over $280.00 on the Remington parts list. So, if you see a particular model that has the P wood and it is configured the way you want then jump on it. Sell the P wood set for $200 as new take offs and put what you want on it.

Beware that many have expectations of the P model based on effective marketing and little more. An 870 is an 870 and differ only by finish, furniture and a couple small parts. You build two 18.5" Barreled 870's with the same synthetic stocks, one a Police and one an Express and the police will cost you less then the Express.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Wood stocks are not cheaper. A set of Walnut Police stocks with Hardware will run you over $280.00 on the Remington parts list. So, if you see a particular model that has the P wood and it is configured the way you want then jump on it. Sell the P wood set for $200 as new take offs and put what you want on it.

Beware that many have expectations of the P model based on effective marketing and little more. An 870 is an 870 and differ only by finish, furniture and a couple small parts. You build two 18.5" Barreled 870's with the same synthetic stocks, one a Police and one an Express and the police will cost you less then the Express.

Hmm, I didn't know that. It is odd that almost everywhere I've looked, the 18.5" bead sighted 4+1 police guns with walnut furniture are quite a bit less expensive vs the same configuration but with the black plastic stock... almost seems to good to be true. It's a wonder anyone would even buy the gun with that stock on it, just buy one with walnut on it then sell the stock like I'm going to do and be way ahead.

I have wanted an 870 Police for years now. The fact that it is parkerized, has those nice internal parts, and stuff makes me like it. I plan to keep it bone stock except put a buttstock elastic shell carrier on it.

 

[[email protected]]

The idea of police trade in guns being hardly used is true for some handguns. Shotguns on the other hand not so much so in my experience. For example: Our shotguns are assigned to two officers on different shifts sharing a car. So almost every day they are loaded and unloaded twice. Most officer rack the slide to unload them. So around ten racks of the slide a day times five days a week, times 52 times a year, times 10 to 15 years. A ten year old shotgun may have had the action cycled 26,000 times. Since the shot gun is shared, no on wants to do regular maintenance to then like oiling them. The finish wears off and they get surface rust. Pistols on the other hand usually stay in the holster until qualifications or SHTF moments. The moving parts see little use.

 

[Kookla]

The idea of police trade in guns being hardly used is true for some handguns. Shotguns on the other hand not so much so in my experience. For example: Our shotguns are assigned to two officers on different shifts sharing a car. So almost every day they are loaded and unloaded twice. Most officer rack the slide to unload them. So around ten racks of the slide a day times five days a week, times 52 times a year, times 10 to 15 years. A ten year old shotgun may have had the action cycled 26,000 times. Since the shot gun is shared, no on wants to do regular maintenance to then like oiling them. The finish wears off and they get surface rust. Pistols on the other hand usually stay in the holster until qualifications or SHTF moments. The moving parts see little use.

I remember reading something to that effect before, thanks for posting it.

AI&P- what are some good parts in your opinion to keep as spares? On used police models that you've seen, what repairs or service do they most often need?