Question on Remington Police

[WJR]

I am trying to work out a deal on a used (very slightly) Remington Police. It has the wood stocks, but no mag extension. No big deal as I can always add that later.

My question is this: The seller is telling me that the barrel is cylinder bore. I thought that all of the Police models were improved cylinder. Is that correct? What will be the marking on the barrel if it is improved cylinder, IMP CYL?

Any help you can provide would be most appreciated.

Thank you,

WJR

 

[SanduneCC]

My 870P barrel is marked "IMP CYL". My 870 Express HD is marked "CYL".

I think a true Police model should say "870 Police Magnum" on the receiver, parkerized with IMP CYL barrel.

 

[WJR]

Thank you Sanddune. He is saying that the receiver says Police Magnum, but he has not verified the barrel as of yet.

WJR

 

[dfariswheel]

Remington changed the Police guns from cylinder bore to improved cylinder within the last 10 (?) years or so.

According to Remington, the change was to "insure pellet accountability".
In other words, to keep more pellets on-target.

The barrel should be marked on the rear of the barrel, usually on the left side, just to the rear of where the rear rifle sight is located on rifle sight-equipped guns.

A cylinder bore gun will be marked CYL, the improved gun is marked
IMP
CYL

The stamp is sometimes hard to see if the gun is parkerized.

So, if the gun is more than a few years old, it could be a factory-original cylinder bore.

Also, Remington will make Police guns in cylinder bore on order for departments. Some departments want the wider spread of the traditional cylinder bore, and order them that way.

 

[TarpleyG]

Not being a true shotgun guy, what is the difference?

GT

 

[Dave McCracken]

Most Remington Cylinder bores have a few thousandths of constriction. This was a holdover from the old days when older style ammo, (pre-plastic wad) needed a few POC to keep the pattern together.

In the real world, load will make more difference than .005" or so. This is not a crucial issue.

FYI, bore diameter on STOCK Remington factory barrels here runs from .725" to .733", and I haven't had them all measured yet. With .008" variance, a .715" choke constriction could be IC or Modified.

Tarpley, I've writter a series of articles for the beginner. Search under my name and 101 for Chokes 101. It may have the info you want.

HTH....

 

[WJR]

Gentleman, thank you for the responses. What would be a fair price for a like new Police model with wood stock and foreend, without a mag extension, and also without the box? No mods, completely stock.

Thanks,

WJR

 

[SanduneCC]

Price

I think you can get a brand new one of that model for $300 any given day on Gunbroker or Auction Arms. My guess is a used one should start at $250.

 

[WJR]

Okay, I made the deal and picked up my new used Remington Police 870 today. According to Remington it was made in 1993, but it looks like it has not been used very much at all. One thing I did not realized in my e-mails to the seller was that it had rifle sights.

How hard is it to find an 18" parkerized barrel with a bead sight? Also, will the mag extension on my Remington Home Defense Express fit on the Police model? For some strange reason, Remington will not sell the extensions unless you go through a police department. How retarded is that?

Finally, is there any real difference in the Police Models made 10 years ago and the ones today?

Thank you in advance,

WJR

 

[Al Thompson]

Yes - the ones made 10y ago are probably better.

The rifle sights are a big plus IMHO. If you want, I'll trade you my 18 inch bead sight 870 barrel all day long for rifle sights.

 

[9mmMike]

I'm with Al on this one.
All my 870's wear 20" rifle-sighted barrels. I am a relatively new shotgunner and I've found that I shoot much better with that rear sight. I am not confident that I am getting a consistent cheek-weld without two sights to verify.
I don't know that I really use the sights as much as I am aware when I have my mount the way I like it. When I need to make a precision, (can I use that word when talking shotguns? ), shot with slugs, I can use the sights.
It works well for me.
Good luck,
Mike

 

[WJR]

Al,

Is your 18 in bead barrel, improved cylinder? If so, please PM me. I really wanted a bead sight because I will probably put ghost rings on this one.

Thanks,

WJR