Remington 870 Express HD

[Slater]

I'm looking at getting one of the 870 Express HD versions (18.5 inch barrel, extended mag tube) for HD purposes. The 870 Police version is also an option, but at around $200 more. It's been suggested to me that "if you're going to get an 870 for HD, go for the Police version".

So, would the Express be perfectly adequate or would it be adviseable to spring for the more expensive Police?

 

[pps]

Just get the express, put the 200 bucks into practice ammo and head out to the trap and skeet range.

 

[checkmyswag]

Lots of info on this. Search the threads if you haven't. Depends what you value. If the money is not a big concern get the police. Its not THAT much better but if that's what you really want go for that.

Or if you're tight on money. Get the express knowing its about as good as the police model plus you'll have some cash to save or buy something else.

Watch your lane.

 

[GrayGore]

Others will disagree due to early teething problems this model had, but I am sure happy with my Remington 887 tactical for HD.

 

[Slater]

I have heard some grumbling about Remington's QC these days, but I'm not sure how much is valid and how much is hearsay.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

It's been suggested to me that "if you're going to get an 870 for HD, go for the Police version".

This old Express works for me. I found a non matching 20" smooth bore slug barrel somewhere and added a +2 mag extension. I rattle canned the blued barrel with rustoleum satin black and got a near match to the receiver finish.

 

[vba]

My Express HD has been just fine. I did spray paint the reciever and barrel with black BBQ grill paint just to preclude any rusting.

 

[Drail]

The new Remingtons are a pale imitaion of the older ones. If you want a Police model I would watch the ads for dealers who have taken trade ins of older Police models. Most of these guns will have finish wear from banging around in the racks of patrol cars but have had very few rounds actually fired through them. They will almost always need a new magazine spring from beig left fully loaded for years. Or just buy the stock express model and have it modied the way you want it. The most important thing to do is to completely tear it down and get all of the burrs out of the action parts and upgrade the springs. If you don't want to do this yourself there are smiths who specialize in these guns and you will end up with an 870 that is as good or better than a stock Police 870. I have a stock 870 Express that I have gone through and it is now just as slick as an old Wingmaster and functions 100%.

 

[LeonCarr]

An Express HD will work just fine. This site details the differences between the 870 Express and 870 Police and the inexpensive upgrades needed, including how to videos:

www.aiptactical.com

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[Motodeficient]

If you are looking at the 870 express, I say just go for the H&R pardner pump for $179 at walmart. Its an 870 clone that a lot of people say is better made than the 870 express. I have one and its nice!

 

[kris7047th]

I have a Mossberg 500 20 gauge set up with a Bantam stock, 18.5" barrel and a Raven modular shell system. It's lightweight and simple. Something for you guys to think about .. if you have a wife or a GF that may have to use it, might want to go 20 gauge instead of 12 for 42% less recoil and better for follow up shots/accuracy.





My Rem 870 has a scope for hunting and keeping it for that.

 

[RaceM]

Slater- Re 870 QC issues.

Some have had troubles with some ammo, seemed to be mostly Winchester, being sticky in the chamber. Problem cured, or mostly so, by polishing the chamber with fine steel wool.

The bead blast then blued finish on receivers and barrels takes a bit more care to prevent rusting. Just keep 'em wiped down with a light oil, don't put away wet after a day in the field.

And from personal experience... had minor trouble loading 3" shells into mine, took some finessing. Problem resolved by a light radius at the mouth of the magazine tube.

 

[RinkRat]

I too am looking for a HD 12g. When I was looking at an 870 Express model 25077 the other day I noticed how the plastic stock seems to be hollow? When I squeezed it or put a little pressure on it, it seemed to give slightly. That makes me wounder just how well it will holdup. If your outside with it in the winter cold will it become brittle and crack? Or if it gets knocked around?

They didn't have any Mossberg cruiser-8's in stock but I'm going to check those out too.

Any thoughts on the Mossberg vs the Remington?

 

[Motodeficient]

If you have a walmart near you that sells guns, stop in and see the H&R Pardner Pump Protector 12 gauge with 18.5" barrel. Its $179, and is a very well made 870 clone. Most all 870 parts will fit it except the barrel. Its probably as well made or better than the 870 express. H&R is owned by the same company that owns Remington (The Freedom Group), they also own DPMS, Para, Bushmaster, and Marlin among others.

Mine was great out of the box but so far I have added a Knoxx pistol grip stock, The Claw sling, Elzetta flashlight mount with a Solarforce LT2/XRE single mode flashlight, and Brownell's 870 mag follower & spring upgrade.

The stock follower and spring are fine, as long as you don't get any Winchester Powder Blast on the follower. Mine started to melt. It still works just fine, but I figured I would upgrade the spring and follower to something a little more robust. I have trouble leaving anything stock.

 

[nathan]

I have the HD for the past six years. I have no problems with it whatsoever. I replaced the barrel with a 20 inch long IC with rifle sights. It shoots beautiful. Yes, i wouldnt worry about this and that. Its a straight shooter. In fact the only thing i need is more shotgun shells to shoot with. i did polish the chamber to smooth shell extraction.

 

[EAJ]

Rem 870 Express, 18" Barrel w/ Knoxx Stock

Rem 870 Express, 20" IC Barrel, Front w/ Rear Adjustable Sight and Knoxx Stock