Remington 870 Police Mag

[nickatnight]

Howdy, im in the market for a nice HD/recreational use shotgun. ive never owned one before and i had it narrowed down between an Ithaca 37 or the 870 Police mag. Ive basically decided on the Rem simply because of price. I plan on going to a gunshow soon so see if i can find the model i want used. Alot of folks have been telling me to steer clear of buying a new Remington because of Quality control issues when Cerebus bought them out. ANy thoughts and opinions on that? reason i ask is because ive seen some great deals on New 870's and i was tempted but i still want to check out the gunshow first. Thanks, Nick.

 

[Inebriated]

There have been QC issues with the Express guns more than the Wingmaster or Police ones. Remington puts the WM and P models through different QC lines than the Express, so your chances of getting one with an issue are lower.

That said, an 870 is an 870, whether it says "Express" or "Police" on the side... just look the gun over, make sure the chamber is nice and smooth, and the gun cycles well, and you're fine.

 

[Virginian]

The newest Expresses have a much better finish than those from a few years ago in my opinion. The only too frequent real issue they have had was that some of the chambers were not as smooth as they should have been. Easy fix, or if you called Remington they would take care of you. I also think a lot of the "easy rusting" issues came from the factory rinse bath not getting all the bluing salts out of the rough finish. Wash it in warm soapy water and then oil it has solved more than one of these for me. Oil is not a solvent for bluing salts; water is.
Internet rumor mills notwithstanding, I have seen no proof that Cerberus is in fact the devil incarnate. Remington shotguns are still produced, at least for the time being, in Ilion, N. Y. It is my understanding that there have been some issues with Marlin and H&R firearms produced in the new NC facility.
I would not hesitate to buy a new Remington if I needed one.

 

[t16sugarbabe]

I bought a new 870 police a year and a half ago. The barrel had a lot of play in the receiver and the finish had marks all over it that wouldn't come off. For what it was worth I might as well have bought an express. There's only three differences between the police and the express. Go to AI&P tactical to find out more. The new Ithaca 37 is a top notch shotgun. It's fit and finish is as close to perfect as you can get. Unlike the 870 the 37 is made with forged steel and and machined steel. There's no stamped metal or plastic except for the stock, forend and mag follower. And Ithaca's customer service is one of the best.

 

[dogtown tom]

t16sugarbabe ..........Unlike the 870 the 37 is made with forged steel and and machined steel....

Uhhh........what?

 

[Virginian]

The Ithaca 37 is okay if you like bottom feeders.

 

[WoodchuckAssassin]

For home defense I'd go with the 870 express and spend the rest on quality 00 or #2 ammunition...with an ample amount of # 7 1/2 for clays. A new 870 won't be much over $300 (if that), and the Ithaca 37 will be pushing 3X that amount (even a used one will bring you close to 2X). Is the Ithaca a better gun? HOLY HELL YES IT IS, but that's what accounts for the price difference. I wouldn't dream of tossing the 37 in my trunk for a camping trip, but I know I can huck the Express any ol' place and not worry about babying it. I have experience with both guns, and love them both. I wouldn't get a Wingmaster because while it might be slightly smoother on the action (or so I'm told from a recent question I asked here on THR), but in a home defense scenario with adrenaline pumping...are you going to notice?

Long story short, these are my beliefs.

1) The Ithaca is the better gun at a much higher price.
2) I consider a HD gun to also meet the criteria of a SHTF gun, and I think that both guns would do well in this case.
3) Both shoulder similarly (for me) and have similar safeties, so if you're already familiar with one, you'll more than likely to well with the other.
4) I like the 870 because in a high stress situation, you can slap a round in the chamber and be good to go. If you're not used to a bottom loader, it might be awkward under stress.
5) You can buy an 870 with a 28inch barrel for $300, and buy an 18inch barrel to go with it for $100. $400 isn't a bad investment for a hunting/knockaround gun AND a HG piece.

Oh, and my dad has a 37 that he's shot for 50 years with ZERO issues...NOTHING. I've owned an 870 for 20 years with ZERO issues. I can hit anything with one that I can hit with the other.