Remington Tactical vs. Police...more 870 fun

[phantomak47]

Here I go again......


Anyways I have narrowed down my 870 selection to the following models, I am in further need by you wise shotgunners.


870 Marine Magnum- I like the fit and finish of this gun, 6 shot capacity, but from what I take it, its got the plastic trigger group and doesnt have the internal features of a 870 Police ? I am correct about this? So basically its a 870 with a different finish?


870 Police - Has the beefed up internals , but it has 4 +1 capacity. I would prefer a higher cap. shotgun.


870 Tactical- I assume from what I read I assume that this is a 870 Police? 8+1 cap. Nice


So there are my choices, what do you think?

 

[thinkat]

The Tactical is built on the Express not the Police. Of course I don't think that's a problem.

 

[dfariswheel]

The 870P Police comes with up to 7 + 1 shot magazine extensions on the 20" barrels and 6 + 1 shots on the 18" models.

The Magnum Marine and Tactical are tricked out Express guns.
The Magnum Marine now comes in a BLACK finish.

The Police is the top-of-the-line "Cadillac" model that's built to a much higher standard.

 

[phantomak47]

"The 870P Police comes with up to 7 + 1 shot magazine extensions on the 20" barrels and 6 + 1 shots on the 18" models.

The Magnum Marine and Tactical are tricked out Express guns.
The Magnum Marine now comes in a BLACK finish.

The Police is the top-of-the-line "Cadillac" model that's built to a much higher standard."


Can I buy the extension later if I just buy a standard 870 Police ? Or does it need to be installed by the factory or gunsmith? Where is there a source for these?

 

[The Deer Hunter]

google it, they are everywhere. Ebay might have a good deal. Search around, make sure you dont pay too much.

 

[JimmyN]

You can buy the extension later and put it on yourself. That was the route I took when I purchased mine, a #4897. I got the 20" barrel with stock tube. I am getting a +3 extension for it, as well as a longer barrel to use for hunting.

For SD use at home it will have a 20" barrel and 8 shot capacity. In about 5 minutes I can swap to a 28" barrel and 3 shot capacity to take hunting.

Google "870 magazine extension" and you'll find there are a number of manufacturers that make extensions. Also look at Midway and other vendors, the extensions are a pretty popular option.

 

[phantomak47]

what brand should I get? I take it that remington factory doesnt sell them as an after market part? thanks again

 

[Popov]

870 Tactical

I have the 870 Tactical and I love it.

(DISCLAIMER: The 870P is a great gun. I am not here to discredit that fact. I am only speaking of the features of the Tactical. Please withold the flame wars.)

I got an 18.5" 870 Tactical in green with the 7 round tube and Knoxx SpecOps stock for several hundred less than the comprable 870P goes for, from my dealer. The fit / finish is MUCH better than the express models, regardless of what others who have not handled the gun may say. The action is very smooth, and the gun is utterly reliable. Also, my gun (purchased about 3 months ago) does not have the unpopular "lawyer lock" safety in the safety, which many people have complained about. The fore end is shortened to allow placement of a sidesaddle shell carrier. The gun came with a swivel slink attachment on the extension tube of the gun, and the Knoxx stock has a swivel sling attachment as well as the standard M4 attachment (sling mounts through the rear of the stock). If you're going for the 'cool factor', it says TACTICAL on the side. This gun has been 100% reliable with every 12 guage load that I have been able to get my hands on, from slugs to buckshot to el cheapo birdshot to turkey loads. Some are load as a mother, but all kick like a kitten.

The Knoxx SpecOps stock model cost me $30 more than the standard fixed stock model; money well spent. The Knoxx stock retails for around $150 (give or take), and, in my opinion, is the greatest improvement in recoil management in the last century, and Remington has placed their R3 recoil reducing pad, giving an added advantage. I can shoot 3" full power 1oz slugs all day, and my shoulder feels like I havent' shot a gun at all (though the smile on my face gives it away).

"Downsides" as compared to the 870P:
The trigger guard assembly is plastic (though still rugged as heck)
You can not say "I have a 'Police' gun
That's about it....

If you have the chance, shoot a few of the different models and buy what fits you best.

That's all the advice I have,

Popov

 

[dfariswheel]

Remington does sell their extension aftermarket, but they cost around $100.00.

There are other very good extensions made by:
Choate, Wilson/Scattergun, Vang's, Tac-Star, and Tank's Rifle Shop.

The Tank's Rifle Shop version is a very close copy of the Remington Factory.
The Choate is easy to get, high quality, and comes with both a barrel clamp and a heavy-duty follower.

The Tac-Star has some history of quality problems.
The Wilson is very good, but doesn't come with a clamp.
The Vang's is extremely high quality, but very expensive.

Price and quality-wise, it's best to buy a Remington with the extension installed at the factory.
For actual installation, extensions simply screw on the Police guns, but the Express guns magazine tubes have to be slightly modified.