Upgrading 870 Express With Police Parts

I bought my 870 Express right before Freedom Group bought the company. Never had a problem but the gun doesn’t get shot much. I remember replacing the extractor to a steel one instead of the MIM one it comes with. I read an article about upgrading certain parts to bring it up to the Police model. What’s a good website to buy the parts I need?

 

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/gun-manufacturer/remington/shotguns-rem/870/parts-list-rem-870

See GunPartsCorp.com, above.

Unfortunately, the old Remington company is out-of-business, with no new parts being made for consumers by the new RemArms company: https://remarms.com/
Time will tell if the new RemArms company will survive.

Perhaps the OP can state exactly what part(s) is/are needed.

Another consideration for parts is to buy either a used 870, a new "RemArms" 870. or new Tac-14, just-for-parts. What I don't know is, to what extent, if a new RemArms 870 breaks, will RemArms send just the part to the owner, or require the entire shotgun be returned for any warranty work. I'm also unaware if RemArms is doing any repairs to older, pre-RemArms, 870 shotguns, even for a price. I'm so glad, at least, my 870P has been reliable.

 

Volquartsen makes and sells the "exact edge" extractor which is better than either of the factory parts.
The Police model also used an aluminum trigger housing, but its pretty crappy aluminum and the polymer one is likely just as durable.

 

I'd use the money for ammo instead of "upgrading" the gun. You probably can't afford the ammo to wear it out as it comes from the factory. If, and that is a big if, a part does break then you might replace it with something supposedly better.

I can't say specifically about the 870 trigger guard, but people complained when Ruger went to a plastic trigger guard on the 10/22. Until testing showed it was more rugged than the old aluminum one.

 

Finding 870 parts in general is hard, finding genuine Police model parts is really hard.

The Police-specific parts are the machined extractor, stronger shell lifter spring, stronger 4 shot magazine spring, machined ejector, and a stronger trigger spring.
An extractor and ejector from a Wingmaster are the same as the Police model.
The 870 ejector requires re-riveting into the receiver wall. Brownell's sell a special riveting tool that can eliminate having to totally refinish the receiver.

 

Used Police models show up quite often.

Frankly, I’d sell the budget piece and use the money towards an old Wingmaster patrol gun or the 870 Police. Both are tremendously superior to the Express shotguns.

 

Too late for that. It has some nostalgic value and I've already installed ghost ring sights to it. I read changing the carrier dog and magazine springs is a good first start. Don't know where to get quality springs for it, though. I use Wolff springs for magazine and recoil springs.

 

If your gun has nostalgic value shoot it until it breaks and then replace the parts.

 

sjhardware.us has everything you need. Also, ebay is an excellent source for parts.

 

Instead of spending money to “upgrade parts” on your Express I’d buy ammo to practice with (regular 00buck in 2 3/4 size) and use any extra to buy some training… Doubt you’ll ever wear out the parts in that popper.

If you’re already skilled have someone teach you skip shooting… and become really skilled for that one close quarters encounter…

 

Yeah. The parts I’m thinking of replacing are cheap springs, anyway. The extractor was changed out years ago. I have a BlackHawk Compstock on it. They don’t make them anymore. Looks like a regular stock but with the recoil reducing spring in there. I just had it drilled and tapped for the Wilson Ghost Ring sight with nightsight for the front.
And I have ammo from 20 years ago that I bought when it was cheap. Truth is I shoot this gun maybe 50 rounds a year. Just like having the versatility of a pump shotgun.

 

Pictures?

 

Of my shotgun? I can take some.

 

I have an express that was made circa 2006, pre freedom group. I put a Volquartsen X-Act Edge machined extractor in it and with the +3 extension with the included choate spring gives it a lil more oomph when it send a shell onto the elevator.

I considered the enhanced power spring for the shell-evator or whatever but I don't think I'd like the increased resistance of the stiffer carrier when I'm trying to stuff the tube or top off. Besides all I'm ever shooting out of it is 2 ¾" shells anyways. My thinking is that the stronger spring would maybe be an advantage for heavier 3" magnums but I could be off base, just my thinking.

The Express is nowhere near the finished quality of a Wingmaster or one of the old WM police/riot/guard guns but it's still a good reliable shotgun. I haven't shot my express a ton yet but I've shot it and worked it enough to notice it's slicked up a lil. I think these guns have to be shot a fair bit to become slick and there are some things you can do to help it along, like a mild abrasive to the inside of the reciever, action bars, carrier, etc... also some of the expresses have rough chambers so chucking some steel wool or scotch brite into a drill and polishing the chamber can also aid in smooth extraction.

One thing is for certain, I would absolutely upgrade the MIM extractor to a machined Volq or other. Always good to have spares.


Express on top.

 

Yeah. Sometimes I get the urge to tinker. I’m pretty sure the extractor was Volquartsen since I was buying a bunch of 10/22 stuff at the time and all of that was Volquartsen. I always save my replaced parts but for some reason I can’t find it. The only issue I ever had with the gun is the factory extended mag tube wasn’t fully screwed on and it flew off while firing. Stupid mistake and all my fault. I had a gunsmith install the Wilson Combat ghost ring sight and he pronounced the gun solid and good to go. Truth is I shoot this gun maybe once every 18 months or so and I doubt it’s had 500 rounds through it since I bought it in 2005.

 

Use a carrier spring from an 1100 or 11-87 and the "police" mag spring is a few inches longer than the standard spring providing more positive force to push the shells out of the tube. Wilson Combat makes a nice mag tube extension and uses quality springs. SBE Precision makes a great machines anodized aluminum follower as well.

Call JD at AI&P tactical with 870 questions. He's a wealth of knowledge.