Went in to buy an 870 express - couldn't believe it ...

[Benelli Shooter]

I used to own a 12g 28" synthetic 870 express. I sold it for a Benelli M1S90 over 10 years ago.

Just today, I went in to look at picking up an 870 for my son. I was amazed. I had heard Remington has done some crazy things lately. But, I was astonished to find out that their current offering does not include this model. The only thing close was a laminate wood stocked 870 express. It was ugly as sin. I was told there was not a birch or lighter wood version available as standard.

All they had was the Super Magnum version with a 26" barrel and synthetic stock with a very strange looking bolt and a very long receiver. I don't think you need 3.5" shells to hunt ducks, geese, chukar, or quail.

Has Remington lost their mind?

 

[Snarlingiron]

You don't need 3.5" shells, but the public buys them. The 870 express is a serviceable, but not terribly attractive gun. I have 2 of them. I have no complaints, and if you are looking for a very durable, serviceable gun for cheap, then they are hard to beat. If you are looking for the quality of yester year, then you will have to pay for it in the guise of the Wingmaster.

 

[Benelli Shooter]

What I don't get is why some genius in their marketing department decided to drop the TWO MOST POPULAR VERSIONS OF THIS GUN?

The two most useful versions of this gun in 12g are:

Synthetic stocked 26"/28" express
A simple (non-laminate) wood stocked 26"/28" express

 

[dak0ta]

People complained about the ugly hardwood stock so they rolled out the laminated stock which is supposed to be stronger and more weather resistant.

The synthetic stocked versions are still around, except Rem changed the way the stock and foreends look now. They look space-age now, and I don't like it.

 

[Kernel]

You could always buy the 870 Express Synthetic 18". Then buy a 28" barrel online for less than $100 used. Or, get the wood Express with a 28" barrel and buy the synthetic stock and forearm.

It is weird they quite making what you want. Seems like a inexpesive synthetic stocked bird gun would be a no-brainer.

As time goes by I think we'll continue to see Remington de-feature the 870 line, in an effort to steer more people to the new 887 (and it's ugly "space-age" stock).

 

[Old Shooter]

This is what gun shops and pawn shops are for. There are plenty of lightly used and excellent condition used models available in the guise you are looking for.I sometimes buy a new shotgun or rifle but mostly I have found like-new used ones at a very substantial savings. You might have to shop around to fine the one you want but for me thats half the fun.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Yep. Buy used....

lpl

 

[Benelli Shooter]

I hear you guys about the "buy used" approach. But, it makes me not want to buy their product because they are SO STUPID.

This isn't rocket science. It should be an off the shelf product.

 

[ArmedBear]

It's a cruel joke anyway, to make your son use a 12 Gauge Express to hunt Chukar or Quail!.

That Express barrel sure ain't no Wingmaster LC barrel. It's a pig, WAY too slow on target. Decent cheap gun for American Trap, though, or anything else that flies steady and slow.

 

[Benelli Shooter]

Armedbear, I agree. The 870 is not the perfect gun. The reason for purchasing the gun is twofold.

First, it would be used as a backup gun that could be left in the car when we hunt duck, quail, chukar, ect.. with our nice Benelli Shotguns (I have a pair of 12 guage M1S90s and a pair of 20 guage Montefeltros). I want a basic, inexpensive gun that can easily be replaced if someone broke into my truck.

Second, he wants to learn how to use a pump gun. This would be his gun as soon as he turns 18 years old. I plan to buy an extra 18" barrel. He can use it for home defense when he moves out.

I am leaning towards buying the 870 Synthetic express with the 18" barrel (home security version) and picking up a 26" express barrel from Cabelas for $179.

 

[ArmedBear]

It's not just that it's an 870.

I have a 12/28" Express, and a hunting buddy of mine has a couple of similar Wingmasters. His guns were NIGHT AND DAY different, due to barrel weight contour.

That gun, specifically, is a pig. There are fine-handling 870s, though. Maybe the 26" is better, even. Can't argue with the 870 for HD, either.

Do your Benellis break down a lot in the field? I am not under the impression that they do... I use Berettas, but I hunt with another guy who has the 20 Gauge Monte, and we've been out in some pretty nasty conditions without any trouble -- better than one of my Beretta gas guns, which really did choke once when it had insufficient oil in it, in the snow. Hell, I think I'd rather just play dog handler for the rest of the hunt, if the Montefeltro ever broke.

 

[Benelli Shooter]

I have never had one single problem with my Benelli Shotguns. I am kind of a worst case scenario type of a guy. I was thinking a backup gun wouldn't be a bad idea.

Maybe I should consider a Wingmaster. But, they are twice the price and kind of defeat the whole concept of an inexpensive backup gun.

 

[dak0ta]

Get a Mossberg 500 then.

 

[ArmedBear]

Maybe I should consider a Wingmaster. But, they are twice the price and kind of defeat the whole concept of an inexpensive backup gun.

I'd consider getting a used gun instead. You can pick up an old Model 37, for example, if you really want a pump gun. It's not a disappointment to pick up a 37 if you're used to a Montefeltro 20 Gauge. It doesn't cycle itself, but it handles well.

But then, you're getting into playing around with old guns, which can be a PITA if you don't need another hobby...

I don't know. The 870 in 20 Gauge isn't too heavy, and it's a lot quicker on target. It's cheap, if you can find the Express. It's only available in the laminate stock you don't like, and aftermarket stocks are scarce. Mossbergs have potential. They're worth checking out.

There's always a 20 Gauge Nova, too. Should have familiar ergos and stock dimensions. It's heavy in 12, but not in 20.

 

[MrCleanOK]

What I don't get is why some genius in their marketing department decided to drop the TWO MOST POPULAR VERSIONS OF THIS GUN?

If the "TWO MOST POPULAR VERSIONS" were discontinued, you can bet money they weren't really the most popular. Maybe to you, but obviously not to Remington's consumers as a whole.

 

[Benelli Shooter]

I don't have the faith in upper management types that you do. I have been around them too much.

Many companies exist largely on the nostalgia of their their past history and brand recognition. Instead of actually selling what the customer really wants, they sell what they want to sell. A good example is a S&W revolver with an ILS lock. Most people do not like the lock. But, they hold their nose and buy it anyways. Not me. I wouldn't own an ILS S&W if you gave it to me.

Many of them figure that we will buy whatever they put out for sale. Sometimes they are right. Sometimes it kills their company.

 

[ArmedBear]

Some companies exist largely on the nostalgia of their their past history and brand recognition.

That's Remington to a T.

The problem with the backup gun concept in a chukar-hunting scenario is that, per Murphy, should your gun develop some problem you will find out 5 miles and 1000 vertical feet from your vehicle, and by the time you get to the backup gun, it's irrelevant because you'll be done for the day anyway.

I carry a loop sling in my vest so I can answer the call of nature without putting my gun down in the mud. Like I said, if my gun broke, I'd just sling it and play dog handler.

While many shotguns could suffice for backup waterfowl duty, quail and chukar are probably the two most demanding kinds of scattergun hunting. Not just any gun will do, as I'm sure you know.

 

[c5_nc]

28" Wingmasters are in just about every pawn shop for $175-250, so I would go that route anyways.

 

[One Gun]

Benelli Shooter.......

Impactguns.com 12ga. 870 express, synthetic, 26" or 28", $335.99

 

[6-gunfun]

ive heard people sayt that the older remington 870 12ga barrels are to slow on target but ive honestly never had a problem with it at all

 

[natman]

If the "TWO MOST POPULAR VERSIONS" were discontinued, you can bet money they weren't really the most popular. Maybe to you, but obviously not to Remington's consumers as a whole.

What you're saying makes sense, but I sell the things and the plain wood and synthetic stock versions of the 870 were indeed very popular. I can see only selling ONE wood version, but dropping the synthetic version is beyond belief. The strange things Remington's marketing department does never cease to amaze me.

 

[Captcurt]

I'm having flashbacks of New Coke!

 

[Deltaboy1984]

28" Wingmasters are in just about every pawn shop for $175-250, so I would go that route anyways.

Yep buy a used Wingmaster and you will have yourself a real 870. The Express's look so cheap I would buy a NEF Partner first.

 

[TRguy]

H&R 1871 LLC's New England Firearms' Chinese import Norinco shotgun Pardner Pump is the MOST bang for the buck....

Remington Accessories fit them, hardwood looks good.

 

[Dookie]

A friend of mine has the 870 3.5" with laminate stocks. It is a nice rifle. Much more solid feeling than the synthetic and way better looking than the ugly "walnut" stained birch. He is not a big guy but he shoots clays with it all day. He has since added a Boyds thumbhole stock to it and now it is really nice to shoot.

The 28" barrel is fairly unnecessary now with all the modern quality ammo, unless you are using a big booming goose gun.

You also might let your son pick out the shotty. He might find one that is more comfortable for him.