Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
This is in no way meant to dump on those "Other" shotguns out there nor the people that choose to use them, no matter how useless, overpriced, ugly and loathsome those choices may be.....
As those who have been on the board more than 3 seconds know, I'm an unabashed fan of Remington's fabulous pump gun. It takes slightly longer on meeting me in person, since folks read faster than I talk. The end's the same.
I regard the 870 as the best invention since indoor plumbing. And while I've mentioned that frequently, I've not expanded on that enough to put all the reasons in one place. So, here we go....
First,I've shot an 870 since Ike was president, a new Chevy P/U cost less than $2000, and a hunting license with ALL the stamps cost $4.50. Familiarity breeds confidence. All the pleasant memories I have that were made with an 870 nearby have to influence my decisions.
Life time shell use in diverse 870s has to be over 50K. Equipment failure, one broken firing pin spring, rectified quickly and cheaply. I've been shooting 500 rounds a month lately at a minimum and expect to wear out well before any of my 870s do.
Second, the choice of nearly all Police and Correctional agencies is the 870. This is because of its ability to continue working despite weather, dirt and sloppy PM. While another brand's ads take potshots at "1950's Technology", this is GREAT 1950's Technology, just like the Corvette, the Fender Telecaster, and Gibson's Les Paul. Or, the S&W 44 Magnum N frame and Colt Python.
Since the Vintagers worship 1880s technology, I doubt that ad campaign sells a lot of repeaters to that group,many of which own 870s.
Third, the modular design of the 870 make it simple to strip and clean. Trust me, if a ten thumbed dunce with two left hands like myself can take one apart and reassemble it after cleaning, anyone can.
Fourth, that modular construction means one can mix and match parts for a given mission.Besides the barrels, changing stocks, forearms, trigger groups, etc, is a snap. Frankenstein has more accessories than Barbie. Thus, an 870 can be set up for anything from WWIV to itty bitty birds to elk.
Fifth,if an 870 needs tweaking, there's lots of smiths out there that can clean up a trigger, straighten a mag tube to slick up the shuck, shim a stock to adjust the POI, etc. But, most 870s have acceptable triggers and innards right from the factory. Few need much besides regular exercise to keep going.
Sixth, there's a certain smug satisfaction in waiting patiently on the line while the guy with the Perazzi puts in his spare trigger group. Or helping the nice fellow with the Italian O/U who gets to shoot after his pridenjoy glitches because I brought TWO 870s. Or,quietly mentioning to a snob that the shotgun you just used to outshoot him cost less than the set of Brileys he just bought for his latest.
Seventh, there's the fact that one can assemble a battery of 870s for every conceivable mission for less than a new single use O/U.
And finally, the Big One....
I like 870s because I HIT with them at least as much as I do with any other shotguns, regardless of mission, range or target. We've eaten food furnished by 870s in homes protected by 870s,had lots of fun with 870s and will continue to do so indefinitely....
As those who have been on the board more than 3 seconds know, I'm an unabashed fan of Remington's fabulous pump gun. It takes slightly longer on meeting me in person, since folks read faster than I talk. The end's the same.
I regard the 870 as the best invention since indoor plumbing. And while I've mentioned that frequently, I've not expanded on that enough to put all the reasons in one place. So, here we go....
First,I've shot an 870 since Ike was president, a new Chevy P/U cost less than $2000, and a hunting license with ALL the stamps cost $4.50. Familiarity breeds confidence. All the pleasant memories I have that were made with an 870 nearby have to influence my decisions.
Life time shell use in diverse 870s has to be over 50K. Equipment failure, one broken firing pin spring, rectified quickly and cheaply. I've been shooting 500 rounds a month lately at a minimum and expect to wear out well before any of my 870s do.
Second, the choice of nearly all Police and Correctional agencies is the 870. This is because of its ability to continue working despite weather, dirt and sloppy PM. While another brand's ads take potshots at "1950's Technology", this is GREAT 1950's Technology, just like the Corvette, the Fender Telecaster, and Gibson's Les Paul. Or, the S&W 44 Magnum N frame and Colt Python.
Since the Vintagers worship 1880s technology, I doubt that ad campaign sells a lot of repeaters to that group,many of which own 870s.
Third, the modular design of the 870 make it simple to strip and clean. Trust me, if a ten thumbed dunce with two left hands like myself can take one apart and reassemble it after cleaning, anyone can.
Fourth, that modular construction means one can mix and match parts for a given mission.Besides the barrels, changing stocks, forearms, trigger groups, etc, is a snap. Frankenstein has more accessories than Barbie. Thus, an 870 can be set up for anything from WWIV to itty bitty birds to elk.
Fifth,if an 870 needs tweaking, there's lots of smiths out there that can clean up a trigger, straighten a mag tube to slick up the shuck, shim a stock to adjust the POI, etc. But, most 870s have acceptable triggers and innards right from the factory. Few need much besides regular exercise to keep going.
Sixth, there's a certain smug satisfaction in waiting patiently on the line while the guy with the Perazzi puts in his spare trigger group. Or helping the nice fellow with the Italian O/U who gets to shoot after his pridenjoy glitches because I brought TWO 870s. Or,quietly mentioning to a snob that the shotgun you just used to outshoot him cost less than the set of Brileys he just bought for his latest.
Seventh, there's the fact that one can assemble a battery of 870s for every conceivable mission for less than a new single use O/U.
And finally, the Big One....
I like 870s because I HIT with them at least as much as I do with any other shotguns, regardless of mission, range or target. We've eaten food furnished by 870s in homes protected by 870s,had lots of fun with 870s and will continue to do so indefinitely....
