Why I Like 870s.....

[rjk2475]

how are the new 870 classic trap trap models. does anyone know where their poi is?

 

[Dave McCracken]

TR, very light shotguns are not easy to shoot. The reverse, folks going to a 10 gauge from a 12 gauge repeater oft see lots of misses until they adapt.

As for that 1957 era 20, it looks brand new. Kudoes....

rjk, over on Shotgun Report there's a T&E on the Classic Trap 870. Quite positive, and they say it's a flat shooter. That mirrors my experience with the TB here. No large matter, POI is easily fixed.

 

[Lone Star]

It's time now to discuss the class action settlement that Remington made re their use of "marraging" (sp?) steel in their barrels.

Their steels just don't look as good as the "chrome moly" used by some makers or the "Roto-Forged" Ithaca M37/87 barrels. Apparently, they also haven't been as strong. What was the deal on that steel, really?

And my sole M870 to date, a 20 ga. lightweight, wouldn't feed until I took it to a gunsmith to polish the magazine tube inside. It frequently jammed and had to have the trigger group removed to clear it. It never did work with Fiocchi ammo, although it fed other brands fairly well after the gunsmith worked on it.

Maybe I just got a lemon. It even had a nasty brown or plum tone under the blue on the barrel if I shined a flashlight on it. Seen that in other brands on occasion, but it seems to me to be more common on Remingtons.

I hate to seem negative, but I was greatly disappointed in my M870, and don't know if I'd buy another. It was the sole 20 ga. Wingmaster I could find; all the rest locally have been Express grades.

I once had an M1100 auto, and it was fine. Wish circumstances hadn't forced me to sell it for college tuition.

Lone Star

 

[Dave McCracken]

Lone Star, with 8 million made, there's bound to be a few lemons. Your experience is atypical.

Re the lawsuit....

Early 870 barrels were well made and of good steel. It was slightly softer than the nickel steel used in Model 12 barrels, but it would take extensive Rockwell testing to know the difference.

Some early 870 barrels blew out and the folks that owned them sued Remington. Even though the NRA tested and blew up numerous barrels in their labs and found the damage pattern consistent with obstruction in the barrels, their testimony wasn't allowed, and idiots on the bench and in the jury box awarded lots of money to not only the idiot plaintiffs but all 870 owners. I never applied for it, and regard the whole mess as a classic example of rule by mob.

BTW, the NRA ran one barrel with triple overloads of about 40,000 PSI and it held together. They then took the same barrel outside in the snow and plugged the muzzle with one inch of new, unpacked snow. On firing a low pressure round, the barrel duplicated those sued over. Kablooey...

Newer barrels were made with thicker walls, design by lawyers and not gunsmiths. The newer Light Contour barrels are more like those of old, with a slightly stronger alloy.

That's not limited to Remington or even just 870s. Darn near all US made barrels now are made of better steels than those of yesteryear.

 

[Snorkel Bob]

870, the only pump gun Ill ever own.
Couple summers ago I ran one so hard I melted a choke tube. I keep it on my desk to remind me that the tube failed and the gun didnt, kinda a neat little conversation maker for buddies that recognize it

 

[Dave McCracken]

Snorkel Bob, just how fast was that? D@mn!

I thought I could shuck one fairtomiddlin'....

 

[Snorkel Bob]

Wasnt really a mtter of speed as it was repetition. I ran about 600 rounds in a little over an hour. I was teaching at the time and I had an overload of kids to push though with only one gun at the time. I got back down from the range and put it away, next morning I took it out and checked the barrel, the choke tube was melted over on a side of itself. that part broke off when I took it apart, but still have the messed up tube.. Ill see if I can find pics, or Ill take new ones

 

[Dave McCracken]

That's 10 shots a minute.

A query, did the weapon handle it otherwise?

 

[Snorkel Bob]

Shotgun held up fine,
thats why I love 'em!

 

[labgrade]

We've a few 870s - in various gauges - & no others- completely versitile within their gauges.

Recently saw a local "SWAT-guy" playing with a Benile (sp?) once & it was a wonder = it shot several rounds with much rapidity - I was truly amazed! - except for the occassional jams ....

I've never tried anything more than 5 random tossed clays & have always busted evrey one - no biggy, really, but still would like to try more - betcha I could do 7, or more.

870 is likely the high-point of any pump action shot gun.

 

[Zip06]

I have had two 12 guage 870's and had zero problems with each. I like pumps and the only other pump I have had is a Model 12 which is great. I would consider the Smith & Wesson Model 3000 which is a beefed up copy of the 870.