870 Express questions

Thanks James I’ll have him email that address.

What are peoples opinions of the Remminton 870 Express? I’m looking for a good all around gun that I can use for waterfowl, upland, and a slug gun for winter. Something I can get dirty and not worry about dropping a fortune on a gun.

They have a 26in barrel, and for $20 more you can get the 28″ barrel. Is it really worth the $20 for the larger barrel. I’ve always opted for the larger barrel, but is it really worth it?

Does the extra 2″ keep your pattern that much tighter? I had a salesman tell me with today’s shells and chokes available it’s not really that much of a difference?

personally i would take the shorter barrel with an extended choke. i’d like the shorter barrel for birds because you can swing it a lot faster. i have a 28″ 870 and my old man has a 26″ 870 and i like the shorter barrel.

and get a camo version, its worth the extra $$ to ensure that you arent going to rust ur gun.

i like the 870 and would recommend it to anyone, but if you are looking for options, check out the benelli nova. roughly the same price and also comes in a 3 1/2″ chamber.

In my opinion this is a no-brainer, the 870 is the perfect gun for your needs.
Slug barrels are readily available.
Go with the 26″ barrel, the advice that you received about shot petterns is correct.
You are unlikely to have any issues with this gun, but if you did, most gunsmiths are very knowledgeable on the Remingtons and have parts on hand for them.
I no longer own an 870, but I’m currently rebuilding my inventory, as the 870 will be the first gun that each of my kids will own!
Good luck
cheers

Love the 870. First shotgun I carried in the woods. It’s as reliable as the marlin lever action 30-30’s are for a good all around rifle. It’s still my go to gun when beating the brush.

I’m an 870 fan as well. The Express sounds like a good one for harsh environments and to save money but honestly I would be nervous about getting one considering the track record of the Wingmaster and the superior components it offers. I’m looking forward to hearing good things about them though.

There is NO GOOD research to suggest that a longer barrel will hold a tighter pattern. I like the 26″ barrel as well. The gun seems to swing that much smoother. It’s hard to believe that 2 lousy inches can make that much difference.

I agree with the 26″ barrel… I love my 870, my dad bought it for me new in 1985. I also love it as a grouse gun, with the 20″ slug barrel, it’s quick and a scatter gun

I think I’m on my 12 or so year on mine. I have both a express and a wingmaster. The wingmaster is a little smoother but not much. Go with the 26″. The extra 2″ is just more weight and a slower swing. I’m sure the express will be a great gun for you for many years.

My only suggestion would be to get the 870 Express Magnum. That way you can shoot the 3.5 shells at geese also.

Mine has been treated as poorly as you can treat a gun. It never jams is simply a great workhorse of a gun.

I paid something like $285.00 new.

i swear by my 870’s i own 3 my self and my dad owns a number o them they are great guns eay simple all around great. i like the shorter barrles just cause they are easier to carry a tad lighter and look better. you cant go wrng with a remington if possible get a gun that can take 2 3/4, 3, and 3 1/2 inch shells. if you want a all around gun but to find a slug barrel for a super mag is a little tough and they are expensive.

I’ve hunted with my 870 Wingmaster for 18+ years and couldn’t imagine not hunting with it. I don’t switch barrels for slug season, because it shoots like a dream. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Well either we have a bunch of Remmington dealers on here or it is that obvious of a purchase!

I actually bought a Benelli Nova a couple years back for this purpose and I was sadly dissapointed. It was heavy, the slide was very rough. It jammed repeatedly on me, and I had about 3-4 freinds try the gun and they all had the same issue, so it wasn’t me.

I took it back to the store I bought it from and the salesman told me I have to push forward on the slide after each shot before I can slide it back to eject a shell…. Come on….

WW,
for deer hunting would you use iron sights or a scope. The reason why I ask is I have an 870 express rifled slug barrel I no longer use and would be willing to sell it to you ( I bought a cantilever scope mount barrel). The barrel can take 2 3/4 or 3in slugs. I own an 870 express super mag and it has never let me down. It is a great gun for a great price. PM me if you would be interested in the barrel.

I love my 870 for having it for about 10 years! I have the 28″ barrel and it’s a little hard to get it swingin at flying ducks Overall, MINIMAL rust and have not had a problem w/ it!!

Get one for an all around gun

Can’t go wrong with an 870. They are one of the easiest guns to take down and clean, they last forever and if you do need a part for it there are plenty around. If you drop this one in the marsh duck hunting just take it apart clean it out and oil it back up and it;s ready to go again. I would suggest getting a slug barrel for it even if it is the smooth bore with the rifled sights.

I should also mention that I shot trap with mine twice a week and shot turkey shoots on weekends. I can say with confidence I have gone through an ungodly amount of shells and I have never had a problem. The blueing is wearing off and the stock is ugly where my face touches it but the gun works flawless. I have since bought a trap gun but the 870 is the only gun I carry when hunting. It’s a 28″ barrel and I also bought another 28″ I cut down for grouse hunting. I just threw out 5 garbage bags full of once shot AA’s that were all through the gun.

i haven’t shot anything but 870’s all my life. never had any problems with them and are very durable. dropped it in the swamp while duck hunting and it shot every shell i put through it that day.

Get one! I have a couple old Wingmasters and one ~1990 Express Mag. The only difference I see is in the smoothness of the action. I had it jam once, I purposely did not clean the action for 2 years. I just swabbed out the barrel. I wanted to see if all the talk was true. I squirted some breakfree in it and continued shooting. Pretty hard to get rust on the parkerized finish too. The only thing don’t like is the position of the safety. I find it not as natural as some other safety locations. Darn versatile and reliable gun period.

Ferny.

Crawlerharness, I will probably get a set of iron sights for it and use rifled slugs through the gun, thanks for the offer though!