Home defense

[CHINAZOEY]

Hey there I'm new to the forum and shotguns itself. I have been wanting to get an 870, but not sure which to get. It would be for home defense and I would also like to add Magpul accessories. So I guess a 2 part question. 1. Is it best to get the HD 870 or better off with a tactical one and 2 for those in California which is where I'm from. I want to see if it's worth putting a 14inch barrel or not. Any input would be helpful thanks

[Synchronizor]

Welcome to the forum.

If you're on a budget, an 870 Express makes a great base for a functional HD gun.

If this is going to be purely a HD gun, the #25077 Express Synthetic Tactical 7-Round is a good choice. It's a no-frills base gun to which you can add whatever accessories you want, and it uses a nonstandard single-piece 6-round magazine tube to get you extended capacity without the complexity & potential problems of a seperate magazine extension. However, that nonstandard mag tube means that you can't install other 870 barrels for things like hunting or clay shooting without using a funky spacer that you have to special-order.



If you want to keep your barrel options open, another good base gun for a HD build is the 870 Hardwood Home Defense. These use normal 4-round base magazine tubes, so they will accept any other standard 12ga barrels. You can pick either the #81197 model that comes with a factory-installed Remington +2 magazine extension, or the non-extended #25559 if you want a simpler and lighter 4+1 capacity, or you want to use an aftermarket extension.




A 14-inch NFA barrel is a lot of headache just to save a little length - even without whatever mess California adds onto the process of obtaining & owning one. They're cool, and the length difference is noticeable, but unless you're defending a tiny trailer, an 18.5" barrel should serve you just fine. You'll likely see more of a benefit if you take that time & money, and use it for practice or training classes.

[CHINAZOEY]

Thanks for the input and info. It was really helpful. I have also been hearing that the trigger is plastic and breaks easily that it's best to install a metal one. Not sure if my info is correct on this. What is your take?

[Banshee]

I have been working on 870s for years and have never seen one broken, metal nor plastic. Several that looked like they were chewed on by a beaver, twisted, cut, and or bent but none broken. I have seen several that were damaged by idiots trying to take them apart.

With all that said i prefer metal ones myself because i don't like plastic assemblies on my firearms, but i cut metal for a living and maybe a little bias.

[Synchronizor]

No 870 has a plastic trigger. What's plastic is the trigger plate, which is the frame of the trigger assembly that contains all the parts, and incorporates the trigger guard.

Express and some special-purpose 870s have plastic trigger plates, while Police models and (last I looked) Wingmasters have original-style metal trigger plates. However, it's important to point out that that metal isn't billet steel or anything, it's compressed, powder-cast aluminum, which does not have very great structural properties. Powder-cast aluminum is especially known for poor toughness (impact strength/resistance). While the old-style compressed aluminum 870 trigger plates aren't really known for being fragile, a lot of folks - myself included - prefer the newer plastic ones.

Here's a video that shows some testing that compares aluminum trigger guards to modern polymer trigger guards in impact tests.

[ShariMetoyerla]

Since you are new to shotguns, I highly suggest that you look in to getting the Remington 870 Wingmaster. 870s are one of the best types of shotguns out there. There is a reason why the military and law enforcement have used and still continue to use this amazingly reliable weapon. Since you are in the market for purchasing an 870 "I highly suggest that you take a look at this amazing 870. Below is the beautiful and timeless Remington 870 Wingmaster:

https://medium.com/@LAXRange/remington- ... .66fk7k1gb

[Synchronizor]

Below is the beautiful and timeless Remington 870 Wingmaster:

https://medium.com/@LAXRange/remington- ... .66fk7k1gb

Actually, the header image in that article is of the #81197 870 Hardwood Home Defense, which is an Express-finished gun.

I agree that Wingmasters are awesome, but all Wingmasters in the current lineup are hunting or target guns, and Chinazoey is looking for something for home defense. The closest thing to a Wingmaster for HD would be a blue & walnut Police model, which have similar polished bluing, but much more basic wood.



Not sure if the blued finish is still a standard option though, seems like most 870Ps are Parkerized these days.

[Deuce]

Sorry to bring this back from the dead. I am a newb, going to pick up an 870 for HD and I am also trying to figure out which one. I like the idea of having a light, so I've been looking at the 870p max. A heck of a gun but pricey . And, I like the cerakote on the 870 express tactical magpul, but it does not have a light. I know it is easy to add a light, but I like the location and controls for the light on the p max.

I guess I just answered my question, but if anyone has any input it would be appreciated.

[Synchronizor]

The light you see on the 870P Max is a Surefire fore-end with an integrated light. You can buy that fore-end on its own and install it on any 870 with a standard 12ga fore-end tube assembly (which is any 12ga 870 except the discontinued Special Field, the MCS, and special shorty versions built by other companies).

[Deuce]

Thanks for the prompt response.