TAKE ME TO SCHOOL: major differences between 870 models?

[Claywelder]

SO, yes I am new here, and almost brand new to shotguns. I spent 10 years in the Army, quite a bit of the jumping out of airplanes, and then even some LE work of various kinds. But, never really used a shotgun, and I've come to the conclusion that I want one (or two or three lol), and that the Remington series has about the best. Of everything. So what are the major differences between the actions on the 870, 870 Express, 870 Police, and the magnum & super magnum versions? YES, unfortunately I do seem to be that ignorant at this stage. I don't want to assume that they are simply more accessories or extensions. I would think that there are reasons why the actions (the basis of the series and build) are labelled differently, but I haven't been able to pick up on the details of such as yet. And I will say that I am also interested in the semi-auto 11-87 and versa max tactical versions as well. Which probably means I'll end up with a semi auto and a pump, for reasons lol. So, Shotgun masters, school is in session and I'm ready for my lessons lol. And thanks. Merry Christmas too!!

[Synchronizor]

The different model lines - Express, Wingmaster, Police - are all pretty easy. The major differences - aside from application-specific differences like hunting versus HD barrels - are simply finish and furniture. Expresses usually get basic black oxide or camo with simple, functional plastic or wood. They're available in various fighting and sporting setups. Wingmasters get polished bluing with some dressed-up bits like a chrome bolt & gold trigger, and nicely-finished walnut. Wingmasters are all hunting or sporting guns from the factory, though they can be re-configured for pretty much anything, just like any standard 870. Police guns have blued or heavy-duty Parkerized finishes, heavier-duty walnut or solid plastic furniture, and often feature tactical accouterments like magazine extensions, combat sights, or integrated fore-end lights. Then you have some Special-Purpose 870s like the nickel-plated Marine Magnum.

Mechanically, an 870's an 870, and most part variations are due to configuration or finish, rather than anything being objectively "better" for all purposes. Example: Police 870s have a heavy sear spring to give them a firmer trigger pull and help prevent unintended discharges in stressful situations like armed stand-offs. That doesn't mean the Police sear spring is more reliable or built better, it just makes the trigger pull heavier, and thus there's little reason to "upgrade" your hunting shotgun with one. Here's a post that looks closely at similarly-configured Express & Police 870s, to give you an idea of some of the minor differences between the lines.

There are some special variations that have more substantial design differences, like the 870 MCS, the Special Field models, or the newer Express Tactical 870s with single-piece 6-round base mag tubes. These are more specialized models that are meant to offer some benefits for one application, but are less flexible than a standard 870 as an all-around shotgun. Still though, they work the same way from a mechanical standpoint, and nearly all internals are identical to or interchangeable with those of other models.


As for standard 12ga vs. SuperMag models, the SuperMags function the same way, but have a number of re-designed or tweaked parts in order to handle the longer 3.5" shells in the same-size receiver. The most obvious differences are the extended ejection port and the sliding port cover on the rear of the bolt, but there are also a number of special internals that you can't mix & match with standard 870s. SuperMags are still compatible with nearly all of the furniture and external accessory options meant for standard 12ga 870s though, and they can even accept other 12ga barrels with 3" or 2.75" chambers, though you'll obviously be limited to shells that match the chamber length.


I don't want to get too long-winded, but there's an overview for you. If you have more detailed questions, or want input on how well a specific 870 package will meet your needs, please ask. Plenty of folks just go buy the first thing they see on the rack at their local gun shop, and end up with something that doesn't do everything they wanted (the special long-mag 870 Express Tacticals are a bit notorious for this). You're smart to ask first.

[Thomas J Kayser]

Thanks for the info Syncronizer! My little 20 gauge 870 Special field is a pleasure in the field but when I tried sporting clays, I wondered how I could hit live birds but not very many clays. Thinking a longer 28” vent ribbed barrel would help, it seems they were never made when I researched it a bit. My son has the 12 gauge Special Field but no longer barrels available for that one either. So it seems like the only option is adding one to my 12 gauge Wingmaster which is heavier but that would handle the recoil better on the course.
If you know of longer barrels for the Special Field 870’s in either gauge, please let me know. Thanks again for your post, it helped a lot.
Tom

[Scorpion8]

I wondered how I could hit live birds but not very many clays. Thinking a longer 28” vent ribbed barrel would help,...

What length barrel is on it now? For most clay shooting, 28" is the minimum length, lotsa fancy trap o/u's have 32-34" barrels. And don' forget, the 870 is a sporting shotgun, meaning the barrel and rib are set up to shoot flatter unless you have the special trap models. Flatter shooting means you may be shooting over your clay without knowing it.

[Thomas J Kayser]

Thanks for the info on the 870 field guns being flatter shooting than o/u guns. When I shot from the hip for the first time in Coast Guard training, I almost missed the target at very close range, actually blew the feet off the target. Always shot from the shoulder while hunting and believed the open choke and 00 Buck would hit anything at close range. When I started hunting in 1960, all of our shells had no shot cups and spread much faster. Most of the pheasants and rabbits were harvested with a Stevens .410 double choked Full & Mod.
Anyway, the 20 ga Special Field is a 21” barrel with screw in chokes, never have taken the IC choke out of the gun. The 12ga Special Field is a 23” barrel and its my son’s so I’m not sure if it has screw in or full time IC choke. My 12ga Wingmaster was purchased used with a Hastings Rifled Deer barrel which I gave to my son because I use handguns for white tails and squirrels. The Wingmaster 12ga has a 20” barrel with rifle sights for home defense. We do not shoot trap and only recently tried Sporting Clays . I remember reading many years ago that sporting clays was intended as a shotgun sport for bird and rabbit hunters to practice under conditions similar to field shooting. It made sense to use the same gun you would hunt with for birds and other small game.
I haven’t found any longer Special Field barrels for sale but could use the 12ga Wingmaster with a longer barrel. After recovering from shoulder surgery last winter, recoil from the 12ga is too much for me but Wingmaster with wood furniture weigh 7 lbs and up which would work with the light loads used for sporting clays. Finding barrels is impossibly and so far I haven’t seen much on line. Some used ones are available but buying a vent ribbed barrel without inspecting it is dicey.

Thanks again for your insight and especially for your service to our country.