buying my first shotgun

[gd2a]

Hello All

I'm heading to BPS this week to turn gift cards into a 870! This will be my first shotgun and I'm leaning heavily toward the 6+1, 18 inch Express. Any reasons not to make this my starting point?

I just registered for this site and wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Matt

[Vitaly]

Matt, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too!

Remington 870, 6+1, 18 inch Express is a very good choice.

[Carlo1137]

2nd that! Express is a good one, see if you can find a police magnum!

[Synchronizor]

If you're looking for a 6+1 Express, I'd recommend getting one with a 4-shell magazine tube and a +2 extension. Remington offers one model with a one-piece 6-round magazine tube, but it's a dedicated HD gun (not a bad choice though, if that's all it'll ever be used for). The problem is, if you plan on doing any hunting, sporting, or anything but HD, you'll be stuck with the barrel that comes with it, no other 870 barrels will fit without modification.

My 870 started life as an Express 7-Shot Synthetic (#25077 back then). It comes from the factory with an 18.5" barrel, a +2 mag extension, and mine even came with a police fore-end for just over $300, new. I consider it to be one of the best 870 models to start out with or base a project on, unless you're willing to pay for the extra bells and whistles on one of the tactical models.

Remember that the Expresses are budget guns, so they may need a little work to make them 100%; but that's all pretty easy to do, and folks here can help you out if you have questions. Mechanically, they're the same as any other 870, and you can upgrade them as you see fit.

[gd2a]

Thanks folks!

My local Bass Pro only had the 870 with one piece tube so I went with that. When I pick it up I'll have to note the exact model number but the stamp on the receiver read "870 Tactical" not "Express" however, at $399 it must be the latter. Regardless I'm sure it will serve me well as a defensive weapon if ever called upon in that capacity. Thank you again for your feedback - Happy New Year to all!

Matt

[hunterbob]

Sounds like an "Express Tactical"...hard to say without pics...

[gd2a]

482153_03_remington_870_tactical_12_ga__640.jpg (59.04 KiB) Viewed 5463 times

Finding a photo of it wasn't easy but here it is. I wonder if its new, old or just unpopular. Nothing fancy (pic rail, breeching choke, etc) just a six round mag and a front bead sight...

[Vitaly]

482153_03_remington_870_tactical_12_ga__640.jpg

Finding a photo of it wasn't easy but here it is. I wonder if its new, old or just unpopular. Nothing fancy (pic rail, breeching choke, etc) just a six round mag and a front bead sight...

Yes, this is rather new model with one piece magazine tube.

[gd2a]

Any thoughts on it ... is it just like every other entry level 870 in terms of quality?

[Synchronizor]

Any thoughts on it ... is it just like every other entry level 870 in terms of quality?

I've handled one before.

It has your basic Express finish and materials, but isn't threaded for chokes or drilled for a reciever rail like other tactical models. The barrel doesn't use the ball detent system to lock the mag cap down, rather, there seems to be some kind of ratchet built into the spring retainer that doesn't work very well.

That one-piece mag tube means you won't be able to mount any other barrels on the gun, unless you do some custom work, or Remington releases other barrels in the future with the guide ring in the same place.

If you're looking for a dedicated HD gun that will only sit next to the bed, or get taken to the range for practice, this isn't a bad choice. No need for an expensive finish or cool-looking choke for that; and the simplified magazine tube makes take-down and assembly simple and easy.

If you want do to anything that requires a different barrel though, you should give this one a pass and look for something with a standard-length tube. You can always mount an extension one of those for the same shell capacity.