870 Express Questions

[Religious Shooter]

I was gonna plop down my $ to order this gun.

http://www.remington.com/firearms/shotguns/870extrky.htm

I won't need to get a new barrel --- 21" + 1" extended choke is legal for all IMGA and USPSA matches.

It looks like all I need is a +4 mag tube and I'm pretty much set-up for He-Man (excepting the relatively little tweaks I would still want to do) with a competitive shotgun.

But the "Express" gives me pause. I seem to remember that the Express lines tend to be a little bit different from the rest. But then again it looks like the Express is now the de facto 870.

Anybody have an Express 870? What, if any, are the problems with this level/type of 870? Cheaper parts? Different parts from past 870's?

[Mickster]

I bought the 870 Express Turkey for the same reasons you are looking at one.

Mine is the camo version, soft butt pad, 21" vented barrel and interchangeable chokes. I use the IC choke 99.9% of the time.

All I did was a put an extended mag tube on it and have been using it in He-Man for over a year now.

Every once in a while I'll short-stroke it which is operator error.

Other than that, perfect He-man 3-gun pump shotgun, IMHO.

[cking]

Good Gun, Good Price. Watch for sales on Synthetic stocks if you want to lighten it up some.

[BigDave]

The Express was my first 870 over 17 years ago. I still have it and I don't recall ever having an issue with it. I've shot many, many rounds of trap with that gun and have been on more pheasant hunts than I can recall. My dad has a 870 Wingmaster and it is finished much nicer, but I wouldn't say that it is any more mechanically sound.

[lynn jones]

i believe the "express" means it can handle the 3" mag shells.

lynn

[BigDave]

i believe the "express" means it can handle the 3" mag shells.

lynn

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not in mine, it does not. At least the way it used to be it was Express and Express Magnum

[trjasgunr]

Express means that it has parkerized finished and either synthetic or satin finished stock. It is the least expensive of the 870's. The Wingmasters are typically high polish blued with polished stocks that are higher grade wood than the express line. The 870 is a durable, reliable tool that many sportsmen and police officers have used for years. I'd say get it and get to shooting.

[Clay1]

The Express model differs from the Wingmaster in many ways. I own both. The E has a matt finish the WM is deep blued. The WM has nice Walnut, the E has birch. The WM has metal trigger housing and trigger guard the E is synthetic. My 12 G E is chambered for 3" and you can get them chambered for 3 1/2" 12 G. The WM is available in 2 3/4, 3 and 3 1/2.

I actually shoot the E more and have no issues with reliability or performance. Great product at a reasonable price.

[lynn jones]

i believe the "express" means it can handle the 3" mag shells.

lynn

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not in mine, it does not. At least the way it used to be it was Express and Express Magnum

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ok, mine has a sidesaddle on it and can't read it. sorry

[BigDave]

Sorry, Lynn, I think you are correct. It seems now that all the Express 870's are 3" guns. My express is only a 2 3/4" gun. It seems as though I am inadequate once again!

[MikeFoley]

I have one of these, and so does my father-in-law, and no problems whatsoever. A lot of guys run this gun, and they are all Express Magnums now, unless you get a special run Wingmaster or something. The turkey guns, home defense guns, slug guns, etc. with the matte finish are all Express magnums. Wouldn't hesitate to buy one, and accessories will all fit fine.