I love my Remington 870. I agree with Dave, having a 12 gauge shotgun and a 22 LR rifle, will definitely be the best two caliber’s to have for a long term survival situation. Stock up boys, I personally believe we will all be faced with difficult times ahead. Get prepared! -Steve, Ohio 🇺🇸
While on active duty and investigating suspicious activity in an abandoned apartment in my City, I located a 28 in barreled Rem 870 behind some curtains. It had been there a while, and the curtains had adhered to the firearm, leaving it badly pitted. I impounded it and contacted the owner of the rental property, who stated it wasn't his. A sn check revealed no known owner. The rp owner said he would end up destroying the firearm. I asked if he would sell it to me (off the clock) and he agreed and asked for $20. I went to pay him and he say just take it! I ended up taking it to my Gunsmith friend, who inspected it and cut it down to 20in and made it a Modified smooth bore! He sandblasted the receiver and barrel and reblued it. It ain't the prettiest, but it's the most reliable, smoothest and most accurate shotgun I own in my arsenal!! Great video Dave!!
I have a Rem. 870 express magnum I have owned since 1985 and Love it. I only have one barrel I used for turkey. At the time I remember I bought it at a Kmart, filled out the paper work, and walked out the door for about $160.00 New in the box. Before all of the school shootings, the gangs, and the crime as it is today. Back when people bought guns for the right reasons. Whether it was home defense, putting food on the table, or just good healthy target practice, hand and eye coordination. David have just run into your posts, and have Loved all of your knowledge you have been involved in for many years. Have a blessed day.
My go to gun. Fed my family in Michigan purely venison in the Great Recession. Qualified by far for government assistance, but this firearm kept me off food stamps and other public help. Tried cooking beef burger once in the house and my kids said "smells rotten" and wouldn't eat it. Love this firearm
When I was a correctional officer, we used the 870 Police Magnum. I have an older 870 Wingmaster that I love. Can't go wrong with the 870. I like the Mossy 500-590 and A1 shotguns just as much too.
RemArms will be relocating to LaGrange Georgia in March 2024. They will close the 250 year old Illion, NY facility. Hopefully get back to pre issues quality.
I have an 870 Magnum Express I bought back in about 1992 with a metal trigger guard and an 870 Tactical I bought in about 2014 with a polymer trigger guard. I don't think the polymer guard is a problem at all. It will likely outlast both of us Dave. Both are great shotguns that I will pass down to my sons. 870s just feel more solid/sturdy and smoother than Mossbergs, IMHO.
When I was in the police dept, we were using Remington 870s made in the 50's, 60's, and 70's. There are no quality issues. They will last forever with minimal maintenance.
Right before the riots kicked off in my town, I had purchased a police auction 870, a dump pouch of 50 shells of 00 buck, and 10 foster slugs. A lucky purchase in retrospect. I was too poor to afford an AR15, but I never felt undergunned, even as I saw the smoke from burning cars a couple blocks away. I’m glad they never found my home and dispersed around midnight, because I was prepared mentally for what the situation would demand of me. What an awful year. First lockdowns, then civil unrest.
I've heard the quality of Remington has completely gone down the toilet. You cant go wrong with the older 870s, but the newer one's are supposed to be jammomatic rust buckets according to many. That being said I know Remington recently changed hands again so hopefully they'll get back on track if they haven't already.
I keep a modified in my gun. It works excellent with buckshot, is rated for every slug and with the advent of accushot cups keeps smaller shot together for a good distance.
Got my first one in 1972, a Wingmaster. Second one in the 90s, an Express with 3 inch chamber. Carried one for years in the Marine Corps. Love the gun.
I have a 870 wingmaster I inherited from my grandfather. The action is smooth. It is well over 60 years old. It is a full choke. First time hunting Squirrel, shot a little red Squirrel. All I found was was a tail. About 5 yards away.
Still reluctant to buy one after all of their quality control issues in the last 20 years. They were trash in my 20's and 30's. I grew up using one in my teens and don't own one now. Still leaning towards the Mossberg 500 because I've never heard anything bad about their QC issues.
Rem 870 are everywhere. Police surplus are a great deal & Wilson Combat will redo them for $230for the Remington Steal deal. 👍👍Also send them an extra barrel & they will refinish it for $50. 👍👍
I have had my Wingmaster for 40+ years. Thousands upon thousands of rounds through it with never a failure. Although scratched up quite a bit, she is still ultra reliable.
I have an 870, I'm a fan of 870's, but I have to admit, Remington has been lacking on the innovations for many years. If I were buying a new pump action right now I'd be looking at Mossberg's. Sorry.
Hi. I have a 870 Home defense 7 shots and its a really nice shotgun. I'm ok with the polymer trigger guard, but its the MIM extractor that I don't like on it. Its still fine but a machines extractor would be a must on these. Let me know your thoughts on this MIM extractor.
The plastic trigger guards are nearly indestructible, but I believe they interchange with the metal unit off the police models... they used to be metal on police models, no idea what has changed since the bankruptcy, your milage may vary!
I bought my first Remington 870 in 1974. I still have it. It is so smooth it almost works itself. I have owned several more over the years and have never had a bad one. I started all three of my sons on H&R singleshot shotguns but gave each of them an 870 when they were old enough and big enough. I share your respect and admiration for both simple single shots and the 870 and still use both.
Never thought I'd see Dave with an 870. I bought mine as soon as I turned 18. It also has the plastic trigger guard, but it's totally fine, and certainly not a downside. Fantastic little shotguns, and there's all kind of stuff on the market for them if that's what you wanna do.
Thank you for the video! When I moved into my own house way out in the country years ago (1996), Mom and Dad bought me a Remington 870 Express, and at first, I loved it! But then it began to jam. All. The. Time. I'd go dove hunting -- it would jam. Skeet shooting? Jammed. Keeping rattlesnakes at bay? Jammed. I took good care of it and took it to the gunsmiths several times, but I sadly had to get rid of it. I hated to, not only because it was a gift from my parents, but as a single girl living alone at the time, it was part of my self-protection, yet it was completely unreliable. However after watching this video and reading the comments about how the 870 went through some sketchy years but maybe has gotten better, I'm going to look into it again.
Thank you for doing what you’re doing. Continue to edify fellow outdoorsmen. Really appreciate your dedication and perseverance. Keep at it. Merry Christmas and happy holidays from socal
Had my 870 for many years, 20 inch barrel, choke tubes and a rifled slug barrel. Love it! Never a problem. I've had it for close to 30 years. Out shot some high dollar guns, taken more game than most have seen It was made before they had QC problems
Im glad to see that you are working with Remington Dave and that you are a fan of the 870. Rem has been my favorite gun company for decades and I love the 870 12ga. I have had several of them and have several now.
T Y, Dave, several good tips. I have owned 2, only problem I ever had was a bit of styrofoam shotshell filler, I believe, in the mag tube, that jammed a shell in the tube. A good reason to tilt the muzzle up & the butt down when you chamber a round, to encourage the fresh shell to move freely, in order to prevent such jamming. A grain of sand can produce such a jam, so keep the tube & shells clean as a whistle. The rubber sling is another very big "little thing" when you are in bear country & need to keep everything conveniently ready for action. You will want to bring a magazine "plug" along to meet any 3-shot plugging rules. A 3-inch 20-gauge 870 may be more desirable for some people. One-ounce 20-gauge Brenneke slugs are bear deadly.
Great video Dave! I’ve always thought the pump action shotgun was the second most versatile firearm for self reliance, after the brake action; as you said it can use all the chokes, different barrels, all the great variety of shotgun ammo out there, and still retains the wonderful ability to use shot shells reloaded with black powder, much like a brake action, whereas semi-automatic shotgun would likely have problems cycling black powder loads. The only thing you lose is the subcaliber adapters, but I think that’s a very acceptable trade off to gain the faster firing rate, depending on what your needs are.
I have a 870 special purpose model that was a 30” barrel full choke from mid1970s. Originally used for goose hunting, but later had a local gunsmith shorten the barrel and modified to use choke tubes. Still in use today, with the original plastic trigger guard! Thanks for sharing! 👍🏻
Most of the quality issues in the past were the Express models. That being said I have one that has always been reliable. But I bought an 870 Police Mag a few years back, it's clearly better quality, better furniture, just an all around better gun than the Express.
Have owned and shot several, if there was one firearm I would be comfortable relying in an extended "survival" sort of scenario, it would be an 870, perhaps with a 22lr subcal insert if I could find one that isn't worth more than the gun is lol.
I bought my 870 with a box of shells, back in the late 70’s from my neighbor for 100.00. One hell of deal. Several people have wanted to buy it , but I won’t sell. Taken all kinds of upland game, squirrel, rabbit, dove, duck, ground hog, and geese. It has a long barrel, tight pattern, and reaches way out to get the job done. I shoot no. 6’s out of it. Great fire arm.
My first firearm purchase was a Remington 870 wingmaster 12 gauge when i was a young man id saved all summer moving lawns and odd jobs , I ran hundreds of boxes of ammo through it perfecting my wing shooting , That gun and i were 1, Now i know remington has changed hands a few times since then and the 870 express as did all there arms went through a quality challenge . The model 590 is now rated above the 870 and i would never have believed this in 1975 . Its nice of them to send you a piece to lug around but its going to take alot more than that to regain Americas trust for new purchases . They have alot of improvements to make , And i hope they do Because Remington is America always has been always should be.
Does the dove choke prevent you from shooting steel shot through the smaller barrel? I usually use my 870 for upland game and duck hunting, and I usually only have steel shot on hand, but it would be nice to have a shorter barrel for grouse and dove.
I recently picked up a barely used express HD model identical to this on sale at my local shop id like to get one of the choked field barrels to have a complete package didn't intend to grab an 870 as I already own several other guns that fill its niche mossberg even an old browning magnum twelve A5 I tend to favor my ithaca M37 Featherlite I grabbed the remington understanding that the ilyon plant had ceased production price point was hard to beat seemed like it was time.
Hey Dave, can’t agree with you more about your comment on 12 gauge and 1022 combo. Would love to see you do a video on 1022s, and share with us your outlook on that firearm. Even though it’s a semi automatic platform, I truly do believe it is the most dependable semi automatic 22 platform in the world. A lot of people don’t know that the Israeli military purchased 2 million Woodstock 1022s from Ruger. As far as I’ve been able to find, it is the only 22 rifle that has been used by an advanced, modern military. Which spoke volumes to me, as far as dependability goes. But anyways, I would be very interested to hear your thoughts on that platform. I have a Woodstock 1022 with a full-size barrel, Leopold scope with quick attachment so I can swap to iron sights quickly in the field if needed. That’s pretty much my go to gun as far as camping, hunting or plinking. I also have a short barrel, stainless steel 22 with a backpacker stock that I take with me on canoe trips. It’s a much smaller package easy to keep in a dry bag. The stainless steel is an obvious plus on the water and it holds extra magazines and a boxe of ammo in the stock. I said all that to say there are so many aftermarket parts and different variants of the 1022 out there that cover a great range of survival needs. I would be interested to hear your thoughts.
I have 5, 870’s of a couple gauges and configurations. Spanning from 1977-1995 manufacture. All have been wonderful to use in the field or shooting trap. Consistently strong , reliable and worth every penny I ever spent on them. Wish I could say the same about everything I’ve purchased in life!
I have an 870 wing master I’ve had since I was a kid my dad gave to me it’s had thousands of rounds pumped through it and never lets me down the action is slicker than wet ice just solid shotguns I got one for all my kids and they used to be fairly cheap for the quality you got from them
I've been hunting with 870s for 50 years and currently own 3 of them with various extra barrel lengths and chokes. Doves, duck, geese, deer, whatever. They're the most reliable firearms I've owned. One is my primary home defense weapon with an 18 inch barrel and extended tube. My youngest 870 was manufactured in the 1960s so mine are all limited to 2 3/4 shells and can't handle magnum rounds.
Dove choke?…..I know cylinder, improved cylinder, skeet , light modified, modified, and full….never heard of a dove choke. Maybe it’s a regional thing?
Just bought a 1973 Wingmaster w 30” barrel a few weeks ago. I completely took it apart, cleaned and oiled every part, and replaced some critical components (extractor, firing pin spring, follower and mag spring). It’s such a smooth gun! Also added a shorter 18” barrel and a WC +2 extension, in case I want something more capable for defensive use.
My 31 year old 870 has a metal trigger gard. Came with 3 chokes and a wrench. It’s a 26 inch barrel. And I bought a 18 1/2 inch barrel. That shit gun was my first firearm purchase. It ran me 219.00
Most people sell shotguns short of what they can actually do. I find that my 12 gauge with a IM choke Is good out to 70 yards with 1oz #6 loads and 85 to 90 yards with 00 buck with a kicks buck shot choke. My 20 gauge with a full choke and 7/8oz load will out shot my 12 all day. I now I will have people call me out on this but that's fine.
I have two 870’s one from 1978 and one with a rifled barrel for deer hunting, love them both. That one you got looks very nice, like the color of the wood
I use to prefer wood furniture. I prefer plastic now. The but stock is hollow. Prefer 25 inch choked barrel. Less than that too short more than 25 is pointless other than for sport shooting
I prefer the 590a1 and it's firing pin block when on safe. Nobody ever talks about this but 870s if struck on the butt hard enough or dropped on the butt hard enough can go off accidentally. The mossberg 590a1 has both firingpin and trigger block. Much more rugged n safe during shtf or hard use
i still have my grandfather's Wing master and magnum express i loved both of them my Wing master is my most used shotgun i have killed countless ducks, rabbits, squirrels, doves even a few pigs with it only downside is it does not have interchangeable chokes like most shotguns now have such as my Benelli nova. i bought a field master thinking it would be like the other 870's and i hated it ended up trading it for a 22lr. it felt cheap made and just did not seem to be as reliable and or shoot like the old 870s.
The plastic trigger guard is made very "thick" and put in place with two! pins. Not one. It'll last, though metal do seems more appealing. It's more a matter of aesthetics. The use of one pin and a thin plastic most likely was what made the military wanting a metal guard on the 590a1
I've never turned my nose up it'll Remington 870 especially an older one but I'm way comfortable with my Winchester Model 12 it has a Cuts compensator with Lyman choke tubes I'm missing the improved cylinder from my collection still looking for it but it gives me a good bit of Versatility I even have one of them poly choke things that came with it where you can twist to select but they ain't worth a damn with steel shot they tend to fail
I know this video was demonetized, so I think we should all go get ourselves a last minute Christmas gift from Self Reliance Outfitters.
I love my Remington 870. I agree with Dave, having a 12 gauge shotgun and a 22 LR rifle, will definitely be the best two caliber’s to have for a long term survival situation. Stock up boys, I personally believe we will all be faced with difficult times ahead. Get prepared!
-Steve, Ohio 🇺🇸
It's horseshit that TH-cam can stop you from making money because you have an opinion about a tool that differs from theirs
Older 870’s way better than the newer stuff 👍 the old Wingmasters are nice.
While on active duty and investigating suspicious activity in an abandoned apartment in my City, I located a 28 in barreled Rem 870 behind some curtains. It had been there a while, and the curtains had adhered to the firearm, leaving it badly pitted. I impounded it and contacted the owner of the rental property, who stated it wasn't his. A sn check revealed no known owner. The rp owner said he would end up destroying the firearm. I asked if he would sell it to me (off the clock) and he agreed and asked for $20. I went to pay him and he say just take it! I ended up taking it to my Gunsmith friend, who inspected it and cut it down to 20in and made it a Modified smooth bore! He sandblasted the receiver and barrel and reblued it. It ain't the prettiest, but it's the most reliable, smoothest and most accurate shotgun I own in my arsenal!! Great video Dave!!
I have my Dad’s 870 Wingmaster from the 1970’s. Beautiful weapon that will last generations.
I have a Rem. 870 express magnum I have owned since 1985 and Love it. I only have one barrel I used for turkey. At the time I remember I bought it at a Kmart, filled out the paper work, and walked out the door for about $160.00 New in the box. Before all of the school shootings, the gangs, and the crime as it is today. Back when people bought guns for the right reasons. Whether it was home defense, putting food on the table, or just good healthy target practice, hand and eye coordination. David have just run into your posts, and have Loved all of your knowledge you have been involved in for many years. Have a blessed day.
I have an 870 that I got back in 6th grade (Iam now 58) for Christmas, that was before the vented ribs! My first gun!
My go to gun. Fed my family in Michigan purely venison in the Great Recession. Qualified by far for government assistance, but this firearm kept me off food stamps and other public help. Tried cooking beef burger once in the house and my kids said "smells rotten" and wouldn't eat it. Love this firearm
We have the 870 police variant here in the Canadian army. It’s pretty lightweight for what it is. Plus it’s reliable.
Back in the 1970's the 870 was THE shotgun we all wanted .
When I was a correctional officer, we used the 870 Police Magnum. I have an older 870 Wingmaster that I love. Can't go wrong with the 870. I like the Mossy 500-590 and A1 shotguns just as much too.
RemArms will be relocating to LaGrange Georgia in March 2024. They will close the 250 year old Illion, NY facility. Hopefully get back to pre issues quality.
I have an 870 Magnum Express I bought back in about 1992 with a metal trigger guard and an 870 Tactical I bought in about 2014 with a polymer trigger guard. I don't think the polymer guard is a problem at all. It will likely outlast both of us Dave. Both are great shotguns that I will pass down to my sons. 870s just feel more solid/sturdy and smoother than Mossbergs, IMHO.
As a retired LEO. The 870 was issue. Love it they’re fantastic hard use shotguns
well done. I've had an 870 for 15 years. my Uncle tells me they used these in the Sheriff's Department all the way back to 1957. Time tested firearm.
I'm a Mossberg 500 dude myself, but Remington 870s are nice scatter gats as well.
You can't go wrong with an 870. Mine is as old as I am and runs like a champ.
When I was in the police dept, we were using Remington 870s made in the 50's, 60's, and 70's. There are no quality issues. They will last forever with minimal maintenance.
I named my Daughter Remington. She will inherit my 870 one day.
If I only could have one gun going hunting in Alaska for whatever it would be a 12ga.
Right before the riots kicked off in my town, I had purchased a police auction 870, a dump pouch of 50 shells of 00 buck, and 10 foster slugs. A lucky purchase in retrospect. I was too poor to afford an AR15, but I never felt undergunned, even as I saw the smoke from burning cars a couple blocks away. I’m glad they never found my home and dispersed around midnight, because I was prepared mentally for what the situation would demand of me. What an awful year. First lockdowns, then civil unrest.
I love 870s and pump guns in general. Thanks for the side by side comparison. Great video, Dave.
Nothing wrong with the 870 I just like the controls (slide release, and safety)on the Mossberg 590 better.
I've heard the quality of Remington has completely gone down the toilet. You cant go wrong with the older 870s, but the newer one's are supposed to be jammomatic rust buckets according to many. That being said I know Remington recently changed hands again so hopefully they'll get back on track if they haven't already.
I keep a modified in my gun. It works excellent with buckshot, is rated for every slug and with the advent of accushot cups keeps smaller shot together for a good distance.
Got my first one in 1972, a Wingmaster. Second one in the 90s, an Express with 3 inch chamber. Carried one for years in the Marine Corps. Love the gun.
I have a 870 wingmaster I inherited from my grandfather. The action is smooth. It is well over 60 years old. It is a full choke. First time hunting Squirrel, shot a little red Squirrel. All I found was was a tail. About 5 yards away.
After using a auto, you will never use a pump again.
I carried one for 25 years in my Police car..Always reliable..
My mom got me one in 1984 when I turned 13 . Smooth as butta
The 870 is an icon.
Still reluctant to buy one after all of their quality control issues in the last 20 years. They were trash in my 20's and 30's. I grew up using one in my teens and don't own one now. Still leaning towards the Mossberg 500 because I've never heard anything bad about their QC issues.
Rem 870 are everywhere. Police surplus are a great deal & Wilson Combat will redo them for $230for the Remington Steal deal. 👍👍Also send them an extra barrel & they will refinish it for $50. 👍👍
Dave, my friend, we are of a like mind about the 870, 10/22 and single shot guns. Now throw in a .22lr/.410 combo gun and we’re in business.
The Remington factory in Ilion, Ny just closed. Sad news.
Remington 870, great piece.
I have had my Wingmaster for 40+ years. Thousands upon thousands of rounds through it with never a failure. Although scratched up quite a bit, she is still ultra reliable.
I have an 870, I'm a fan of 870's, but I have to admit, Remington has been lacking on the innovations for many years. If I were buying a new pump action right now I'd be looking at Mossberg's. Sorry.
I love mine. They are legends. Idk about the new ones tho i recommend getting an older one at a pawn shop.
Hi. I have a 870 Home defense 7 shots and its a really nice shotgun. I'm ok with the polymer trigger guard, but its the MIM extractor that I don't like on it. Its still fine but a machines extractor would be a must on these. Let me know your thoughts on this MIM extractor.
Everyone makes a big deal of the trigger housings,makes absolutely no difference in the performance of the gun 😂😂
I've had my 870 over 20 years still runs perfect
Got 2- 12ga. and a 20ga with multi barrels.
870 w a rifled Slug barrel good past 100yards......shot many deer with an 870.......older ones are so much better then the new ones....
The plastic trigger guards are nearly indestructible, but I believe they interchange with the metal unit off the police models... they used to be metal on police models, no idea what has changed since the bankruptcy, your milage may vary!
I bought my first Remington 870 in 1974. I still have it. It is so smooth it almost works itself. I have owned several more over the years and have never had a bad one. I started all three of my sons on H&R singleshot shotguns but gave each of them an 870 when they were old enough and big enough. I share your respect and admiration for both simple single shots and the 870 and still use both.
Never thought I'd see Dave with an 870. I bought mine as soon as I turned 18. It also has the plastic trigger guard, but it's totally fine, and certainly not a downside. Fantastic little shotguns, and there's all kind of stuff on the market for them if that's what you wanna do.
Thank you for the video! When I moved into my own house way out in the country years ago (1996), Mom and Dad bought me a Remington 870 Express, and at first, I loved it!
But then it began to jam. All. The. Time. I'd go dove hunting -- it would jam. Skeet shooting? Jammed. Keeping rattlesnakes at bay? Jammed. I took good care of it and took it to the gunsmiths several times, but I sadly had to get rid of it. I hated to, not only because it was a gift from my parents, but as a single girl living alone at the time, it was part of my self-protection, yet it was completely unreliable.
However after watching this video and reading the comments about how the 870 went through some sketchy years but maybe has gotten better, I'm going to look into it again.
Are they finally making a good 870 again? The last 10 years have been spotty
Manufacturers (imo) Should *Not* implement PLASTIC in any firearm…
Thank you for doing what you’re doing. Continue to edify fellow outdoorsmen. Really appreciate your dedication and perseverance. Keep at it. Merry Christmas and happy holidays from socal
Had my 870 for many years, 20 inch barrel, choke tubes and a rifled slug barrel. Love it! Never a problem.
I've had it for close to 30 years. Out shot some high dollar guns, taken more game than most have seen
It was made before they had QC problems
Please protect what little hearing you have left with some hearing protection.
Im glad to see that you are working with Remington Dave and that you are a fan of the 870. Rem has been my favorite gun company for decades and I love the 870 12ga. I have had several of them and have several now.
T Y, Dave, several good tips. I have owned 2, only problem I ever had was a bit of styrofoam shotshell filler, I believe, in the mag tube, that jammed a shell in the tube. A good reason to tilt the muzzle up & the butt down when you chamber a round, to encourage the fresh shell to move freely, in order to prevent such jamming. A grain of sand can produce such a jam, so keep the tube & shells clean as a whistle. The rubber sling is another very big "little thing" when you are in bear country & need to keep everything conveniently ready for action. You will want to bring a magazine "plug" along to meet any 3-shot plugging rules. A 3-inch 20-gauge 870 may be more desirable for some people. One-ounce 20-gauge Brenneke slugs are bear deadly.
Still got my 870 Wingmaster from 1974 which I paid $135. 👍🏼
Great video Dave!
I’ve always thought the pump action shotgun was the second most versatile firearm for self reliance, after the brake action; as you said it can use all the chokes, different barrels, all the great variety of shotgun ammo out there, and still retains the wonderful ability to use shot shells reloaded with black powder, much like a brake action, whereas semi-automatic shotgun would likely have problems cycling black powder loads. The only thing you lose is the subcaliber adapters, but I think that’s a very acceptable trade off to gain the faster firing rate, depending on what your needs are.
I have a 870 special purpose model that was a 30” barrel full choke from mid1970s. Originally used for goose hunting, but later had a local gunsmith shorten the barrel and modified to use choke tubes. Still in use today, with the original plastic trigger guard! Thanks for sharing! 👍🏻
I’m a huge fan of the 870 Wingmaster ❤ have one in 12 & 20 ga.
I had a 70's 870 that thing would bruise me every time I shot it even with bird shot lol.
Most of the quality issues in the past were the Express models. That being said I have one that has always been reliable. But I bought an 870 Police Mag a few years back, it's clearly better quality, better furniture, just an all around better gun than the Express.
870 just all around handy
Had the same 870 since the 1990s. Finally jammed it. Problem was a rusted shell stuck in the chamber. Shell was probably from the 90s also .
Classic American shootin iron. Got me a WingMaster version... Got me quite a few dinners for me and mine off that shotgun.
I love my 870 and I change my RemChokes out with a 12ga shotshell - no wrench needed.
Have owned and shot several, if there was one firearm I would be comfortable relying in an extended "survival" sort of scenario, it would be an 870, perhaps with a 22lr subcal insert if I could find one that isn't worth more than the gun is lol.
870 the only one gun anybody would ever really need!
I bought my 870 with a box of shells, back in the late 70’s from my neighbor for 100.00. One hell of deal. Several people have wanted to buy it , but I won’t sell. Taken all kinds of upland game, squirrel, rabbit, dove, duck, ground hog, and geese. It has a long barrel, tight pattern, and reaches way out to get the job done. I shoot no. 6’s out of it. Great fire arm.
My first firearm purchase was a Remington 870 wingmaster 12 gauge when i was a young man id saved all summer moving lawns and odd jobs , I ran hundreds of boxes of ammo through it perfecting my wing shooting , That gun and i were 1, Now i know remington has changed hands a few times since then and the 870 express as did all there arms went through a quality challenge . The model 590 is now rated above the 870 and i would never have believed this in 1975 . Its nice of them to send you a piece to lug around but its going to take alot more than that to regain Americas trust for new purchases . They have alot of improvements to make , And i hope they do Because Remington is America always has been always should be.
Nice looking gun. Wish I still lived out in the country, here in the burbs, a shotgun would just sit in the safe.
Love my 870. A real workhorse of a firearm.
i love my vintage Remington 870 Wingmaster! it has the original 31.5in "Goose" barrel as well as an 18.5in barrel i use for general purposes
What choke? Dove choke is an extremely vague description
Never mind it’s a discontinued .006 over decoy choke
My Dad had an 870 he bought durikng the 870s.
Remington 870 Best shotgun ever made. H&R would be #2.
I thought Snipes were on the endangered species list?
Nice model Justz to Have-on-Hand sir.
Good video Dave but I prefer a mossburg 500 12ga with the long , short and slug barrels. With the interchangeable chokes
Does the dove choke prevent you from shooting steel shot through the smaller barrel? I usually use my 870 for upland game and duck hunting, and I usually only have steel shot on hand, but it would be nice to have a shorter barrel for grouse and dove.
I've had mine since 1984. Mine has a rifled slug barrel on it. Love my 870!
I owned a Remington 870 12-gauge with interchangeable barrels for 20 years. I had no problems with it.
I recently picked up a barely used express HD model identical to this on sale at my local shop id like to get one of the choked field barrels to have a complete package didn't intend to grab an 870 as I already own several other guns that fill its niche mossberg even an old browning magnum twelve A5 I tend to favor my ithaca M37 Featherlite I grabbed the remington understanding that the ilyon plant had ceased production price point was hard to beat seemed like it was time.
Hey Dave, can’t agree with you more about your comment on 12 gauge and 1022 combo. Would love to see you do a video on 1022s, and share with us your outlook on that firearm. Even though it’s a semi automatic platform, I truly do believe it is the most dependable semi automatic 22 platform in the world. A lot of people don’t know that the Israeli military purchased 2 million Woodstock 1022s from Ruger. As far as I’ve been able to find, it is the only 22 rifle that has been used by an advanced, modern military. Which spoke volumes to me, as far as dependability goes.
But anyways, I would be very interested to hear your thoughts on that platform. I have a Woodstock 1022 with a full-size barrel, Leopold scope with quick attachment so I can swap to iron sights quickly in the field if needed. That’s pretty much my go to gun as far as camping, hunting or plinking. I also have a short barrel, stainless steel 22 with a backpacker stock that I take with me on canoe trips. It’s a much smaller package easy to keep in a dry bag. The stainless steel is an obvious plus on the water and it holds extra magazines and a boxe of ammo in the stock. I said all that to say there are so many aftermarket parts and different variants of the 1022 out there that cover a great range of survival needs. I would be interested to hear your thoughts.
I have 5, 870’s of a couple gauges and configurations. Spanning from 1977-1995 manufacture. All have been wonderful to use in the field or shooting trap.
Consistently strong , reliable and worth every penny I ever spent on them. Wish I could say the same about everything I’ve purchased in life!
I have the 870 20ga youth model love how short it is for the woods
I have an 870 wing master I’ve had since I was a kid my dad gave to me it’s had thousands of rounds pumped through it and never lets me down the action is slicker than wet ice just solid shotguns I got one for all my kids and they used to be fairly cheap for the quality you got from them
I've been hunting with 870s for 50 years and currently own 3 of them with various extra barrel lengths and chokes. Doves, duck, geese, deer, whatever. They're the most reliable firearms I've owned. One is my primary home defense weapon with an 18 inch barrel and extended tube. My youngest 870 was manufactured in the 1960s so mine are all limited to 2 3/4 shells and can't handle magnum rounds.
Dove choke?…..I know cylinder, improved cylinder, skeet , light modified, modified, and full….never heard of a dove choke. Maybe it’s a regional thing?
Wouldn't trade my Remington 870 SUPER MAGNUMN 3.5" for Anything I've seen ON THE MARKET
Just bought a 1973 Wingmaster w 30” barrel a few weeks ago. I completely took it apart, cleaned and oiled every part, and replaced some critical components (extractor, firing pin spring, follower and mag spring). It’s such a smooth gun!
Also added a shorter 18” barrel and a WC +2 extension, in case I want something more capable for defensive use.
My 31 year old 870 has a metal trigger gard. Came with 3 chokes and a wrench. It’s a 26 inch barrel. And I bought a 18 1/2 inch barrel. That shit gun was my first firearm purchase. It ran me 219.00
Most people sell shotguns short of what they can actually do. I find that my 12 gauge with a IM choke Is good out to 70 yards with 1oz #6 loads and 85 to 90 yards with 00 buck with a kicks buck shot choke. My 20 gauge with a full choke and 7/8oz load will out shot my 12 all day. I now I will have people call me out on this but that's fine.
I have two 870’s one from 1978 and one with a rifled barrel for deer hunting, love them both.
That one you got looks very nice, like the color of the wood
Nice review. Great gun. I prefer the Stoeger 12gauge double barrel uplander single trigger 👍. Great channel Dave
I use to prefer wood furniture. I prefer plastic now. The but stock is hollow. Prefer 25 inch choked barrel. Less than that too short more than 25 is pointless other than for sport shooting
I prefer the 590a1 and it's firing pin block when on safe. Nobody ever talks about this but 870s if struck on the butt hard enough or dropped on the butt hard enough can go off accidentally. The mossberg 590a1 has both firingpin and trigger block. Much more rugged n safe during shtf or hard use
i still have my grandfather's Wing master and magnum express i loved both of them my Wing master is my most used shotgun i have killed countless ducks, rabbits, squirrels, doves even a few pigs with it only downside is it does not have interchangeable chokes like most shotguns now have such as my Benelli nova. i bought a field master thinking it would be like the other 870's and i hated it ended up trading it for a 22lr. it felt cheap made and just did not seem to be as reliable and or shoot like the old 870s.
The plastic trigger guard is made very "thick" and put in place with two! pins. Not one.
It'll last, though metal do seems more appealing. It's more a matter of aesthetics. The use of one pin and a thin plastic most likely was what made the military wanting a metal guard on the 590a1
I've never turned my nose up it'll Remington 870 especially an older one but I'm way comfortable with my Winchester Model 12 it has a Cuts compensator with Lyman choke tubes I'm missing the improved cylinder from my collection still looking for it but it gives me a good bit of Versatility I even have one of them poly choke things that came with it where you can twist to select but they ain't worth a damn with steel shot they tend to fail