Picked this up a couple weeks ago from the local Big 5 Sports store. I had an HD model when they first came out several years ago but later sold it to fund another purchase. I noted a few changes from the original iteration:
Instead of the receiver being marked “Remington 870 Express” it now just says “Remington 870”
Instead of the original Field forend they’ve gone to the Police-type forend.
Sling attachment points added.
The muzzle is now even with the mag tube instead of the mag tube sticking out slightly ahead of the muzzle (as with the one I had previously). Evidently the barrel has been lengthened somewhat?
A decent HD weapon but still probably not up to Police standards as far as the quality of certain parts and the external finish.
Not too many problems with corrosion here in Arizona but I’ve heard some complaints that Expresses can be corrosion-prone in damp environments. Anyone have this issue?
Most of the time, my 870E sits in a closet adjacent to my humid bathroom. It has for about 3 years and I have had no problems with rust whatsoever.
BTW, Remington went to an 18.5" barrel some time ago. And they started adding the sling swivel studs a couple of years ago. They also started adding the Police (it is really a Speedfeed) forend on some of their Tactical line (dressed up Expesses) models.
One thing you missed in your comparison to older Express models is that Remington stopped using the stupid J-lock a couple of years ago.
As far as the build goes, the Express still uses some MIM parts whereas the same parts in a 870P are machined steel. The 870P also uses stiffer springs all around. And, of course, the 870Ps are made in the “special area”.
My #25077 looks just like yours except is has an 870P buttstock with R3 pad and my safety button is a Vang Comp.
Yeah, I was tempted recently to buy one of these . . . that is, until I found an 870 Police Magnum at a local gunshop for $630. 'Course, then I realized I don’t have the money for either. Sigh That’s another story though.
I bought a 870 Youth Express in 20 gauge for home-defense. First night I had it, I took it apart for cleaning and lubing; I couldn’t get it back together to save my soul. Action bars locked up in the receiver and I had to beat it with a plastic hammer to get it free.
Took it back to the store, they pulled an identical one off the shelf. I disassembled it and it did the same thing right there on the store counter.
They were nice enough to give me my money back. I know it wasn’t me, because I can disassemble and reassemble my old 870 Wingmaster 12 gauge in seconds.
I bought a Win. 1300 20 ga. youth with low round count; excellent little HD gun, it is.
As far as I’m concerned, Rem. Express shotguns are junk.
I read this in another thread also. Most new 870s are a little tricky to put back together, but by no means require a hammer. You know to push the shell tabs right? I would have liked to have been there.
870 Express is poor quality: poor machining, poor parts fit. I went through 2 brand new ones before I got my money back and bought a good used Win. 1300. Both the new Expresses jammed up right out of the box. They’re so bad that Rem makes a special 870 Police, otherwise the coppers wouldn’t buy it.
I know after handling an 870P, I do NOT want an Express . . . but the Express’s I’ve seen seem better made than the Mossberg 500s I’ve handled. FWIW :o
I have an 870 express in 2 3/4 camber and a 26" barrel. I also have an 870 police magnum with the 3" camber and 20" barrel. I like em both, no issues with the express.
I’ve seen a rusty express hd, but it was not properly maintained. It is not as smooth as a police model, and the parts aren’t as good, but for the price you can’t beat it.
I found a used 870p a few years back for a song and haven’t looked back. I didn’t think the 870 Express was that bad but have seen some issues reported on this forum lately that make me wonder.
Slugger
On both of them the action was ultra-stiff and raspy. When I dissasembled the one I bought for cleaning prior to firing, I couldn’t get the bolt carrier and rails back in, no way. Took it back in pieces, tried its brother out right there on the counter it did the same thing. The receivers seemed way out of spec. I know it’s not me because my 20 year old Wingmaster 870 12 guage goes apart and back together in seconds. I wouldn’t let my dog have an Express. There’s a reason the Police 870 is advertised as being made the old way . . . Lawmen won’t trust their life to the Express. Neither will I.
Not too many problems with corrosion here in Arizona but I’ve heard some complaints that Expresses can be corrosion-prone in damp environments. Anyone have this issue?
Yes, they can rust easily. It’s the matte blue finish…not much of a finish.
A can of Krylon fixed that for me. You can go ahead and give your shotgun a groovy camo finish of your choosing, too.
