After receiving several recommendations concerning home defense shotguns I have decided to look into the Remington 870 line of shotguns. However, there are several different models of 870s and i want to know which of the 870s is the best for home defense/tacticle use? 
870P the police models donāt have the silly key lockable safety where as the more budget model line āExpressā has them. The finish and fit is superior on the āPā LEO models more along the line of a Wingmaster. The LEO models have a more rigid QC set up than the Express models. That said I have both and neither has given me issues and both have been shot allot. Though the 870P is simply a nicer weapon. THis was discussed earlier in this thread:https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=4889
If you replace the key lock safety with a jumbo button, that issue is solved.
My most recent 870 did not have the J-Lock.
This is my 870P with an 18.5 IC, 2 shot extn, parked w/ walnut stocks. Itās built like a bank vault.
You can check out some of the other variations at www.remingtonle.com
If you are buying a new one, then without doubt get a 870 Police.
Hersh,
Mine looks identical to yours except it has the 20" barrel and Iāve added a 4 shot Mesa side saddle. I love the look of the park finish and wood stocks, old school beauty.
I have owned a Remington 870/Scattergun Technologies Police Magnum for quite some time now. I could not ask for a smoother action ā¦It also has the Ghost Ring Night Sites, Oversized Safty, High Viz feed follower a nice feeling trigger. resulting in the perfect āhome defense shotgunā
All my buddies give me shit when I put on the Turkey Barrel and pull out what they like to call the āTactical Turkeyā. They all get a good laugh at my expense ā¦I always say Turkey doesnt know the difference.
My advice would be to pick up an older but nice condition Wingmaster, Police trade in if you you can find one. These usually have alot of external wear but the āgutsā are more or less good to go. Send it off to Wilson Combat for the rebuild and you will have a great gun at a great price.
I concur with Steve and recommend that you try to find a new or used 870P or Wingmaster. However, Iād send it to Hans Vang, Vangcompsystems.com as he is the only gunsmith whose work will not void the Remington warranty. Also, the fact that the DEA and Navy Special Warfare use his stuff is a clue. A large Fed LE bought guns from another big name and are now working with Hans to refurbish them and have him VangComp the barrels. Remington wouldnāt honor their warranty and the other big name after sale customer service left alot to be desired. Thus, they turned to Hans to fix the problems that some one else created.
FYI. I get no freebies, compensations, nor discounts from Hans. I recommend his stuff as I use it and trust what works vice slick advertising in gun porn mags.
S/F
Wow i love that walnut stock. By any chance where did you get that one?
I have an 870 express and love it. I too would recommend the 870P. From my understandig they have the thicker receiver that can handle a bit more abuse and 3" magnum loads if need be. They also have the nicer finish and better QC from what iāve heard.
Thanks!
A local smith special ordered it for me and he got it from Jerryās. They only sell to dealers, but hereās the link
I picked up an 18" 870 Express Magnum Synthetic on Gunbroker for $265. Luckily, the mag tube didnāt have those stupid dimples. So a +2 Wilson extension screwed right on. Since the photo, I have added a Wilson (Tacstar) sidesaddle, Wilson jumbo head safety, Wilson QD sling swivels, and a cheap-ass sling that holds 15 shells. 
Pictured with my Mossberg 590, which is for saleā¦
I agree and disagree with steve0. A police trade in 870 Police Magnum is your best bet. The Wilson upgrade package however is not worth doing to a Police Magnum. The only thing that package does for a Police Magnum is a very expensive refinish. On a Wingmaster, it could have some benefits, but nothing you couldnāt do yourself for cheaper.
I got my 870PM for $200 fully loaded (7 shot mag, Speedfeed furniture, etc). It had some scars and even a little pitting from rack contact, but the insides were good to go. I refinished it in Cerakote Micro Slick, and itās a great little gun now. (I canāt speak highly enough about the Micro Slickās lubricity properties either).
870P without hesitation.
OD*,
Thats a 20" correct? If so its exactly like mine.
What do you guys think of the 20" on the 870?
Cathellsk, mine is a Model 4903 and Remington lists it as an 18" but they are actually 18.5". Honestly, I donāt see a lot of difference in shootability between the two, I would be content with either. 
Nice Shotty, Hersh. I always thought an 870 with walnut furniture looked classy.
Someone on THR posted this, and it is informative:
REMINGTON ARMS COMPANY, LE DIVISION
Important differences between Remington 870 Police and 870 Express shotguns
The 870 Express has been an important part of Remingtonās offering to the sporting market.
It was designed to meet a price point in the commercial market while still providing classic 870 functionality.
All of Remingtonās 870ās have interchangeable parts, even if they have cosmetic differences.
It is also important to note that many manufacturers use the 870 Express platform for their Police / Combat models.
Without exception, every manufacturer who utilizes our 870 platform serves to upgrade their system to a more efficient, street worthy platform.
While the 870 Express is still an 870, the best pump shotgun on the market, there are some very important cosmetic and functional differences between it and the 870 Police.
To our customers in Law Enforcement, Military, Corrections, and Security, whose lives depend upon the unfailing performance of Remington shotguns, the Police modifications are of paramount importance. Synopses of the variances are provided below.
ā¢ 870 Police shotguns go thru a special 23 station check list ā ranging from visual inspection, functional testing, test firing, and final inspection.
ā¢ All Police shotguns are assembled in a āspecial build areaā at the plant in Ilion, NY. This section is secured and serves only to build LE and Military shotguns, with the same factory personnel working at that assignment each shift.
ā¢ All parts that enter the āspecial build areaā are visually inspected by hand to ensure top quality and functionality.
ā¢ Due to heavy recoil in buck and slug loads, all 870 Police guns have a longer magazine spring which ensures positive feed and function.
ā¢ A heavier sear spring is used to generate a reliable, positive trigger pull between 5 and 8 lbs.
ā¢ A heavier carrier dog spring is used to ensure when the carrier elevates the shell, it will be held there until the bolt can push it into the chamber. This ensures positive feeding when using heavier payload rounds.
ā¢ Police shotguns do not have an ISS (Integrated Safety System) which is a locking mechanism on the safety of commercial shotguns. This type of locking mechanism can cause delay to an officer who needs the weapon but does not have the appropriate key. LE shotguns have the standard, proven, cross bolt safety.
ā¢ The fore-end on the Express model is longer and not compatible with many police shotgun vehicle racks.
ā¢ The Police shotguns utilize the heavy duty SPEEDFEED Stocks and Fore-ends.
ā¢ The Express model will not allow for the addition of an extension tube without physical modification to the tube and barrel, which can nullify the warranty.
ā¢ The Express model has a BEAD BLAST BLUE finish while the Police models utilize either High Luster bluing or Parkerization.
ā¢ The Express model utilizes a synthetic trigger housing while the Police models use a compressed metal housing.
ā¢ The Police shotgun barrel is locked down with a āball detentā system in conjunction with the magazine cap vs. a lesser grade āsynthetic magazine spring retainerā lock down as used on the Express system.
ā¢ The receivers used in Police guns are āvibra honedā to smooth out rough finishes and remove burrs before parkerization or bluing.
ā¢ Police shotguns use machined ejectors and extractors, as opposed to powdered metal cast which are utilized on the Express models.