Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Current model Remington 870 would you buy one

I started hunting with a 870 but don't have now would you buy a current 870 for waterfowl ?

Not a gun writer, but no I would not buy one. Especially the Express model. I might consider a new Wingmaster 870, but would look very closely at it and would not buy sight unseen. They are not what they used to be. I would look for a decent used older model 870.

I have not looked at them in the last few years, but over my lifetime this is my favorite shotgun. I have auto's and over/unders that cost much more but I am just able to hit more consistently with this shotgun than any other. bought my son an express a few years ago and he has no complaints.

I have a Browning BPS that I call a POS, would take an 870 of any era over it.

^^^This^^^

The quality control has really fell at Remington in the last 5 years or so. I’d look for a really clean user 80’s or 90’s model if it was me. They can be had really reasonably.

I don't worry about it. Have one of the earliest made.

Not a chance. Look for an older model. IMO, the quality has slid pretty far downhill

They started to cheapen them with the first Express models in the late 80's.
It has been a continuing process. A new one would probably be a functioning gun.
But they have taken a gun designed to be built cheaply from steel, and now it has plastic
and pot metal.

NO!

I have two Wingmasters from the late 70's and an Express from 2010 and functionaly there is no difference.
The Wingmaster is finished nicer and if you can find a nice one for a good price buy it. For knocking around the duck marsh the Express would be fine.

No way....I'd take a Benelli Nova before i would touch a current 870.

Nope.

Bought my first about 1972. Have witnessed the decline ever since. My son's SP Synthetic, purchased in 97, has been a solid gun. Later Express models were noticeably crappier, with plastic trigger guards, and the 20ga Youth had to be loaded very carefully to avoid having a shell get wedged under the carrier, a major PITA to clear.

I'd look for a nice higher grade early model if I really wanted one, but after owning one for a bit, I'd much prefer an Ithaca 37, either one from the 60s, or a new production one from Sandusky. Those aren't cheap, but appear to be of very high quality.

All that said, my shotgun needs are all being very well handled by a nice A5 with Brileys added to its 30" VR barrel. THAT's a shotgun!

Only the Wingmaster. I've heard too many issues with the cheaper models.

I've bought a couple current model 870s recently and am about to buy a few more. I've had no issues with them. They've all functioned like they're supposed to.

I just bought two in the last year for grandkids... 20 ga Youth Express and am certain, based on others I have been dealing with for a long time they will function just fine. The 870 rattle is designed to make them work even when sloppy.

Curiously, the two I just got do not have production date stamps???

The OP asked about the 870, but for waterfowel, I would recommend a Beretta semi.
Lighter than a newer 870, kick less also,
cheaper, and lighter reoiling than a Benelli.
Pappy's A5 would be the ultimate traditional
waterfowl auto. Assuming the old A5, not the new one.

I was low bid on a NIB 870 Express at a live auction a couple of years ago. I'd gone looking for one for Angus for a turkey gun. Angus loves his. He's filled all his tags with no problem, and also has used it for clays. I've also got an 870 TB Trap from the mid-80's. Both shotguns work equally well.

I have a mid 50's Wingmaster in 20 ga that was my Uncle's.....that era is what I'd be looking for vs new. Gorgeous

I won one about 15 or 20 years ago. It didn’t impress me...don’t remember if I ever shot it. Gave it to a nephew.

I grew up with Ithaca 37’s and have always felt that they were a better gun...slicker functioning, much sweeter handling.

It all depends upon which model 870 you're considering. The Wingmaster is the higher end version and is a nice shotgun. The express is the cheaper model. I wouldn't recommend the express. Your best bet would be to look for a used Wingmaster. A much better made gun than the express.