Home Forums Birds & Dogs Shotguns Remington 870 FieldMaster Bbl. Length...?

Lookin' at gettin' a couple of the new Remington 870 FieldMasters as Christmas presents for the boys this year, in 12 Ga..

Reviews say that these shotguns are a little bit heavier than my ole 870 Wingmasters, which are in both 12 and large receiver 20 Ga., w/ 28" Mod. Bbls.

... so was thinkin' of goin' w/ a 26" Bbl. instead of the 28", to improve the balance.


Will try to find them in a store to mount and swing, but any Advice/Comments/Concerns would be appreciated.




GR

Garandimal, just answered your questions in the post below, you need to handle the Fieldmaster...one sweet handling gun. Got a 20 ga in the 26" barrel and have it set up for turkey in #9 TSS handloads. Throws a great pattern out to 40 yds and more. The matte finish and satin Walnut perfect for chasing gobblers. The receiver came drilled for a Burris Fastfire III red dot sight.

Found both a 12 Ga./28" and 20 Ga./26" at a local store, and will be looking at'em tomorrow.

The 12 Ga./26" is an hour's drive away.

One of my sons has one in his town store, so will have him check that one.

The more I look at'em... the more I see'em under the tree.




GR

I had a chance to handle the Fieldmasters at a local gun shop, in 12 and 20 gauge. The 20 gauge has a 26" barrel. Way nicer than Remington's previous Express. Fit and finish is very nice, and they cycle very smoothly. And their receivers are pre-drilled and tapped if you ever want to add a scope or red dot. They're pretty impressive. The new owners of RemArms certainly came out with a better gun than the previous Remington produced.

When I buy a shotgun, I tend to gravitate to the 26" barrels. 2 extra inches never really did anything for me.

I think the 26" barrel swings better than the 28"....I originally bought the 28" and got it home and realized it was not the 26"which I wanted. Took it back and they exchanged it for the 26" no questioned asked. I have never liked a 28" in any shotgun....just me some like them which is fine. The new Fieldmaster seems just as good as the Wingmaster and I got a 12 ga to compare it to....fit and finish just as good. The satin walnut wood is very impressive. You can't go wrong with it. The price is right too.

For most hunting shotguns, I prefer a 26 inch barrel but don't feel handicapped with a 28 inch. If I were buying one today, I would go 26"

Well...

Handled both the 20ga./26" and 12ga./28" today.

Subjectively - to me, the 20ga. seemed a little small and light, like it might be a kicker, even as a 20ga.. Great upland weight for a lot of hiking.

The 12ga., however, had a solid heft and the 28" Bbl. wasn't objectionable... although I think the 26" will be about right.

Both were fine shotguns, good fit/finish, and very slick actions.

Will definitely be gettin' a coupla of'em.

Think RemArms got it just right on the price point.




GR

What is the attraction?...Before they went under there were millions out there that most cared little about. You could pick them up at bargain prices. Why now?????

The look to be every bit as nice as my ole 870 Wingmasters... for $500.

Refused to buy the "Express" because they were crap.

The FieldMasters are a welcome improvement.




GR

I prefer 26” barrels on pumps and semi autos. On two barrel guns, I like 28” or longer.

I bought the 12 ga Fieldmaster with 26” barrel myself. The balance is perfect! Plus the 26” can pull double duty as a turkey gun easier than a 28”.

What about the recoil pad on the new Fieldmasters, is it the best Rem has to offer?

It’s not the super cell pad used on the pre rem arms guns. It’s an regular style pad. It’s ok, but not as soft as the super cell pad. I think the new Wingmaster uses the Super Cell pad. though.

I'll put this here instead of starting a new thread on the Field Master. I was in a major LGS in Richmond twice this week and they can scarcely keep these Field Masters in stock. They sell as soon as they get some. So, people are buying the hell out of them. I did see a new Field Master Super 3 1/2" 12 gauge. The receiver was already drilled and tapped for a scope base. They are working their way to the top of my short list. I cycled a 20 gauge and it cycled smoother than my Browning BPS. Finish is dark blue and way nicer than the old Express. Wood looks excellent. Looks like RemArms has hit a home run with these guns.

The semi-auto V3 is being produced again, too.

10Glocks, they selling as fast as stores can get them in because people are starting to realize what a great shotgun Remington is putting out again….and at a price that I don’t know how they can produce this low. When you compare it to the Browning BPS and it is smoother operating and fit/finish is just as good or better, plus the price is way less. I have a BPS that I just sold to my son in 12 ga so I know how well made they are, but there is something about the way a 870 handles over other pumps, and Remington has done there homework on this one.

The kick of my 20 ga Fieldmaster is not hard at all. Could shoot it all day in the dove fields and upland for hunting and never know you have been hunting that day. Even in 3” loads for turkey it way less kick than my 12 ga in guns I own. The recoil pad they using on my 20 ga is perfect fit/finish to the walnut stock. Still say you owe it to shoulder one of these guns and see for yourself what Remington is putting out.