Help me make a purchase!

**Frank716** · 01-31-2011, 04:28 PM

I plan on purchasing a shotgun within the next week or so.

In the research I've done, I've concluded that I'd like to purchase a Remington 870.

I don't hunt or anything like that, so I plan on using it for home defense as well as target shooting.

Though I've decided on the 870, there are a few variations of the 870 that I'd like some second-opinions on.

Available for purchase are the 870 Express, 870 Express Magnum, 870 Express Super Magnum, 870 Express Super Magnum combo...etc.

Anyone who owns any of the models I've mentioned, or who has any knowledge/experience in this area, I need your help.

If anyone can give me any pros/cons of any of the models I've mentioned, I'd be really appreciative.

Also, if anyone prefers an entirely different shotgun than the Remington 870, for the purposes of home defense and target shooting, feel free to tell me about those, too.

I'm giving myself a budget of around $500 for this particular purchase. Obviously the lower the price tag the better, but this is definitely not the kind of purchase I'm going to be a cheapskate about; I don't feel like a bargain price tag should be the sole deciding factor when it comes to firearm selection.

THANKS!

**Spydermonkey** · 01-31-2011, 05:20 PM

If you aren't going to be hunting with it and you're on a budget you don't need the added cost of the magnum models.

For home defense I would pick up a 7 shot Express model. Bud's has them for $321 NIB.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...ducts_id/95077

If you decide to hunt with it later you can always buy a different barrel to put on it.

**Jeff** · 01-31-2011, 05:21 PM

They're all the same except for the barrel length, chamber and sights. The super magnum can take 3.5" shells, the super magnum combo comes with 2 barrels for deer and fowl, the express magnum can take 3" shells.

Get something with a 7 round magazine and 18.5" barrel if it's for home defense.

The 870 express tactical can take 2 3/4 or 3" shells, has a 2 round extension and ghost ring sites.

Pump Action Shotgun - Model 870 Express Tactical - Remington Shotguns

edit: are you left or right handed? If you're a lefty then you might want a mossberg instead. The tang safety is better for us southpaws.

**scotts94_z28** · 01-31-2011, 06:06 PM

X2 on the 7 shot Express model. For $500 I would pick up the 7 shot 870 express, an XS Big Dot Tritium front sight, Vang Comp Large Head Safety and spend the rest on ammo to shoot and for home defense.

**jtwood2780** · 02-01-2011, 04:37 PM

Originally Posted by darkvibe

They're all the same except for the barrel length, chamber and sights. The super magnum can take 3.5" shells, the super magnum combo comes with 2 barrels for deer and fowl, the express magnum can take 3" shells.

Get something with a 7 round magazine and 18.5" barrel if it's for home defense.

The 870 express tactical can take 2 3/4 or 3" shells, has a 2 round extension and ghost ring sites.

Pump Action Shotgun - Model 870 Express Tactical - Remington Shotguns

edit: are you left or right handed? If you're a lefty then you might want a mossberg instead. The tang safety is better for us southpaws.

I'm a lefty, I have had my 870 Express Magnum since I was 16, I'm 30 now. I have never had a problem with mine. I love the gun. It is reliable as all get out.

Up until this past season I have hunted with that gun and taken many deer with the standard safety(for righties). I installed this left handed safety in it, myself, inside of 5 minutes: Fortmann's Left Hand Safety Conversion Remington 552, 740, 760, 870, 1100, 11-87 - MidwayUSA

It works fantastic, didn't know what I was missing.

I also have a Mossberg 500 and find that the topside safety works well ambidextrously as well.

I vouch for the 870 every chance I get. Mine won't win any shows on style or looks but it will put lead on target every single time.

**Jeff** · 02-01-2011, 07:58 PM

Originally Posted by jtwood2780

I'm a lefty, I have had my 870 Express Magnum since I was 16, I'm 30 now. I have never had a problem with mine. I love the gun. It is reliable as all get out.

I have both an 870 and some Mossbergs. My comment was only about ergonomics. With the 870, for a right handed person, you can reach the safety with your finger while your hand is in the firing position. If you shoulder the gun on your left shoulder then you have to reach underneath the gun to push the safety off.

With the Mossberg your thumb is on the tang safety on top of the action when your hand is in the firing position whether you're left or right handed.

It's not a big deal, just a nicety I realized once I owned my first mossberg.

**Bill** · 02-01-2011, 08:52 PM

Don't overlook an Ithaca. Bottom ejection is nice for lefties.

**Noodles** · 02-01-2011, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by twogunwilly

Don't overlook an Ithaca. Bottom ejection is nice for lefties.

Not to mention the Browning BPS. Bottom ejection, Mossberg-style safety, and much simpler to disassemble than the Ithaca.

**cooden** · 02-01-2011, 09:52 PM

+3 on the Remington 870 7-shot Express. I got the Talo Edition shipped for $300 to my FFL and I still got the $30 mail-in rebate. Great shotgun and as mentioned above, put the sight and Vang-Comp on it, you will be a happy camper!

**guygus3516** · 02-01-2011, 11:06 PM

bottom line is there is nothing as scary for a criminal as the sound of a pump action shotgun, my wife knows the drill, just in case I am not there, better to deter than confront, unfortunately

**Frank716** · 02-02-2011, 12:43 PM

Thanks for the helpful input, everyone.
It's really helping the decision making process be a bit easier for me, here.

A few people mentioned left/right-handed safeties.
I don't know if this is relevant, but for the record, I am right-handed.

**Jman511115** · 02-03-2011, 10:31 PM

I've got a Remington 870 express, and it's a great gun. Easy to disassemble and clean, and very reliable. Thinking about picking up one of those bullpup Keltecs once they come out though.

**Eric1371** · 02-03-2011, 11:01 PM

I bought a SuperMag a couple years ago thinking it would be the end all, be all for hunting, home defense, playing around...etc. Haven't regretted it yet. Just gotta find a shorter barrel for it.

**Shotgun Shooter** · 02-04-2011, 12:55 AM

Originally Posted by Eric1371

I bought a SuperMag a couple years ago thinking it would be the end all, be all for hunting, home defense, playing around...etc. Haven't regretted it yet. Just gotta find a shorter barrel for it.

Assuming you mean a 18.5" barrel, I got one for my maverick 88 (m500) at Midwayusa. I'm sure other sites have the same thing for an 870.

**Eric1371** · 02-05-2011, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by Shotgun Shooter

Assuming you mean a 18.5" barrel, I got one for my maverick 88 (m500) at Midwayusa. I'm sure other sites have the same thing for an 870.

I mis-spoke, I've found several, acquiring one is a different story.

**ronnyvous1** · 02-05-2011, 11:34 AM

Plain old 870 Express, or Mossberg 500 will work fine. If, by target shooting, you mean shooting clay birds once in a while, get a plain jane multi choke bbl., usually in 28" or so, and look for a used smoothbore deer bbl. for the home. The downside to the 870 is that the barrels still bring good money even in this day of rifled bores...while old Mossbergs can be found cheap, and even some plain barrels that can be shortened for the house gun...I bought a 28" PB modified for $30, and reduced it to 18.5", got a replacement bead from my local LGS and installed it myself, which isn't anything hard at all. If it had been a Rem bbl., I would have had to think long and hard before I put the cutter to it...