Questions about the Rem 870 Express

[Guest Creek]

I recently purchased a Remington 870 Express Magnum for skeet and home defense after a trusted friend convinced me that I'd be a moron to get a Mossberg 500 (which I'm much more familiar with) and I'm starting to regret listening to him.

The first surprise I got was the magazine dimples. I'd like to put on a 2 shell magazine extension and I know the dimples can be sanded down to accept one but that seems like I'm asking for trouble. What are you guys' thoughts on this? Does it weaken the structural integrity of the magazine tube? Does it make me look like a criminal if my shotgun has been heavily modified to accept extra rounds?

Also, I've been looking for a 18.5" or 20" barrel for home defense and I was under the impression that any 870 barrel with a 3 inch chamber would work but I've noticed some are 870 barrels while others are 870 Express barrels, is there an actual difference between the two or is it just the finish? Also does the fact that it's an Express Magnum change anything (I know I'll only be able to use 3" shells with it)?

Thanks for your input.

-C

[Guest EasilyObsessed]

I wouldnt worry about grinding the dimples down. Just take a dremel to them and be done with it. The higher end models dont have them.

[Guest krater]

I recently purchased a Remington 870 Express Magnum for skeet and home defense after a trusted friend convinced me that I'd be a moron to get a Mossberg 500 (which I'm much more familiar with) and I'm starting to regret listening to him.

The first surprise I got was the magazine dimples. I'd like to put on a 2 shell magazine extension and I know the dimples can be sanded down to accept one but that seems like I'm asking for trouble. What are you guys' thoughts on this? Does it weaken the structural integrity of the magazine tube? Does it make me look like a criminal if my shotgun has been heavily modified to accept extra rounds?

Also, I've been looking for a 18.5" or 20" barrel for home defense and I was under the impression that any 870 barrel with a 3 inch chamber would work but I've noticed some are 870 barrels while others are 870 Express barrels, is there an actual difference between the two or is it just the finish? Also does the fact that it's an Express Magnum change anything (I know I'll only be able to use 3" shells with it)?

Thanks for your input.

-C

I removed the dimple on mine with zero side effects. Have at it.

Advise shortest bbl for home defense, of course.

And 870 bbl is a 870 bbl as long as it is made by Remington (and probably by everyone else, but i dont actually Know that).

Mossys are great shotguns with very good value/$ imo, but it takes a sober 3 handed monkey to detail strip one and put it back together easily. Thats the #1 reason I prefer the 870- ease of detailed cleaning.

[Guest 70below]

I've got a 20" smooth bore rifle sight barrel on mine and its just fine for HD use in my opinion. I don't really feel there is any significant advantage of an 18" (which is usually 18.5") over the 20". If I felt I needed to go shorter I'd just get myself and AOW. I drilled out the retainer bumps without problem when I added my magazine extension tube. I'm kind of partial to the 870 even though I grew up with the Mossberg 500 my dad had. Reasons are ease of cleaning, price and availability of replacement/aftermarket parts, and training I received while working for Dept. of Corrections.

[Angus]

After several months of research on 12 gaugees, I found the 870 to be a better option than the 500. I have shot both, but as been said the 870 is easier to strip and clean as well as find parts for. Both guns work forever and a day, but I found the Mossberg leaving me questioning whether I would be happy owning it. I feel confident with the purchase of the Remington, and really that is what is important.

[Guest cjr]

The 870 is a great tool.I used one for many years duck and goose hunting in Port O'Conner Texas.The

[Guest cjr]

OOPS I sent befor it was complete.

After hunting we would drop the 870's in the floor of the air boat with salt water soaked dogs,decs and chest waders,we cleaned them with motor oil and they never missed a beat.Today it works as well as it did 8 years ago

[Guest c_o_jones]

Trade it for a Mossberg, or trade up to a 870 police.

[Guest Astra900]

I have both. Both are damn fine. In the long run, the 870 might edge out the 500 a wee bit. Plus there are so many pimpin' goodies for an 870:tough:

[EMTRN]

(I know I'll only be able to use 3" shells with it)?

-C

U can still use 2 3/4 shells.

[Guest DVC]

The one thing I would recommend doing to an 870 Express is replace the mag tube follower.I like the green one that Wilson/Scattergun Tech sells.

[Oh Shoot]

The one thing I would recommend doing to an 870 Express is replace the mag tube follower....

Why?

- OS

[Almond27]

Don't they come with a bright orange one? The Remington 870HD I had a very Bright Orange one I don't see why green would be a whole lot better/easier to see but I guess it is just a matter of personal preference.

[John Wall]

The plastic follower is frail and easily broken. One of the few replacement parts in my 870-P is a bright orange metal follower.

[Oh Shoot]

The plastic follower is frail and easily broken. One of the few replacement parts in my 870-P is a bright orange metal follower.

IC, good to know.

- OS

[Guest DVC]

Why?

- OS

Cuz it's a POS.The Wilson follower is way thicker and has a small protrusion to better support the mag tube spring in the extended tubes.JMO,do as you want.

[Oh Shoot]

Cuz it's a POS.The Wilson follower is way thicker and has a small protrusion to better support the mag tube spring in the extended tubes.JMO,do as you want.

I actually ordered one from guy on eBay after looking into that. Will fit my 870 Synthetic 7 round (no dimpled tube), but not my other 870, standard Express.

I do see stainless steel and aluminum conventional looking followers that fit the dimpled tube models, guess might be good to get one of those too.

- OS