A buddy summed up the Remington 870 completely, as soon as as we argued about which was the best shotgun ever made. The 870 was the best, he stated, as a result of it was the very best gun that probably the most doable folks might afford. He wasn’t unsuitable. The 870 is a gun for the plenty. It stands for instance of mass-produced, inexpensive excellence, and it has for 75 years.
There are actually thousands and thousands of 870s nonetheless on the job. With greater than 11,000,000 made and (hopefully) counting, Remington’s well-known pump has been used to hunt something you possibly can hunt with a shotgun. It has gained numerous clay goal occasions. It has served in struggle, in legislation enforcement, and as a home-defense shotgun.
Designed to be made with strategies developed for dashing arms to the troops throughout WWII, the 870 was an incredible, cheap gun ——not an inexpensive one. Its introduction in 1950 marked a brand new period of firearms manufacture.
- Motion: Pump
- Produced: 1950-present
- Designer: Remington design workforce: L. Ray Crittendon, Phillip Haskell, Ellis Hailston, and G. E. Pinckney
- Gauges: 12, 16, 20, 28 and .410
- Notable Variants: Wingmaster, Upland Particular, 3 ½-inch SPS Tremendous Magnum, Lure and Skeet Grades A,B and C, Specific
Remington 870 Historical past
Within the late 40s, Remington got down to make a pump gun that might compete with the Winchester Mannequin 12. Earlier than the 870, the Winchester Mannequin 12 was the king of pump-action shotguns. Launched in 1912, it was slick, dependable, and it pointed superbly. It was additionally very sophisticated, and costly to construct. The Mannequin 12 was all metal, with machined, hand-fitted elements. Remington’s pre-870 pump, the Mannequin 31, was additionally a wonderful gun, and, just like the Mannequin 12, it was costly to make. Though it had its followers, the 31 by no means loved the recognition of its Winchester rival.
Unable to beat the Mannequin 12 head-to-head, Remington determined to undercut it in value by making a brand new pump gun that might be cheaper to construct. Truly, they went even additional: the design workforce conceived of a “household” of weapons that would cut back prices by sharing some widespread elements. 4 weapons would finally make up the household: the 11-48 semiauto shotgun, the 870 pump, the 760 pump-action rifle and the 740 semiauto rifle. The 11-48 got here first, in 1948. The 870 adopted in 1950, making use of 60 11-48 elements, together with the receiver. Along with widespread elements, the 870 made use of stamped steel and alloy elements the place doable, and the gun required a lot much less machining than the Mannequin 31. A Mannequin 31 required 586 separate machining operations, whereas the 870 solely wanted about 150.
However there was extra to the 870 than cost-cutting measures. The 12-gauge 870 truly used a 16-gauge 11-48 receiver, which contributed to the completed gun being trim and lightweight. The forearm had twin motion bars linking it to the bolt, serving to to forestall twisting and binding while you cycled the gun. The inventory had sufficient drop and a thin-enough comb that it match all kinds of builds and faces. The 870 was a gun virtually anybody might shoot.
It got here in 12-, 16- and 20-gauge from the beginning. The 12s, with their slender receiver and ribless barrel (they weighed beneath 7 kilos), have been superb for upland looking. Initially the 12-gauges got here with a ¾-pound “Vari-Weight” metal journal plug that you would use so as to add weight for waterfowling or goal taking pictures.
From the outset, the 870 bought for lower than the Mannequin 12. In 1950, it listed for $15 much less, which is the equal of $200 or so right now. It helped, too, that the 870 was lighter and extra trendy than the 38-year-old Mannequin 12. It was simpler to take aside. There have been no screws, solely pins to push out, and it had a threaded journal cap that allowed straightforward swapping of barrels. Higher but, these barrels didn’t require becoming so you would personal multiple barrel, making your gun versatile.
Out of the field, the 870 shucked easily, too. Trapshooter Rudy Etchen gave the brand new gun an enormous P.R. increase by taking one of many very first 870s to roll off the road and utilizing it to turn out to be the primary particular person to interrupt 100 straight lure doubles targets with a pump gun on the 1950 Grand American Handicap. The brand new gun was an instantaneous success.
Glory Days
For a few years the 870 Wingmaster dominated the pump gun market. The three-inch 12-gauge debuted in 1955, and the 3-inch 20-gauge adopted in 1960. The 870 could be made in each gauge besides 10-gauge, and for each function. It was made into deer weapons, lure and skeet weapons, army and LE weapons, and, within the Nineteen Eighties, short-barreled, straight-stocked upland weapons.
Remington made the one-millionth 870 in 1966. The mid-60s additionally noticed the primary 870s to be adorned in what I consider because the “traditional” 870 type, with the walnut furnishings completed in a high-gloss urethane with pressed fleur-de-lis type checkering. The blue and polished steel on these weapons was immaculate, too. Whether or not you favored that look or not, there isn’t any denying that the weapons from that period have been superbly made and completed.
In 1971, the left-handed 870, a real mirror-image, grew to become the primary left-handed pump ever made. The 2-millionth 870 was made in 1973 and by 1978 Remington hit the three-million mark.
The Nineteen Eighties noticed huge modifications within the 870. The weapons bought a makeover, with satin-walnut shares and lower checkering, in addition to RemChoke choke tubes in 1986. In 1987, the 870 Specific was launched as a lower-priced entry-level gun. It had a hardwood inventory, bead-blasted steel end, and the inside elements, whereas equivalent to the Wingmaster’s elements, weren’t as completely polished. It could turn out to be an enormous success for Remington. It was additionally a backhanded praise to the Mossberg 500, which might undercut the 870 the best way the 870 had undercut the Mannequin 12. The Specific was Remington’s approach of competing with the Mannequin 500.
Within the Nineties the 870 hit the six- and seven-million marks. In 1998, the primary 870s chambered for the three ½-inch 12-gauge hit the market.
21st Century Woes
Regardless of the success of the 870 – thousands and thousands extra could be made – the early 2000s noticed Remington in monetary hassle. The corporate would finally promote to Cerberus, a non-public fairness group in 2007, and Remington was made a part of the “Freedom Group” that included Marlin, Bushmaster, and a number of other different firms. Beneath new administration, 870 high quality slipped badly, particularly among the many Specific fashions. Ageing equipment, poor high quality management, and cost-cutting measures turned the as soon as ultra-reliable 870 into an often-balky gun. The issues with 870s often centered round tough, poorly completed chambers that brought about hulls to stay within the gun as a substitute of extracting easily after firing.
Remington nonetheless made a number of good 870s throughout that point. My SPS Tremendous Magnum turkey gun, a 2008-vintage gun, has been a rock-solid gobbler-getter for me. However, I visited the Ilion, New York manufacturing unit within the late 2000s and got here dwelling with a left-handed 870 Specific that had so many issues I ultimately stripped off any probably helpful elements and took the stays to the landfill.
My 3 ½-inch Specific waterfowl gun is the exception that proves the rule that Specific 870s of the period had issues. It cycles every part completely, however solely as a result of I took it to my gunsmith and requested him to shine the chamber. He was so bored with honing 870 chambers that as a substitute he despatched it to Remington and stated “repair it.” They did. I had it cerakoted, and turned it right into a bulletproof waterfowl gun and the one purpose I don’t have it right now is as a result of my youthful son determined that he wanted it greater than I did.
Remington finally went bankrupt. Because the Freedom Group properties have been damaged up and bought off, the RoundHill funding group purchased Remington. RoundHill modified the title to RemArms, since VistaOutdoor, dad or mum firm of Federal, purchased the ammunition enterprise and the Remington name.
The brand new possession additionally launched their new 870 Fieldmaster. The primary 870 Fieldmasters made beneath the brand new possession have been put collectively from elements in stock, however inspected rigorously. Those I’ve shot labored the best way 870s are presupposed to work. At the moment the 870 is caught in transition as manufacturing is moved out of the historic, however getting older and over-sized manufacturing unit in Ilion, New York, to a brand new plant in Georgia.
You should buy the synthetic version of the brand new 870 Fieldmaster, however as I write this the wood-stocked variations appear to be bought out virtually in every single place. When the brand new facility is totally up and operating, we are able to solely hope it’s the beginning of the 870’s subsequent 75 years.
A RemArms consultant instructed OL this spring that “our new facility just isn’t up but however deliberate to be by the top of the 12 months.”
Learn Subsequent: Remington 870 Fieldmaster Review: Torture Testing the Shotgun That Will Replace the Express
Notable Variants
The 870 has been made for each doable function over its lengthy life. Nearly any 870 created from 1950-2000 is value grabbing on the used market, and a few of the 21st century weapons are okay, too. Among the many fashions to observe for are the Upland Specials, made within the Nineteen Eighties. With quick barrels, straight grips and a satin-finished, checkered wooden, they nonetheless make an incredible upland gun right now. They wouldn’t do badly within the turkey woods, both, if you will discover one of many later fashions with interchangeable choke tubes.
The lure and skeet fashions got here in three grades: T (or S for “skeet”) A, B, and C. The B-grade weapons had a better grade of wooden and impressed checkering. The C-grade weapons had high-grade wooden and lower checkering. The B grades particularly are a very good purchase. The 870 Competitors was a singular goal gun made for just a few years within the 80s. It was a single-shot pump with a gasoline system borrowed from the 1100 semiauto to cut back recoil, and it labored superbly, though the one two I’m personally conscious of each suffered break up forends, which can be a coincidence or it might not, and good luck discovering 870 Competitors wooden.
Just about any 870 Wingmaster with fleur-de-lis checkering is prone to be a very good one, and folks snap them up as of late. Earlier weapons had 2 ¾- or 3-inch barrels and receivers, so if you wish to shoot 3-inch shells search for “Magnum” on the receiver. The SPS “Particular Objective” weapons have been made in waterfowl and turkey fashions, they usually characteristic matte or camo finishes however are constructed to requirements greater than the Specific weapons.
Recommendations on Proudly owning an 870
The primary tip on 870 possession is that you need to personal one, possibly multiple. There are 870s to keep away from, nevertheless. One is the 16-gauge. It was constructed on a 12-gauge body, so it weighs as a lot or a bit greater than a 12, which all however defeats the aim of the gun.
Among the many worst of the early-2000 Specific weapons have been those that got here with somewhat sheet-metal key and a locking security button. It’s not that the buttons have been dangerous, it’s that the weapons of that point have been terrible. Likewise keep away from the Expresses with laminated shares. They have been dangerous weapons with low cost shares. These safeties and shares are crimson flags.
There are loads good, older 2 ¾-inch 870s. You may both purchase them and shoot 2 ¾-inch shells or you possibly can have a gunsmith reposition the extractor (which requires rebluing the receiver), and lengthen the chamber. Or, maintain out for a gun with “Magnum” engraved on the receiver before you purchase.
The 870 lure weapons kick, so shoot lighter masses out of them. The 870 safeties should not reversible for left-handed shooters. You’ll want a brand new half. The bead-blasted end on the Specific fashions rusts simply. Be sure you wipe your gun down, and don’t retailer it closed up in an unbreathable case all through the low season or it is likely to be orange while you take it out once more within the fall.
For no matter purpose, while you reassemble your 870, you’ll discover the 12-gauge shell latches pop proper in, whereas the 20-gauge and smaller latches are a ache till you be taught the trick. I haven’t discovered the trick but.
There are a bunch of nice aftermarket elements for 870s. The Timney Trigger Fix is dear at $100, nevertheless it’s nice for those who’re choosy about triggers. Volquartsen makes a pleasant, machined extractor claw that replaces a budget M-I-M half in lots of 870s. Likewise you may get an aluminum journal spring follower to exchange the manufacturing unit half for extra dependable feeding. Yow will discover loads of aftermarket stocks and different equipment as nicely.
Learn Subsequent: Best Pump Shotguns
Closing Ideas on the Remington 870
No matter what occurs to the 870 as manufacturing strikes from New York to Georgia, the 870’s influence on gunmaking historical past, its repute, and its standing as a real smoothbore icon are safe. There are only a few gun cupboards in america that don’t include at the very least one 870, which suggests thousands and thousands of individuals personal what I’d truly need to admit, is, certainly, the best shotgun ever made.
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