What are the differences between the 870 Express, and the regular 870?

[Ian]

Wanted to purchase just a regular Remington 870 pump, but they only had the Express that shoots magnums.
Is the only difference being that it is capable of shooting magnum shells, or are there other differences between these shotguns?
Thanks in advance :)

[Black_Talon]

Originally posted by Ian
Wanted to purchase just a regular Remington 870 pump, but they only had the Express that shoots magnums.
Is the only difference being that it is capable of shooting magnum shells, or are there other differences between these shotguns?
Thanks in advance :)

From my original post here (http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?p=708572#708572):

Here's what Remington says about the difference between the Express and the Police guns:

REMINGTON ARMS COMPANY, LE DIVISION
Important differences between Remington 870 Police and 870 Express shotguns
The 870 Express has been an important part of Remington’s offering to the sporting market.
It was designed to meet a price point in the commercial market while still providing classic 870 functionality.
All of Remington’s 870’s have interchangeable parts, even if they have cosmetic differences.
It is also important to note that many manufacturers use the 870 Express platform for their Police / Combat models.
Without exception, every manufacturer who utilizes our 870 platform serves to upgrade their system to a more efficient, street worthy platform.
While the 870 Express is still an 870, the best pump shotgun on the market, there are some very important cosmetic and functional differences between it and the 870 Police.
To our customers in Law Enforcement, Military, Corrections, and Security, whose lives depend upon the unfailing performance of Remington shotguns, the Police modifications are of paramount importance. Synopses of the variances are provided below.

• 870 Police shotguns go thru a special 23 station check list – ranging from visual inspection, functional testing, test firing, and final inspection.

• All Police shotguns are assembled in a “special build area” at the plant in Ilion, NY. This section is secured and serves only to build LE and Military shotguns, with the same factory personnel working at that assignment each shift.

• All parts that enter the “special build area” are visually inspected by hand to ensure top quality and functionality.

• Due to heavy recoil in buck and slug loads, all 870 Police guns have a longer magazine spring which ensures positive feed and function.

• A heavier sear spring is used to generate a reliable, positive trigger pull between 5 and 8 lbs.

• A heavier carrier dog spring is used to ensure when the carrier elevates the shell, it will be held there until the bolt can push it into the chamber. This ensures positive feeding when using heavier payload rounds.

• Police shotguns do not have an ISS (Integrated Safety System) which is a locking mechanism on the safety of commercial shotguns. This type of locking mechanism can cause delay to an officer who needs the weapon but does not have the appropriate key. LE shotguns have the standard, proven, cross bolt safety.

• The fore-end on the Express model is longer and not compatible with many police shotgun vehicle racks.

• The Police shotguns utilize the heavy duty SPEEDFEED Stocks and Fore-ends.

• The Express model will not allow for the addition of an extension tube without physical modification to the tube and barrel, which can nullify the warranty.

• The Express model has a BEAD BLAST BLUE finish while the Police models utilize either High Luster bluing or Parkerization.

• The Express model utilizes a synthetic trigger housing while the Police models use a compressed metal housing.

• The Police shotgun barrel is locked down with a “ball detent” system in conjunction with the magazine cap vs. a lesser grade “synthetic magazine spring retainer” lock down as used on the Express system.

• The receivers used in Police guns are “vibra honed” to smooth out rough finishes and remove burrs before parkerization or bluing.

• Police shotguns use machined ejectors and extractors, as opposed to powdered metal cast which are utilized on the Express models.

************************************

[HAVOC]

Hmmm... is this an exhaustive and exclusive list? My 870 is marked 870 Express Magnum, and not all the items on the list seem accurate.


• 870 Police shotguns go thru a special 23 station check list – ranging from visual inspection, functional testing, test firing, and final inspection.

• All Police shotguns are assembled in a “special build area” at the plant in Ilion, NY. This section is secured and serves only to build LE and Military shotguns, with the same factory personnel working at that assignment each shift.


• All parts that enter the “special build area” are visually inspected by hand to ensure top quality and functionality.

• Due to heavy recoil in buck and slug loads, all 870 Police guns have a longer magazine spring which ensures positive feed and function.

• A heavier sear spring is used to generate a reliable, positive trigger pull between 5 and 8 lbs.

• A heavier carrier dog spring is used to ensure when the carrier elevates the shell, it will be held there until the bolt can push it into the chamber. This ensures positive feeding when using heavier payload rounds.

Above here I can't say how mine compares. I have no point of comparison and/or no way of knowing.

• Police shotguns do not have an ISS (Integrated Safety System) which is a locking mechanism on the safety of commercial shotguns. This type of locking mechanism can cause delay to an officer who needs the weapon but does not have the appropriate key. LE shotguns have the standard, proven, cross bolt safety.

Unfortunately my 870 has this abortion installed.

• The fore-end on the Express model is longer and not compatible with many police shotgun vehicle racks.

Pretty sure mine had the longer "sporter" forend. Moot as it now wears a Sure-Fire.

• The Police shotguns utilize the heavy duty SPEEDFEED Stocks and Fore-ends.

I didn't get any SpeedFeed parts. But no matter, in addition to the SF, I found a used Remington "LE Only" folder.

• The Express model will not allow for the addition of an extension tube without physical modification to the tube and barrel, which can nullify the warranty.

Here's where it get weird. Mine came with a 6rd mag tube, and doesn't have the dimples in the fixed part of the tube.

• The Express model has a BEAD BLAST BLUE finish while the Police models utilize either High Luster bluing or Parkerization.

I guess mine's beat-blased blued. *shrug*

• The Express model utilizes a synthetic trigger housing while the Police models use a compressed metal housing.

Yup, abortion part II. Anyone know where to pick up the Police trigger housing?

• The Police shotgun barrel is locked down with a “ball detent” system in conjunction with the magazine cap vs. a lesser grade “synthetic magazine spring retainer” lock down as used on the Express system.

My 870 has a detent on the barrel collar that mates with ridges in the mag extension. What's a "synthetic magazine spring retainer" look like?

• The receivers used in Police guns are “vibra honed” to smooth out rough finishes and remove burrs before parkerization or bluing.

Couldn't tell ya.

• Police shotguns use machined ejectors and extractors, as opposed to powdered metal cast which are utilized on the Express models. While the extractor on my gun is obviously molded, the ejector sure looks like a machined piece Looks forged, actually...

[Ian]

:embarassed:
Sorry, I should have read my own thread before going to purchase.
They actually did have a Marine there, I presume that would be far better in our hot and humid climate.
Do you know of the differences of the Marine?

[Vigilant]

I don't want to make any MarMag owners mad, but it is my understanding that a MarMag is basically a nickel-plated Express. Hopefully, someone can prove me wrong.

Vig

[Colorado Fatboy]

Originally posted by Vigilant
I don't want to make any MarMag owners mad, but it is my understanding that a MarMag is basically a nickel-plated Express. Hopefully, someone can prove me wrong.

Vig

Everything I've heard tells me the same thing!

[Colorado Fatboy]

Originally posted by HAVOC



• The Express model will not allow for the addition of an extension tube without physical modification to the tube and barrel, which can nullify the warranty.

Here's where it get weird. Mine came with a 6rd mag tube, and doesn't have the dimples in the fixed part of the tube.



If you have the Express model that comes from the factory with the extension than it doesn't apply. They are talking about the ones that come with a standard magazine, not the factory extension.

[DaBigBR]

Originally posted by Vigilant
I don't want to make any MarMag owners mad, but it is my understanding that a MarMag is basically a nickel-plated Express. Hopefully, someone can prove me wrong.

Vig

I would say that is fairly accurate. It definitely has the Express' furniture, but it also DOESN'T have the express' finish.

The upcoming MarMag XCS appears like it may be more closely related to the 870P since it has a pretty tough finish and Speed Feed furniture.

[Syclone538]

.....

[Skintop911]

Remington has been known to assemble shotguns in feature combinations inconsistent with normal production, based on component availability.

These subsitutions make the lower end of the line better, rather than the reverse. One might see a conventional tube or a blued finish on an Express, but not commercial components or abbreviated QC on gov production (870P).

Much like the many, often collectible, variations of and/or transitional Colts.

[Quail Fat]

The 870P also has heat treated/hardened trigger guts.

[Ian]

I just decided to keep the Express Magnum.
It won't receive excess use after the course, and the price swayed it big time!
I paid $300 for it, and was told that the Police is $200 more :shocked:

[method]

Older Expresses have a metal trigger guard, at least mine does.

[M1Garand]

Nice discussion. Very informative.