Found a used Rem 870 Police Magnum...

[Dark_IT_Papa]

Hi all!

This is actually my first visit to the Shotgun Club after years of "hanging out" in the Black Rifle Club.

Looking for some x-mas presents I suddenly stumbled across one for myself. It's a Remington 870 Police Magnum with 8+1 mag and nice looking greenish color.

Since I'm not a shotgun-man (yet!), I just want to check if there are any pitfalls in buying one of these.

It felt real good in my hand and the salesrep told me it's been shot less than 500 rounds. I really looked and felt good...

Comments or feedback?

[Carver]

Greenish? should be parkerized gray... does it say police magnum on the receiver? I wonder if it has been refinished somewhere to make her greenish?

but in general, you wont go wrong with a police magnum 870,... and they generally only get better with use, so a used model should serve more than well

[M1Garand]

+1 on you cannot go wrong with a 870 Police Magnum.

It is the toughest model out there.

Even the Wilson customize shotguns are based on 870 Express Magnum with annoying internal lock and other civilian features.

[Skintop911]

Originally posted by Carver
Greenish? should be parkerized gray... does it say police magnum on the receiver? I wonder if it has been refinished somewhere to make her greenish?


I've seen that color. Depending on steels and park jobs, some parked grays have or develop a subtle greenish hue to them. All of our 870Ps did. Also often seen in older Colt bolt carriers barrels.

[Dark_IT_Papa]

It looked precicely like the upper one one the picture. But it has the stock that holds 4 extra shells (like the one below).

And I do think it was written "Police Magnum" on the reciever... 90% sure.

http://www.kore.fi/gt/remington.jpg

[MrMurphy]

That's a Speedfeed stock. Not my particular favorite, but they do work. I'd rather get a Choate MkV or VI with that particular route.

However the gun is solid, an 870 with 500 rounds through it is barely even warmed up.. I wouldn't consider it "used" unless it had had thousands through it.

[Dark_IT_Papa]

Sounds really great. Can't wait until Monday - when the paperwork is done. :banana:

Is there something else that one should know about a shotgun like that. I guess cleaning and field stripping can't be that hard. Should I use Break-Free CLP on her also? I treat my Glocks and my AR with that stuff also...

Recommended ammo? HD and perhaps some clay pigeon shooting now and then...

[MrMurphy]

I CLP'd all my shotguns it won't hurt them.

[Ian]

Do you mind me asking how much you paid for her?

[M1Garand]

Some of the Wilson Combat customized shotguns are in green finish.

[ElevatedThreat]

Check the trigger guard/plate and safety. If it is a real 870P, it will have a beefy steel trigger guard with the same slightly pebbly Parkerized finish as the receiver, and no key lock in the safety.

If it has a black composition guard not Parkerized like the receiver, or if it has a J-lock in the crossbolt safety, it is not a real 870P.

If it is green and lightly used/fairly new, it MIGHT be one of the new "Tactical" models that Remington just started making, that somebody bought, did not like, and is trying to sell off.

The new "Tacticals" are reportedly more like the Express line than the Police line. Not necessarily bad, but should not be being sold as Police 870s, at Police 870 prices.

-ET

[Vigilant]

You mean you have to CLEAN a shotgun? :supergrin:

First, salesmen don't always tell the truth. But my salesman told me that both my 870Ps were owned by the same old lady who only fired them on Sundays. :supergrin:

Also, if the words '870 Police Magnum' are not stamped on the left side of the receiver, it ain't no real 870P. I have seen a few that just had '870 Magnum' stamped on the receiver. I'm not sure that these are the same quality guns as an 870P. I'm curious to know.

I broomed both my Express models after I finally got tired of 'rustproofing' every few months, and bought two 870Ps: an 8-shot with rifle sights, and a 7-shot with bead sight. Love 'em both.

One more thing: Look closely at the mag extension. If it's an 8-shot, it's probably a factory extension. But an 870P with an aftermarket extension ain't worth much to me.

Vig

[Dark_IT_Papa]

Thanks for all the great advice so far.

Monday morning, my paperwork should be done and then I'm heading for the shop.

Regarding the price: I put a bid on the rifle: 480 euros (approx. 630 US$).

Not sure if it's enough. I might have to go up to 500 e. ($655)

[Dark_IT_Papa]

Ok, the deal is sealed and the paperwork done! :banana:

And here she is...

http://www.kore.fi/gt/remmy.jpg

[gruntmedik]

Nice shotgun you got there. :thumbsup:

Here are some pics of one I picked up earlier this year--$201 out the door. It has obviously been used, but is quite servicable and shoots very well--I have plans...:supergrin:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b180/gruntmedik/Gun%20porn/870P1.jpg [IMG]http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b180/gruntmedik/Gun%20porn/870P2.jpg

[Norman]

I need an 870 Police. I sold my 870 Express.

[ElevatedThreat]

Originally posted by Dark_IT_Papa
Ok, the deal is sealed and the paperwork done! :banana:


When you mentioned "Euros" I checked your location and noticed you are in Finland. What are the gun laws like there?

(If I had ever thought about it, I would have assummed you guys were banned from all gun ownership like England and most of Europe.)

-ET

[Dark_IT_Papa]

No, Finland is NOT like England. Not even close.

Full Auto is usually LE/Military only. You might get a permit for one if you have a very good explanation.

All other guns are ok to own. You just apply for a permit at your local police and after 2-3 days you can pick up the permit and go shopping. (Unless you have a criminal record)

Sound suppressors are NOT regulated at all in Finland as in the US. Therefore also much cheaper and more popular here.

We have the Glock 17 Pro :thumbsup:

Unfortunately, guns and ammo are much more expensive over here since the market is so small. For example: A new Glock 17 costs about 550 euros which today is approx. $730 US and a box of 50 9mm rounds are $12 :steamed:

[ElevatedThreat]

Originally posted by Dark_IT_Papa
No, Finland is NOT like England. Not even close.

Full Auto is usually LE/Military only. You might get a permit for one if you have a very good explanation.

All other guns are ok to own. You just apply for a permit at your local police and after 2-3 days you can pick up the permit and go shopping. (Unless you have a criminal record)

Sound suppressors are NOT regulated at all in Finland as in the US. Therefore also much cheaper and more popular here.


Glad to hear you are still free in Finland!

Speaking of sound suppressors. Here in the US, the gun banners are always saying that we need to adopt Europe's gun laws. Well, I want a US lawmaker to introduce a bill to make US law on silencers like some European nations -- where having a silencer is just good manners, and the thing to do out of consideration for one's neighbors!

We might also attack it from the angle of public health -- necessary to control noise pollution and increase shooter's hearing preservation!

-ET

[Vigilant]

NICE 870, IT. Looks like an 8-shot. I have one like it, in near new condition. I like the extra two inches of barrel in terms of ballistics, and also the extra round capacity. But believe it or not, I have found that for me anyway, there is a noticable difference in the way a 7-shot handles, compared to an 8-shot. But my 8-shot is mostly for the woods, and for me, it's perfect for that application.

Have you checked into sight insert options yet? On my 8-shot, I had a set of Williams Firesights installed, and I love 'em. They are fiber optic sights, and as long as there is just a little bit of daylight left, the sights still light up just enough to take aim. Wish they were a little brighter, but they're still hard to best.

Best of wishes.

[boze2043]

Nice scatter gun ya got there! I purchased an 870 P MAX from a member back in July. He purchased it in Dec. 2005 and put 15 rounds through her then it went into a safe till I bought it. I have since qualified with it and carry it in my patrol car. I need to clean it and take some better pics. The round dark areas on the shoty are from the foam padding in a case I had it in for several weeks, they are gone now.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c79/boze2043/100_0415.jpg

[Dark_IT_Papa]

Very nice shotgun indeed.

Took mine out for the first time today. Boy that was nice!

Tried different types of ammo: Slugs, 4# Buckshot, Trap and a couple of 76 Magnum (ouch!). :hearts: