Ive decided i like the Remington 870 shotgun platform. I want an inexpensive shotgun for both h/d and possible skeet in the future. One store around here has a Remington 870 express magnum with an 18" barrel and 7 round mag tube for $360. With this i would need a longer barrel for skeet which i have found for around $200. The other option is a different store with a Remington Express with a 26" barrel with a "modified rem choke" and smaller mag tube for $320. i found some 18" barrels for about $100. It seems as though the latter would be the way to go, buy a shorter barrel and maybe mag extension (which i hear ill have to file or drill some bumps). Which do you guys think is the better option? I dont know much about the specifics between models so school me if im missing something
FWIW, you really don't need an extended magazine for home defense if you are on a tight budget. Learn "shoot one-load one" and the standard mag will be OK.
If it were me I'd look for a used Remington 870 Express model with either 26" or 28" vent rib barrel with screw in choke tubes. I'm not sure where you are, but around here (Atlanta, GA) you can pick up something along these lines in good condition for about $230-280 OTD.
I'd then look for an inexpensive short barrel - Mossberg actually makes 18" aftermarket barrels for the 870's for a little over $100 new. You might be able to get a used barrel for as little as $80.
If you have any interest in a red-dot, the Tactial models aren't much more expensive. That's the route I took. I love the supplied ghost ring sight, but I need a taller front sight.
That said, I would like the 25077 a lot, but as others have indicated, it makes more sense economically to buy an Express with a Rem-choke barrel, VR, and then buy a 18.5 inch tube later.
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