Remington 870
 

Wondering what the better model to get is:

870 XCS Marine Magnum OR 870 Police Synthetic

http://www.remington.com/products/fi...gnum_specs.asp

http://www.remingtonle.com/shotguns/870synthetic.htm

Purpose: home defense (and offensive operations once TSHTF).

Re: Remington 870
 

Why buy one when you can have both at twice the price?

Oh, and... offensive operations?? That doesn't sound good.

I know it's not a helpful post, but I have no experience with any 870 other than the Express, so...

Re: Remington 870
 

The Rem 870 is the WORKHORSE shotgun. Pound for pound is the best shotgun on the market. There are fancier designs out there for more money but for what you want it for the 870 synthetic is a superior home defense weapon that will perform for you when you need it do without flaw.

I am not sure of the differences between the two you mention, but if the marine magnum relates to it being waterproof or something, I would probably go with that one.

EDIT: Just looked it up, marine magnum supposedly is made to resist corrosion on land or water. Depending on the price difference, if there isnt much difference in price, I would probably go with that one, otherwise the 870 express is the same exact shotgun.

Re: Remington 870
 

Remington 870 Police models are geared toward Law Enforcement agencies and go through tighter quality control measures and more stringent function testing than other models such as the 870 Express...I would look for one of the Police models if I wanted one of the best 870's available.

Re: Remington 870
 

I have a Marine Magnum.

Electroless nickel coated. Black synthetic stock.

Very nice gun. These have really gone up in price.

I also have a Winchester Ranger 1300 with rifle type sights. I find the rifle sights far superior to the standard bead at the end of the barrel. I've never used the ghost ring sights but have heard nothing but good things about them.

Re: Remington 870
 

Hi,I had the Police model but didn't like the plastic trigger housing.I sold it and picked up a used Sportsman model(no longer made) the precursor to the Express.I bought a magazine extension kit from Remington and a 18'' slug barrel with rifle sights.This was the simple way for me.I also picked up a shot shell holder from Eagle industries www.eagleindustries.com. It fits on the stock and stays put unlike the elastic cheapies.I like the simple one(sku- sssc-qtr) The Marine model is good in humid climates or on a boat.The question is do you need the marine model for more money.Regards Mike.

Re: Remington 870
 

I agree Percival, I like to shoot clays and have 1,000's of rounds through my 870 without a problem. I should mention some of the cheap shells I use will expand a bit after firing and stick when I try to eject them but that's the ammo, not the gun.

Mike

Re: Remington 870
 

Thanks for all the input. The police model(s) do go through stricter quality control; the Marine(s) are better for exposure to bad weather. Magnums do run $50-$75 more but that's not really a factor. Will check with my local dealers and see what they have to say.

Re: Remington 870
 

As Marine Corps Infantry, we never did go for hunkering down and hiding�unless it was to set up an ambush.

"Hit hard, hit fast, hit often"�Fleet Admiral William Halsey.

Re: Remington 870
 

Since the OP is a Marine, I see no advantage to the Marine Magnum's finish, especially when the cost of the XCS Marine Magnum is compared to an 870P. The OP is conditioned to perform maintenance. The biggest difference remaining between the XCS and the Police gun is the trigger. The Police gun requires more force to fire. The other 870P advantages are subtle, like the forend setup to allow clearing a jam and the milled extractor versus the cast extractor on the other 870s.

As far as the polymer trigger guard and the aluminum trigger guard, both do their jobs well. I would not make a decision based on this. If it really bothers you, one can buy an older trigger plate and swap it into the gun. Lots of people do this to also lower the trigger pull on the 870P.

Re: Remington 870
 

This was my choice of 870 models...

http://www.remington.com/products/fi...gnum_combo.asp

Ultimate versatility is provided by the Model 870 Express Super Magnum Combo. The base shotgun is a standard Super Magnum with checkered hardwood stock, vented recoil pad, 3 1/2"

chamber and 26" vent rib barrel with a Modified Rem� Choke. Combined with this is a 3" chambered, 20" fully rifled deer barrel with rifle sights that can go from the field to the forest with a simple barrel change.

Re: Remington 870
 

You could test it on yourself to find out..............

Re: Remington 870
 

Re: Remington 870
 

Good question.

Re: Remington 870
 

The only problem I have with the police model is there doesn't seem to be any sling swivels. The ability to sling arms is definitely a plus on those long forced marches.

Re: Remington 870