Help selecting Remington 870 20 gauge

[bcuda]

I am wanting to down size to a Remington 870 20 gauge and would like some input on what I should be looking for.
I have some arthritis in my right shoulder and don't feel like hammering the heck out it with my 870 Magnum express 12 gauge anymore. I will be headed to a gun show and not sure what I should be looking for. I do know I would like for it to be able to chamber a 3 inch round and I already have the Remington sure shot stock for to put on it. Thank you for any input !

[10th Legionaire]

Get an older one if you can. I have seven 870 and two of them are the newest of the old when they added the safety lock. All of them function perfectly. I have heard some not good reports on the new ones.

[bcuda]

Get an older one if you can. I have seven 870 and two of them are the newest of the old when they added the safety lock. All of them function perfectly. I have heard some not good reports on the new ones.
[/quote

Get an older one if you can. I have seven 870 and two of them are the newest of the old when they added the safety lock. All of them function perfectly. I have heard some not good reports on the new ones.

What year did they go to the Rem choke that is removeable? That is the type I want
so I can put a good turkey choke.

[10th Legionaire]

I don't know about that. I bought my first one new at Wally World about 1986 or 87 and it had a RemChoke barrel. I'd guess any Express has it.

[mountainhunter1]

Get an older one if you can. I have seven 870 and two of them are the newest of the old when they added the safety lock. All of them function perfectly. I have heard some not good reports on the new ones.

While 10th is spot on correct that they did have some major issues in recent years with quality control - I think that Remington as far as the 870 is back on track and a great gun once again. They have been under new ownership for several years now and have even changed the name of that gun trying to separate themselves from what had become a problem with the 870 during the final years of the previous ownership (now called the Fieldmaster). The wood is a bit better, the finish is much better and the action is noticeably better. And - still has that wonderful solid steel receiver. Have seen two of the new ones go through plum torture tests and have yet to not fire when the trigger was pulled.

For your purposes, I would suggest a 870 Fieldmaster Compact 870 with the 21" barrel (same gun most call the youth model) in a synthetic configuration for the stock and forearm. The gun weighs right at 6 pounds. You can get it dipped, cerakoted, or just spray can it if the black bothers you. And yes, the new 870 Fieldmaster is drilled and tapped for sights (praise the Lord for that). Even better - the compact synthetic version comes with a fully adjustable LOP system which is killer! Also uses the Remchoke system so that you can pick the choke that you want.

Sounds like you wanted to reduce recoil - maybe start out then with a Burgess Creek 2 3/4 shell with a 1 3/8 load of either 8's or 9's. Great load that will kill turkeys further than we need to be shooting. Satties Fatties and Windy Hill both make similar loads, as well as the Apex 20LT which is also a lighter load. But unless you are loading your own shells or have a buddy who can make you a lighter load, I would probably start with the Burgess Creek. Get you a Trulock .575 or .585 and you should be very happy no matter which load you decide to go with.

All that said, if you are not convinced and want to go with an older 870 Express, any gun you can find from the 1990's (and they are fairly readily available), will outlast either you or myself. the 870 Youth Model back then also had the 21" barrel with Remchoke system so you can pick the exact choke that you want. Those guns were tanks. But - they are not drilled and tapped and will need to have that fixed. And you will lose the ability to fine tune LOP as you can with the new Fieldmaster. 

[Haypatch]

I have the compact jr and it is super light and has adjustable length of pull... bought it for my son and he has taken over my 12 and I prefer the 20 now lol... small compact and easy to carry!

[Ctate94]

My $80 pawn shop 870 has never let me down. Couldn't tell you the year and I have beat the crap out of it, but always works.

[Marc]

I have some arthritis in my right shoulder and don't feel like hammering the heck out it with my 870 Magnum express 12 gauge anymore.

If you are looking for reduced recoil, I have not found that the lighter weight 20 ga. with stout turkey loads is NOT much less than that of a heavier 12 ga...  If you are simply looking for reducing the weight of carrying or holding up the gun, the 20 ga. is a great choice.

My experience points towards avoiding the Express and sticking with the Wing-Master.

If you are purchasing used, look for rust and pitting...  Especially in the chamber and barrel (use a flashlight).  Check the action of the pump, and ask to break the gun down and look for any signs of unwanted abuse.  Make sure nothing is bent and the the gun comes apart and goes back together easily.

[Turkeybutt]

I just bought a 870 Mag Express 20 gauge yesterday (21" barrel Youth Model with 4 chokes)at the gun shop. Paid a little more than I wanted to but it's a great gun.
Like Mountainhunter1 said the older ones are not drilled and tapped but it's getting dropped of at the gunsmiths tomorrow. Got a call into Sumtoy for one of his chokes and I think I'll be good to go.

[nyhunter]

I have 3 20ga 870's all shoot and pattern great, but I agree with other's if your looking to reduce recoil they still have a good amount of recoil, not bad at all with good shoulders, but it might be to much for someone with shoulder problems. I would definitely look for a 2 3/4" load . I think this would serve you well with the right choke.  A couple other options are a 20ga automatic, I bought a Weatherby last year and there is very little recoil. MY buddy has been using a 410 for a few years and he has flattened several birds with it the farthest one at 43yds, so there very capable turkey guns.  Good luck with what ever you decide to go with. it's always fun setting up a new turkey gun.

[bcuda]

Cant seem to find anywhere that has a new 870 Fieldmaster in a 20 guage.

[mountainhunter1]

Cant seem to find anywhere that has a new 870 Fieldmaster in a 20 guage.

Gunbroker has a bunch of them offered by reputable sellers. I seen some as low as $462.00 for the 21" barrel compact 20 gauge. I would post a direct link on here, but that may be a no no on this site. But they are easy to find if you go and take a look.

[Pelican]

I have an older 870 20ga. I am looking to hunt as well. 26in barrel with rem choke system. Lucked into a good stash of heavyweight 7's. Close range guy here, Have not patterned yet. Have a rem xf turkey choke was going to try first. Anyone with any pattern pics at 20yrds by any chance.

[Pelican]

I have an older 870 20ga. I am looking to hunt as well. 26in barrel with rem choke system. Lucked into a good stash of heavyweight 7's. Close range guy here, Have not patterned yet. Have a rem xf turkey choke was going to try first. Anyone with any pattern pics at 20yrds by any chance.

I shot this yesterday at 10, 20, and 30. Was extremely pleased with the results. Will definitely see some woods time this season

[Matt76cmich]

Get an older one if you can. I have seven 870 and two of them are the newest of the old when they added the safety lock. All of them function perfectly. I have heard some not good reports on the new ones.

While 10th is spot on correct that they did have some major issues in recent years with quality control - I think that Remington as far as the 870 is back on track and a great gun once again. They have been under new ownership for several years now and have even changed the name of that gun trying to separate themselves from what had become a problem with the 870 during the final years of the previous ownership (now called the Fieldmaster). The wood is a bit better, the finish is much better and the action is noticeably better. And - still has that wonderful solid steel receiver. Have seen two of the new ones go through plum torture tests and have yet to not fire when the trigger was pulled.

For your purposes, I would suggest a 870 Fieldmaster Compact 870 with the 21" barrel (same gun most call the youth model) in a synthetic configuration for the stock and forearm. The gun weighs right at 6 pounds. You can get it dipped, cerakoted, or just spray can it if the black bothers you. And yes, the new 870 Fieldmaster is drilled and tapped for sights (praise the Lord for that). Even better - the compact synthetic version comes with a fully adjustable LOP system which is killer! Also uses the Remchoke system so that you can pick the choke that you want.

Sounds like you wanted to reduce recoil - maybe start out then with a Burgess Creek 2 3/4 shell with a 1 3/8 load of either 8's or 9's. Great load that will kill turkeys further than we need to be shooting. Satties Fatties and Windy Hill both make similar loads, as well as the Apex 20LT which is also a lighter load. But unless you are loading your own shells or have a buddy who can make you a lighter load, I would probably start with the Burgess Creek. Get you a Trulock .575 or .585 and you should be very happy no matter which load you decide to go with.

All that said, if you are not convinced and want to go with an older 870 Express, any gun you can find from the 1990's (and they are fairly readily available), will outlast either you or myself. the 870 Youth Model back then also had the 21" barrel with Remchoke system so you can pick the exact choke that you want. Those guns were tanks. But - they are not drilled and tapped and will need to have that fixed. And you will lose the ability to fine tune LOP as you can with the new Fieldmaster.

This is exactly what I did when the Fieldmasters first came out. I put a Magpul stock on mine and got it dipped/cerakoted.

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