Remington 870

Why the Remington 870 Has Stood the Test of Time

Since its introduction in 1950, the 870 has seen continuous production through generations of hunters, law enforcement officers, military personnel, and home defenders. The twin action bar design eliminated the single-bar binding problems that plagued earlier pump-action designs. The crossbolt safety is intuitive and positive. The receiver is machined steel—not aluminum or polymer. These fundamentals haven’t changed in 70+ years because they work. The 870’s aftermarket is the largest of any shotgun ever made, with more stocks, barrels, chokes, and accessories available than any competitor.

870 Model Lineup: Express, Express Magnum, Tactical, and Wingmaster

The 870 Express is the entry point—matte blued barrel, synthetic or wood stock, and a price that makes it one of the most accessible quality shotguns available. The 870 Express Magnum is the most versatile hunting configuration: a 3” chamber that handles the full range of 12 gauge loads from light target loads through heavy 3” magnum turkey and waterfowl shells, with a vent-rib barrel and bead sight. If you hunt multiple species with different loads, the Express Magnum is the correct choice over the standard Express. The 870 Tactical ships with an 18.5” barrel, extended magazine tube, and ghost ring or bead sights for home defense and duty use. The Wingmaster is the premium version—polished blued finish, American walnut stock, and the smoother action that comes from tighter tolerances—built for upland hunters and collectors who want heirloom quality.

870 Express Magnum: The Hunter’s Choice

The Express Magnum earns its place in the lineup by handling the full spectrum of 12 gauge hunting applications in a single shotgun. The 3” chamber accepts 2¾” and 3” shells interchangeably—so you can run light 1-oz upland loads in the morning and switch to 3” magnum steel for waterfowl in the afternoon without changing shotguns. The vent-rib barrel with RemChoke system accepts interchangeable choke tubes for open cylinder patterns (home defense, slugs) through full choke (turkey). For hunters who want one shotgun that does everything, the Express Magnum with a selection of choke tubes and a spare slug barrel is the most practical 870 configuration.

12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge: Which 870 Is Right for You?

The 12 gauge 870 is the dominant choice for home defense, law enforcement, and most hunting applications. It handles everything from light target loads to 3” magnum buckshot and slugs. The 20 gauge 870 is the right choice for youth and smaller-framed shooters for whom the 12 gauge’s recoil is genuinely problematic, and for upland bird hunters who prefer the lighter weight and faster handling of the smaller gun. If recoil is not a significant concern, start with 12 gauge—the ammunition selection, stopping power, and aftermarket support are substantially greater.

Home Defense and Tactical Configurations

Few shotguns are as widely trusted for home defense as the 870. The Tactical model’s 18.5” barrel keeps it maneuverable indoors while maintaining legal length. The extended magazine tube holds 6+1 rounds of 12 gauge buckshot—more than adequate for any realistic defensive scenario. Ghost ring rear and front bead sights allow faster target acquisition than standard bead-only configurations. Law enforcement agencies have trusted the 870 Tactical for decades, and the same reliability that makes it a professional tool makes it equally appropriate for home defense. A side-saddle shell carrier and weapon light are the two most practical additions for a dedicated home defense 870.

Hunting Applications: Upland, Waterfowl, and Deer

The 870 has been the go-to field gun for American hunters for seven decades. The Express Field handles upland birds and small game with standard 2¾” loads. The Express Magnum with 3” shells and steel shot chokes is legal for waterfowl across all US flyways. A rifled slug barrel converts any 870 into a deer hunting slug gun accurate to 100+ yards with sabot slugs. No other shotgun platform offers this breadth of hunting capability with the same level of aftermarket barrel and accessory support. A hunter who owns one 870 receiver with multiple barrels owns a versatile tool for virtually every North American game species.

Shop Related Shotgun Categories

If you’re comparing pump-action options or want to explore other gauges, see our pump-action shotguns page, browse Mossberg 500 as the primary alternative, or explore all 12 gauge shotguns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Remington 870 still a good shotgun?
Yes — the Remington 870 is one of the most proven shotguns in history with over 12 million units produced. Current production under RemArms has addressed the quality control issues of the Remington bankruptcy era. The 870 remains the standard pump-action shotgun for home defense, hunting, and law enforcement use.

What is the difference between the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500?
Both are excellent pump-action shotguns at similar price points. The 870 uses a twin-action bar system that provides a smoother, more solid pump stroke. The Mossberg 500 has an ambidextrous tang-mounted safety and a slightly lighter weight. The 870 has a larger aftermarket; the 500 has a safety position many shooters prefer. Either is a sound choice — the decision often comes down to ergonomic preference.

What ammunition does the Remington 870 use?
The standard Remington 870 in 12 gauge accepts 2¾-inch and 3-inch shells. Magnum variants accept 3-inch shells only. It can fire birdshot, buckshot, and rifled slugs. For home defense, 00 buckshot in 2¾-inch is the standard load. For deer hunting, rifled slugs or buckshot depending on state regulations.

Does Impact Guns carry the Remington 870?
Yes. Impact Guns carries the Remington 870 in tactical, field, and combo configurations at our Ogden and Boise stores and ships to FFL dealers nationwide. See our Remington brand page for the full lineup.