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 competitive shooters. Its twin action bars eliminate the binding that plagued earlier single-bar designs, and the steel receiver has proven virtually indestructible under hard use. Remington has sold over 11 million 870s — more than any other shotgun in history — a number that reflects genuine performance, not marketing. When something works this well for this long, the market tends to notice.

870 Model Lineup: Express, 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 on the market. The 870 Tactical steps up with an 18.5” barrel, extended magazine tube, and ghost ring sights designed for fast target acquisition in home defense situations. The 870 Wingmaster is the premium offering, featuring a polished receiver and fine wood stock that makes it a true heirloom gun. Impact Guns carries all three configurations in both 12 gauge and 20 gauge.

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, giving you maximum flexibility. The 20 gauge 870 is the better pick for youth shooters, smaller-framed adults, or anyone who shoots a high volume of rounds and wants reduced recoil. Pattern and terminal performance are excellent at typical hunting distances, and 20 gauge ammunition is widely available. Both gauges share the same legendary action reliability.

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 in tight spaces, and the standard 4+1 capacity can be extended with aftermarket magazine tubes. Ghost ring sights allow fast, precise slug placement at longer ranges. The 870’s pump-action design is also more tolerant of light loads than semi-autos — an important consideration if you plan to cycle reduced-recoil defensive loads. The Tac-14 variant takes the platform further with a pistol grip and 14” barrel for an ultra-compact configuration.

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 ease, while Express Super Magnum variants accept 3.5” shells for late-season waterfowl. With a rifled slug barrel, the 870 becomes a capable deer gun that many hunters prefer over a rifle at typical timber distances. The interchangeable barrel system means one receiver can serve triple duty — field barrel for birds in fall, slug barrel for deer season, and a short tactical barrel kept at home for security.

Shop Related Shotgun Categories

If you’re comparing pump-action options or want to explore other gauges, Impact Guns has dedicated pages for 12 gauge shotguns, 20 gauge shotguns, and the full Remington brand lineup including rifles and ammunition. All orders ship to your local FFL dealer — use our FFL dealer lookup to find one near you.