johnnygolucky

So my Winchester 1200 12G is getting tired and I looking at picking up either the Remington 887 or Benelli Nova or super nova. I like the poly over wrap for water protection. The problem is that I've been reading some really terrible reviews on the 887. I mean, it's quite shocking how many people say it's junk. Has anyone here had experience with either of these shotguns?

Nutty4Guns

I can't speak to the Remington, but I have a Nova tactical and it has always worked great. I bought the buffer that mounts in the butt stock to reduce recoil and think that it is worth it if your gonna do a lot of shooting with it.

HollyM

Last fall was the first year I carried the Remington 887s, and I sold quite a few for people who were looking to use them for hunting. It was amazing how many people either came back and traded them in or called to let me know they jammed and were unreliable. Its a great concept they have, but unfortunately it just doesn't seem like Remington has worked out all the issues with it. I would have to say go with the Benelli, you will be happier in the long run.

johnnygolucky

Yeah, it seems like everyone thinks the Remington 887 is junk, whereas the 870 is well loved. I just got the chance out of town today to check out the Nova and Super Nova. No doubt that I'm in love. Really like the way it feels in the hand. The Super Nova is nice as it has a much larger trigger area for gloves.

Kolat

I've had no problems with my benelli's, put probably 2000 rounds thru a super nova with no issues then sold it to cousin and he never cleaned it and he did have a couple shells stick till he cleaned it.

My super black eagle I shoot currently runs great as long as I do my part it knocks the birds down great.

T

philster

The 870 express is junk. Wingmaster and Police magnum are not what they were, but at least they are decent guns. The 887 doesn't say express, but the price tells you it is an express.

The Nova isn't a cheap benelli, it's just a different one. The same manufacturing process is used as the Super. I used to be a remington guy, but my last purchase was a mossberg 590a1 after checking everything that was out there. Benelli was a close second.

GixxerPete

How is the 870 express junk? Heavy and plain, sure. But junk? I got my 870 express over 20 years ago and it's been rock solid. The 870 series is one of the most popular pump shotguns ever, and used by police and military. I'd really like to hear why you think they're junk.

koorbloh

lol, as an owner of an 870, I both agree and disagree with you pete.

compare it to my grandpa's old wingmaster, and it's junk.

however, I'd trust my 870 to do what I need it to do at anytime, regardless of maintenance

WhiteKnight

Im gonna rock the boat....Go with a Mossberg 500 series.

GixxerPete

Ok but the action is the same in a Wingmaster as the Express, just different furniture.... so how can one be junk and the other not? One is just more gussied up version of the other, no?

But truth be known, I recently sold my Express to a co-worker's son, and plan on buying what I've always wanted.... a Wingmaster.

Then maybe a Keltec for a defensive shotgun.

koorbloh

all I know is, my gun is smooth and works great.

grandpa's old gun is smoother and works greater.

:)

philster

No. One is not just more gussied up. critical metal injected parts made in Mexico, such as the extractor. Combine that with insufficiently polished chambers that in a lot of guns leave the spent shell stuck in chamber, and you get a lot of the guns right out of the box that you shouldn't trust your life with.

I've got a 30 year old wingmaster. I checked out all the offerings from Rem, Mossberg, Benelli, and winchester when choosing my HD gun. There was NO comparison between my wingmaster and the expresses I looked at. If you are going to buy remington, go wingmaster or Police.

Teacher Todd

hmm my express is silky smooth.

GixxerPete

Interesting... is this (MIM etc) something relatively new with the Express? Mine is 20+ years old and never missed a beat, jammed, or otherwise failed in any way.

But like I said in previous post, my Express is now gone, and I will be getting a Wingmaster.

philster

I don't know the history of the express so I dont' know if it always had import parts. But it has always substituted non-forged parts for parts that are forged in the wingmaster and police. It's a fine sport gun. And you can substitute a forged extractor, and get a smith to polish the chamber and forcing cone. But then you're probably into used wingmaster prices.

I LOVE my Wingmaster, so it's not that I'm against Remington. I spent a couple months shooting every tactical shotgun out there for under $600 before getting my mossberg. And I didn't go for the most "tacticool" gun out there. The 590a1 is the only gun that passed the mil-spec test. My mossberg 590a1 is the one that looks like a field gun (5 shell magazine) with an 18 inch barrel. No bayonette lug or anything! New price was right at $400 and it's top of the line (metal trigger group, metal safety, heavy weight barrel (easily tapped for choke tubes if you want)).

A police 870 is sweet as all get-out! But it's $200 more. If you can afford an 870 police, it's awesome. If you can only afford $400 and it's for protection get the best $400 gun you can.

The express isn't even the best pump-gun Remington makes. Why bet your life on a "budget" gun, when for about the same you can have a great gun? Benelli or Mossberg wins in my opinion. And it's only my opinion so I hope nobody gets offended.

philster

Hey, anybody interested in an 870 should look at CDNN Sports. They have a bead sight Police Magnum, 7 capacity for $399! That's almost express prices, and it's a kick-butt, go to war firearm! Go to CDNN Sports, Inc. download the catalog (PDF, I know... But they pass the savings on to you!)
And check out page 42. Even with the transfer fee it's a great price. Check around of course first.

GixxerPete

So what 870s are "Police" models? The only thing I can find on their websites are "tactical" models, but those could be gussied up Expresses for all I know.

That said, after looking at Mossberg's website, some of the 590a1 variants seems like a lot better bang for the buck (pun intended). I still want a Wingmaster, but will likely go with Mossberg for a defensive/tacticool shotgun.

philster

Police magnums are wingmasters that were assembled in a special part of the facility by remington's "master builders". They are basically tactical wingmasters. At the price CDNN is selling them it's worth the FFL transfer fee to buy one if you want an 870. I'll talk smack about expresses all day long, but a wingmaster or police magnum is another story.

I woudn't talk you out of the mossberg, as that's the direction I went. If you cant' afford the 590a1, add a metal safety button to the 590, and you have all the shotgun you'll ever need. That dang safety button is the only lame thing on a standard 590. If you get the 5 shot magazine model, you can run 835 magnum barrels on it for clays or hunting. You can not shoot 3.5 inch shells out of it though. they won't eject out of the receiver. The cool thing is a 28 inch, ported, ribbed 835 barrel with 3 interchangeable choke tubes is only about $150! I use my "tactical" 590a1 with that barrel to shoot trap, and 5 stand, and it'll hunt everything from grouse to geese!

WhiteKnight

Im using a Mossberg 590 tactical for home defense and I love it.....