Remington 870 Express?

Can anyone share their experiences with Remington 870 Express combo package with Rem choke and rifled or smooth slug barrel? Is the rifled barrel better than a plain slug barrel? I know this model is frequently offered at the discount chains, but the price seems realy great. Any comments, good or bad would be appreciated. Thanks.

If you use a smooth barrel use riffeled slugs

Get the fully rifled barrel, it can shoot any slug you wish. BTW...the Remngton is a fine gun. I just like my Mossberg a little more. To each his own though.

Mike

'Trying is the first step toward failure'

'Just because I don't care, does'nt mean I don't understand'

I have owned and hunted with an 870 express for many years and am very happy with it. I use a 28' barrel with interchangeable chokes for waterfowl and use a shorter barrel with a rifled choke for deer. Friends of mine also use the same setup except with a rifled barrel. The rifled barrel is more accurate at the longer ranges, but my setup has taken deer at 80 plus yards without any problems.

I have and 870. I don't care for it as a slug gun. The stock is designed to be sited low, looking directly down and on the barrel. You would expect that for a shotgun.

Now add the height of the slug barrel site or a scope and you have a gun that basically can't 'fit' anyone. In order to see thru the scope or sites you must lift your cheek off the stock slightly. Not a good shooting profile. I've seen guys add a scope to their 870 and get wacked in the face the first time they fired it!

Adding one of those Monte Carlo style stock will help. I believe the 870 slug only version COMES with this stock. Obviously someone at Remington noticed the problem.

Learned to shoot with an 870 Expr and have stuck with it ever since. I have tried the moss. equivalent (model 700 I think) and some others, for an all around pump that is interchangeable from slug to long barrel, I think it is the best choice. I use the rifled barrel with open sights and have hit targets accurately at distances I would never try to take a deer. I have a Monte carlo stock on it, that may make some of the difference. If it fits you well, I would suggest you go with it.

Just as a side... My hunting buddy has an 870 that is almost 80 years old it as a serial number on it in the 3 digits. On a few occasion I have used his barrels (the design has not changed in a long time) and it shoots as if it were new.

Sorry, the 870 wasn't introduced until late 1949, so it will be a few more years until there are any 80 year old 870s around.

I have bragged on my 870 before, but I will again. I know that the rifled barrell is probably better than my smooth bore, but I have complete confidence in my gun. I have never shot more than once at a deer with my 870, and I have yet to lose a deer, (Knock on wood). The reason I am writing tonight, is because today, I went to sight my gun for deer season next Friday. I test my sights every year. I shot five Super X 1 0z slugs within a six inch circle at 75 yards, with no rest, while standing on a concrete block, to simulate standing on my treestand. I am ready for season, and even though I would probably not take a 75 yards shot, I am glad that if I did, I could trust my gun. There are better guns, but for the money, I love my 870.