Remington Model 870#Variants
{{Short description|Pump-action shotgun made by Remington Arms Company}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name = Remington Model 870
| image = Remington_870_Fieldmaster.jpg
| image_size = 300
| caption = A Model 870 Fieldmaster
| type = Pump-action shotgun
| service = 1950–present
| designer = L.Ray Crittendon, Phillip Haskell, Ellis Hailston, G.E. Pinckney
| length = {{convert|26.3|in|mm|abbr=on}} to {{convert|50.5|in|mm|abbr=on}}
| action = Pump-action
| origin = United States
| is_ranged = yes
| used_by = See Users
| wars = Vietnam War
Rhodesian Bush War
Lebanese Civil War
War in Afghanistan
Iraq War
| design_date = 1950
| manufacturer = Remington Arms
| production_date = 1951–present
| variants = See Variants
| weight = {{convert|7.0|lb|kg|1|abbr=on}} to {{convert|8.0|lb|kg|1|abbr=on}}
| part_length = {{convert|14|in|mm|abbr=on}} to {{convert|30|in|mm|abbr=on}}
| cartridge = 12 gauge, 16 gauge, 20 gauge, 28 gauge, or .410 bore
| feed = 3+1, 4+1, 5+1, 6+1, or 7+1 round internal tube magazine, or an external 6+1 box magazine
| sights = Bead, twin bead, adjustable open sights, or ghost ring (all iron sights). Also cantilever and receiver-mounts for scopes{{cite web|url=http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model_870 |title=Remington Model 870 Shotguns |publisher=Remington Arms Company, Inc. |access-date=2008-06-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080608124610/http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model_870/ |archive-date=June 8, 2008 }}
}}
The Remington Model 870 is a pump-action shotgun manufactured by Remington Arms Company, LLC. It is widely used by the public for shooting sports, hunting and self-defense, as well as by law enforcement and military organizations worldwide.The Handbook Of The SAS And Elite Forces. How The Professionals Fight And Win. Edited by Jon E. Lewis. p.47-Tactics And Techniques, American Army Special Forces. Robinson Publishing Ltd 1997. ISBN 1-85487-675-9
Development
The Remington 870 was the fourth major design in a series of Remington pump shotguns. John Pedersen designed the fragile Remington Model 10 (and later the improved Remington Model 29). John Browning designed the Remington Model 17 (which was later adapted by Ithaca into the Ithaca 37), which served as the basis for the Remington 31. The Model 31 was marketed as the “ball-bearing repeater” and was well-received, but its many machined and handfitted parts made the gun expensive to manufacture. Consequently, it struggled in sales compared to the Winchester Model 12. To achieve better sales, Remington produced the Model 870 in 1950, which was more modern and reliable in its construction, easy to take apart and maintain, and relatively inexpensive.{{Cite web |date=2007-05-23 |title=Remington's Magnificent Five - Page Two |url=http://hunting.about.com/od/guns/l/aastremmag5b.htm |access-date=2021-12-17 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070523002333/http://hunting.about.com/od/guns/l/aastremmag5b.htm |archive-date=23 May 2007 |url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|title=Remington 870 |url=https://www.thespecialistsltd.com/remington-870|access-date=2021-12-17|website=www.thespecialistsltd.com}}
The 870 was a commercial success. Remington sold two million guns by 1973 (ten times the number of Model 31 shotguns it replaced). As of 1983, the 870 held the record for the best-selling shotgun in history, with three million sold.Wallack, LR. "Sixty Million Guns". 1983. In Gun Digest Treasury, Harold A. Murtz, editor, DBI Books. 1994 p.193 {{ISBN|0873491564}} By 1996, spurred by sales of the basic "Express" models, which were added as a lower-cost alternative to the original Wingmaster line, sales topped seven million guns. On April 13, 2009, the ten millionth Model 870 was produced.{{Cite web|last=By|date=2020-07-27|title=The Story of The Remington 870|url=https://www.fieldandstream.com/story/guns/history-of-the-remington-870/|access-date=2021-12-17|website=Field & Stream|language=en-US}}
Design details
The 870 features a bottom-loading, side ejecting receiver and a tubular magazine under the barrel. The gun comes with a plug for migratory bird hunting which reduces the magazine's capacity to two{{Cite web|url=https://www.fws.gov/le/hunter-responsibility.html|title=Office of Law Enforcement - The Hunter's Responsibility|website=www.fws.gov}} rounds. It has dual action bars, internal hammer, and a bolt which locks into an extension in the barrel. The action, receiver, fire control group, safety catch and slide release catch of the Remington Model 870 shotgun are similar to those used on the Remington Model 7600 series pump-action centerfire rifles and carbines. The basic fire control group design was first used in the automatic 11–48.{{cite book|last=Michalowski|first=Kevin|title=The Gun Digest Book of Sporting Shotguns|year=2005|publisher=Gun Digest Books|isbn=978-0-89689-173-9|page=152}} Twelve gauge stocks will also interchange on the older 12-gauge-sized 20-gauge receivers, although modification is needed to fit the smaller sized 20-gauge receivers employed since the late 1970s. Several parts of the 870, such as buttstocks and magazine tubes, will interchange with the semi-automatic Remington 1100 and 11–87.{{Cite web|last=Campbell|first=Ray|date=2021-05-01|title=Remington 870: Why The Best Shotgun Is Actually The Cheapest|url=https://www.topfirearmreviews.com/post/remington-870-affordable|access-date=2021-12-17|website=Top Firearm Reviews|language=en}}
The original 870 models were offered with fixed chokes. In 1986 Remington introduced the new Remington "Rem Choke" system of screw-in chokes (also fitted to Remington model 1100 auto-loading shotguns at the same time). Initially, the Rem Chokes were offered only in 12 gauge in barrel lengths of {{cvt|21|,|26|and|28|in|mm}}. The following year the availability was expanded to the 20 gauge and included other barrel lengths.{{cite book|title=Remington Firearms Catalogs|year=1986|publisher=Remington Arms}}
The 870's production for over 30 years had a design flaw whereby a user could fail to press a shell all the way into the magazine when loading – so that the shell latch did not engage the shell – which could result in tying up the gun. This was caused by the shell slipping out of the magazine under the bolt in the receiver to bind the action, requiring rough treatment of the action or even disassembly. The potential issue was resolved with the introduction of the "Flexi Tab" carrier. Guns with this modification can be identified by the U-shaped cut-out on the carrier, visible from below the gun. The cut-out, combined with modified machining on the underside of the slide assembly, allows the action to be opened with a shell on the carrier.
Variants
File:Remington-870-Express-Tactical.jpg
File:Remington 870 Wmaster.jpg
File:Flickr - ~Steve Z~ - 870.jpg
There are hundreds of variations of the Remington 870 in 12, 16, 20, 28 gauges and .410 bore. All Remington 870 versions are built on the same platform and receiver, but there are small differences that can be more than just cosmetic. In 1969, Remington introduced 28 gauge and .410 bore models on a new scaled-down receiver size, and in 1972, a 20-gauge Lightweight ("LW") version was introduced on the same sized receiver, and all of the smaller gauges today are produced on that size receiver. From the original fifteen models offered, Remington currently produces dozens of models for civilian, law enforcement, and military sales.
The maximum shell length that can be used in a Remington 870 depends on the barrel and receiver of the particular model. While the receiver length determines whether a shell will feed, the chamber length in the barrel determines if it will be safe to fire. For 12 gauge 870s, the maximum shell length is {{frac|2|3|4}} in (70 mm) for non-magnums, 3 in (76 mm) for magnums, and {{frac|3|1|2}} in (89 mm) for super magnums. Since barrels can be changed, it is important to also check the barrel markings to ensure the chosen cartridge length is safe to use.
870 variants can be grouped into the following:
class="wikitable"
|+ !Model !Gauge !Barrel Length !Barrel Type !Description |
FieldMaster Deer
|12 gauge |{{cvt|20|in|mm}} |Fully rifled |20-inch fully rifled barrel with adjustable rifle sights. Satin black finish with walnut stock and fore-end with rubber recoil pad.{{Cite web |title=StackPath |url=https://www.remarms.com/shotguns/pump-action/model-870/ |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=www.remarms.com}} |
410 Turkey TSS
|.410-bore |{{cvt|25|in|mm}} |Vent Rib, Rem Choke |Extended full choke, TRUGLO rail system. Receiver milled for maximum strength and reliability. |
Turkey Camo
|12-gauge |{{cvt|21|in|mm}} |Vent Rib, Rem Choke |Pump action with full Rem Choke. Matte black finish on barrel and receiver. Synthetic stock. Shoots both 2 3/4" and 3". |
SPS Superslug
|12-gauge |{{cvt|25+1/2|in|mm}} |Fully rifled extra heavy (fluted) |Drilled and tapped sights, Matte black finish. Synthetic stock. |
Fieldmaster
|12-gauge, 20-gauge |{{cvt|28|,|26|,|21|,|18.75|,|26|and|20|in|mm}} |Vent rib Rem Choke and fully rifled |Bead and rifle sights, satin black carbon steel receiver finish, American walnut satin stock finish. |
Fieldmaster Synthetic
|12-gauge, 20-gauge |{{cvt|28|,|26|,|21|,|21|and|20|in|mm}} |Vent rib Rem Choke and fully rifled |Bead and rifle sights, satin blue receiver finish, matte black synthetic stock finish. |
Special Purpose Marine Magnum
|12-gauge |{{cvt|18+1/2|in|mm}} |Cylinder choke |
SPS Super Mag Turkey Predator
|12-gauge ({{frac|2|3|4}}", 3" and {{frac|3|1|2}}") |{{cvt|20|in|mm}} |Rem Choke |Slide action with pistol grip stock and black overmolded grip panels. |
Super Magnum Flyaway
|12-gauge ({{frac|2|3|4}}", 3" and {{frac|3|1|2}}") |{{cvt|28|in|mm}} |Vent rib, Rem Choke |Slide action with innovative bolt design keeps cycle stroke equal for all 3 lengths of shotshells.{{Cite web |title=StackPath |url=https://www.remarms.com/shotguns/pump-action/model-870/ |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=www.remarms.com}} |
Super Magnum Turkey/Waterfowl Camo
|12-gauge ({{frac|2|3|4}}", 3" and {{frac|3|1|2}}") |{{cvt|26|in|mm}} |Vent rib, Rem Choke |Pump shotgun with camo coverage.{{Cite web |title=StackPath |url=https://www.remarms.com/shotguns/pump-action/model-870/ |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=www.remarms.com}} |
Wingmaster
|12-gauge ({{frac|2|3|4}}" and 3"), 20-gauge, and .410-bore |{{cvt|25 |
28|in|mm}}
|Vent Rib, Rem Choke |Satin finish on stock and fore-end. American walnut woodwork. Receiver and barrel are polished blue.{{Cite web |title=StackPath |url=https://www.remarms.com/shotguns/pump-action/model-870/model-870-wingmaster |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=www.remarms.com}} |
Fieldmaster Fully Rifled Cantilever
|12-gauge |{{cvt|20|in|mm}} |Fully rifled |Fully rifled barrel with black satin finish and walnut stock with fore-end rubber recoil pads. |
=Unlicensed Norinco Copies=
Chinese arms company Norinco has made unlicensed copies of the Remington 870, as the design is no longer under patent protection. The most common of these designs are the Hawk Industries Type 97, Norinco HP9-1 and M-98, the difference being that the HP9-1 has either a 12.5" or 14" barrel, whereas the M-98 has an 18.5" barrel and the Type 97 Military version uses magazines.{{cite book|last=Cutshaw|first=Charles Q.|title=Tactical Small Arms of the 21st Century: A Complete Guide to Small Arms From Around the World|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=55szjc6g520C&pg=PA327|access-date=24 September 2013|date=28 February 2011|publisher=Gun Digest Books|location=Iola, Wisconsin|isbn=978-1-4402-2709-7|page=327}} In the United States, where most Norinco products are specifically non-importable,{{cite book|last=Peterson|first=Phillip|title=Gun Digest Buyer's Guide To Assault Weapons|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fd9Qc0neMjYC&pg=PA178|access-date=24 September 2013|year= 2008|publisher=Gun Digest Books|location=Iola, Wisconsin|isbn=978-1-4402-2672-4|page=178|chapter=Norinco}} this shotgun was imported and sold under the names Norinco Hawk 982 and Interstate Hawk 982.{{cite book|last=Lee|first=Jerry|title=The Official Gun Digest Book of Guns & Prices 2012|date=11 April 2012|publisher=Gun Digest Books|location=Iola, Wisconsin|isbn=978-1-4402-2927-5|page=747}}
Users
File:Remington Model 870 Users.png
File:Maritime Safety & Security Team (MSST) 91106.jpg petty officer from Maritime Safety and Security Team 91106 armed with an Mk870P fitted with a Trijicon RX01 reflex sight and a Speedfeed stock]]
File:6 SFS marine patrol airmans magazine.jpg Security Forces Marine Patrol airwoman from MacDill AFB with an M870]]
=Non-state users=
- {{flagicon image|Forces_Libanaises_Flag.svg}} Lebanese Forces{{Cite web |date=2016-03-17 |title=Lebanese Forces: The Weapons: Pump Action Shotguns|url=http://www.lebaneseforces.com/wpumpaction.asp |access-date=2022-11-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317111140/http://www.lebaneseforces.com/wpumpaction.asp |archive-date=17 March 2016 }}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons and category|Remington 870}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110122185301/http://www.remington.com/product-families/firearms/shotgun-families/pump-action-model-870.aspx Remington page for 870]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20131004060030/http://www.remingtonsociety.com/rsa/journals/870/ A guide to Collecting Remington 870 Shotguns from Remington Society]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110118084254/http://www.remington.com/product-families/firearms/tactical-families/tactical-shotguns.aspx Remington page for 870 Tactical]
- [http://www.remingtonmilitary.com/Firearms/Shotguns%20Pump/MCS.aspx Remington Military MCS page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019220155/http://remingtonmilitary.com/Firearms/Shotguns%20Pump/MCS.aspx |date=19 October 2018 }}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080216043916/http://www.remingtonmilitary.com/articles/870ExpvsPol6-30-05.pdf Important differences between Remington 870 Police and 870 Express shotguns]
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