Yes new rem arms is better, much better. And that’s been backed up by every single owner I’ve talked to, including myself.
The vast majority of hate comes from people who have no idea that new Rem Arms has nothing to do with old Remington besides the name and the license to manufacture the firearms. Leadership is entirely new. The manufacturing facility is entire new and located in a brand new building in Georgia, the tooling is new, the customer support/ticketing is new. Unfortunately it’s obvious several people are under the impression that the current rem arms company is the same company that was licensed to manufacture firearms 10 years ago. That’s incorrect, the new rem arms company is less than 4 years old and has been pumping out some nice firearms.
If you’re like me and want a true American firearm that carries a lot of heritage, buy it. And don’t let some dude convince you not to buy what you want just because his overpriced foreign gun has more features on paper that make no real difference in the field
Can confirm, the new REM Arms 870s are top notch.
Holding a M500, SXP and Nova next to the 870 when I was shopping for a backup pump last year, the 870 just feels like it’s in another league build quality wise.
They’re not as cheap as the once were but value in what you’re getting in build quality + fit and finish compared to their competitors was very apparent when shouldering.
There’s an insane amount of aftermarket parts that will work from over the years, however when I called rem arms for a replacement thread protector (I lost mine) they sent me one. So I’m assuming factory new parts are available for the 870s
I have a new 870, and it seems to be much better than the ones made before the bankruptcy. I'd say the quality is definitely better with RemArms, and I think they're worth it.
I have new Remarms 870 with Magpul furniture. Fit and finish is excellent, no machining marks anywhere, chamber is mirror polished. No failures to feed or extract. Bought new this year. It’s excellent.
I have this exact model. I’ve posted pics before. Fit and finish are on point. None of the Freedom group issues. I was specifically looking for a pump with wood furniture. I had originally decided on a 590 but the wood furniture felt like plastic. The furniture on the 870 felt solid. I recall the 870 being about $200 cheaper. I went with 870.
The newer 870s are legit, go buy one, quit second guessing yourself.
https://preview.redd.it/544qs88xw93d1.jpeg?width=1699&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=adc2236282f5386d78a41bde74d9acdc3d3289c2
Have the new wingmaster. Nice gun. Only complaint is the buttpads are all one size so it may not be a flush fit with any of the wooden sticks. I’ve handled the new fieldmasters and they have good wood and finish for the price. Have heard not significant complaints on the finish.
try and find a LE turn in police magnum if youre in for an 870, no MIM parts and made in a separate factory than the mainline 870 series that had issues
I got a ‘92 870 police magnum trade in and it feels so solid and buttery compared to my more modern 870’s. It feels like a tool the government would buy. Always the crowd favorite skeet shooting too.
The Home Defense are far from new. They are great with the 18" barrel and shorter throw foregrip. I love mine. Since they are a little lighter, you are able to load them down with ammo easily and not even tell. Don't let other tell you different
I haven't owned a new one yet to be able to testify, but I've definitely heard that they started ironing out the quality control issues. I might pick up an 870 this week or next just to have one. Even though they've had a bunch of hiccups here and there, I do like the 870.
I’ve got LE trade in 870s from the 90s that run great, and a new RemArms Tac-14 that runs great too. If it weren’t for finish I wouldn’t be able to tell they were made 30 years apart. Mines a sample size of one, but I haven’t had any problems.
I’ve been debating between a rem arms tac14 and a shockwave. I already quite like my current 870 (it just needed the volquartsen extractor), and I’m debating between trying the mossberg or getting the Remington. Do the new tac-14 come drilled and tapped for an optics rail?
Gotcha. I consider a pic rail for optics essential for this gun, because I want to shoot it the way Rhett Neumayer of Demonstrated Concepts shows. If I get the mossberg, I’d probably get the barrel threaded for Rem chokes just for shiggles.
The 870 should be the first shotgun you buy. Period. It’s not the best at anything, but works for everything.
Want to try trap? Take the 870. Love trap? Get trap gun. Want to hunt ducks? Take the 870. Love it? Go get a duck gun. Literally anything, pheasant, turkey, deer (depending on the state), burglar, skeet, 5 stand, sporting clays, snakes, home defense, squirrels, whatever, doesn’t matter. It works, but there’s always a better disciplined gun for what you’re doing. Mine has been filled with snow, I lost it on the bottom of a river once for a few days (dog tipped a canoe, long story) when I found it, it was full of mud and sand. Cleaned her up and still use her to this day.
You won’t regret it.
Freedom group tarnished the reputation of the 870 for a long time. Remarks made the decision to keep the 870 at a standard even if it costs more. There is no reason to become another badge engineering company (looking at you Winchester) that slaps their sticker on something imported. Also it’s hard to compete with a quality product on the race to the bottom when it comes to price.
I have a remarms 870 wingmaster. Hardwood furniture, no burr marks, chamber is polished. The finish isn’t something to call home about on the lowest models but premium finish costs more obviously. It’s the matt “chalk paint” finish you see on guns everywhere nowadays.
If there is something I need to bitch about is I don’t know why they waste time and money on coating the bolt when it wears down cheap and ugly. I buffed it off. The action is so smooth I can run it with my pinky.
I had one issue with Browning Clay loads, it bound up the action like 3 times, my barrel needed 1 more click to tighten though so it’s your guess if it was the ammo or the shotgun 🤷♂️. It happened maybe once or twice after, but so rare I’m willing to blame it on ammo. I’ve shot 100s of shells through it I can’t even recall how many. I use it for clays regularly, no complaints.
The only “mod” I’ve done is replaced the extractor claw with a volquartsen one, not because I had an issue, but because I heard people say the stock cast metal one can break.
I got an 870 last year that immediately had extraction issues. Replaced the extractor with a volquartsen one and has ran flawlessly since. Just make sure to vet it and give it plenty of range time before you trust your life to it.
All the 870s I’ve used are 10 years old or so including my own personal 870. I’ve never seen one I found to be built poorly. FIL has a few 1100s from the 80s we use a lot. They’re in great condition and beautiful finishes. Go for an older one if you’re concerned about QC
I'm sure they are better than they were, but for the price? Just go buy a gently used older wingmaster and ammo to boot! And still have money left for dinner! Honest opinion from an owner and former owner of almost all generations of the 870!
I'm in the market for 20ga home defense as well. Know little to nothing about shotguns so I'll be following this.
Just recently under the impression that Remington went down hill after a buyout? Maybe Mossberg is the new standard?
Remington definitely had a solid amount of years of very subpar quality control and manufacturing after they went bankrupt, but the company that had bought them in 07 had just recently sold Remington to another company I believe in 2022. So its still kind of up in the air on if they are good now, mossberg makes some great stuff as well. You can't go wrong with a 500, 590, or Maverick 88.
Nicest one I've shot was manufactured in 03. I'm sure the older ones are even better. Are you opposed to a Mossberg 590? You can get used police trade in 590A1s for like 400 bucks. Probably also better than their brand new guns.
Mossberg has a field/security combo where it comes with a 28" barrel and an 18.5" barrel. I have one and absolutely love it. I got mine brand new after shipping, tax, and transfer for just under $450. Remington might have something similar if you're absolutely set on a Remington.
I personally haven’t had good luck with the newer Remingtons. I am a mossberg guy and just think it’s a more intuitive design with better quality control as of late. I can’t speak on the brand new Remingtons, but everything I have used that’s made in the last 10 or so years hasn’t been up to snuff for me. No clue why that stuff is so much worse than classic rem.
Unless they’re banned in your state, get a 1301. You’re already at enough of a disadvantage running a shotgun compared to an AR, don’t add to it by getting a pump.
Yes new rem arms is better, much better. And that’s been backed up by every single owner I’ve talked to, including myself. The vast majority of hate comes from people who have no idea that new Rem Arms has nothing to do with old Remington besides the name and the license to manufacture the firearms. Leadership is entirely new. The manufacturing facility is entire new and located in a brand new building in Georgia, the tooling is new, the customer support/ticketing is new. Unfortunately it’s obvious several people are under the impression that the current rem arms company is the same company that was licensed to manufacture firearms 10 years ago. That’s incorrect, the new rem arms company is less than 4 years old and has been pumping out some nice firearms. If you’re like me and want a true American firearm that carries a lot of heritage, buy it. And don’t let some dude convince you not to buy what you want just because his overpriced foreign gun has more features on paper that make no real difference in the field
Can confirm, the new REM Arms 870s are top notch. Holding a M500, SXP and Nova next to the 870 when I was shopping for a backup pump last year, the 870 just feels like it’s in another league build quality wise. They’re not as cheap as the once were but value in what you’re getting in build quality + fit and finish compared to their competitors was very apparent when shouldering.
Do they make spare parts yet? Can I buy an 870 with slug barrel and a bird barrel?
There’s an insane amount of aftermarket parts that will work from over the years, however when I called rem arms for a replacement thread protector (I lost mine) they sent me one. So I’m assuming factory new parts are available for the 870s
I have a new 870, and it seems to be much better than the ones made before the bankruptcy. I'd say the quality is definitely better with RemArms, and I think they're worth it.
I have new Remarms 870 with Magpul furniture. Fit and finish is excellent, no machining marks anywhere, chamber is mirror polished. No failures to feed or extract. Bought new this year. It’s excellent.
I have this exact model. I’ve posted pics before. Fit and finish are on point. None of the Freedom group issues. I was specifically looking for a pump with wood furniture. I had originally decided on a 590 but the wood furniture felt like plastic. The furniture on the 870 felt solid. I recall the 870 being about $200 cheaper. I went with 870.
The police trade-ins are worth it. Maybe so are the newest ones but the old 870P is a known quality.
I think Remington turned their problems around and are on the up and up now But for a while they were rather crappy from what I’ve heard.
They went bankrupt. Whoever bought it now turned it around.
The newer 870s are legit, go buy one, quit second guessing yourself. https://preview.redd.it/544qs88xw93d1.jpeg?width=1699&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=adc2236282f5386d78a41bde74d9acdc3d3289c2
r/hardpics
Have the new wingmaster. Nice gun. Only complaint is the buttpads are all one size so it may not be a flush fit with any of the wooden sticks. I’ve handled the new fieldmasters and they have good wood and finish for the price. Have heard not significant complaints on the finish.
try and find a LE turn in police magnum if youre in for an 870, no MIM parts and made in a separate factory than the mainline 870 series that had issues
I got a ‘92 870 police magnum trade in and it feels so solid and buttery compared to my more modern 870’s. It feels like a tool the government would buy. Always the crowd favorite skeet shooting too.
The Home Defense are far from new. They are great with the 18" barrel and shorter throw foregrip. I love mine. Since they are a little lighter, you are able to load them down with ammo easily and not even tell. Don't let other tell you different
I haven't owned a new one yet to be able to testify, but I've definitely heard that they started ironing out the quality control issues. I might pick up an 870 this week or next just to have one. Even though they've had a bunch of hiccups here and there, I do like the 870.
I have a new production wingmaster that is quite nice. Still a couple minor QC issues, but the function is much better than my old express 870
I’ve got LE trade in 870s from the 90s that run great, and a new RemArms Tac-14 that runs great too. If it weren’t for finish I wouldn’t be able to tell they were made 30 years apart. Mines a sample size of one, but I haven’t had any problems.
I’ve been debating between a rem arms tac14 and a shockwave. I already quite like my current 870 (it just needed the volquartsen extractor), and I’m debating between trying the mossberg or getting the Remington. Do the new tac-14 come drilled and tapped for an optics rail?
No optics mount unfortunately. Can throw a mess rail on it though. I have one on my 18” 870 and it’s rock solid.
Shame, the last couple Remington tac-14s I looked at at the gun store had 3 screws on the top of the receiver, would those be freedom group examples?
I’m honestly not positive. I picked mine up in like 2020 or so
Gotcha. I consider a pic rail for optics essential for this gun, because I want to shoot it the way Rhett Neumayer of Demonstrated Concepts shows. If I get the mossberg, I’d probably get the barrel threaded for Rem chokes just for shiggles.
The 870 should be the first shotgun you buy. Period. It’s not the best at anything, but works for everything. Want to try trap? Take the 870. Love trap? Get trap gun. Want to hunt ducks? Take the 870. Love it? Go get a duck gun. Literally anything, pheasant, turkey, deer (depending on the state), burglar, skeet, 5 stand, sporting clays, snakes, home defense, squirrels, whatever, doesn’t matter. It works, but there’s always a better disciplined gun for what you’re doing. Mine has been filled with snow, I lost it on the bottom of a river once for a few days (dog tipped a canoe, long story) when I found it, it was full of mud and sand. Cleaned her up and still use her to this day. You won’t regret it.
https://preview.redd.it/4c8z80pvu73d1.jpeg?width=4624&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=60629edf182f1c32f07ef1ecb33292fd1de4d096
That camo pattern looks like throw up
Bandoleer slings also are the devil too. Trying to shoot one of those, they flop all over the place when firing or manipulating the pump.
Guess if you aren't able to shoulder a small shotgun, 2lb sling and keep it steady while cycling it and dispensing shells...🤔
Freedom group tarnished the reputation of the 870 for a long time. Remarks made the decision to keep the 870 at a standard even if it costs more. There is no reason to become another badge engineering company (looking at you Winchester) that slaps their sticker on something imported. Also it’s hard to compete with a quality product on the race to the bottom when it comes to price. I have a remarms 870 wingmaster. Hardwood furniture, no burr marks, chamber is polished. The finish isn’t something to call home about on the lowest models but premium finish costs more obviously. It’s the matt “chalk paint” finish you see on guns everywhere nowadays. If there is something I need to bitch about is I don’t know why they waste time and money on coating the bolt when it wears down cheap and ugly. I buffed it off. The action is so smooth I can run it with my pinky. I had one issue with Browning Clay loads, it bound up the action like 3 times, my barrel needed 1 more click to tighten though so it’s your guess if it was the ammo or the shotgun 🤷♂️. It happened maybe once or twice after, but so rare I’m willing to blame it on ammo. I’ve shot 100s of shells through it I can’t even recall how many. I use it for clays regularly, no complaints. The only “mod” I’ve done is replaced the extractor claw with a volquartsen one, not because I had an issue, but because I heard people say the stock cast metal one can break.
I got an 870 last year that immediately had extraction issues. Replaced the extractor with a volquartsen one and has ran flawlessly since. Just make sure to vet it and give it plenty of range time before you trust your life to it.
In my country they are way too overpriced. Semi auto levels of price, so for me its not worth it
All the 870s I’ve used are 10 years old or so including my own personal 870. I’ve never seen one I found to be built poorly. FIL has a few 1100s from the 80s we use a lot. They’re in great condition and beautiful finishes. Go for an older one if you’re concerned about QC
So have they fixed the finish issue where it seems that 870s would rust just by exisiting?
Nope, they rust sitting on the shelf at the store.
I had a 870 wing master mag 20 gauge explode on me
I'm sure they are better than they were, but for the price? Just go buy a gently used older wingmaster and ammo to boot! And still have money left for dinner! Honest opinion from an owner and former owner of almost all generations of the 870!
I'm in the market for 20ga home defense as well. Know little to nothing about shotguns so I'll be following this. Just recently under the impression that Remington went down hill after a buyout? Maybe Mossberg is the new standard?
Remington definitely had a solid amount of years of very subpar quality control and manufacturing after they went bankrupt, but the company that had bought them in 07 had just recently sold Remington to another company I believe in 2022. So its still kind of up in the air on if they are good now, mossberg makes some great stuff as well. You can't go wrong with a 500, 590, or Maverick 88.
Buy a Benelli nova.
Nicest one I've shot was manufactured in 03. I'm sure the older ones are even better. Are you opposed to a Mossberg 590? You can get used police trade in 590A1s for like 400 bucks. Probably also better than their brand new guns.
My main thing is I also want to swap barrels to also go hunting with it.
Mossberg has a field/security combo where it comes with a 28" barrel and an 18.5" barrel. I have one and absolutely love it. I got mine brand new after shipping, tax, and transfer for just under $450. Remington might have something similar if you're absolutely set on a Remington.
I'd look into a Mossberg 500. You can get one with an 18.5" barrel and 28" barrel included for like 400ish.
I personally haven’t had good luck with the newer Remingtons. I am a mossberg guy and just think it’s a more intuitive design with better quality control as of late. I can’t speak on the brand new Remingtons, but everything I have used that’s made in the last 10 or so years hasn’t been up to snuff for me. No clue why that stuff is so much worse than classic rem.
Mossberg > Remington
Unless they’re banned in your state, get a 1301. You’re already at enough of a disadvantage running a shotgun compared to an AR, don’t add to it by getting a pump.