Despite the Remington brand having changed hands multiple times in the last decade, they are still very much around and still very much making one of the biggest staples of the shotgun world — the 870.
Having been in production since 1951, the Remington 870 benefits from one of the largest aftermarkets for shotguns, second only to the Mossberg 500/590. This means accessories and upgrades galore.
While there are still over a dozen models in production, I am going to narrow it down to my five favorite models, with each one covering a different use case.
I have also put together a list of some excellent upgrade options that you might want to consider if you are interested in buying an 870 or already have you want to accessorize.
THE QUICK LIST
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Best Home Defense Shotgun
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Best Sporting Shotgun
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Best Duty Shotgun
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Best Hunting Shotgun
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Best Compact Shotgun
Table of Contents
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Remington 870 Background
Remington, now RemArms, has more than 30 different countries wielding the famed 870 in their police, military, and defense forces.
The Remington 870 is an American classic right up there with the Ford Mustang, Apple Pie, and Diabetes. Production started in 1950 and has continued uninterrupted into 2019.
Heck, my first gun was a Remington 870 in .410, and I hunted many a rabbit and squirrel.
Having seen combat in Vietnam, Desert Storm, and the Global War on Terror — the 870 has been around the block. It has had a long life of service with police forces as well, including the LAPD, CHP, and the FBI.
The 870 is a pump-action shotgun that features dual action bars and has one of the smoothest actions out there. It also utilizes a solid steel receiver that makes it incredibly strong.
They are currently produced in 12 and 20 gauge, as well as .410 bore. Barrel lengths and capacity differ from model to model.
Even though the number of configurations has dwindled over the years, there is still a good variety of models — including one that might be just right for you!
Best Remington 870 Models
1. 870 Tactical Hardwood
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Remington 870 Tactical Hardwood Pros & Cons
Pros
- Classic styling
- 6-shot magazine tube
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Forend lacks texture and grippiness
- Fixed choke
Specs
Features
The 870 Tactical Hardwood is a home-defense and tactical-oriented shotgun with a classic flair.
This model features an 18.5-inch barrel, a full-length 6-round magazine tube, and a traditional stained hardwood stock and forend.
Being largely based on the 870 Express model, this version keeps the costs a bit lower by using a matte black finish instead of bluing. Don’t expect amazing fit and finish here, although these guns still look awesome.
If you are looking for a general-purpose home defense shotgun with a bit more class than the standard synthetic model, the 870 Tactical Hardwood is worth checking out for only about $50-75 more.
2. 870 Wingmaster
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Remington 870 Wingmaster Pros & Cons
Pros
- Hi-gloss finish looks great
- Interchangeable chokes
- Vent rib barrel
- Smoother action
Cons
- Expensive
Specs
Features
RemArms has revived the Wingmaster 870, a model that harkens back to the 70s and 80s. Untold numbers of Wingmasters have put food on the table, busted thousands of clay pigeons, and been the first gun of many a new shooter.
This model features a vibrant blue finish and American walnut furniture for that signature look. The fit and finish on the newer Wingmasters is definitely a cut above any of the other models offered by RemArms.
The attention to detail is also reflected in the way the gun feels, with a notably smoother action and loading gate. While this is our favorite model overall, the price of the Wingmaster has increased considerably, putting it in competition price-wise with some excellent semi-auto hunting shotguns.
3. 870 Special Purpose Marine Magnum
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Remington 870 Special Purpose Marine Magnum Pros & Cons
Pros
- Corrosion-resistant finish
- 6-shot magazine tube
- Sling is included
Cons
- Expensive
- Hard to find
Specs
Features
One of my favorite variants of the 870 is Marine Magnum.
They have an electroless nickel plating that gives them a stainless steel appearance. This finish is corrosion-proof and is designed to be used in saltwater conditions, hence the name.
Many stories and pictures have circulated of newer Remington shotguns being prone to rusting. Well, the good news is this guy isn’t going to have that problem, thanks to the finish.
Not only do they look awesome and hold up to the elements better, but I find that they tend to feel a bit smoother in operation over the base models (but not quite as good as the Wingmaster).
4. 870 Fieldmaster Super Magnum
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Remington 870 Fieldmaster Super Magnum Pros & Cons
Pros
- 3 1/2" super magnum chamber
- Interchangeable chokes
- Vent rib barrel
- Drilled and tapped for optics
Cons
- Finish and action aren't as nice as the Wingmaster
Specs
Features
So you want to do some bird hunting with an 870, but aren’t keen on paying $850 plus for a new Wingmaster or tirelessly hunting around for an old one that isn’t trashed out?
Well, the Fieldmaster Super Magnum is for you.
The Fieldmaster is the more budget-oriented version of the Wingmaster, sporting a matte black finish and either lower-grade walnut or synthetic furniture. However, the guts are still the same and she has it where it counts.
Additionally, the Super Magnum variant can accept up to 3.5-inch shells, whereas all the other models only accept 2 3/4 and 3-inch. This gives you the option to run those extra heavy payloads for things like turkey and large geese.
5. 870 Tac-14
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Remington 870 Tac-14 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely compact overall length
- Magpul MOE forend
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- More difficult to shoot due to the lack of a stock
- Limited capacity
Specs
Features
The neat thing about the Tac-14 is that they are not technically shotguns. This allows them to have a 14-inch barrel and a short overall length of 26.3 inches.
They are able to skirt around the regulations by using a birdshead pistol-grip-only design. By definition, they were never intended to be fired from the shoulder, and since they meet the NFA overall length requirements, they aren’t subject to short-barreled shotgun (SBS) laws.
For this reason, they have become extremely popular. In addition to the standard blued model, marine coat and hardwood versions of the Tac-14 are also available.
Being so much more compact and maneuverable gives the Tac-14 the opportunity to flex into some unique roles based on its design. If you want to learn more, you can check out our full review of the Tac-14!
Best Remington 870 Upgrades
Another primary reason to own an 870 is your ability to customize the gun to your needs with a wide variety of different pieces of gear.
As a huge shotgun guy, I try out a ton of shotgun-based accessories — from ways to carry ammo to direct customization of my guns.
My pawn shop special 870 and Tac-14 standard see a lot of parts swapping for testing purposes, and over time, I have found a few mods that I can’t live without.
Magpul SGA Furniture
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Magpul’s SGA furniture for the 870 is the perfect compromise between a true pistol grip and a standard shotgun straight stock angle.
It mimics the more vertical pistol grip angle and better distributes the weight of the gun between both hands. This makes it easier to support the gun with your strong hand while you navigate reloads or other tasks that require you to remove your support hand.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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You can also adjust the length of pull with spacers and cheek riser height to make sure the gun fits you just right.
The Magpul pump offers M-LOK slots that make attaching accessories a breeze. On top of that the pump’s design is a little longer in the rearward section, making it easier to reach for shooters with short arms.
Streamlight TL Racker
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Attaching a light to a pump-action shotgun can be tricky.
The recoil produced by shotguns can occasionally cause lights to become dismounted, and mounting pressure switches is tough on a gun where part of the action moves.
Lights mounted on the barrel and magazine tube are not the most intuitive to reach and turn on in emergency situations.
But with the Streamlight TL Racker, the light is built directly into the pump. It has a whopping 1000 lumens, and the controls are all ambidextrous and positioned for quick and easy use.
This is a perfect option for a home defense shotgun and makes it very easy to establish proper ID on a potential threat.
Esstac Shotgun Cards
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The side saddle world has changed in recent years. Gone are the hard, rigid polymer types that connect to your gun through the receiver.
Instead, the current meta for shotgun side saddles is super strong adhesives that are often backed by an elastic side saddle connected to the gun via hook and loop.
The adhesive designs have proven to be incredibly reliable and ensure you aren’t tinkering with your shotgun’s internal bolts and risking potential malfunctions down the road.
When you run one empty, simply peel the card off and replace it with another. Each card is equipped with a short loop that makes it easy to detach and reattach, as well as to retrieve from mag pouches and pockets.
Esstac offers various sizes that allow you to attach anywhere from four to seven rounds to the side of your gun. You can even choose from a wide variety of colors, so you can get your Multicam cool guy points.
These side saddles are quite stiff and resist bending and curving inward. The elastic loops seem to last quite some time, and I’ve been using mine for years.
Wilson Combat Magazine Tube Extension
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Many 870s ship with four-round magazine tubes. Sometimes, four rounds might be enough; sometimes, it might not be.
If you have a shorter magazine tube, a tube extension will serve you well if you are seeking to turn your 870 into a defensive firearm.
Wilson Combat has long proven itself to be an incredibly capable company with a history of producing high-quality firearms and accessories trusted by police and military forces worldwide.
They produce both one and two-shot extension tubes for the 870 series shotguns.
These tubes are made to last and feature all-metal construction. The finish is parkerized for corrosion resistance, the magazine tube comes with extra power magazine springs to ensure proper feeding of the rounds in the longer tube, and you get a high-visibility follower.
All of these features ensure reliability and dependability for years.
The Wilson Combat tubes come in various configurations to accommodate left or right-handed shooters for mounting slings, with swivel-free designs as well.
XS Sights Big Dot Bead
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Brass bead sights are fine; they work, but they aren’t optimum.
But if you like bead sights for their simplicity and speed, then you will most certainly appreciate the XS Sights Big Dot Shotgun sights.
It is a system that fits over your traditional bead sight to give you an easier-to-see dot. Installation is super simple and doesn’t require a gunsmith.
The XS Big Dot sight is absolutely massive. There are a few different color and design options, and my favorite is the orange option with the tritium insert. It’s perfect for all lighting conditions and very easy to see. It works well under weapon-mounted lights and in low-light conditions.
A bead is the bare minimum, but with the XS Big Dot, the minimum seems to be a whole lot easier to see and use
Blue Force Gear Vickers Sling
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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There are lots of sling options out there, but I am a diehard fan of the always awesome Blue Force gear Vickers Tactical Sling.
This quick adjust sling is perfect for the Remington 870. It shrinks and grows in an instant.
You can have it tight against the body so you can climb ladders or get over obstacles with the gun banging around, and then instantly loosen it up to get into a shooting position.
These slings are extremely strong and durable. I’ve had mine for years and through multiple deployments, and it still holds up.
The Vickers slings come in many different configurations, including padded and ultralight models, and are available in various colors. It’s currently the USMC-issued sling for a reason — it works.
What to Look for in a Remington 870
Although the 870 is a supremely versatile tool, it is still a great idea to make sure you know what you want to do with it before diving in.
First, decide whether you want the gun for sporting and hunting purposes or defense and tactical purposes. If the answer is both, be sure to get a model, like the standard Express, where you can easily swap barrels to flex between both roles.
For tactical shotguns, going with a model that is already outfitted with a full-length magazine tube can save you time and money down the road. So consider investing in a tactical model out of the gate if you know you want to go that route.
As far as hunting and sporting go, ensure you are looking at models with the appropriate barrel length for the job. This usually means a 26 to 28-inch barrel for hunting and clay shooting. If you plan on shooting larger birds, consider looking at the super magnum models for their 3 1/2-inch chamber.
If possible, we recommend trying to find a range or gun store that has the model you are interested in so that you can handle them and check the length of the pull and swing before you buy.
Final Thoughts
The Remington 870 is a fantastic shotgun. The design is timeless, and as far as pump action shotguns go there isn’t much this one can’t do to make it their own.
Even with all the woes surrounding Remington, the 870 still remains a titan in the game, only matched by the mighty Mossberg 500/590 series.
What do you folks think about the Remington 870? Let us know in the comments below! You can read more about the 870 and the other guns that made our list of the 5 Best Home Defense Shotguns!
Latest Updates
April 16, 2024: Removed 870 Express and 870 DM. Added 870 Tactical Hardwood and 870 Fieldmaster Super Magnum. Removed Tuff Strips, Archangel Side Saddle, VTAC Bandolier, 5.11 shotgun ammo pouch, AmmoPal speed reloader, and Surefire DSF. Added Esstac Shotgun Cards, Wilson Combat Tube Extension, Streamlight TL Racker.
21 Leave a Reply
I bought my Remington .12 gage Model 870 brand new in 1959. A Great shotgun. Still have it but at 84, just don't shoot much anymore! Still in very nice cond. for its age & all the rabbit hunting I've done with it.!!!!!
Of course a pistol grip eliminates shoulder trauma, but is it replaced by hand trauma?
crazy sexy camo job on the magpul furniture! dont ever stop brush on paint jobs on guns
Hey bud, awesome article. What is the name of that absolutely sexy as F@ck barrel clamp and magazine extension on the one 870 that you have pictured? Is it commercially available? I’ve only seen it one other place (a picture of a marine no less), but can’t seem to find one for myself. I really dig the aesthetics, and would love to incorporate it into one of my broomsticks. Anyhow just curious. Thanx
Keep up the good work!
Not my article but its a bayonet adapter. It looks like the USMC Mark 1 adapter.
Where did you get the wood furniture on your Tac-14?
Say, I have a 1980's built 12g Wingmaster and I am curious if she can be modernized with all of the goodies? Well specifically the stock/fore end, Barrell and magazine. I cannot find a for sure answer. I hate to go & try and end up breaking something (Pump shotgun novice)
Yes, absolutely you can.
Kevin or anyone, can you help me identify the Year my 12 Ga. 870 WIngmaster was made! Here is the Serial # 784135V. Has a Walnut wood stock! Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance! Richard Ochoa (C'da, Idaho)
Email: ilovemy56@gmail.com
Send an Email to Remington. I'm sure they can help you find your answer.
I still have my 870 Wingmaster, I got new back in 83. But I have made it a home defense with the Magpul stock and the Streamlite forend. But mine FE is an older model.
Anyway give Remington a shout. They'll help.
I bought my Remington .12 gage Model 870 brand new in 1959. A Great shotgun. Still have it but at 84, just don't shoot much anymore! Still in very nice cond. for its age & all the rabbit hunting I've done with it.!!!!!
Hope you can help me out.
I am looking for a recoil absorbing stock for my Remington 870 Express.
I have had rotator cuff surgery on both shoulders and am hoping I can shoot the 870 again without doing more damage to the shoulder.
Appreciate any input you may have.
Thanks
Mesa Tactical makes a telescoping LEO recoil reducing stock for the remingtons and mossberg. I have it on my AI&P tactical 870P and it works great!
Shoot it from the Hip!!! I've done it several times. Just hang on tight!!! I put a recoil pad on mine but it doesn't really do that much!. Maybe 10-20%. You can wad up a heavy towel too & put it on your shoulder! I've done that with my .270 & it helped quite a bit! Good luck Steve. Protect that shoulder!!!
Lets see a picture of the pistol brace installed.
You can see the brace installed on the top picture of the article.
I have been a fan of the 870 since the early 80's. the original express model's safety was easily changed out for a left handed aftermarket one ! One up grade I have done to all my pumps is replace the shell follower with a GG&G stainless follower, way more dependable and smoother than the factory plastic one.
As far as tough I have and still shoot an 870 that hit the asphalt after coming off the roof of a truck @55 mph !
I
Just curious: I don't have a shotgun. But between the last too articles (the Amazon one and this one), it seems like you move your shotgun shells a lot. If I'm understanding correctly, you move them from somewhere on your body (in a bandolier or pouch of some sort), then to a side saddle mounted on the shotgun, and then feed it into the shotgun. Is that really the fastest way to reload? It seems like a step or two too many. Again, I don't own a shotgun so I don't know, just curious.
Hey thanks for asking.
So this is a long answer but I hope it works.
So in a firefight reloading, the shotgun is tricky and can be slow compared to a rifle or pistol. Reloading from the side saddle is by far the fastest means to do so. Let's say I'm in a fight, tossing lead downrange and I fire 5 rounds form my shotgun that holds 7.
The fight appears to be over or maybe there is a slight lull, you need to get your gun reloaded ASAP just in case things pop off again. You reload from the side saddle. Now your gun is fully loaded once more, and nothing else has popped off. It still doesn't mean the fight is over, and if you aren't moving or firing you should be preparing. Your gun is full, and your side saddle is empty, and it's quiet.
Since the side saddle is the fastest way to reload the gun I want to reload the side saddle if I can. This way if a fight pops off again and I need to load my shotgun in the middle of the fight (Which you should always be loading, fighting, or moving with a shotgun) I can do so in the fastest way possible, from the side saddle.
Now let's say this fight is looonnnggg and I use all the rounds from my side saddle and we are still trading lead IE Naked Gun 2 1/2 style I'm not going to reload my saddle and then reload my gun. Instead I'd reload the gun from my vest.
I hope this explains it.
The link description says Mossberg 870, fyi. Gave me a laugh but might want to fix.
Or did it.....
Thanks for pointing it out ;)