"Best Pump Action Shotgun Buyer's Guide 2022"

[Slater]

Two of the chief complaints that I've heard about the Express (both older and newer examples) are rough chambers and a finish that rusted easily. Don't know if those have been addressed by now?

[SeriousStudent]

Two of the chief complaints that I've heard about the Express (both older and newer examples) are rough chambers and a finish that rusted easily. Don't know if those have been addressed by now?

Concentricity of the bore is another issue with the previous express model.

I have chamber hones that I use to clean up the Express barrels. but it's a semi-skilled process and time consuming to do correctly.

[Slater]

I remember Remington claiming that the Parkerized finish of the Police models was 60% more durable than the matte blued Express finish.

[SteyrAUG]

Concentricity of the bore is another issue with the previous express model.

I have chamber hones that I use to clean up the Express barrels. but it's a semi-skilled process and time consuming to do correctly.

I must have gotten lucky.

I remember Remington claiming that the Parkerized finish of the Police models was 60% more durable than the matte blued Express finish.

I don't doubt that, not even sure you can call it a blue. Seems more like a black paint finish. If I was gonna gun rack an 870, I'd probably go with a police model as well. But as it is, all of my shotguns see very little use and I'm more inclined to run a Benelli than an 870.

Seems like not long after I grabbed my 870 and 700, I started hearing serious horror stories about all Remington firearms. Then SIG went to shit. Pretty sad, both were reliable standards for so long it isn't funny.

[Diamondback]

Color me dumbass, but how hard is it to retrofit a newer model with original metal components, either OEM or aftermarket?

[SteyrAUG]

Color me dumbass, but how hard is it to retrofit a newer model with original metal components, either OEM or aftermarket?

Given they still make Police models, that is just what I'd do.

[Slater]

On the Express finish, I'm not sure what their current process is but previously it was simply blueing over a sandblasted (instead of polished) finish that gave it a matte appearance. Not the most durable but probably the cheapest. More than a few complaints about corrosion, but you were probably OK if you kept it oiled.

Some guys that use Express shotguns in waterfowl hunts apply a couple coats of paste wax over the entire gun. They claim it works like a charm in repelling water, as I guess it would. Don't know if I would try that on a more expensive gun, though.

[SeriousStudent]

Color me dumbass, but how hard is it to retrofit a newer model with original metal components, either OEM or aftermarket?

The current challenge is finding those older, well-made parts. There is a booming business on eBay and Gunbroker selling pre-Cerberus parts.

[Diamondback]

The current challenge is finding those older, well-made parts. There is a booming business on eBay and Gunbroker selling pre-Cerberus parts.

Surprised an aftermarket industry hasn't sprung up like the ones for AR's, 1911s, Glocks...

[SteyrAUG]

The current challenge is finding those older, well-made parts. There is a booming business on eBay and Gunbroker selling pre-Cerberus parts.

So looks like Cerberus obtained Remington in 2007, that's probably why my Express isn't a huge POS. Sorta amazed they didn't goober up the police models as well. Didn't stop SIG, in fact Cohen seemed to add goofier LE and MIL crap.

I have a "working without issue" 870 and 700 PSS so I'm just gonna take the win and be happy.