I just bought a used 870 12ga shotgun. it was won at a banquet so its new but the guy didn't have the box. I got it for $275. Looks new as well not a mark on it. I thought it was an 870 Express but after I bought it I looked closer and noticed it just says 870 on the receiver. Everything about it tome says 870 express but thinking maybe its just an 870. is there a difference between the 2?

Yes.  There's an 870 Wingmaster, much nicer, 870 Police which has metal bits instead of plastic ones, and 870 Express, which has killed millions of ducks and quite a few burglars.

If it's an Express, it'll have a plastic trigger guard and the new style magazine spring retention.
The new style retention is a plastic plug in the magazine tube.

Remington has changed the 870 receiver marking so many times it's difficult to know what you have based on just what's stamped on the receiver, unless it says Wingmaster or Police.

Awesome I actually looked it up and its a express...