I haven’t seen it in person but a local guy has a 870 Express that Remington told me was made in 1989 .
Came with 2 barrels. 20” slug and a 28” vent rib. Like new with box for $350.00. Looks like matte blue finish.
Just wondering how the quality was on these older Express models ?
Thanks in advance.

Remington hadn't yet given up QC.

I had two, still have one.  Good stuff.

My 870 is from 1985-6. I was told many years ago that the Express shotguns of that era were made on the same line as the higher grade Wingmaster shotguns. Internal finish and polish etc were the same. The guns that became "Express" guns were finished via bead blasting and then parkerized. Mine runs as fast as a bullet, smooth as hell, and has never hiccupped on me. It easily has surpassed 3000-4000 rounds over the years.

I paid $300 iirc when I bought mine in 1987. I still use it all the time. I have multiple choke tubes so it sees bird hunting and the occasional round of trap and skeet for grins. Currently it is set up with the slug barrel with a set of Tru-Glo sights on it.

I dont think there is a better pump shotgun out there, in terms of parts (rarely needed), aftermarket support, and options for how ya want to "run" it, IF YOU CAN FIND A PRE FREEDOM GROUP MADE GUN. For $350 I would buy that in a second, assuming it's in very good shape.

I'll add my confirmation to this.

I have a mid-80's 870 Express I bought new.

I have had the firing pin spring fail (fall to bits) and after countless rounds in that time it has given no issues.
It is smooth and well made, almost entirely Plastic free firearm. (magazine follower)
They are a great shotgun.

It is well used and well worn, and not a thing of beauty, but it works and after owning it for 30+ years I am pretty good at shooting it.

Attached File

It sounds like the 870 Express combo I purchased in 1994. Mine has a milled Extractor (no MIM) an Aluminum Trigger Guard (for those of you who think that is an advantage) and has worked flawlessly for me since the day I got it.

My 1995 vintage Express 870 came with factory walnut stocks and the aluminum trigger guard. I did have to upgrade the MIM extractor and carrier dog spring however. It's been a great shotgun.

Those older expresses are GTG. I was told they are basically the same gun as the wingmaster but were cheapened up by using a bead blasted finish and Birch stocks instead of Walnut.

The only thing I've had go bad on my 1995 express was the MIM extractor, which occurred about 14 years ago.
Replaced it with a non MIM extractor.

Jay

Should be g2g. Extractor may not be MIM on one that old. Might have flexi tab.

I'd buy that RFN

I have a 1989 Express and it has been a great gun.  My son in law bought a current express model and the quality between the two is night and day.