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Quote HistoryQuoted:That Express guns are "Wingmasters" with different finishes is not accurate.
The 870 Express guns were never parkerized, Remington used a less expensive "matte blue" that didn't require the smoothing & polish of a traditional "Gloss Blue"...
Also instead of using Walnut wood with cut checkering (Wingmaster) they usually had a "hard wood" (Usually Birch) with pressed checkering. The interior parts did not get the same level of polish, so an "express" is rarely as smooth as a Wingmaster or Police Magnum.
The Matte Blue Express guns sadly tend to rust very easily. The Parkerizing on Police Magnum Guns is much more resistant because the "parkerize pores" hold oil.
The 870 Police Guns were available either Blued or Parkerized. They were built on a seperate line and had upgrades unique to the Police Magnum line.
Bonus is that over time the Parkerized guns take on a cool
Olive Drab appearance as they age.
that said, my son shoots great with his 870 Express, and it has killed everything that he pointed it at without a jam or bobble, so the "Express" DOES get the job done!
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The Express is a good base to start with. I immediately tore mine down completely and had it Cerakoted FDE. Then I replace about every internal part with quality aftermarket stuff that can be bought cheap. Magpul furniture finished off the project.
Still, I wouldn’t pass up an older Wingmaster or 1100. You did good OP, nice gun.