Remington 870 Express Tactical Review (RemArms Era)

An American classic with a new corporate history. The design is the same old workhorse; what you should do is check the individual gun.

A new owner for an old design

The Remington 870 is one of the best-known pump shotguns ever sold. Its basic design is a fixture in homes, patrol cars and gun shops, and that depth of experience is the real reason to consider it. What changed in recent years is the company behind it. Remington's firearms business went through a bankruptcy and sale, and the 870 is now built under the RemArms name. We are describing that history only in general terms; verify the current owner, warranty and customer-service details on the manufacturer's website before you buy.

This page is not a verdict on the company. It is a way to decide whether the Remington 870 Express Tactical fits a home-defense plan and how to check an individual gun.

What the listing says

The catalog lists the Express Tactical as a 12-gauge pump with a 3-inch chamber, 4+1 capacity, in a black and blued finish. Barrel length, overall length and weight are not in the listing summary, so check the manufacturer's spec sheet for those. We are deliberately not guessing numbers.

Beyond the listing, a few documented traits of the 870 design are worth knowing, and our classic pump comparison puts them side by side with the Mossberg 500 and 590:

• Steel receiver. The 870's receiver is steel, where the Mossbergs use aluminum.
• Crossbolt safety. It sits behind the trigger and is naturally set up for right-handed shooters, though left-hand versions exist.
• Action release. It sits in front of the trigger guard.
• Magazine tube. It runs under the barrel.

None of that makes the 870 better or worse in isolation. It makes it different, and different controls need practice.

Post-bankruptcy quality: what you can know and what you cannot

You will see opinions in both directions about how production has changed since the transition. Treat them as anecdotes. We have not tested any 870 and cannot tell you how a particular gun will run.

What you can do is inspect and verify. These steps apply to any new shotgun, not just this one:

1. Do the transfer through your FFL and inspect it there. Make sure it is unloaded, the chamber is empty and the action is open before you handle it. If you are not sure how to confirm that, ask the dealer to show you.
2. Look at the basics. Check that the finish is even, the stock fits tightly, the barrel is secure and the magazine cap is on properly.
3. Cycle the action unloaded. It should move smoothly through a full stroke without binding.
4. Check the safety. Confirm that it engages and disengages positively.
5. Function-test at the range. Fire the loads you intend to keep in the gun, including your defensive buckshot, not only target loads. Stop and contact the manufacturer if anything binds, fails to feed or fails to eject.
6. Keep the paperwork. Register for warranty if the manufacturer offers it.

A well-made gun that has never been tested with your ammunition is an unknown. This is simply sound practice.

Where the 870 shines

Smoothness and feel. The 870 has a long reputation for a smooth action. Whether it feels that way to you is a judgment to make with the gun in your hands, so handle one before you buy.

Ecosystem. Stocks, forends, sidesaddles, lights and extension tubes exist in a huge variety. Building a home-defense setup around it is straightforward.

Track record. There are many instructors, parts suppliers and gunsmiths who know the platform, which is a safety feature in itself.

Where it asks something of you

Capacity. At 4+1, it holds fewer rounds in the tube than several competitors listed at 5+1, 6+1 or more. Whether that matters depends on your plan. Our Mossberg 590 Tactical guide shows how far capacity can go in that line.

Ergonomics. The crossbolt safety is less intuitive for left-handers, and if you are not used to it, it takes practice.

Recoil. A 12-gauge pump in a short configuration kicks hard. Fit and technique matter, and training with a qualified instructor helps a lot.

870 Express Tactical or Mossberg 590 Tactical?

The Mossberg 590 Tactical is listed at 6+1 with an 18.5-inch barrel and a top-mounted tang safety, with an aluminum receiver. It is the more defense-oriented line in the Mossberg family and the likeliest alternative buyers weigh against the 870. See the 590 Tactical review for the catalog details.

Pick the 870 if you value the steel receiver, like the smooth feel and have already handled one you like, and you are comfortable verifying an individual gun.

Pick the 590 if capacity, the top-mounted safety or ambidextrous controls matter more, or if you want to avoid questions about the transition.

The question that matters most is which one you will practice with.

Set it up and store it

A defensive shotgun needs more than a shell. Get a light, either mounted on the forend or handheld, so you can identify before you act. Pattern your chosen buckshot at home-defense distances. Our buckshot buyer's guide covers load choice. Lock it in a cabinet or safe made for long guns, out of reach of children and guests. Hiding it behind a coat in a closet is not storage.

Bottom line

The 870 has the pedigree. What it needs from you is verification, practice and a little humility about corporate history. If the individual gun runs with your defensive load and you like its controls, it remains a sound choice. If you want more capacity or the Mossberg safety layout, the 590 is the easiest comparison.

Editorial note: This is an independent editorial overview built from manufacturer specifications and publicly available information. We have not performed hands-on testing of the products discussed, and nothing here is a performance guarantee. Verify specifications, compatibility and legality for your own situation.

Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links to Ammunition Depot. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Our editorial choices are not influenced by commissions. Check current price, stock and specifications directly with the retailer.