I just re-acquired a number of pump guns that had been on "long-term loan" up at my late father-in-law's place in Nowhere, Minnesota. As I cleaned and packed them up for the long ride back to Colorado, I compared them side by side and the comparison wasn't pretty. The older they where, the better they clearly were. The most recent was a left-handed 870 Express that I purchased just a few years ago (5-6) and it is downright butt-ugly (the Birchwood(?) stock looks almost like it's plastic). But...it seems to work just fine. I've owned a number of Remington pumps, Model 10s, Model 17s, Model 31s, 870 and 870 Express guns and....as you might expect, quality seems to peak just before the Second World War. Pre-war Model 31s are simply amazing guns (and this from a Model 12 fan). Build quality and fit & finish is exceptional. The 870 is derived from the Model 31 in that it's ergonomics and controls are identical, but while the 31 was machined-steel, the 870 was stamped-steel to allow it to better compete with Winchester's venerable Model 12 (30% cheaper!). Remington won that battle in something like 1962 when Winchester threw in the towel and ceased M12 production. Millions of 870s have been made since but...the older ones are clearly much nicer. The Wingmaster versions actually look pretty good to me now (even though an M31 would eat their lunch in every way).
Last edited by Lloyd3; 10/08/20 07:15 PM.
