Remington 870

The Remington 870 was introduced in 1950 and has since become the best-selling pump-action shotgun in history, with over 11 million units produced. Its reliability, affordability, and wide range of configurations have made it a staple for hunters, law enforcement, and military users alike. The design has remained largely unchanged in its core mechanics for over 70 years.

The Wingmaster is the higher-end line with a polished blued finish, higher-quality wood stock, and smoother machine work, while the Express is the budget-oriented version with a matte finish and more economical materials. Both use the same fundamental pump-action mechanism. The Express became the dominant seller due to its lower price point, while the Wingmaster is favored by collectors and traditionalists.

After Remington Outdoor Company filed for bankruptcy in 2020, its assets were sold to multiple buyers. The Remington firearms brand and the Ilion, New York factory were acquired by RemArms (Roundhill Group), which resumed production of the Model 870. New-production 870s are available again, though some long-time users report concerns about quality control under the new ownership.

The Remington 870 has been manufactured in 12 gauge, 20 gauge, 28 gauge, and .410 bore over its production history. The 12 gauge is by far the most common configuration and is available in the widest range of barrel lengths and finishes. Specialized models have also included magazine extensions for tactical and law enforcement use.