Remington Model 870

Pump-Action Shotgun [ 1950 ]

The well-appreciated Remington M870 pump-action shotgun has seen consistent military service since 1950.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 08/31/2023 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Image from the United States Department of Defense DVIDS imagery network.

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]

One of the most famous and popular of the Remington shotgun lines became the Remington M870 (Model 870) series. The type overtook the Remington Model 31 line in 1951 and has seen constant production since with an estimate 10,000,000 units sold - undoubtedly a commercial success for the storied concern. Design of the M870 is collectively attributed to L. Ray Crittendon, Phillip Haskell, Ellis Hailston and G.E. Pinkney to which their work has gone on to find roles as a sporting, civilian home defense, general security, law enforcement, frontline military and special forces close-quarters system. It has proven reliable, robust and very manageable while being generally inexpensive.

The Model 870 is a wholly-conventional pump-action slide shotgun offering. The design constitutes a rectangular receiver housing the requisite internal action, a forend slide assembly over the tubular magazine with barrel mounted over and a full shoulder stock incorporating a pistol-type grip. Shells are loaded individually through the underside loading gate to which the operator then manages the pump-action slide to introduce a fresh shell into the chamber whilst ejecting any possible spent casing within. Spent casings are ejected through an oblong port along the right side of the receiver. Depending on the model and caliber, the M870 can house four to seven shells in its tubular magazine with an extra shell already in the chamber ready-to-fire. Barrel lengths also vary based on model and chosen barrel installation and this directly effects overall weight of the system (7lb to 9lb). Iron sights are provided though rifle-type scopes can be affixed as required through special added mounts.

The M870 has appeared in numerous forms throughout its long and storied history. The firearm has come available in the well-accepted 12-gauge form but has also appeared in 16-, 20- and 28-gauge as well as a .410 bore system capable of firing slug, buckshot and flare rounds. One of the more popular M870 sub-models is the "Wingmaster". Accessories include a forward hand grip along the slide with tactical pistol grip for a more compact overall form.

Operators of the M870 are many and include Australia (military), Austria (special forces), Bangladesh (army), Canada (army, police); China (army, marines), Finland (army), Germany (army), Greece (special forces, police), Hong Kong (police), Hungary (military), Ireland (army), Israel (army), Luxembourg (special police), Malaysia (special forces), South Korea (navy special forces), Sweden (army), Switzerland (army), the United Kingdom (special forces) and the United States (military, border patrol, security and police). The M870 is under illegal production in China under the NORINCO brand label as the HP9-1.©MilitaryFactory.com

Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

Specifications

Service Year

1950

Origin

United States

Classification

Pump-Action Shotgun

Remington Arms Company - USA / NORINCO - China

(View other Arms-Related Manufacturers)

Australia; Austria; Bangladesh; Canada; China; Finland; France; Germany; Greece; Hong Kong; Hungary; Ireland; Israel; Jordan; Luxembourg; Malaysia; Portugal; South Korea; Sweden; Switzerland; United Kingdom; United States

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Close Support
Extreme close quarters use; trench-clearing; doorbuster; security.

✓ Special Forces
Qualities of this weapon have shown its value to Special Forces elements requiring a versatile, reliable solution for the rigors of special assignments.

Overall Length

1,280 mm
50.39 in

Barrel Length

760 mm
29.92 in

Empty Wgt

7.50 lb
3.40 kg

Sights

Base Iron; Optional Optics.

Action

Pump-Action Repeating

(Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information)

Caliber(s)*

12-, 16-, 20- or 28-gauge; .410 bore

Rounds / Feed

4- or 7-round tubular magazine

*May not represent an exhuastive list; calibers are model-specific dependent, always consult official manufacturer sources.
**Graphics not to actual size; not all cartridges may be represented visually; graphics intended for general reference only.

Rate-of-Fire

15
rds/min

Model 870 - Base Series Designation.

Model 870 Mark 1

Model 870 Express

Model 870 Express Combos

Model 870 Express Deer Gun

Model 870 Express Slug Gun (12 & 20)

Model 870 Express Synthetic

Model 870 Express Synthetic 18"

Model 870 Express Synthetic Deer Gun

Model 870 Express Turkey

Model 870 Express Turkey Camo

Model 870 Express Super Mag

Model 870 Express Super Mag Combo

Model 870 Express Super Mag Synthetic

Model 870 Express Super Mag Turkey

Model 870 Express Super Mag Turkey Camo

Model 870 Express Super Mag Waterfowl

Model 870 Marine Magnum

Model 870 SPS (Special Purpose Synthetic) Super Mag Camo

Model 870 SPS-T Camo Thumbhole

Model 870 SPS-T Super Mag Camo

Model 870 Wingmaster

Model 870 Wingmaster NRA Edition

Model 870 Wingmaster Dale Earnhardt Tribute

Model 870 Wingmaster Classic Trap

Model 870 Wingmaster LW-Small Bore

Model 870 Wingmaster Super Mag

Military lapel ribbon for the American Civil War

Military lapel ribbon for pioneering aircraft

Military lapel ribbon for the Korean War

Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft

Military lapel ribbon for the Ukranian-Russian War

Military lapel ribbon for the Vietnam War

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 1

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 2

Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective campaigns / operations.