Remington 870 for clays

Look for a good used 870 in a Wingmaster. My best friend bought one for $300 just last year so they're out there. I agree the 870 Express is awful for rusting.

 

If you are shooting a lot I would go for a 1100. That pump will wear you out after a couple hundred rounds. I know from experience

 

I'm a huge fan of my 870 express, 28" barrel, flat black, I would buy another if I was to get a deal on it, it was my first clay gun and its my favorite, it'll wear you out, but shooting all day will wear anyone out at first. The 1100 is a good auto loader, been around for 40 years or so I think. I've seen them in my area locally comparitive in price but usually priced above good 870s.

 

Nothing wrong with the 870. Not like your shooting heavy loads at skeet or for fun matchs - sporting clays. That 1100 will set you back some bucks. BUY USED if you can. Look for a nice older 870 with changeable choke tubes, even a well use but taken care of shotgun will be fine. You don't really want the newest versions. Older ones are simple smoother and that makes for a better working shotgun. Same goes for the mossy 500. Old ones run very fluid. The express- just get some brakefree clp and when not useing it give it a good heavy coat for a few times and let it sit that way. It does soak in after a while and will control any moisture with just normal serviceing. Also does not wipe off or dry up like some oils. Allways a little left behind.

 

My son loves his 870. We shoot trap every week end. He has a remington 1100 trap but still likes his 870 more. I have a mossberg 535 that I was using for trap and never had any issues with it. Both have thousands of rounds through them with no issues.

I now have a ruger red label over under but still shoot the mossberg every so often.

 

+1 for the 870 and a Wingmaster if you can. It's all I ever use for skeet

 

I shoot clays with my 870 with 18.5" barrel with cylinder bore. I snap shoot them for practice and have no issue with working the pump, even to hit multiple clays at once. Only thing that wears me out about shooting clays with my 870 is that it will work on your shoulder after awhile.

 

If you are shooting for fun a 870 is fine but if you want to get serious its far from the best choice Randy

 

but shooting a perfect round with a pump is just more satisfying!

O/U is the only real 'serious shooter' option for skeet though, auto's jam and pumps, well, ya gotta pump them which detracts just a bit from getting onto your second target on doubles. But it can be done no matter what you use if you practice well enough.

There's the old saying, 'beware of the man with only one gun, for he knows how to use it very well!'

the 870 is a fine workhorse that fills many roles, that's why I own three! Just hands down the best 'standard' shotgun out there IMO

 

remington 1100 or 1187 great all around guns for clays and hunting if you wanted to go that route... by me dicks had the 1187 on sale for about 599