Hunting Question Regarding A Shotgun. Remington 870 Owners Especially?
February 23rd, 2010 by eranio
I am looking to purchase a shotgun for duck,goose,partridge and turkey hunting, i’ve narrowed it down to a Remington Model 870 12 gauge but am unsure if i was the normal finish, synthetic finish, or the camo one? does anyone with any expirience know about these? i like the synthetic but it doesnt look like a hunting gun so if anyone has any advice it would be great
Posted in remington shotguns
February 23rd, 2010 at 8:42 am
I would opt for the synthetic stock because you mentioned ducks. You’re likely to be standing in shallow water with the butt submerged and resting on the toe of your boot b/c I sure ain’t holding that heavy *** thing for 5 hours straight. And it will ruin that wood stock.
If you don’t mind the wood looking like crap, go for the wood version. It’s going to swell and chip/peel but it really isn’t going to hurt anything in doing so.
If you didn’t go duck hunting, I think you could keep it looking nice. But that water is going to hurt you.
Also, do not confuse the wood stock and laminate. I do not like the laminate at all in the summer time because that finish will wear off and you can’t stain it again. It’s a mess
I’d go with the synthetic
February 23rd, 2010 at 8:42 am
Pick the one that pleases you the most.* I prefer the natural wood finish.*
February 23rd, 2010 at 8:42 am
I have a wood finish 870 express. The wood has a dull finish, and the metal is matte black. I’ve shot turkey, quail, pheasant, dove, deer, crow, some at very close range (5 yards), and never felt handicapped by it not being camouflaged. But if you like the synthetic or camo finishes, go for it.
February 23rd, 2010 at 8:42 am
synthetic easyer to take care of
February 23rd, 2010 at 8:42 am
I’m in a similar situation even as we speak (or type!); I’ve decided to purchase a second 870 for home-defense and am undecided between the Police Magnum with rifle sights and wooden stock or one with a synthetic stock in desert camo. When I qualified with my old police department I used a Remington 870 synthetic stock 18" barrel and placed first but that synthetic stock shotgun did have a bit more muzzle-rise than my wood-stock hunting 870 shotgun which seems a bit heavier. To go synthetic or not, that is the question. As a traditionalist I lean toward wood, but practically speaking synthetic may be overall better! Only you can decide. Right now I’m leaning more toward the synthetic stock for my new 870.
As far as a black stock not looking right for hunting, so what? My Steyr Mannlicher Pro Hunter .30-06 has a black synthetic stock and stainless steel barrel. That doesn’t keep it in the gun locker when I hunt, that’s for sure!
Good luck.
H
February 23rd, 2010 at 8:42 am
I have an older 1100 that has served me well for many years, with a wooden stock. From getting it wet many times while out hunting in the rain, the wood swelled by the butt plate and fore arm. I bought an 870 with the synthetic stock a while back, to avoid having this happen again. The synthetic stock will withstand the elements better than the wood, so that makes it more practical for hunting.
February 23rd, 2010 at 8:42 am
ive got a 870 super mag in wood but i wish i had got the cammo one now.
February 23rd, 2010 at 8:42 am
The synthetic/camo version will withstand the elements better, especially in duck blind. But, if you take very good care of your guns, a wood finish would be fine. It all boils down to personal choice. I have one of each and they all work the same, just look different. You chose a good shotgun, by the way.
February 23rd, 2010 at 8:42 am
camo if your turkey or deer hunting. Turkey have amazing eye sight. Get the 870 with the 3.5 inch receiver too. Turkey loads are this big and so will duck, and geese. Good luck, and happy hunting
February 23rd, 2010 at 8:42 am
The answer is the one that suits your needs best. If the hunting conditions are harsher, the wood stock may be for you. Small scratches and scuffs can be buffed out, with a synthetic stock they are there for good with a few exceptions.
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If you have a need for a camouflage, they do make a camouflage cover that you can wrap around your barrel and stock with for turkey hunting for instance.
My husband owns the wood stock with a blued barrel, sure is a pretty gun.
Hope that helped
February 23rd, 2010 at 8:42 am
I have two 870′s one 3" mag for my girl and a 3 1/2 super mag for myself. both of my 870′s are wood with a matte black finish on the metal. I always prefer wood as it looks more traditional. I have only 2 synthetic stock guns,one Ruger 10/22, and one Ruger deer rifle stainless synthetic. I hunt a lot of waterfowl with my 870′s and as long as you take good care of your guns, a wood finish is just fine. there are things you can do with the wood stocks to, you can refinish them to look more like nice wingmaster wood.
February 23rd, 2010 at 8:42 am
Everyone has a favorite. Many will swear a synthetic stock is more durable but I don’t own a single shotgun or hunting rifle that is anything but wood. Many were used by my father for duck and goose hunting back in the 60′s and 70′s and look almost as good as the day they came out of the boxes. They have been banged around air-boats, airplanes, cars and trucks. Just ALWAYS transport your guns in a case, clean them when you get out of the field, and they will last a lifetime and look good doing it.
February 23rd, 2010 at 8:42 am
I have got a beautiful old school 870 Wingmaster, but I would never hunt with it because the wood has a beautiful finish.
If i were to go hunting, I would much rather use a synthetic "ugly" gun instead. Duck blinds aren’t the cleanest environments around.
February 23rd, 2010 at 8:42 am
I am not here to brag, but I presently own 15 Remington 870 shotguns in every gauge and configuration imaginable (from the 410 up through the 12 gauge super magnum).
I personally prefer the Wingmaster series. I like a nice walnut stock and cut checkering. However, I also own two of the 870s with polymer stocks…which I also use QUITE A BIT for hunting.
The nice thing about the polymer stocks is that they are easier to care for. You don’t have to worry about getting them dinged and damaged when you hunt in heavy brush or in the rain, sleet and snow.
Of course, the polymer is not at all as pretty as the walnut, so it looks kinda funky if you decide to take it to the trap and skeet range to target practice. But, the best way to to overcome that embarrassment is to learn to be a really good shot with your shotgun. If you are breaking 24s and 25 on the trap/skeet ranges, no one is going to call you out on owning a "cheap gun" – they will respect you for being a master at your game.
One last piece of advice here. If you buy a Remington 870 Super Mag…I highly recommend that you go with the polymer stock. I have some experience through friends of mine, that bought some really expensive auto-loaders that shoot the 3.5 inch magnum 12 gauge shells. Their guns had walnut stocks and the stocks cracked and split where the pistolgrip area mates with the back of the receiveer. Let me tell you…those 3 1/2 inch magnum 12 gauge shells really pack some recoil….so the best way to handle it is with a synthetic/polymer stock. Walnut breaks.