The Remington Model 870

The Remington Model 870 is a shotgun in the Remington firearm family, offered for hunting and shooting, with more than 11 million built.

What the Model 870 is

The Model 870 is best known as a versatile sporting shotgun within the Remington firearm family.

The line has included sporting, utility, police, military, marine, and magnum variants over time.

Basic pump action operation

A pump action shotgun uses the fore end to cycle the action by hand.

At a high level, the cycle is simple:

1. After firing, the shooter pulls the fore end fully rearward.
2. That rearward motion opens the action.
3. The fired shell is ejected.
4. The shooter slides the fore end forward.
5. The forward stroke chambers the next shell.

This is only a basic operating description. Safety and loading instructions should be read and followed for any specific Model 870.

Receiver, action bars and locking design

Two design points show up repeatedly in descriptions of the Model 870: the receiver and the action bars.

The 870 receiver is described as milled from a solid billet of steel for strength and durability. Dual action bars are also identified as a major operating feature, keeping the bolt square in the receiver as it cycles.

Together, those features explain why the 870 is usually discussed as a durable pump action design: a steel receiver and dual action bars are central parts of the design.

Barrels, gauges and chamber markings

The 870 platform is associated with barrel swapping, with the same receiver adapting to waterfowl, upland birds, turkey, or trap use by swapping barrels.

Not every barrel fits every shotgun. All 12 gauge Model 870 barrels are described as interchangeable without adjustment, except the Model 870 12 gauge Super Magnum and Model 870 12 gauge Special Field.

Users should check the barrel marking for the correct gauge and chamber length before loading.

In plain terms, the Model 870 family is not one single configuration. Gauge, chamber length, model, and barrel marking all matter. The owner’s manual is the controlling reference for a particular shotgun.

Main variants and production milestones

The Model 870 line grew over decades. These are notable variants and milestones in the Model 870 family.

1. 1. 12 gauge 3 inch Magnum versions. Model 870 Magnum versions were introduced for 12 gauge 3 inch magnum loads or 2 3/4 inch shells.
2. 1. One millionth Model 870. The sale of the 1,000,000th Model 870 shotgun was announced.
3. 1. Model 870 Mk 1. The Marine Corps adopted the Model 870 Mk 1 in 1969.
4. 1. Model 870 Express. The lower cost Express line arrived with exterior matte finish and low luster hardwood stock and fore end.
5. 1. Marine Magnum Security gun. This 12 gauge model had electroless nickel plating, a seven shot magazine, an 18 inch barrel, and synthetic furniture.

Wingmaster

The Wingmaster is a longstanding Model 870 sporting line.

Express

The Model 870 Express was introduced in 1987 as a lower cost line. It differed from the standard 870 line in exterior matte finish and low luster hardwood stock and fore end.

Current Remington firearms materials also refer to the first Express models arriving in 1987.

Police and military use

The Model 870 Police has been used by law enforcement agencies for decades. The Model 870 also saw military service as the Model 870 Mk 1, adopted by the Marine Corps in 1969.

Marine Magnum

The 12 gauge Model 870 Marine Magnum Security gun was introduced in 1992. That model had electroless nickel plating, a seven shot magazine, an 18 inch barrel, and a synthetic stock and fore end.

Super Magnum models

The Super Magnum name identifies a distinct 12 gauge Model 870 configuration.

The 2020 bankruptcy and the RemArms transition

The Remington name changed hands in an important way after 2020. Remington Outdoor Company and twelve affiliates filed for bankruptcy on July 27, 2020. Roundhill Group submitted the winning bid for Remington Outdoor’s firearm division assets in October 2020.

RemArms bought the firearms business in 2020 and now designs, builds, and ships Remington firearms. Remington Ammunition and Remington Firearms are now separate companies.

On November 30, 2023, Remington Firearms said it would consolidate firearms operations in LaGrange, Georgia. The consolidation would align firearms manufacturing with a planned global headquarters and research and development facility in Georgia.

Corporate status can change over time. In 2026, Frontier Defense Group was described as manufacturing Remington branded firearms under license, while Ammunition Operations manufactured Remington branded ammunition under the Remington brand.

Why the Model 870 remains a reference point

The Model 870 is often used as a reference point for pump action shotguns because of its long production legacy and broad use. Its reputation is tied to the steel receiver, dual action bars, barrel swapping within the platform, and more than 11 million built.

For any individual Model 870, the important details remain model, gauge, chamber length, barrel markings, and the current owner’s manual. Before loading, servicing, or using one, check the firearm’s markings and the applicable manual.