I think this is another case of the "I want it" without a logical reason for getting it... I'm not sure.

I've got an opportunity to get a good deal on either a 26- or 28-inch 870 Express in 20-ga. I wanted to buy a 20 a long time ago, when I was skeet shooting with a girlfriend (wanted the 20 for her). That's been several years ago and for some reason I still want the 20. I use my 12-ga Express when skeet shooting, or an 11-87 when hunting, so I can't really say I have a need for the 20. But I want it.

Set it up for home defense? Ehh, maybe. But the aftermarket goodies are far more plentiful for 12-ga guns.
Grab it in case the current GF would like to go shoot? Possibly.
Project gun? Idunno... it's not like it's a 10/22, you know.

Maybe I'm like Stickman428 with motorcycles and watches: "Ooh, shiny! I'll take it!"
(Pickin' at ya, stick.)


Do I need it? No. Do I still want it? Yes.
And if I give in and get it, is the 26 or the 28 more practical in and of itself for any reason (knowing that I don't really have an intended use at this point)?

I had a custom built 20 gauge youth model with all the police internals and a larger magazine. I bought it from a guy in Michigan. Retired Marine, gunsmith. I talked to him by phone. He talks you into the cheapest possible for your needs. Interesting to talk to. Brief conversation. TOTALLY satisfied with the shotgun! Here is a quote from his website:

You never have to repeat yourself when you have an 870 in your hands 'cause they heard you perfectly clear the first damn time.
J.D McGuire

LINK: https://www.aiptactical.com

Wow, there's a lot of information there.
Thank you for that link.

I bought a used 20 gauge 870 Express with the 21" VR barrel over 12 years ago. I toss it and some slugs and #3 buck in my Jeep when going to the woods. I put together a Maverick 88 20 gauge Youth with an 18.5" barrel. It is 36" long, I call it my 'Yard Stick'. Sometimes take it.

The more I think about this, the more it becomes a project gun in my mind... 18-1/2" barrel add-on?

Hogue rubber stock?

For a girlfriend I'd get her the 20 gauge Express 870 Youth. The 21" barrel is short but long enough for hunting. Plus you can swap choke tubes. Leave it stock.

The RE 20 ga was my first gun. It is a classic, buy it. The 20 ga is elegant. For a lady I recommend a Beretta 39X in 20 ga, or a similar gas gun. It is very soft shooting.

I picked up a 20 ga youth cheap in the used rack of my LGS. It’s become a favorite. My 11 year old son can use it to shoot skeet and hand to me and I can shoot the next round of skeet. I have used it on many upland bird hunts cause it carries so easy and swings very nicely for me.

I ended up finding a 20 ga express in 26 inch later on for like $200 so I bought it as well. But these things happen.

quote:

Am I nuts for wanting an 870 Express in 20-gauge?

Yes.

Not nuts for wanting a 20ga.
Not even nuts for wanting a nice older 870.

Nuts for wanting an 870 Express, yes.

Consider finding an older 20 gauge Wingmaster. Early ones were built on 12 gauge frames. Will accept 12 gauge furniture, mag extensions.... 12 gauge frame is little heavier compared to a 20 gauge frame, not a bad thing I believe. The 20 gauge Wingmaster action is smooth! Cut the barrel, added a XS Big Dot front sight, Magpul stock. Sweet shotgun!

Top 12 gauge bought as barrel-less police trade in. Put the forend that came with it on the 20 gauge, better fit for Mrs offgrid then the Magpul. The 20 gauge on a 12 gauge frame indicator is the barrel taper at the frame.



Clearly see the taper.

The only thing I disliked about my 870 Express 20ga. was the loading gate.
I'm not fat thumbed/fingered by any means, but it always seemed to chew up the sides of my thumb if I wasn't taking my time.

Otherwise, the 20ga. buckshot commonly available is no joke on the receiving end, and I wouldn't hesitate to grab it for HD.

quote:

Originally posted by offgrid:
Wingmaster

Indeed. I do keep looking for one in the local shops. My favorite local shop has closed, and I've recently been reluctant for some reason to hit up the others. I need to get off my tail and go cruising, though.

Thank you for the comparison pics, too, offgrid.

How/where do you find police trade-ins? I'd be down for one of those as a winter project....

quote:

How/where do you find police trade-ins? I'd be down for one of those as a winter project....

^^^^^^^^

https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/

Periodic shotguns Out of stock on 12 gauge police right now.

^^^^

Thank you. I'll check back periodically.

Go Wingmaster

Don't know the seller, but having had a 20 gauge Express (that wasn't that bad), I do know having a 20g Wingmaster is a lot nicer.

Back around 1996 I picked up a 870 Express in 20-gauge 3" 28 inch barrel on sale for something like $199. Used it for grouse hunting for about 10 years. Mine has the small receiver so it runs a good half pound lighter perhaps a little more than my old 870 12 3" mag. In the last 10 years I picked up a 20" rifled barrel and a 18" cylinder barrel for the express 20 ga. When ever I found them at a good deal. I found out I really like the 20 gauge with the 18" cylinder barrel for a lightweight house gun.


I keep it loaded with those RIO 20 GA 2 3/4" #1 buckshot with 9 pellets at 1345 FPS it a very formidable load for a 20 gauge. Far better than the old school #3 buckshot loads running at 11xx FPS.

Its smaller scale lightweight handiness that is the attraction for me on the 870 20 gauge. So I could not see trying to find an real old wingmaster in 20 gauge that used the fullsize 12 receiver like they did way back when.

Another thing I have noticed over the years is the Express 870 series were always about cost cutting but the ones made in the 1990s were a cut above the ones made later.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Jelly,

I downsized from 12 to 20 over the last year or two and picked up 2 870 Express shotguns, used, don't remember exactly but no more than $200 for either of them.
Like Jelly, I like the smaller/lighter receiver versions.
I had one cut to 18" and am getting ready to SBS the 2nd one at 12.5".
I've also got an Ithaca Stakeout pistol grip AOW in 20 for those "close encounters".

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:

quote:

Originally posted by offgrid:
Wingmaster

Indeed. I do keep looking for one in the local shops. My favorite local shop has closed, and I've recently been reluctant for some reason to hit up the others. I need to get off my tail and go cruising, though.

Thank you for the comparison pics, too, offgrid.

How/where do you find police trade-ins? I'd be down for one of those as a winter project....

The barrel-less 870 police trade-in found on GunBroker a few years ago. Went the barrel-less route because I wanted XS front/rear sights. Bought the barrel with XS sights here https://tacticalgunslings.com/...ton-shotgun-barrels/

20 gauge on a 12 gauge frame is about a 1/2 pound difference in weight compared to 20 gauge 870 Express. I'll take that little weight difference for the ergos of the Magpul stock. No comparison between the two in action smoothness, Wingmaster by a fair margin over the police trade in.

I would look for a wingmaster if you can afford it.

quote:

Originally posted by JD DRIVER:
I would look for a wingmaster if you can afford it.

I agree. The Express is pretty darn rough these days. I bought my daughter one of the youth Wingmasters many years ago. She never ended up being a hunter, but I kept it anyway. Very neat little guns with the short barrel and reduced LOP.