There were manufacturing shortcuts taken on the Rem 770 to keep costs low. It is an introductory rifle that was built to compete with other introductory rifles like the Mossberg and Marlin bolt guns. Common sense would tell you that you're not going to get a first class rifle for $350.

I agree that the 870 Express and the 11/87 Sportsman lines from Remington are quality products, without the "shine" of the Wingmaster and Premier lines. Nothing wrong with them at all. What I have a problem with is a major manufacturer like Remington importing products that are manufactured in other countries and sticking them in a green box. Some of this stuff is crap, and they've been doing a lot of it lately. Remington has been around a long time, and people have come to expect quality from "big green". Unfortunately, these days you don't always get it. They used to always include the phrase "Made in America" in their advertising. You don't see it there anymore.

Now, unfortunately, they will probably be doing the same thing to the Marlin name. It's sickening!